Guitar Pickups Are Not Magic, They Are Math. Why I’m Sick Of The Snake Oil

[@JEDiTV]

Yes, I’d be interested in the “Guitars I Regret Buying” video.

[@shaunhughes2]

Seconded.

[@Sammywhat]

Thirded.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I have 5 Ibanez RGs, building a 6th now. Never regretted an ibanez. Did regret a Gibson SG Gothic, paid like $800, and it constantly buzzed, returned it, thankfully.

[@alexsargeson]

Fourthed 😂

[@slydogtom]

I’m taking the 5th and downing it 🤷‍♂️

[@StratsRUs]

Thank you to Phil and The Mods.👍🏆

[@justinhamilton9381]

Should be the name of Phil’s band

[@tommyd688]

Best guitar related show on the web..

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Thank you, very kind of you to say

[@crystaloffrost]

‘5 guitars I regret buying’ would be a great video. I also bought some expensive guitars and did not bond with, then had to sell them for half the price in order to get rid of.

[@beefnacos6258]

That's how it works....

[@louisdilallo444]

I always try before and need to like before I commit to buying

[@dankmazzi2376]

Pawn shops anybody..could get lucky like me a couple of times..both keeper's. ✌

[@mr.giggles4995]

​@@dankmazzi2376 I will never buy a brand new guitar ever again. Unless I get rich lol even then I prefer to get a good deal.

[@stevescuba1978]

​@@dankmazzi2376man, I found a gorgeous Ibanez semihollow at a pawn shop, and I wish I never sold it. It was fantastic

[@TheSavagederek]

I'm gutted I missed tonight's show live . My best mate , my Whippet dog Dexter hasn't been well at all today and I fell asleep with him cuddled into me . I'm really worried about him . We've had him 8 years since a small puppy 😢 . Life has been so crappy lately after losing mum a few weeks back , and stuff going on with the kids . Great show Phil , have a lovely weekend to all in the KYG family , see you next Friday ❤

[@pala4833]

Nice to catch you talking about the Vela. I love mine.

[@kxmrock]

@49:09 Pickups come down to Resonant Peak, Resonant Peak is more or less the sum of all the other measurements. Resistance tells us how many windings are on the coil based on the wire gauge and bobbin size. The Capacitance of the coil gives us an idea how it will process high frequencies based on the losses that happen within the coil. The Inductance is the overall ability of the coil to do it's job based on the previous measurements. The Resonant Peak of the pickup is the frequency that the pickup can most easily reproduces based on all these other measurements. Guitar pickups, by design, and because of the gives and takes of electronic theory, do not reproduce all frequencies with equal efficiency.

[@cameronwilliams4101]

I like the noiseless Lace-Sensor pickups on my 1997 Strat Plus with the LSR roller nut and locking tuners. They sound very much like the late ’50s Strat pickups, without the 60-kHz hum. Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton used them for years.

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

Rexylab is doing a great job making Kahler videos. Theres nobody else who has the information straight from the source and seemingly everyone else on the internet has no idea what they're talking about when it comes to Kahler. I've come to appreciate that there's been a lot of development over the years and many changes you might not have noticed, but what they have now is nothing short of a miracle of modern engineering... its a masterpiece!

[@andyt5559]

Phil, you shine through, with your knowledge, and when you, don't like the kahler issue, you look at 1 issue at a time methodically, SMART! The thing it Keisel guitars, yes as you say your working with them, and rather than take payment, yes you will get other benefits, whether its a guitar, a set of pickups a loaded scratchplate, whatever? But not being payed, that shows Integrity! WELL DONE!

[@rmzzz76]

"Pickups are not magic they are math". So true, but that won't stop legions of gear heads from continuing to chase the snake oil, thinking if they can just find that one special thing it will bridge the gap between their average talent and greatness. It's never the professionals who struggle to understand these things, just the masses.

[@jlmcgrot]

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of videos I see of people modding and and “upgrading “ amps and guitars by people that can barely play.

[@BitMatt1]

My next Kiesel was to have a thinner neck. I'll have to call in an see what they can do. Love the copper.

[@eddieg1153]

You are just a class act Mr. McKnight! There are not many of you out there anymore!

[@glencooper1091]

Thanks to you and Brian for getting to my question.

[@howardthrust]

Some "real Gems" in here, Phil! GREEN is NOT anywhere NEAR my "default color"; but I recently got a Charvel Pro-Mod S/D PJ IV Bass in "Lime Green Metallic"...and it just ABSOLUTELY matches what that Bass DOES! Also, I'm a "Gear Guy" with respect to "sound and feel"--not "specifications", per se. One of the best "pickup discoveries" I made was installing a Duncan "Vintage Hot Stack Plus" in the neck position of my ESP Mirage Deluxe, paired w/ a Duncan "Dimebucker" in the bridge. What a combo!!

[@ThroBakChannel]

I always feel more informed when I watch these podcasts. But I think I should clarify the pickup math when it comes to USA wound and assembled pickups vs. USA Made pickups that use 100% USA made parts. The parts cost for a 100% USA Made pickup is significantly higher. Just using Alnico magnets as an example, we pay 15x more for USA formulated and cast Alnico and have to order 5x more in quantity minimums than if we chose to use Chinese made Alnico for P.A.F. pickups. When you factor cost and overhead expenses for 100% USA made pickup assemblies, we would not be able to offer a P.A.F. pickup for $95 retail and still have a profit margin that would allow for OEM and dealer network pricing. Truly 100% USA made pickups cost significantly more than a USA wound and assembled pickup that uses overseas made parts. To be fair my experience includes having tooling made for components that are made to duplicate vintage mechanical and cosmetic specs and we paid a premium to have this done. But I think your $95 USA made pickup price claim may not factor in the real cost of a 100% USA made pickup assembly.

[@domperignon778]

“I didn’t omit it, because I am not being paid.” You, Sir, are a gentleman. If I could follow twice, I would. All the very best.

[@anotherstart1]

Love the show Phil ! I do not like cheaper import guitars. For me to much money wasted upgrading a instrument that’s not up to par. USA made is 99% time the way to go. The Prs se silver sky was the only import that I thought was close to core( I had both maple and rosewood) and preferred the SE

[@DavidHBurkart]

Pickups and Pedals: The mojo is always in the math.

[@TumbleweedRancher]

Troubleshooting is a mindset. I have to keep data collecting equipment working at remote locations. Battery is most common, then work through other issues.

[@lexist7]

This is why I appreciate Cavalier Pickups. No nonsense, builder will tell you his formula for the pickup and what to expect.

[@Luckiestpedestrian]

Love hearing you bring up Monte! I chased his signature guitar in my mind, but, instead, have an Alvarez Masterworks Dreadnaught!

[@erick1913]

I like the idea of a video filled with regret, and I really like the idea about the emotional or other non-technical aspects. That is a thing that I go through for sure, and it's interesting to hear what people learn about gear or self discovery that causes the regret . Might also be interesting to do a video on mods that cause regret. I have that on the mind because I feel like I "ruined" by Gibson Studio recently. It was set up pretty well when I got it so I never did one. When I played it I felt like it was fighting me just a little bit, and it made it kind of exciting and made it feel kind of "rock and roll" (or something, not sure if I can describe it accurately). I recently gave it a really good set up...and now there is no fight to it. It plays like a dream, but it kind of feels like I killed something special inside of it, and that weird little extra excitement is gone now

[@Youtubemademeaddahandle]

I have bought a few guitars online without playing a representative of the model. I have only been disappointed once, and that was due only to quality control. May guitars bought from store stock were not plugged in but, were looked over, held, and played. I also bought these from store that would let me return for full reimbursement without a swap. I have never trusted someone else's opinion on just about everything. I have consistently researched and the waited for the right timing of availability and price and never "pulled the trigger" without committing to keep it. I did return an online purchase for replacement once, and was satisfied until I upgraded it with another online purchase. I have always received more in trade than the purchase price largely due to always buying at a good discount.

[@ColSandersFORPRESIDENT]

I am 63 YO and I have never lost a single penny on every Gibson or Fender guitar I ever had since the early - mid 70s. These 2 brands are the safest bet. Martin and Gibson for acoustics. Taylor is a gamble along with many "modern" brands.

[@latemnf]

My kiesel aries, hands down is the best guitar I've ever owned and played. The fretwork is ridiculously smooth, going to any other guitar feels gritty to me by comparison. My aries you can run the action extremely low and do it with almost no relief in the neck the frets are so level. They are great guitars and I'll be ordering a headless multiscale soon.

[@RickMcCargar]

No magical instruments, only magical players.

[@duartefaria7134]

That is the perspective of a US citizen, the rest of the world do not care about re-sell value of a fender or a gibson. Outside US you have a lot of pristine brands making real good instruments that are expensive like gibsons and fenders but they are actualy well made instruments with no QC problems. And collecting is about the story of the guitar and emotional feelings, i value history not stories (unless they are in a book or a movie, etc.) and i do not care about the relationship of the owner and previous owners with that particular guitar or whatever. Maybe ouside US guitar brands have no value in the US market but in the rest of the world the prices of well made instruments no matter the brand re-sell for 75% to 80% the original price. That's normal cause they are good instruments and they are used instruments, so is cheap like every tech that were used and re-selled.

[@Gottaloveguitars427]

I’ve bought a lot of artist equipment: Dave Matthews, zz top, John Maher, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamossa to name a few. That’s what inspires me to keep going.

[@bbrotherton6345]

A few years ago, I bought a PRS SE Standard 24 Double Cut in Wine Red. The quality was so high, I sold my 2017 Gibson LP Standard (poor quality). I still have my 1995 ES-335 and LP Jr. Double Cut.

[@BrentAdams]

I went through a LOT of "G" Brand & "F" Brand guitars to try to find "The One" that I would really bond with....I have since found other brands that feel so much better in my hands. It took a while, but I am no longer a "Guitar Snob" thinking that I have to have "the guitar" that my Heroes play.

[@shawscustomguitarservicess1270]

Phil I love your channel. Love your demos. But I’m a tech as well. You sir, with the knowledge I’ve learned after many years of having gone through most pickups out there. Indeed it is much more than just math. If building a great pickup were as simple as math, then everyone and their brother could make them. The quality of the magnets among many other factors make a huge difference in how the pickup build turns out. There are 3 manufacturers out there that I would buy a pickup from. Over 30 years of experience here.

[@mattl4925]

Really stoked for you Phil the new guitar is really cool. Totally agree on the tech vs tubes conversation. Love my tube amps, there is a joy to playing them as well as a consistency in how they will react but I also use my Helix stuff everywhere. Its function over form almost. Also love the JB Bridge/PAF Neck, I think they are the quintessential humbucker sounds for those positions

[@MadMax_1984]

I like that- 'trading up' as the number of my guitars and amps double

[@MrMoneyHelper]

It's interesting that the great guitarist that Phil likes the most, plays just an acoustic guitar. The video clip link showed it. I didn't see any electric guitars on stage near him. I couldn't tell but it looked like he was playing through two AER acoustic guitar amps. Yet Phil collects electric guitars and one of his favorite acoustic guitars is a plastic Enya travel guitar. (Not a knock, just an observation.) Where are the expensive Yairi guitars? Certainly he could sell a few electrics to get one of those custom made acoustic instruments. By the way, I'm interested in buying a plastic Enya ukulele designed like his guitar.

[@Kymantheguyman]

Love the show, Phil. I have Q pickups in my tele that are copied from seymour duncan quarter pounders. I love the sound and I paid about half the price. So I guess I agree with Mr. Keisel 👍

[@smoothcannibal5371]

Older kahler replacement parts can be had on whammyparts. I had a pawn shop find peavey tracer rv headstock that needed a bar and they had it. All I ever hear is kahler sucks. I can throw this guitar around by the trem arm and not knock it out of tune.

[@mnemonik61]

Love mine. 😁 Kahlers are just a great design. If you want a trem that FEELS like a Strat but has all the range of a Floyd Rose but SOUNDS like a hardtail bridge, you want a Kahler. Plus with a Kahler you can palm mute as hard as you like and NEVER change the pitch, because it doesn't 'float' like a Floyd. Similar story, my first one was on a used all gloss black Carvin DC127 with a single bridge M22SD (signature model from some metal player I can't recall) that I bought for a SONG ($300!) in 1991. The trick to setting up Kahlers is just learning where the adjustments are since it's a cam-driven system. You don't loosen / tighten the spring (there's only one. lol), you adjust the resistance of the cam itself via the hex screw right on top (very convenient 😃). The only other advice I'd give is: NEVER lube the whole saddle assemblies, just clean them (with a safe solvent like isopropyl) and put a single drop of light machine oil on the edge of each saddle roller where it's pinned into the saddle. That will keep it running smooth for a year or more unless you're one of those players who never cleans their instrument after a sweaty night at the club (eww...). The other thing I love about them is you don't have to carve huge chunks out of the body to make room for it. A simple top rout that's *maybe* 3.5 cubic inches total gets the job done with NO rear rout and ugly cover plate needed!

[@walterhambrick8705]

"They're not magic, they are math"! You know how to make friends about as well as I do!

[@fatsuperfly]

Watched the tour at the factory, awesome vid. Also when he said that about pick-ups, I was like thank you😂 someone should say it, glad it was Jeff. Referring to the thumbnail

[@angusorvid8840]

Pickups are one of the single most hyped things in the guitar industry. I can understand why from a marketing standpoint, but otherwise, Jeff Keisel is right: Pickups aren't' magic, they're math. A pickup design is a formula that can be replicated over and over again with the right parts and assembly techniques. These pickup companies make a big deal about any characteristic of their pickups to make them sound better than they actually are, or more innovative. That being said, there are plenty of very good aftermarket pickups I like from Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG, etc. But if a stock pickup sounds fine, I leave it. I think Yamaha is using some terrific alnico pups on their higher end Revstars and Schecter makes excellent in-house pickups.

[@turellius]

Regarding the "5 guitars I regret buying" idea, I love it.

[@damijai7862]

😂😂 how do I undouche myself😂😂 idk if you can. Once you've spent a few nights at the Ritz Carlton, is it possible to find solace in the light they left on at motel 6?? 😂😂😂

[@Zoso981]

Great analogy! I've gradually moved from the Ritz to the Motel 6 over the past few years. I may not have the mints on my pillow anymore, but when the lights go out, I can still do all that fun hotel-room stuff!

[@damijai7862]

@garynovak1012 🤣🤣 I've never put a guitar in my hands worth more than $1000 for fear of never wanting to touch an inexpensive guitar again. It's good to know that one can return from the Ritz and be happy.

[@Crunchifyable2]

I tried something called the stratobucker that's like a strat single coil and a blade rails humbucker in the same HB sized package. Only issue I have with it is the humbucker portion is like 20k and very muddy. But it's really the right idea, a strat tone and a humbucker tone in a same spot.

[@MichaelMoore-od4jz]

Congrads on the Signature guitar well deserved

[@hotblackdesiato3451]

Hi Phil, it'd be really interesting to know which cheaper guitars you'd consider as good replacements for the '5 expensive regrets'.

[@ikestoddard2458]

Phil, I want one of those shirts too, 3XL. I am a systems engineer. There are very few variables in passive pickup construction: magnet size, type, strength, and placement; wire gauge and formula; coil-coil placement (perhaps). Short of a Fishman or EMG special construction, they are all the same configuration: measure R, L, and C to get basic values. Only a few reviewers even understand enough to do more than R. The math is a filter for the string vibration, so plugging in the numbers should show frequency response. Close?

[@frankpotter5936]

Pickups don't matter in metal so if you ask a metal guy he'll say it's all about the numbers (output). But I can tell you with 100% proof that I can make two pickups using the same materials with the same inductance that will sound different. I use a C&C machine (and hand wind) and I can program different winding patterns to change the sound a bit.

[@slinkytreekreeper]

Time to show that with video/audio proof. How subtle/major is the difference?

[@snappy-strat-snacks1551]

Definitely do the show on the 5 guitars you regret buying

[@rag103]

Don’t get a 4x10 If you play classic rock or heavier don’t get it. The sound is so different. The speakers won’t sound how you expect thru the 10” Save the headache and swapping gear because you didn’t expect such a big difference like I did. Stick with the 12” and you will have a more pleasant and less frustrating time with them.

[@SurfRockitt]

Flatwound strings! Glad they're getting some love. LOVE flats on my Jaguar.

[@TechnoRiff]

For pickups, there are few true modern innovations. Lace Sensors and Fishmans come to mind though...

[@mik99D]

Get that 'pick-up' tee-shirt made, Phil. I would buy it. "It isn't magic. It's maths" (I am in UK). Or,; "Pick-ups. It isn't magic. It's mathematics." I'd buy two.

[@BrentODell]

I have two electric guitars(a six and a seven), two electric basses(short-scale four and a five), and an acoustic. The only guitar that doesn't have D'Addario Chrome flatwound strings is the acoustic. LOVE them

[@ElectricFloridaMusic]

Hi Phil 👋 Long time watcher, first time commentor. Would love to hear more of your take on tapewounds; any bass stuff in general would be really cool too!

[@DavidHBurkart]

...and YES on the 5 guitars I regret buying

[@shanebooth1365]

My local guitar store is also offering big sale prices on used right handed PRS SE's as well...if i were right handed i would definitely be snagging at least one. The sale price isn't being offered on lefty models, though the only one typically carried there is the custom 24

[@jonhatton6686]

Lol nice rant on 57/08 and TCI pickups... And I couldn't agree more!

[@stoneysdead689]

I recently started playing with a local band and we're having some issues. We have a couple guys in the band who play multiple instruments- and when we're covering a song if they already know it- they tend to want to show everyone their parts. This doesn't work- it causes problems. You have four musicians who have all played for over 40 yrs and they all play by ear and are self-taught. This means each one of them has their own way of breaking down songs and learning them and it's through that process that they understand the song they're playing. Even if you can show them the notes and explain the timing- they're not feeling it, the song isn't playing on the stereo in their head- and so the best you'll get is them parroting it back like a tape recording. Not to mention- egos flare- ppl feel like if you asked them to be the bass player then that should be their responsibility- they're not here to be a computer, you just input the right thing and they output what you want. That's not being a musician- that's being a computer. I mean I'm not saying you should just let someone play a song wrong because you don't want to correct them- I'm just saying point it out to them- and then let them fix it. If they can't fix it right there in real time- let them go home and work it out and come back to it next practice session. If then they honestly can't figure it out- they'll ask for your help, and then it won't be a problem. Ppl think this kind of thing is petty but this is exactly the kind of thing that ends up breaking up bands- I've seen it several times- I've been in bands it happened to. It usually takes a long time but- it builds up- and then one day- pop, someone loses their shit and says a bunch of horrible stuff - and that's the end of that. You might even make it through a couple of these- but by then ppl are holding grunges and- it's just a matter of time. We sound way too good to let that happen. Shame- I'm too old now for it to matter now- that's the way it works though. By the time you get good- the music you like isn't popular anymore and no one wants to see your old ass on stage. The band smells like Ben Gay and Halls mentholated cough drops- but we actually sound really good. If we could get some young, good-looking guys to go out and fake it for us- while we played the actual music, hidden backstage- we'd have it made.

[@MrMoneyHelper]

I've given up on expensive guitars until I'm more wealthy. I've got what I need. Professionals need at least two guitars while on stage. I've been disappointed by guitars I desired. Reverend and PRS are the brands that come to mind. The first PRS I tried was at the NAMM show in New Orleans in the early 80s. Back then they had the hand drawn pin-stripes on most of them. I played three. None were set up properly. Subsequent years passed and more were tried. No happy vibes happened. The year 2021 was the last time I played one. It was a Vela. It was OK. At the same store I tried six different Reverends. Some were models in which there was strong interest. Nothing. No special vibes. They were like appliances that did what they were supposed to do, but there was no vibe. To me it's not about the brand. The instrument either has a great vibe or it doesn't. I did buy a $999 carbon fiber ukulele from the internet. It arrived with several flaws. They replaced it. The replacement was worse. Fortunately they paid for return shipping and refunded my money. Great customer service. Poor product. Phil liked their carbon fiber neck guitars. Klos was the company. Maybe the expensive guitars Phil bought and didn't love were from Reverb private sellers. So he couldn't return them.

[@timmarkowicz779]

I bought an Ibanez AX-6 recently. Your video about $500 to spend in the guitar store convinced me.

[@bobdillon1138]

pickups aren't magic but unless you invent a time machine and go back to the 60s and get the exact same materials they were using back then the modern offerings are not going to be the same as the old ones materials make a big difference in manufacturing.

[@derinrichardson8005]

Please please please include the date with the number of the podcast at the intro. It’s hard to identify your newest episode every week. PS love the show.

[@thomasraven]

To the viewer asking about resale value, I can tell you that guitars that represent iconic ideals of a type tend to hold their value the longest. So, a butterscotch American Fender Tele or a sunburst Gibson Les Paul etc. will always be sought after. Good luck to you!

[@HereComeMrCee-Jay]

95% of the time the pot is simply dirty (as opposed to being worn out and needing replacement. You want to use something that cleans, lubricates and isn't too harsh. It's worth paying extra for Deoxit brand in this case.

[@paulfuchs3661]

@Phillip McKnight It would be cool to see the video of the guitars you regret alongside the guitars that actually scratched the itch that the high end guitars didn’t.

[@rocktorrocks]

For the viewer or anyone looking for a Dave Grohl Epiphone that’s available now and considerably cheaper look at the Emily Wolfe signature model 335, it has the diamond shape f-holes.

[@AudioAtmos]

Except with electro magnetism the numbers are constantly changing or in flux. It’s good that the basic guitar pickup is a simple design so the math is easier. Still need to have the numbers right.

[@AlaskanRockstar]

Congrats on the signature guitar!! 🤟

[@Gearhart_Music]

I think PRS changed the manufacturing on the SE series pickups. My S2 came with the 85/15-s pickups and they sounded dark and a bit weak for my tastes. But I just got a SE CE24 and they sound brighter and fuller.

[@vishyoutubevideos]

I bought over 20 Japan made Fenders during COVID. Pretty much zero issues. Different story for the China and Indonesian Squiers.

[@frankcarter6427]

bravo! p/ups are magnets with thin wire wrapped around them, the same magnet wrapped in the same number of the same wire will sound the same

[@frankpotter5936]

No they won't. Winding pattern affects the sound quite a bit. Obviously you have no background making pickups.

[@frankcarter6427]

@@frankpotter5936 it really doesn't and prayer doesn't cure cancer and faries aren't real

[@Michael.Jamie.Foxxworthy]

Just got a D'Angelico Excel. Absolutely gorgeous guitar and sounds insanely good with the stock SD 59's. Unfortunately the neck is so small it's causing sharp pains in my wrist after 10-15 minutes. Such a bummer.

[@mknight52]

I’m curious about the vibrato bass technique, and the black (nylon)?strings on your bass. nice vid Phil

[@georgemacdonald3087]

If pickups are math, then you cannot copyright math. Any pickup can have every conceivable measurement made and every physical attribute reproduced whether it be size shape and properties of the magnetic slugs, number of turns, gauge and composition of the wire etc. etc. The only thing you cannot copy is the brand name. If it could be proved without a shadow of doubt that a Chinese copy was exactly the same sonically as a big name brand, 99% of guitarists would still want the big name brand and would swear they could hear the difference. If supposedly two pickups one big brand and the other a Chinese copy were played in a totally blind test except that in reality it was the big brand recording played twice, 75% of listeners would swear they could tell the difference.

[@kevinnielsen1356]

Huh, pickups are math? All this time I thought they where simple electronic devices. Well I'll be dipped.

[@claudiajay8291]

? Hey Phil happy Friday. I like the new look further from the wall …

[@waitin4winter]

Can you please please please debunk the Carl Verheyen whammy bar set up trick? It’s not magic, it’s physics. It’s makes absolutely no sense from an engineering standpoint but people still eat it up.

[@mikeomatic9905]

Phil, the question about round-core strings may not have been about flatwound. The Stringjoy Broadways are roundcore, instead of hex-core. (Personally I haven’t noticed a huge difference, but I also don’t think I’m especially particular on strings.

[@pooshNchums]

Anyone know what happened to the Heritage CC h-150 review that Phil was talking about a while back?

[@randyzeitman1354]

NDA ... you just explained why it has no value ... everyone will act the same regardless as they know you don't have the money to defend it. It's too easy for a company to do something similar and demand you spend money on the court because the Plaintiff is always at a disadvantage. IOW... do not bother with an NDA ... you cannot protect your design even after it's created, so it's moot. I know someone who sells kitchen gadget ideas to manufacturers like KitchenAid ... he says it's nonsense, you have their word or you don't... never an NDA or Patent or Copyright.

[@creationinspired200]

I have such a hard time getting down with a bolt on im not sure why im die hard prs but even in a prs i cant stand a bolt on it could sound like a million bucks and cost it too id never want it so the new SE CE series is simply unappealing same with the telecaster look a like maybe if they did it like fender is with a neck thru that would be killer and a must have plus theres not a lot of neck thru teles iut there we need that come on paul lol i love the SE 594 thats great but its the same thing they have always had the tele was a good idea but ended up the same as any other tele just a slightly different shape i love prs but this madness makes no sense lol and ive found i buy a lot of blue green and red guitars not sure why but have a new 594 S2 in eriza verde coming soon for my NGD 😊 thats exciting thanks phil your the best!

[@stevenbryan7586]

Pickups are math like French pastries are the recipe.

[@TeleCaster66]

Math, magic, or whatever but my Ron Ellis Telecaster pickups are the best I've had.

[@DarthV506]

Yep, my 2022 Ibanez RGR5221 came with bargain basement pots, guessing they didn't have access to better quality ones? $3000CAD guitar and they used $2 pots instead of $6 CTS ones... grrrrr.

[@user-co6fw6ql7h]

I stayed up till 3:07 am just to hear "Pick ups aren't magic they are math". I saw that title and had to listen NOW!!! I have been trying a lot of pickup/guitar configurations and different magnet types, ect... Trying to figure out why Alnico 5s sound to harsh to me and looking for something that works better for my 🌽 🌽 ears. I put some TV Jones Power trons in one guitar and WOW! Tone is sweet. So I'm trying to figure out exactly what the difference is. Now I know it isn't because of Dinosaur fore-skins. 😂😂I will buy one of those T Shirts!!!

[@Alfredo78666]

334, nailed it!

[@AlaskanRockstar]

Holy shit I had never heard or had seen Monte Montgomery.....wow what a loser I am. What an incredible musician Thanks Phillip !

[@user-iz6ry2ms6x]

What's up on the Musicman Sub guitars???

[@williamcondra3811]

I just bought a PRS S2 Standard in Scarlet Burst. What are your thoughts on this guitar. All my other guitars are Strats and Teles.

[@dennyhull1148]

I want a shirt that says Magic Dinosaur Bobbin Tone!!! Awesome!!

[@RandallHayter]

Is it still a signature guitar without a signature? I do like the idea that my guitar wouldn’t have someone else’s name on it, if I bought it.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Somebody said it best. It’s more like some of my ideas on the menu

[@GuitarGearGyan]

You need to tell us the brand of that Covid Amp so we don't get the same. We all do not have your amazing skills to fix it.

[@shullyzilcha2636]

Whenever I log it to watch live I can never join the chat on KZbin. Where can I join the live chat?

[@stoneysdead689]

Usually, they have the "subscribers only" option turned on which means to participate in the live chat you have to subscribe to the channel. That said- you should still be able to see it- you just can't participate. If it's not showing up at all, look for the "hide chat" option- click it and it should open the chat window.

[@blaineadams7484]

Wth, all I had was the logo and live chat for two hours

[@Shutupletstalk]

That happens sometimes when you're too early. Usually refreshing the page fixes it, it's happened to me before too.

[@L.Scott_Music]

Here is another way to think about how many you've done instead of the simple number 334. 300+30+4. Before you did the last 34 shows you had already done 300. I know it seems obvious but when I break it down like that it's even more impressive.

[@dw7704]

I have bonded with cheaper gear and so no problem for me

[@bryanfinkell9022]

I've always wondered why you've never done any acoustic guitar reviews? 🎸

[@scottreynolds5455]

Sorry I missed the live. Guitar value? Are you going for Art? dude! If you cannie play it, fugetaBOUT IT!

[@tedc6694]

99% sure I've heard Dylan Talks Tone say that same quote... maybe a year ago?

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

Make the "Pickups Aren't Magic, They're Math" shirt and sell it for charity. EVERY guitar channel will get behind you on this.