Guitar tech Michael Adams says this Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster modified for two extra pickups is one of his favorite mods. “We’ve installed a 1960s Framus in the middle position and an old DeArmond/Rowe Gold Foil behind the bridge, which makes for spooky ghost notes and a kind of chiming, from-the-other-room kind of reverb,” he gushes. “Singled out, the Gold Foil makes for some glorious noise, especially with vigorous picking in the BTB position. Plucking in front of the bridge in this setting will generate sympathetic vibrations, and you’ll hear the clang of your playing through it. When mixed with the other pickups, it provides a little bit of intensity—something uncontrolled and chaotic—to normal play.” Spoken like a true pro!
Throughout the year we collect stories and photos of guitar-mod projects created by you, our beloved readers. Some of these guitars are so inspiring we’re compelled to share them with everyone in this annual Hot Rod issue. As always, you don’t disappoint. And by using fetching racecar flame designs, several readers even revealed their devotion to the original “hot rod” culture!
We couldn’t fit all of your mod submissions here, but look for more stories in our “Hot-Rod Gallery – Reader’s Edition” online next month.
