$125 TELECASTER + $110 IN PARTS = BETTER THAN FENDER? Or is it all Bullsh!t!

[@TheGuitologist]

Sean, this channel is quickly becoming one of the BEST practical guitar advice channels on KZbin. You’re pointing out where to find the deals in today’s crowded market and you go way beyond most other channels by showing the practical methods for fixing the inevitable issues. I’m really happy you’re finally getting the attention and recognition your hard work deserves. Congratulations on 30k subs!!!

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks Brad! I can honestly say you helped me a lot. Your advice along the way has been priceless.

[@Bbbbad724]

It is the absolute best channel and all us old arthritics I tell them to come here if you want to see the inside of some giggers that are made right there.

[@windslipper]

Sean and Cathy you are amazing!!!

[@billkaroly]

I seem to recall you once took a torch to a similar bridge and melted it. Great video and man! That was some real nice work from the factory.

[@robr471]

Bro, I'm a fan, but you done messed up all those other guitar review channels for me. Next to you, they seem to just check the aesthetic and brand name. Laughable when I see them look down the neck of the guitar and start yapping about blemishes, lol. I want to see your channel get to a million subscribers. You've earned that and more.

[@Bruno.Pacino]

The blemish thing is hilarious brother I agree

[@TechValleyJeff]

Thanks you so much for explaining to a guy like me how to fix guitars. Also, I really enjoy your style - you make me feel not so dumb. I wish I knew a good guitar technicians package I could buy? Do you sell one? I'd prefer buying from you. Again, thank you for taking the time, you and Kathy, to make these videos for us folks. Did you know only 30 - 40% of your regular viewers subscribe to your channel. Let's all subscribe. And, don't scar my guitar!

[@scarmyguitar]

I don’t sell one, but if you message me on Instagram or Facebook, I’ll help you find what you need

[@TechValleyJeff]

@@scarmyguitar Thank you so much, I will and thank you 😊 so much!

[@74dartman13]

I love the drill press mod. I was one of the guys complaining guitar bodies won't fit my press. Looks like I'll be modifying mine too. Thanks for the idea!👍😎🎸🎶

[@scarmyguitar]

Hook it up bro!

[@74dartman13]

@@scarmyguitar 👍😎

[@Q5Grafx]

i played guitar in the 80s and built a partscaster, a flying v and a destroyer. i kept the partscaster until 2017 and sold it. this christmas i bought a starter amazon stringo for my granddaughter. watching your channel i was able to get it to stay tuned and set the action and upgraded several parts. it plays so nice now i decided to get myself another guitar and relearn with my granddaughter, i goy myself an ibanez gio and did the same mods to it, and it too is now playable. thanks for what you do it is appreciated.

[@qwasz123123]

Really enjoy the channel. Glad I ran across it. Keep it up, brother.

[@Bbbbad724]

Beautiful work Sean! It sounds just like my 50s U neck Mexican Tele. I mean it. I set mine up and it’s a really good player. A Mexican 50s reissue, and it has all the good hardware in it. Beautiful fiesta Red. I still have a hankering for a Seymour Duncan Humbucker in the bridge. That sound knocked me on my hind end. But you hit the mark on this one! It sounds just like a Tele should. You and a buddy could play twin Telecaster attack like the Bakersfield sound. Buck Owens and Don Rich. My Dad was in his club in Bakersfield in 1957 and it beer and Telecaster! That is two of the best sounding Telecasters I ever heard! You made them sound right! Thank you for teaching us. I m almond blind but I even looked mine over good and it is right on.

[@danedearmond4905]

Turned it from a "nice looking" guitar, to a "Nice" guitar. Great job as always Sean!

[@timesurfingalien]

12:26 sure enough steady hands with that router

[@MashaT22]

That’s so cool the way you make the ferrel holes. I’ve seen you do it before, of course. It’s just really neat! Are there other ways of grounding a guitar without drilling? Those frets were super green, lol. And I agree, that’s definitely rosewood. Love the parts you’re using. I also thought it’s a Russian brand until you pointed out that it’s probably V as in Alnico V, lol.

[@MashaT22]

Oh and congrats on almost 30k subscribers!! That’s insane!! 🥳🥳🥳

[@craigpimlott204]

Had a squier affinity strat I bought for thirty quid from a second hand shop.the neck played better than the fender I paid daft money for ,I swapped the stock pickups for some ironstone classics and rewired it with cloth wiring and CTS pots orange drop cap and treble bleed kit ,gigged it many times and a lot couldn’t tell it wasn’t a fender .my good friend who’s a fender nut said ,that thing sounds as good as my fender American strat .he now owns a Squier CV strat with the same gear as mine inside it as I fitted them for him ..he didn’t think a Squeir could play and sound as good as his fenders .but he does now ….another good review .all the way from the UK keep it up both of you ❤🇬🇧🇺🇸❤

[@casey6313]

Thanks!

[@casey6313]

I should have bought the other one your modded. By the time i asked my wife it was too late.

[@scarmyguitar]

@@casey6313 Thanks bro, what you should buy is one of mine and Cathy's kits. No better value anywhere.

[@casey6313]

Sean, I'm not seeing the kits you and Kathy have. @@scarmyguitar

[@randallyoung6715]

Excellent, hands on video ... really appreciate the economical, fun, easy builds.

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks 👍 What's a brother gotta do to earn the sub?

[@marksmith-hs9li]

Wow im so glad someone is doing videos in layman's terms , great video.

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks! 😃

[@richardherrington3815]

Love watching the Love you put into your work!!! Great Video!!!

[@pvraptor46]

Hey Sean! I recently found you on KZbin and really love your style and ideas. I have been showing them to my students as part of my Practical Arts course. Good thought provoking material with a lot of great tips. They stay fixed on the screen for a positive reason for a change!! Looking to buy a cheap guitar to have them take apart and put back together.

[@scarmyguitar]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@chrismel9000]

Dang, the factory guy went bananas with the drill on that one. lol. You fixed her up real nice. love the new pickup set, looks killer on there.

[@marknicol5449]

Fantastic love your work, hi from New Zealand

[@rodent5590]

Sean,I bought a Cozart Stratocaster w/ reverse headstock. I'm not sure what wood this body is made of,but it's the heaviest Strat I've ever played. I own(and have owned) many strats. Only changes I made were I dropped Wilkinson Texas Special clone pickups and new pots. I'll weigh this thing as soon as I get a scale.But it's so damn heavy! I'm betting close to 9-10 lbs! Besides feeling like a cement block hanging around my neck,I love this guitar.Paid $169 for it plus pups,pots etc.And I carved a nut out of a deer antler. It worked great.

[@sbeard73]

I bought one myself the gold one, this will a great video for my upgrades.

[@karlkitchen1382]

I'm so there on this one. My sons gave me a Squier Affinity Tele for Christmas a couple of years ago (mondo thanks, fellas!). I've changed out pretty much everything since then - pickups, tuners, controls, bridge saddles, nut, even the pickguard. The only original parts left on this guitar body/neck are the bridge plate and the neck hardware. In that time, it's become my favorite guitar and it's gonna stay with me. Thanks, dude!!!

[@briannelms158]

Congratulations on the channel growth Sean! Great channel brother!

[@scarmyguitar]

I appreciate it!

[@terrylarson5157]

Great honest review! Love the channel.

[@ajne5525]

Great Job man. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@Randy-jz9ox]

That hardware looked cool. Nice work, you make it look easy.

[@allancopland1768]

Good job. Turning sow's ears into silk purses man! Sounds great.

[@mattgeo1545]

My new favorite channel. I have a few big money guitars but, have become an "affordable" mod monster. I love'em and am loving this channel .

[@michaeldimatteo2666]

While watching your live podcast WEDNESDAY and waiting for you to get KA-BONGED I loved the looks of the guitar you gave away. I wondered if a clear paint would be ok on it and hope it wouldn't mess up the natural beauty of those woods. In my vision and not really knowing much about woods I just think they would stand out sharper that way! Thanks for your hard work on your videos I really enjoy them!

[@codydakota95]

Love the channel. I’ve certainly gotten some ideas for my projects from watching your channel. I don’t get all of the guitar snobbery from people. If the guitar plays good, sounds good, and inspires the player to play it; I see no problem. The CNC machines don’t care where they are. Sure the hardware, electronics might need some love, but many of these Asian companies have really stepped up the quality of the finishing of the bodies and necks…giving us some good bones to build off. I have 29 guitars, 2 were built in North America (Mexico), 1 was assembled in the USA (parts from Asia), all of my others are made in Indonesia, China, or Korea. I’ve rarely had anything so glaring I felt that Asian guitars were garbage. Usually any ills I find are easy to remedy with a little know-how. Not to mention it’s fun to tinker and upgrade!

[@birdman316]

looks like this one was put together on a monday or a friday haha!!! you came to the rescue tho n saved the day woooo! love that "natural furniture" look on that body yay yaaa!!

[@kaymobe]

Just like Frankenstein you brought that dead guitar to life. It’s a live ❤

[@TURBOCAST]

30k!!! OOOHHHH GIGGY!!!!! That tele is just tooo sweet!!! Outstanding guitar my dude! 🏴‍☠️🤘🏴‍☠️

[@JOliver-wp5cn]

OK, you MADE me buy one! I just got my gold telecozart. It's not the quite the same quality as my IYV JZ300 but for 120 bucks it's awesome. The frets could use a little work in the higher registers-just a little fret end work but I never play that high anyway. The neck pickup seems to be installed just a little wonky, I'll fix that when I change the strings.Thank you for the review.

[@Raul1971xxx]

The wood is practically irrelevant.. Good hardware, good set up, good pickups.. And Eddie Van Halen's hands to play it, and it will sound outstandingly... GOOD. Greetings from Spain 👍👍🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@fivepiece]

I did this with a Harley Benton (TE-90QM) at $185 brand new. There was a lot less to do than what your Cozart required (good Lord, those screw holes!) but I improved the pups and hardware and this thing is now amazing. Plus, almost all my improvements can be removed and put on another cheap guitar if I ever want to. Great video!

[@DaveFromTyler]

I'm really enjoying the channel and am happy to see it grow for y'all... lovin' it, Bro.... Like Mr. Guitologist said..."quickly becoming one of the BEST practical guitar advice channels on KZbin" Happy for you and Cathy, my friend...

[@scarmyguitar]

Much appreciated

[@garycoysmith]

This is my favorite guitar channel since Scott Grove/Groovy Music Lessons

[@squib311]

Got mine about a week ago. I fared a little better on the wood with a two piece body and no knots. The only thing I have done so far is swap in some brass compensated bridge saddles and a bone nut. I use toploader bridges on all my Tele style guitars. The pickups sound OK for my style of playing. Not as nice as my Cozart Strat, but few guitars are, even the big names. Just got really lucky with that one. Best $150 I ever spent.

[@jeffreystone4892]

excellent video on the routing bro

[@nileswright8915]

one of your best tele's Sean! wow :)

[@johny3barr]

Mama says I'm Special & Way Smarter Than Notty Pine !!!

[@rodaxsom]

Awesome upgrade!!

[@rkg456]

Can you do an affiliate link for the drill bit you used on the back of the body for the larger ferule holes @15:42?

[@scarmyguitar]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MK18NQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@stevemayo1175]

Yea I Dig that Clear Coated Just Plain Wood Grain

[@Vicos]

Next time you should take a Fender Custom shop guitar and put cheap parts in it and see how it sounds. 😅

[@mitchpalmer5116]

They already have cheap parts in them.

[@scarmyguitar]

@@mitchpalmer5116 yep and they over charge us for em!

[@scarmyguitar]

I'm in

[@mitchpalmer5116]

@@scarmyguitar Gibson is worse.

[@Timmy70]

Love your videos Bud!

[@donclemento4452]

On a telecaster bridge/pickup, since the brass base is attached to the bridge no ground is needed. I thought the same thing, but one check with a meter and you will see that all is grounded.

[@jasondesselles9168]

That riff at 21:38 is Wait by White Lion.

[@dreibel]

During the pandemic and lockdown, I built a couple of guitars in my apartment, using parts from the internet. One of them was a Tele with a factory second palownia body from GFS in surf green, and a neck from someone in Calgary for $35. Also some Wilkinson ceramic pickups and bridge. The trolls can beef all they want about Palownia, but that little Tele has the right amount of attitude and power I'd expect from a good Tele. And being a senior with some health issues, the lightness is a big boon. I keep it tuned in double drop D. As I said in the comments for your previous Cozart video, I'd like to see you tackle one of their 12-string electrics, probably one of their semi-hollow Teles. That should prove interesting to modify!

[@kibscott6096]

That's a good looking guitar and after the fixin' and upgrading it sounds good. Whats the stuff you used on the frets???

[@scarmyguitar]

Noxon Multi-Purpose Metal Polish Liquid amzn.to/43bzKX3

[@SoloRider831]

Great vid. I plug holes like that with maple toothpicks. I never thought about just opening up that into a more rectangular hole. Duh!! Also I have one of my tele's with the same bridge/control plate set up. Love the way it looks. Congrats on closing on 30k.... believe me, man, you have EARNED it. You and Cathy (Kathy?) have done so much for this community and it is surely appreciated.

[@SoloRider831]

Is that routing template one you made or is that commercially available?

[@scarmyguitar]

I make my own, sorry.

[@scarmyguitar]

It's with a C

[@SoloRider831]

@@scarmyguitar No worries... thanks.

[@briano.1503]

Nice work Sean! 🎸🎼🎵🎶😔🙏🇺🇸

[@b.rodclark334]

Have you ever put a ferrule block in a build instead of individual ones?

[@scarmyguitar]

Yeah I prefer the singles.

[@privateislandice]

I'm making plans to build a Tele on 2024, and I was considering using that same hardware package you used on a Tele much like this one, except with a maple fretboard. This video showed me how those pickups sound, so thanks for that! They sounded nice and punchy.

[@scarmyguitar]

You should

[@TM-ev2tc]

You need to do a video on a good cheap amplifiers.

[@raybassman7536]

Sean, this video was so cool, I watched it twice.

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks bro! And you're so cool I'll thank ya twice! Thanks!

[@davidqueen5098]

Great video! Love your channel! Cheers to you both

[@user-cg8vv1ne6d]

Sweet upgrade...I love going pawn shopping seeing what kind of guitars that might be there. You never know what you might find.

[@montyellingsworth4982]

I love this channel. Thanks for the speeches' and the exact representation of guitar quality's

[@rockerbuck967]

Another fine Scaracaster is born!! (Feel free to steal that name HAHA!!) Seriously dude, I love your channel and what you do.

[@scarmyguitar]

You're way late on that name! Bout 6000 other guys already spit that one! lol I love you for watching!

[@michaelhorst5247]

Man you made that guitar something awesome. Makes me wish I had your knowledge to do one. Keep up the great work, I love your videos.

[@kmdesign9303]

Nice one, I'd take off the Cozart and add a Fender logo only it would read: Finder ; as in finders keepers 🙂

[@danielfriedrich2232]

New subscriber , love that work !

[@muzicgr8]

Wow great job on that guitar. And you made it thru without getting knocked out hahahaha

[@JeffSimpson-yy2si]

Love what you and ur wife is doing

[@athathoththegreat3901]

Now that's impressive. That guitar sounds great. Sounds as good as a guitar a thousand dollars more expensive. Another great video Sean.

[@caseylee12]

Love this channel!!!

[@scarmyguitar]

So glad!

[@cnserviceuy]

Great tele upgrade work Jon! 👌👌👌👏👏👏💪💪💪

[@mannydecastro8604]

Sean, I stumbled onto your channel and loved (subscribed) . Nothing out there educational and entertaining. I took a chance and bought a Cozart snake head. Wanted lightweight 👍. Sounds “tinny”. Going to take your advice

[@SquirrelDarling1]

I like the figuring in the fretboard.

[@jchavins]

the two Brad Paisley Artist models from Fender have Paulowania bodies that have thin spruce veneers....sound awesome to me....

[@tommybluesman7915]

Started following you recently. Love the content and the sense of humor. Happy Thanksgiving Sean. Keep them videos coming. Thank you guys.

[@David-lq5us]

Very true brother

[@johnray5466]

Just got a cheapo chinese Tele, you really inspired me to give it a shot. It'll probably turn out crap but will be fun to get into and make it mine!

[@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308]

Somec10 year old, new on the job installed the parts!

[@1086Guitarwanker]

Sounds awesome 💎 you gave it Life amazing channel ❤

[@Kazwell111]

Man that guitar sounded great. I like the metal work on the bridge pup and control plate. Cool look!

[@steveerlandsen6639]

Had the same experience with a grote strat, got that cheap off Amazon too, that are out there.

[@touchthesun2448]

A Tele is like a belly button... everybody should have one.

[@mikeg6666]

🤔 not a big fan , only have one. Too each his own though ✌️

[@andrewbateman7534]

I notice you use Grover tuners on your upgrades. My son and I are upgrading a Dlaso Strat style guitar from Temu. Do you suggest Grovers for that? Any suggestions for a bridge? We are going to use a HSH loaded pickguard and a Tusq nut.

[@scarmyguitar]

www.amazon.com/Grover-406C6-Rotomatic-Locking-Machine/dp/B002B333LW/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1PGPZ2EQGIL09&keywords=grover%2Bmini%2B6%2Binline%2Blocking%2Btuners&qid=1700270807&sprefix=grover%2Bmini%2B6%2Binline%2Blocking%2Btuners%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1

[@scarmyguitar]

www.amazon.com/Fender-Vintage-Style-Standard-Stratocaster-Assemblies/dp/B00LJY360C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=61VTOUCPQID6&keywords=fender+bridge&qid=1700270880&sprefix=fender+bridge%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-3

[@scarmyguitar]

Make sure the body is thick enough for the bridge first. If not just put some brass saddles on it.

[@andrewbateman7534]

@@scarmyguitar I put calipers on the body, and it is 1.71 inches thick, almost full thickness of a Fender, and thicker than Squier.

[@RigidRecords69]

Sean, must be something in the central FL air. I bought an offset Tele from Cozart and the exact same kit to put in it. I'm just down the street from you, in Tampa!

[@scarmyguitar]

I'm a Hillsborough County Boy! Born in Plant City. Grew up there. We should hook up!

[@kennyh5083]

Hey, I bought a COZART Tele on yer recommendation, a fancy one w/flame maple top and it's ALL yer fault! Thank You Sean! I am amazed, the damn thing is killer! I'm a gonna thro some work yer way in the future Bro! (a Custom pattern neck) Cuz my meat hooks is BIG an needs some special necks and before I make them on my pattern router I needs a perfect pattern to start with and that where I really want ta hire you!

[@homeboyjon4885]

I put an Alnicov loaded pickguard in my number 1 Strat. It’s been a great upgrade.

[@uzer_zero]

Just finished a first pass on a $70 bass. Was surprised to find only one hole per screw when I replaced the pickguard. Did find an improperly installed pickup lifter spring, though. Easy fix. Now plays great. Next up, will possibly upgrade the electronics. Some great tips here! I miss my old Tele' - may give this a run!

[@Bbbbad724]

I enjoy watching your videos and the builds! I wish could really see you, but you are a great narrator that it is just like seeing what you are doing.

[@themisfitgeek]

Thanks for the great video. Could you share a link to the router template ! And thanks for the awesome idea for modding the drill press!

[@scarmyguitar]

In the description

[@perryadams3159]

Do you ever use the staggered tuning keys? I know it would leave holes from the string trees, but I absolutely hate string trees myself.

[@scarmyguitar]

Yes all the time

[@andyross4868]

Excellent video , I'm going to have a go with my cheapo Fazley strat , cheers from the UK

[@DeanUSAMale]

I like Hot Rodding my guitars... but I think if I want a new "custom" Telecaster style guitar, I personally would buy a body/neck/hardware/pups and have it assembled to my specs... no name on the headstock, just blank... that being said, you did turn that guitar into a fine tuned and looking machine!

[@BenjaminGonzalez-wv3cy]

Hey Shawn, that new replacement gear looks so sweet! I like those designs too!

[@nychold]

I could easily make a guitar with perfect fret work and set up right out of the box for $140. Now let me just finish making my unobtainium pickups and chopping down my tonewood tree and I'll prove it. 🤣

[@scarmyguitar]

Bwahahaha!!

[@cathycall8211]

😂😂

[@BenjaminGonzalez-wv3cy]

Nice Bowie you got there to open that box! Ain't messin' with you no time soon, nope! You have inspired me to make all those upgrades just yourself. Thank You Shawn!!!

[@Z_Aye_P89]

We call those Monday guitars and Friday guitars where I’m from and it’s the luck of the draw on which day ya get lol

[@TheRealDealBobbySteele]

Congrats on 29k

[@scarmyguitar]

Thank you so much 😀

[@13druber]

I had to watch it a second time. What size drill do you use for the string thru? What size for the ferrel?

[@TheSkarocker56]

No need to drill a hole for the ground wire. Just run it through to the bridge pickup rout and bend it over the edge under the plate 🤘

[@dushmanextreme...2564]

Done this a couple of times!

[@joeyride58]

❤❤❤ this Chit Sean.... ima lookin for a beauty of a flame top in either model that youve recently shown us... Keep it up & RockOn !

[@coppertopv365]

Be nice to see the head stock 1000 grit sanded, to remove that logo. Then wood burn S ~ G (Scarred Guitar) in the head stock. Thats a Nice Scarred Guitar worth having for sure!

[@CKS64]

Leo Fender would proudly call you son.