Reader Hot Rod Guitars 2012, Part 1
Matt Baldoni
Matt Baldoni's 1997 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster has two matched Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers, with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder in middle, Hipshot drop-D key, Hipshot Contour tremolo bridge, G&L Expander switch, and locking Schaller tuners. The only thing that's stock is the wood, a 1-piece alder body and maple/rosewood neck with finish removed from the back. All mods were inspired by his hero, guitarist Hiram Bullock, and were done by Neil Smith at Vegas Guitars. “A conservative estimate would be that I've played 2,000 jobs on this guitar,” Baldoni says. “It can't take another refret, so after I slam through this set of frets, it will retire.”