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Post subject: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:04 am
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Well, Fender did the MIM Blacktops a couple of years ago.

But with the recent addition of the Jaguar Bass in the US production lines I guess it's the time for the USA Blacktop series to make their debuts with features such as EMG X humbuckers for the guitars and EMG HZ for the basses. :idea:

Throw in an original recessed Floyd Rose tremolo on a USA Blacktop Strat and you'll get an scorching axe made for serious rockin'! :twisted:


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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:56 am
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The option for an ebony fretboard would be fun too.


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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:50 am
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It will not happen, ever. :wink:

In fact, the BT series will probably be made in China eventually. Well, that is if our economy lasts long enough. :roll:

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:43 am
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If a USA Blacktop Strat comes into a surface someday, Blertles would surely pick one, he's tired of seeing production of Fenders overseas (though this measure is effective to cut costs and save a lot of money). :wink:


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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:52 am
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Well at least all the later USA Strat standards seem to be cut HSH so it would not be too hard to make your own. On the teles the neck on standards seem "H" but the bridge would require some minor route adjustment.

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:17 pm
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If I wanted a USA Blacktop I would certainly pick an American Deluxe HSH, put some gold hardware and add skirted amp knobs. Two splittable EMG X humbuckers in the neck & bridge and an EMG SA in the middle, EXG and SPC circuits with the latter being turned on through a push-pull pot. Black shell pickguard.


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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 1:39 am
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chromeface wrote:
If a USA Blacktop Strat comes into a surface someday, Blertles would surely pick one, he's tired of seeing production of Fenders overseas (though this measure is effective to cut costs and save a lot of money). :wink:


I certainly wouldn't say no, but where would it fit into the USA lineup I wonder :?: as I understand, I could be wrong- but doesn't the MIM Blacktops sit below the MIM standard series line..

It's no secret I would love a return to USA for a Floyd Rose Strat, I'm thinking the American Special or American Standard series would be the perfect platform.. Probably the former being the best as they currently sport jumbo frets. It would need to have a Floyd Rose Original, not the Floyd Rose Special that the Blacktops use.. That zinc alloy is not the best. It's ok, just nowhere near as nice as the Original

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:56 pm
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Blertles wrote:
chromeface wrote:
If a USA Blacktop Strat comes into a surface someday, Blertles would surely pick one, he's tired of seeing production of Fenders overseas (though this measure is effective to cut costs and save a lot of money). :wink:


I certainly wouldn't say no, but where would it fit into the USA lineup I wonder :?: as I understand, I could be wrong- but doesn't the MIM Blacktops sit below the MIM standard series line..

It's no secret I would love a return to USA for a Floyd Rose Strat, I'm thinking the American Special or American Standard series would be the perfect platform.. Probably the former being the best as they currently sport jumbo frets. It would need to have a Floyd Rose Original, not the Floyd Rose Special that the Blacktops use.. That zinc alloy is not the best. It's ok, just nowhere near as nice as the Original

Image


I personally thought the Blacktops sat just above the mim standards in the Mexican product line up, could be wrong though. Either way, i think a USA blacktop would be seriously cool. A proper Rock machine. But I've got to also agree with other posters, its never going to happen.

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:29 pm
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Blertles wrote:

I certainly wouldn't say no, but where would it fit into the USA lineup I wonder :?: as I understand, I could be wrong- but doesn't the MIM Blacktops sit below the MIM standard series line..


It is not really a matter of sitting below or above a standard MIM but just "different". A blacktop essentially is an MIM standard with a 22 fret neck and the 2 high output humbuckers. It also has a unique 5 way selector switch wiring which taps the coils in the 2 and 4 positions. (2 gives the 2 inside coils, 4 gives the 2 outside coils).

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:02 pm
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Close, except that position 4 is just one coil of the neck pup. I like the sound of position 2, very Tele-like. But position 4, only one coil, is too soft in comparison to the other positions and I don't use it very much. I did notice that the service diagram lists position 4 as one coil from each pup. I am not sure if that was a change to later models, or just wrong. Mine is certainly only one neck pup coil in position 4.

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:56 pm
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conork wrote:
But I've got to also agree with other posters, its never going to happen.


Hence's a good reason to make your own.

+1 for Blertles' advice. The American Specials, Standards and Deluxes are indeed the ideal platform for the USA Blacktops.

The only disadvantage is the bodies are not routed for an original Floyd and the necks are not slotted to accommodate a locking nut.


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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:22 pm
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chromeface wrote:
conork wrote:
But I've got to also agree with other posters, its never going to happen.


Hence's a good reason to make your own.


I don't see you jumping on that bandwagon.

In fact, I'm doubtful that you've ever built a bloody thing in your entire life.

:roll:

Walk the walk or merely talk the talk -- if you can't run with the big dogs, just stay on the porch with the puppies.

:lol:

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:28 pm
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Would not a American made Blacktop be nothing more then a Big Apple strat?

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Post subject: Re: USA Blacktop series
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:28 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
Close, except that position 4 is just one coil of the neck pup. I like the sound of position 2, very Tele-like. But position 4, only one coil, is too soft in comparison to the other positions and I don't use it very much. I did notice that the service diagram lists position 4 as one coil from each pup. I am not sure if that was a change to later models, or just wrong. Mine is certainly only one neck pup coil in position 4.


You might be correct and I have the wrong info. I got this from the person I purchased an HH strat BT loaded pickguard from for a project but according to Fenders specs position 4 is just the outer coil of the neck pup. And in retrospect that makes sense as it is as close as you will get to a conventional strat sound with a humbucker in that position which is a very popular position. Once I have it in use I will check that and report back if for some reson mine was wired differently.

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