Creating The ULTIMATE Rock Machine! - Ibanez SA Upgrades!

There's something really rewarding about taking a cheap used guitar and modding it so that it's better than production guitars twice the price! Follow along as I mod this really cool Ibanez SA160!
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Enjoy!

[@maackjohnny]

14:18 I honestly like the silver knobs better, but I think that same type of knob in white might look pretty dope. The strat style knobs just look out of place to me

[@CsykKrit]

Agreed.

[@phicun74]

Seconded no strat knobs

[@fdezvanttablet]

Silver looks great.

[@ponsau]

I agree. I generally like strat style knobs on guitars with pickguards. But without pickguards, I think the other knobs look better.

[@ajack913]

Yes the silver matches better

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Sorry for the late night upload! These vids always take a while to put together :) I've had a ton of requests to mod an affordable Ibanez, so hopefully it was worth the wait!

[@FrendyLin]

Where can I find this Ibanez? It's really rare here in Indonesia

[@hollywoodactress]

Great video that shows are to mod the essentials and means most guitars can be made to play and sound better. The only thing stopping the player is the desire he practice and play if they don’t 100 % love the guitar. If they as always after an RG550 for example then they best save and get one, as could lead them to be inspired to play everyday.

[@spokes1355]

Could you make a video talking the specs on the special edition strat hh fender. The aqua burst .

[@spokes1355]

White knobs

[@spokes1355]

Take that back black strat knurled knobs with pearl tops

[@clintwhite4372]

I've always wanted a mid-range SA Ibanez. They make great necks. Even on the super cheap models. I think Ibanez is kind of an under-rated guitar.

[@someoneelse101]

Especially the SAS models.

[@luisntreal5738]

16:09 who else thought he was gonna play smoke on the water?

[@steelattack]

0 3 5

[@skaresimpyy7830]

I was gonna comment 0-3-5 but he didnt play it

[@nunyabusiness9547]

Ikr

[@frogginbullfish3372]

He probably would if it wouldn't get his video copyright striked.

[@anosegal]

Not me...

[@twantheunisz9281]

Okay those single coil sized humbuckers genuinely convinced me they were single cois but without the hum! I've never ever heard such convincing single coil tones. They had all the spankiness, twang, attack, clarity and reacted like a single coil! These guys have made something truly special! I'm a fan!

[@ClaySmith]

*Remember to cover your pickups with some painters tape before you use the steel wool. This will keep the steel wool from sticking to your pickup magnets.*

[@robertkorn]

Amen, I was cringing a bit there when he whipped out the wool.

[@JC-11111]

It's not the magnets you need to worry about so much. It's the steel wool dust/trash getting into the copper windings that screws things up. They can rust, dig through the coating on the wiring, etc... I've seen pickups that had internal shorts due to rusted steel wool trash in the wiring around the bobbins.

[@montlejohnbojangles8937]

SA160 was my very first electric guitar way back about fifteen years. Still got it, even if she doesn't get played as much lately. Won't ever get sold, I love it too much.

[@endtyme1345]

I prefer the silver knobs but white looks pretty fine too. Loveeeeee absolutely S series from Ibanez. Their shape,neck their thin body...i have my S470 with that INCREDIBLE ZR Trem and i´m still in love with her. Great work Darrell! beautiful transformation. You always doing magic with those hands!

[@g0ld3nh34rt]

Silver knobs tie into the trem and the tuning heads.

[@jolof96]

White and blue looks amazing. Its a beautiful looking guitar

[@stephenwevans]

This was great. I recently did some upgrades on an S-type signature Ibanez. This gave me a couple of ideas for the next round of mods. Thanks for doing what you do, it's great to see the process and you do a great job breaking it down, step by step.

[@duarteestelita7257]

the middle "single coil" was really surprising. Really bright! I loved the position 4 clean tone. Its sounds fantastic..! Thanks for this, Darrell !

[@anthonystark5412]

For the noobs like me who ponder such things: Darrell offers great advice on rounding, cleaning and oiling the fingerboard, from about 09:12 to 11:30 - and explains why it should be done.

[@rickeguitar9086]

That is cool you went with the JBEs as well. I did the same with my Ibanez remake. On my Ibanez the pickup config is HSH. However, like you showed in the video, i was able to split the Humbuckers using push/pull knobs. It created a PRS config with the five way switch plus the added split for each of the two Humbuckers. The one problem I have that I did not see with you is my mid pickup is noticeably quieter than the Humbuckers. You had a smoother transition across your set. I wish you shared how you wired the pickups to see how that pick up may have differed from mine. Enjoy your new toy. IBANEZ makes a great body. Like you said, with a couple of tweaks and replacing a few pieces of hardware and you have a really great instrument. Cheers!

[@sammyp1971]

Great Job Darrel! The Ibanez’ really hot rod nicely I find! And thanks for the sanding sponge idea .... I had been rolling with hard, flat blocks and the fret end profile is too easily messed up ..... sponge gives incredible results! Best guitar tip I’ve learned on KZbin to date! I’ve done most of my guitars, as well as numerous student’s guitars in the past month or two!

[@lgnd6188]

Awesome playing and great video, as always. Kick-ass pickups, too. Thanks for doing all the hard work, makes it easier to find the right gear without the headache and hit to the wallet. Much appreciated.

[@BeardedBluesDude]

Pickups look sick. Keep the silver knobs!!! :)

[@mochi65]

I'm really happy that you did this video. Yea😎

[@marcmore]

Thanks Darrel! The mod that I was searching those days!! You are always great!!!

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I could really care less what the subject is, I come here to see and hear this guy play. This is *REAL* talent on display folks, not some amateur. Yeah, the guitar is nice and the tips are helpful, but when I can learn a new lick, phrase or riff? That's gold. Thank God for the quarter speed option. I can slow it down and figure out exactly what he's doing, then tailor it to me. Magic!

[@chuwy2k]

Silver knobs for Volume and Tone, defenitly. Look at headstock, Blue, Silver and White, that is winner combo! Nice upgrade job, totally amazing sound. Keep on rockin'! 🤘😎🤘😉👌👋🙂VEVE

[@hotdogslayer4430]

Hi Darrell I Just Wanna Say That You Do The Best Reviews!!!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks Marcus!!

[@KutWrite]

Love your channel, Darrell. You obviously know your stuff and love playing! Your Canadian accent is icing on the cake.

[@JackJD]

Oh yes! That white/blue combination looks stunning!!! And the sound is absolutely top!

[@Bad.Rabbit]

Knobs on an Ibanez should match the bridge and tuning machine color

[@MrMatt9793]

Tell that to Steve Vai lol

[@anosegal]

agreed

[@mccaf87]

Unless you have a pickguard, in which case they usually match that.

[@holnak]

Hi Darrell, I'd like to see PRS SE Custom upgraded next. Cheers!

[@alexmurphy5289]

The true budget axe for all

[@jbognap]

Please consider replacing the 3-way pickup selector switch with a 5-way.

[@rpelzer]

@@jbognap??? He demonstrated all 5 positions of the existing switch

[@jbognap]

@@rpelzer In the case that he upgrades a PRS SE Custom...

[@rpelzer]

​@@jbognap Ah, sorry... I'm still hung up on the Ibanez

[@PhilippeBoissonneault]

I really love those modding videos. I've modded all my guitars since I follow you !

[@wormfost5578]

Great video as usual! I love the upgrade ones in particular. Keep up all the great work! 🤘

[@chubbz3450]

Silver knobs are better looking

[@aristotlefromebay]

I know

[@derp5620]

yep

[@Gldn__yami]

Me with black no-name locking tuners i bought of amazon for thirty bucks: 😬

[@killybilly685]

Whatever it’s HIS guitar.

[@chubbz3450]

@@killybilly685 my bro it's been 3 years

[@DogFoodTunes]

Assume JBE = Joe barden engineering? Danny Gatton's favorites. They are amazingly clear and defined. Your audience won't know but you will. Thanks for showcasing them😁

[@artwizardsam3238]

Those clean tones are BEAUTIFUL 😍

[@w.wrightjackson8317]

your the best brother, doubt there are many vids you've put out there that I haven't watched. I 've learned so much watching your vids plus you add some good humor to them.. Thanks brother. Keep on pickin and grinnin from Nashville, Tn.

[@HARwinsOUTagain]

The blue with the white pickups looks GREAT. But keep the silver knobs. I never liked those Fenderish knobs.

[@Newwaver2007]

I wonder if you would do an upgrade to a hollow body archtop guitar sometime :) Great video man, I think of ugrading my Ibanez too.

[@electroKrunch]

Nice upgrade, Darrell! Those JBEs sound pretty dang nice! Thanks for the vid man!

[@chrisf6216]

2:39 - about time! Genius indeed! Thank you for the video(s) DB - cheers!

[@nevilletaylor3942]

Silver knobs please

[@danielknowles7131]

Great video Darrell! Just a tip - make sure you tape off your pickups with masking tape when polishing the frets to avoid metal fragments getting stuck to\in the pickups

[@Bingopete71]

Also good to use a magnet inside the steel wool to help keep much of it from getting all over the place to begin with.

[@ehabsh9427]

That's an amazing job! Thanks Darrell for educating us about modding cheap guitars. I may do the same.

[@scottbagwell9144]

Great vid. Silver knobs!! Btw, I did a similar mod set up back in the 90s with a BC Rich NJ Gunslinger with DiMarzio X2N humbucker and HS1 & 3, and a Original Floyd. Still have that guitar and plays great for almost 30 years old. Actually been shopping for a Ibanez S Premium to add the family.

[@dogfalcon]

You nailed it! After seeing this mod, looking for affordable SA models the deserve a double check out. How about a Yamaha Pacifica mod? Cheers,

[@Andres9632]

Buy your Ibanez used! Major discount

[@scoots8519]

Hey thanks for the videos. I checked the price on those pickups and tuners and it is around $600? Is that right?

[@peterdebad1]

Nice mod. Enjoy it in good health. Sounds great. Also go with the white knobs!! Thanks DB!

[@jcoulter43]

Looks and sounds amazing. I like the chrome knobs best. God bless and rock on! 👏🎸😎

[@elevenAD]

I like these pick ups just not the price!

[@grilledspaghetti]

Know im not in a majority here, but I really like blade pickups and wish they had caught on more. Add a coil tap for that bridge, or series/parallel if it's that hot.

[@SarahEHowson]

Who cares if they "catch on", they sound siiiiiiick. I have two different types in two different guitars.

[@timmccorkel2989]

I have an SA160, with a Duncan Dimebucker. They get a lot of hate, but I think it's a killer combo!

[@michaelhawkins6149]

Man I really liked this video. Thanks for posting! This is the kind of stuff that I loved to do.

[@joeberard5810]

Darrell, you are really brave! It took courage to say what you did about the Seamore Duncan Zephyr silver pickups. And this is coming from someone who has them being installed on his new custom shop super strat to having the Zephyrs being installed on it as we speak (OK type). I feel the clear crisp sound that emanates from them is worth the cost-plus the magnets are encased are made with two different metals surrounded by a special material, if I am correct here, sorry for not being able to remember what they were made of, but the sound is phenomenal! And the great people at BYO Guitar do excellent custom instalations, as Shawn over there is an engineer. Joe B

[@FunkiesLOL]

I love that guitar... are they still in stock ???

[@dub351]

At 8:00 - why not just bring the pickup ring up from the bottom rather than push it over the top? Looks like it would have been easy. Love your vids, DB

[@milunbosiljcic]

Thank you Darrell. Great stuff. I always enjoy your videos. ❤️

[@AlexDD]

Thanks Darrell, nice to meet you!

[@countblue]

Great mod as usual. I would go for steel knobs but thats just my personal preference. BTW Thinking about doing that to my SA260FM I bought used. I have a set of "Ultrasonic" pickups in mind since I got some on one of my strats and they are just great and very similar to that what you used (blades). I could get a set H/S/S for 75EUR here used. ;-)

[@hallobre]

Please use some masking tape on your pick ups when you’re sanding the fingerboard with the steel wool. You don’t want the magnets to pick up those micro steel particles

[@DougHinVA]

smart dude !

[@assnut1000]

guitar really came to life both looks and sound. really cool looking ibanez.

[@chuckyinges]

I've had the SA120 ( I think exact same spec as 160 except with dual humbuckers) since 2007. Am so grateful I chose it as my first guitar. It has enough twang and thiccness to get close to the Strat and Les Paul sound. The flat neck makes it super easy to move around and this guitar's real light and easy to carry around. If you still have any doubts about SA series guitar, look up Anton Oparin Paganini Caprice No.5 on KZbin. Dude is gonna prove to you the guitar has no issue.

[@ranius7388]

Whats the issue with the pots ? It is just a resistive load that can change its value. There is no difference between cts / alpha / burns Mostly marketing mojo .

[@FachryZulfikar]

usually Ibanez bridges can be replaced with Gotoh bridges without any modification.

[@M.S-Music]

Not an Ibanez guy, but referring to your comment, sounds like the bridges are either direct copies of Gotoh or made by them... ;)

[@FachryZulfikar]

@@M.S-Music they're made by Gotoh, some are just rebrand. but since Ibanez and Gotoh use metric (as everyone should be) they're more compatible with each other.

[@DerrickRG]

@@FachryZulfikar F that metric garbage.

[@beezusKritso]

@@DerrickRG You mean the measurement that most of the world uses?

[@ppapdddar6159]

@@jamesmcgregor7993 "feet and inches are way more accurate" I see Math is not your forte.

[@MozVideoz]

Very nice JBE pickups! Danny Gatton was indeed a Master of his Telecaster/JBEs.

[@connorlucie-smith5387]

The pick ups sounds amazing, especially in the neck position

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Chrome knobs is unanimous. The masses have spoken ☺

[@AbenteuerWildnis]

"How many guitars do you have?" Darrell: "ALL" 😆

[@Bobcatspiritdude]

Great job dude !! Took it from boring , now its the 💣 on a budget banger

[@jessebarrera159]

Great improvement, just on looks alone, fantastic video as always.

[@camillegrove5278]

well i guess ill take a new dbg video in the middle of the night

[@maddilynpeterson4180]

When you started playing i thought you were gonna play smoke on the water

[@hdkk33]

I prefer the silver knobs :) but the white pickups are much better then the stock ones!! Such a cool mod! I love how you explain things, thanks to you I know dare to mod my guitars myself to instead of paying a lot of money for someone else to do it! :)

[@sublyme2157]

The new pickups look fantastic, great choice. After listening to both videos, the humbucker is definitely an improvement but my ears are still partial to the original single coils. Oh, and my vote is for the chrome knobs. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and to show us some great techniques!

[@yeahhyouvish]

I have two guitars One classical one normal acoustic Both guitars combined cost less than those tuners.

[@vladimirtubic6060]

"We want something that pops" I thought you wanted something that ROCKS!

[@KutWrite]

If the player rocks, so does the guitar.

[@no-tj8ee]

@@KutWrite r/wooosh

[@SergeiVlassov]

one of the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen!

[@mkaali]

I'd love to see more of these! Guitars I would be the most interested in: - Cheap non Fender/Squier strat upgraded to sound and play like a more expensive Fender - Cheap non Gibson/Epiphone Les Paul upgraded to sound and play like a more expensive Gibson

[@Mr.Goldbar]

I would put a Dimarzio IGNO in the bridge and a couple of True Velvet singles, going full Polyphia mode

[@lowlifeangler]

I put Tone Zones on my SV470 when I bought it in 1994

[@MichaelBeck324]

just pull that middle he put in and drop a True Velvet there. It will blend nicely with all switch options.

[@elevenAD]

@@lowlifeangler how do you like them!? i have been thinking about putting them in my SE Standard.

[@davebauchat9869]

sounds awesome..but I have to say..playing it through mesa boogie will make just about any guitar sound great...lol

[@tim-tim-timmy6571]

I agree. The only thing that a good amp cannot remove is the humming. So if your pickups are quiet, with new strings you can make it sound like a 1000 USD guitar easily

[@paulogp4629]

Beautiful result

[@MoragTong_]

The chrome knobs look amazing.

[@rockandrollmd541]

$540 USD + tax + shipping for pickups and tuners. Looking at roughly $800 Canadian, Yowzer!

[@noahbergman7777]

Yeah,cheap

[@whatcher8151]

yeah, crazy prices. HSS lookalikes without the name, same specs on the bay for 26 bucks

[@meat_dragon8834]

Their not single coils. Their humbuckers shoved into a single coil size. Their ussualy called hot rails

[@TheWolvesCurse]

hot rails is pickup of that type made by seymour duncan. it's a "kleenex" thing, everybody knows it's paper towels, but people call it kleenex due to the brand popularity.

[@73tatu]

I just bought a used Ibanez SA160 in excellent condition for $200! So stoked to try this build 🙌

[@casperboo5465]

Looks and sounds Amazing Darrell, that Blue is just Awesome Cheers

[@mochi65]

Noooo! Keep the silver knobs and find a silver switch tip. 😎

[@acecarolino101]

too much sizzle/treble for my taste... metal knobs

[@shaft9000]

yeah...pickups alone can't make a cheap guitarsound/play like an expensive one. no matter how good the components the build and finish is even more crucial.

[@asiaasia2157]

Simply beautiful, and l love the sound. Amazing job.

[@charleshaman1782]

love the blade/rail-style pickups!

[@dadihandini4684]

hi, my name is idey from indonesia ... ibanez SA guitar that you upgraded makes me fall in love ... i want to buy that guitar but i don't have money, can you give it to me 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@hoggjazz]

Great choices for the mods, but I like the chrome knobs better. Love the sound of those pickups. Good video. Thanks!

[@gkol69]

Very nice! The metal knobs look better than the white ones, they match the bridge and pickup ring. And, when testing the pickups you must tap them all in every switch position to see if there's a short circuit and some pickup may work in every position.

[@sterlingmcvay6163]

Nice Mod. The Pickups sound 'Very Good', Sweet 'TONE'. Got a Lefty Sawtooth Strat-Style, I'm going to Mod. First thing is Locking Tuners. Then a BladeRunner. Then Pickups, and I'm REALLY 'Liking' these. Thanks!!

[@m7alan7johnson7]

Absolutely love your videos. I'm a huge fan of Ibanez. They are my 2nd favorite guitar (1st being the Steinberger). What I really dig about your videos is how methodical you are. You always tell us what's up and then go through it in a way we can understand. Thanks for that and for the video. What's your thinking on Steinberger? Later!

[@charliejamz.]

I like the silver knobs. But this is the best finish on any of the guitars I’ve seen on this channel.

[@oshikiri999]

I always enjoy your playing man. ❤

[@ScottK1018]

Ibanez are great guitars to mod. At any model level you are getting an awesomely made guitar. I like to get the RG standard models and upgrade the nut, tuners, bridge and pickups. Usually with hipshot locking tuners and hardtail bridges and Dimarzio or Seymour duncan pickups and of course a graphtech preslotted nut. Sometimes even sanding the bodies down and repainting them to totally make a custom guitar. Because of Ibanez's great quality on all of thier guitars you can take a $350.00 guitar and turn it into a $1000.00 guitar. Great video.

[@falcongunner33]

Hey Darrell! I just recently bought a really cool 1971 made in Japan Epiphone 6732e. It was only like $100 which I though is a steal for a vintage instrument, since vintage instruments are considered to have a better sound when they've absorbed more moisture. That might be a pretty cool video to compare and older acoustic to a modern orangewood and see what the differences are. It would also be super cool to see you get a guitar that needs some work and restore it to playable condition!

[@rmay55]

The white knobs definitely look better. Great video!

[@dontderockmeriz4546]

I like the silver knobs better. Matches the trem, tuners & pu ring. A nice detail. Beauty of an axe Darrell.

[@Swabere]

Love your Channel. If you were to ever put a video out with all your mod tips and tricks I would definitely purchase it!

[@pedroroque4084]

I love it... love the color match and the fender style knobs

[@mikevega7740]

Another great video, guitar sounds awesome. May have to get one myself. Nice shape and colors

[@becknader2337]

Wonderful tones!

[@fhqwhgads1670]

Can we just talk about that green HH tele on the wall behind you? Holy doodle... I am in love.