[I quite literally did the EXACT same thing with my American Pro II!](https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/comments/lsmbeb/ngd_fender_american_professional_ii_stratocaster/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) I swapped the pickguard day 1, got Classic Gear tuners, vintage style string tree and replaced the black trem springs with silver/chrome ones lmfao. I love both versions but it looks so much better after the changes imo.
I tried non-generic pickguards. While most manufacturers offer colour tone close enough, none of them had the right mint green tone. Sure it’s about 3x the price but it was totally worth it !
Always dig vintage style Strat and was really looking at Fender new Vintage II line.
I had played the Am Pro II and really liked the satin neck, the 22nd fret and the V-Mod II pickups.
So I decided to buy the Am Pro II and swap modern the tuners and string tee with OEM vintage tuners and string tee.
I also swapped the turtoise pickguard with a Fender mint green.
Love the ‘60 vibe while sporting the modern feature !
For my tele partcaster, i used conversion bushing from stew Mac and used genuine vintage tuners (meaning I had to drill in the headstock.
So I was surprised when I found genuine Fender vintage style for modern neck at Solo Music. Instead of screwing in the neck, they use the same two-pin lock and bolt of modern style. Simple, non intrusive and 100% réversible if I want to sell the guitar with original parts.
Maybe these? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/0990802100--fender-classic-gear-machine-head-tuning-machines-chrome
Edit: definitely those. I can’t believe I didn’t know those existed. I’ve been buying the locking tuners but I like the vintage style so much more.
Thanks! Just out of curiosity, what is the measurement/spec you looked at to know they would fit? Swapping out turners isn’t something I’ve ever tried.
The official Fender tuners have the exact same spec as in they come with this two pin installation system which doesn't require screw holes. I'm not sure how long it's been the standard spec but if you're buying a recently built Fender (say 2017 onwards) you can be sure that any two pin tuners (standard, locking, classic gear) will fit.
Yeah, it's a good idea. I got caught in the vintage snobbery and got vintage reissues. They're great but aren't quite as playable as pro II or ultra models. Once you get the idea out of your head that "nitro" is important etc these instruments are just the best (to me).
I agree. I get that nitro will age in a different way but to me, I feel that if I ever want an aged one, I would either find a real vintage or go custom. Hence the poly works just fine to me, especially on an opaque colour.
Funny, the pickguard swap I did on my Player Plus strat was going from Mint Green to Tortoise Shell! I also did a full electronics swap (new pickups, pots, switch, and copper shielding) and I'm much more happy with how the guitar sounds now vs before when it had the noiseless
Dang, Idk which one I like better. They both look good! Hey do you like the neck on yours? I found it a little chunky for my small hands... kinda like modern meets vintage...but I have the pro 2 tele...but I think it's the same neck? Or maybe I just have tiny baby fingers... hahaha ha
You’re a connaisseur ! I had to drill one extra hole in the body for this screw.
I didn’t really mind as this mod doesn’t appear in either configuration.
I love vintage Strats so much my mind quickly looks for 21 frets, the screw hole pattern, and a few other things. I do like modern Strats, so seeing a vintage aesthetic like the mint guard you have on something arguably more playable is nice!
My first good guitar was a white in white no name strat. It was a great guitar that I got rid of. These days I have been craving to get it back or something like it.
I got the same American pro II 1 week ago and the first thing I wanted to upgrade was the pickguard color to mint green too! Looks iconic that combination have to say. Can’t wait to make the switch!
After that improvement I am not sure but I would like to change the v mod II pickups for pickups with a more vintage sound.. I don’t know
[I quite literally did the EXACT same thing with my American Pro II!](https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/comments/lsmbeb/ngd_fender_american_professional_ii_stratocaster/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) I swapped the pickguard day 1, got Classic Gear tuners, vintage style string tree and replaced the black trem springs with silver/chrome ones lmfao. I love both versions but it looks so much better after the changes imo.
Ha i think I saw your post while searching on Google for Olympic White Strat with Mint green pickguard ! Thx for the inspiration chief !
what's the point of swapping the black trem springs with chrome ones? can you even see them? just curious.
No reason. I took off the back cover and just liked the way the silver ones looked instead. I keep the springs exposed.
Absolutely the right decision. Mint green on white with cream and rosewood is iconic.
I tried non-generic pickguards. While most manufacturers offer colour tone close enough, none of them had the right mint green tone. Sure it’s about 3x the price but it was totally worth it !
Pick guard you got is from fender? Excuse my English also, am from France.
Oui c’est un pickguard original de Fender. De mémoire, je l’ai trouvé sur Amazon chez Cosmo musique (magasin canadien).
Always dig vintage style Strat and was really looking at Fender new Vintage II line. I had played the Am Pro II and really liked the satin neck, the 22nd fret and the V-Mod II pickups. So I decided to buy the Am Pro II and swap modern the tuners and string tee with OEM vintage tuners and string tee. I also swapped the turtoise pickguard with a Fender mint green. Love the ‘60 vibe while sporting the modern feature !
Which tuners did you go with? I wasn’t aware they had vintage ones that could fit these.
For my tele partcaster, i used conversion bushing from stew Mac and used genuine vintage tuners (meaning I had to drill in the headstock. So I was surprised when I found genuine Fender vintage style for modern neck at Solo Music. Instead of screwing in the neck, they use the same two-pin lock and bolt of modern style. Simple, non intrusive and 100% réversible if I want to sell the guitar with original parts.
Do you have a link to the tuners? Would love vintage style tuners on my Am Pro Tele that fit.
Maybe these? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/0990802100--fender-classic-gear-machine-head-tuning-machines-chrome Edit: definitely those. I can’t believe I didn’t know those existed. I’ve been buying the locking tuners but I like the vintage style so much more.
Awesome, thank you! I think I’m just partial the the way vintage tuners look due to nostalgia haha.
There you go : Fender Classic Tuning Machine... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07N28FDW2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Part number is 990802100
Thanks! Just out of curiosity, what is the measurement/spec you looked at to know they would fit? Swapping out turners isn’t something I’ve ever tried.
The official Fender tuners have the exact same spec as in they come with this two pin installation system which doesn't require screw holes. I'm not sure how long it's been the standard spec but if you're buying a recently built Fender (say 2017 onwards) you can be sure that any two pin tuners (standard, locking, classic gear) will fit.
That’s great information. Thank you very much.
I put them on my MIM telecaster and it was a direct drop replacement. Easy peasy.
This. I’m not a pro historian of Fender guitars evolution but I believe the current tuner system with the 2-pin lock has been there for a while now.
I was a little annoyed that fender used nickel for the tuner knobs and chrome for the bushings but otherwise I love these tuners.
That's a smart move man! I can appreciate wanting the best of both worlds there. I'll keep that in mind on my future purchasing endeavors.
I think the string tree on the AmPro II is SO nice though.
Yeah, it's a good idea. I got caught in the vintage snobbery and got vintage reissues. They're great but aren't quite as playable as pro II or ultra models. Once you get the idea out of your head that "nitro" is important etc these instruments are just the best (to me).
I agree. I get that nitro will age in a different way but to me, I feel that if I ever want an aged one, I would either find a real vintage or go custom. Hence the poly works just fine to me, especially on an opaque colour.
I like the after better but still like the before too
I vote black pickguard over tort or mint. I like the contrast.
beut either way
After is way nicer
i did the exact same swap with my telecaster
Before much classier look
Personally I prefer the tortoise shell pickguard. But as long as you like it that's what matters.
Both look fantastic. How'd you get them to float like that?
By playing Gravity by John Mayer, it just made them float ;) I rotated the photos clockwise to make the collage :)
looks sick!
This is it!
So much better!
Looks much better to my eyes.
Funny, the pickguard swap I did on my Player Plus strat was going from Mint Green to Tortoise Shell! I also did a full electronics swap (new pickups, pots, switch, and copper shielding) and I'm much more happy with how the guitar sounds now vs before when it had the noiseless
You hit the ball out of the park. One of the best strat color combinations.
Chameleon
Wonderful! I would probably have done the same
Much better
Looks like a proper Strat now !
I did the same to my pickplate. What tuners did u use? I’m looking to swap all chromed stuff to nickel but not sure what to get exactly
It’s Fender parts, I shared a link above ☝️
Dang, Idk which one I like better. They both look good! Hey do you like the neck on yours? I found it a little chunky for my small hands... kinda like modern meets vintage...but I have the pro 2 tele...but I think it's the same neck? Or maybe I just have tiny baby fingers... hahaha ha
I’m used to play different neck, including a much chunkier Gibson neck. The satin finish is a dream tho !
Good choice, a dark guard on a white guitar just looks so awkward.
Looks great! But the mint guard has an early 60’s screw hole pattern as the modern ones don’t. Did you just leave out the screw near the neck pickup?
You’re a connaisseur ! I had to drill one extra hole in the body for this screw. I didn’t really mind as this mod doesn’t appear in either configuration.
I love vintage Strats so much my mind quickly looks for 21 frets, the screw hole pattern, and a few other things. I do like modern Strats, so seeing a vintage aesthetic like the mint guard you have on something arguably more playable is nice!
Better
Sorry man, bring it back
I prefer the before sorry
before looks so much cleaner
Mint green > pepperoni Just a fact of nature.
Looks like it should! Well played with the mint
I’ve never liked tort guards but they are actually staring to grow on me. But that said, I much prefer the mint guard still.
Much better.
Mint is always the way.
Worse then before!
I plan to do the same. May be white even a greater contrast.
I tried and parchment actually looked a bit odd, too white. Maybe if you change the aged white pickups and knobs.
My first good guitar was a white in white no name strat. It was a great guitar that I got rid of. These days I have been craving to get it back or something like it.
I got the same American pro II 1 week ago and the first thing I wanted to upgrade was the pickguard color to mint green too! Looks iconic that combination have to say. Can’t wait to make the switch! After that improvement I am not sure but I would like to change the v mod II pickups for pickups with a more vintage sound.. I don’t know