Is this routed HSS, HSH, or SSS?? Thanks!

SSS (in my opinion) Cheers

Sorry, I'm not sure but it looks as though your response is more of a preference than a statement of fact?? Is it in fact routed as SSS or is that just how you believe it should be?

For the conventional Artist Jeff Beck model, it's H/S/H, on the CUstom Artist, it's S/S/S. If you go to eBay and check out the STRATosphere store, the guy there usually sells the Jeff Beck bodies. That's how I found out. I wanted one really bad in the past (JB strat), but ended up making my own "Mongrel" out of my 1998 Crimson Red Transparent American Deluxe with original Vintage Noiseless pups. I had a local luthier install an LSR nut and I purchased a Clapton mid bosst kit (that I hope to install over the next couple of days). Best of both Artist models, I think! Mine has the H/S/H routing...and no contoured heel...

Thanks for the reply/info!

collin what does the clapton midboost do?

Beck doesn't run the MRB circuits????????? Did you get the ceramic noiseless???

Sorry for the lack of a response on the specifics on my mods to my American Deluxe. I used the stock, original Vintage Noiseless pickups. I cut this from another post I wrote: I installed the Clapton mid-boost in my 1999 Am Dlx strat which came stock with VNs. I took a pickguard assembly (ebay) from a Deluxe Player, personally routed my Am Dlx front and back just like the Clapton/Guy strats and installed. I now have a rosewood fretboard, LSR nut-equipped (aftermarket install by local luthier), alder bodied (crimson red transparent), strat with 7 pickup switching options. A VERY versatile strat indeed. What started me on my journey was that I took found the VNs in their original form lifeless. Even after installing the boost, I found that they (as nearly EVERYONE agrees) need careful height adjustment tweaking for optimal sound. The addition of the boost significantly alters the character of these pickups.

Additionally, I use this guitar with everything from a Digitech GNX4 processor to my GDEC 30 to various tube amps. In order of "best" sound:
1) Tube amps LOVE this setup. Clearly this is (for me at least) the best tonally (variety and responsiveness). I have a BillM modded BJ, '79 DR, Pignose G40V, 2 Gibson Falcons (tweed and tree bark versions), among others.
2) The GNX4 sounds fantastic, particularly with headphones on. Using the boost affects the quality of the sound, making it more saturated (to me). I find it easy to over do it. I also use an original POD at church and find essentially the same thing; using the boost increases the volume and helps cut through better, but easily becomes too much without being sonically satisfying.
3) The GDEC 30 has some great presets, I usually use the headphones (late night practicing) and I usually use the clean presets. I find it very rewarding to play with the various tonal options available with raising and lowering the volume, playing with the TBX and the mid-boost. There are MANY subtle complexities in this setup, very easy to miss when playing with lots of gain or in live situations. Headphones on clean settings help a lot... Once you add gain, you learn a whole new set of optimal settings!

Bottom line is that this is indeed a very useful tool and WELL worth the time to spend the effort and to get accustomed to it.

The biggest drawback I personally noted is the loss of the great quack in positions 2 & 4. It's still there, but something about the boost made it less intense. I bet those who have the VNs without the boost can testify to quackiness being those particular pickups strong points. YMMV

I've recently pulled the VNs out and installed a hot/hot/hot bridge (6/6/13.4k) set of Lace Hot Golds in it, but plan on pulling them out and putting the VNs back in. Though they sound great, it's not the sound I was looking for.

Hope this helps a bit.