u/GuitaristExplorer

Has anyone successfully modded a “special” (Semi-Hollow, Swamp Ash, etc.) to add a “middle pick-up only” option to the tone selections? I love PRS, Paul’s a genius, but I think it’s pretty silly I can’t get the narrowfield by itself on my SE Special Semi-Hollow. I used to have an SE Swamp Ash Special and it was the same story with the middle single coil. Not sure why they made that design choice, but I’d love to add a push pull or something that would add a way to bypass the humbucker in position 2 or 4 or something upon activation, to just have the narrowfield on its own. That tone option exists on the Studio/Studio Standard and NF3 in position 3…just like a Strat, not sure why it’s denied on these other models. The Special Semi-Hollow is already one of the most versatile guitars they make, but it’d be cool to add a 13th sound 🤣.

I’ve been eyeing a Studio, either the SE or S2. (Studio, not Studio Standard). Anyone have any opinions on these two? Is the S2 worth $1450 more than the SE? Anyone have both and can weigh in on the differences?

From the marketing copy for the 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Nocaster:

In 1951, caught between the end of the "Broadcaster" name and the dawn of the "Telecaster," Fender shipped guitars with no model name on the headstock at all - and a legend was born. The Nocaster occupies a singular moment in electric guitar history; a brief, defiant window where innovation refused to be slowed by a cease-and-desist. Seventy-five years later, that spirit lives on in the 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Nocaster - a meticulous tribute to one of the most storied instruments ever made.

A little ironic? A little on the nose?

Also, interesting that they released this one separate from the other five 75th anniversary models. Makes me wonder if there might be any more late anniversary releases? Maybe a MIJ or an Offset?

Has anyone played both the Kingfish Signature and Pro 2 Telecaster Deluxe? If so, how do you think they compare? Did you find the soft V more comfortable than the deep C neck? Did you prefer one set of pickups over the other?

I’ve gotten a few oddly specific offers from buyers. I recently encountered some spam messages on other listings, so now I’m a bit leery of anything that seems off and I wanted to gauge reactions from folks. Several people have sent me offers that aren’t even dollar amounts. For example, the one day was for $509.15. That’s weird, right? Why would someone offer 509 dollars instead of 500 or 525, let alone adding on 15 CENTS? Now this might make sense if Reverb was calculating some odd price for shipping and they wanted their total to be an even number, but I’ve set it to a flat rate for shipping. So unless they’ve calculated the tax and come up with an exact number to get them to the even total they want…it’s kind of odd.

If this had only happened once I might just shrug it off, but this is the third such offer I’ve received. This buyer actually has a history and positive feedback, some of the others had names I couldn’t click on. So, bottom line, should I accept or counter this offer, or just decline it out of caution? I don’t wanted to get pulled into some kind of scam.

Twice within a few days I’ve received messages from buyers asking for a video of an item I had just listed. Both times:

-The buyer’s name couldn’t be clicked to view their shop (I assume that means they don’t have an account?)

-The message was sent within one hour of the listing going up. The first time it was within 15 minutes.

-Both items had the “I don’t wanna sell it price,” meaning they were at the high end of what I could imagine someone playing.

After creating a video and uploading it to the listing, I messaged the first buyer to let them know I had updated the listing. Haven’t heard back. I’ve yet to make the video for the second buyer on the other item. That buyer actually asked some relevant questions, but I’m still wondering if this is some kind of scam? Do you think this is normal, or are these scammers hoping I’ll take the transaction off platform or looking to get a video to use to trick others with fake listings?

I love the Telecaster Deluxe, it’s probably my favorite guitar. I don’t know if that’s an outlier opinion among Tele players or guitarists in general, but I just really like it. To me, it’s got the wonderful Fender clean tones and the ability to rock out, all at a weight that’s better than a Les Paul (and possibly more ergonomic than an SG, even if the SG has mad “aura” as the young people would say…) I got the Pro II and was blown away by its incredible versatility. That inspired me to also get the AVII 1975 when I found one on clearance, to have a version with the wide range humbuckers, a maple fretboard (my APII has rosewood), and other vintage specs. So far I’m pretty happy with it, but I do have one question…

Will I be a detestable heretic if I put locking tuners on it?

I didn’t look at the tuners super closely, I knew the 1972 Thinline has split shaft vintage style tuners and assumed the 1975 Deluxe had the same. Well, we all know what assuming does. I like locking tuners and the vintage style are cool too. But the 75 Deluxe has the same style tuners that can stock on the APII. I’m not as into “normal” tuners. So will I be missing out on the whole point of the guitar if I put a modern part on it?

This post is kind of tongue-in-cheek, but I also am kind of interested in hearing folks reactions.