Club single: The Highway entry

This is my original Fender Highway 1 (H1) pickguard. The last modification done was to have a humbucker in the bridge position because that's what I play the most. The other pair of single coils are functional but ignored. Since this had been the case, I've decided to remove this pickguard.

The new pickguard accommodates only 1 humbucker. I also have the push-pull coil split in there to activate some single coil tones on, well, some playing days. All wiring done by Beez in under 15min.

Before putting everything back in place, there were some misaligned screw holes despite the pickguard being an American product & the promise to fit an American Fender Strat perfectly. Nothing too adverse, a simple fill did the job. After an hour of drying, the new pickguard is ready for mounting.

There we go- something functional that serves me (not pleasing what others think a Fender Strat should be). By the way, the pickup in question is a Seymour Duncan JB Trembucker.

X: You've just destroyed a Fender Strat.

Me: I've destroyed nothing, it's my guitar. It's reversible anyway.

X: You have only one tone to work with.

Me: Rubbish. The amp channels, EQ section, effects & the coil split switch in there would provide much other tones to work with, it's a matter of knowing what to use, when to use them.

X: You've de-valued your Fender.

Me: If it's meant to be mine, it's not the case. I don't intend to re-sell it. A well taken care Fender will retain much of its value so no worries there. Even an old, battered, historical Fender fetches good money. That's what the whole relic thing is all about.

X: Would you recommend this mod to others?

Me: Depends on their intentions. If they wish for only a humbucking tone to help them focus, this is it. It should serve a personal need, not to imitate others' fashion statement. I have other Strats to work with should I wish for a more authentic Fender single coil tones so this one is worth the hassle. It makes me happy, that's important.