I MODDED this $3K Guitar - Did I make it Better?

[@valiantguitars9029]

Colin, thank you so much for your review and very much noted comments about those pots! We noticed those basically frictionless pots and took them out of the production right away💪

[@tehalexy]

Is it possible to buy those awesome nuts seperately? Can't find them anywhere except on ur guitars o_o

[@valiantguitars9029]

You can get a guitar and get a nut for free🥰

[@connorhart7597]

​@@tehalexy finally somebody asking the real questions

[@joecosta3416]

First time I'm seeing these Mercurys, really love the modded-vintage sort of style and all the little details. The nut and truss rod adjustment through the fretboard are both genius. I'd love to get my hands on one some day. I'd think the switch screws could be totally solved by adding some lock washers, either split or internal tooth. Also, if it wouldn't cause any sort of vibration, adding springs (low pitch ones, perhaps) to the nut shafts could keep those locked in place as well. Just a thought, thanks for making cool shit and being responsible about making improvements!

[@gringogreen4719]

You guys are awesome! I can tell you that the Bournes mini pots do have more of a CTS "throw" to them if you want to stay with that brand. CTS is the Fender and Gibson standard so most players will be accustomed to them. I do have the full sized Bournes quick throw pots on a Squier Standard Telecaster. I did the control cavity plate flip and having that quick roll from the Bournes let's me do Volume Swells and Tone swells pretty easy with my pinky like a steel guitar. You definitely want a Tele barrel knob to partner up with the pot so this is the easiest combo to do the swells. Keep up the great work and SLAVA!😎👍✨🇺🇦💙💛

[@60CycleSteve]

Good to know the length of the shaft doesn't affect pleasure

[@ScienceofLoud]

After a long wait I finally have a Valiant Mercury to call my own, this is so close to being my perfect guitar - if only I can solve a couple small issues... Valiant Mercury Copper - valiantguitars.com/product/guitars/mercury/orange-distressed-fb/ Old Bones Pickups Modern Set - oldbonespickups.com/products/modern-hss 10% OFF your Valiant Guitars purchase with 'LOUD10' This video contains product provided by Valiant Guitars. More details on how Science of Loud implements product promotion - www.csguitars.co.uk/disclosure #scienceofloud #valiantguitars #guitarmods Timecodes - 00:00 - What's in the case? 01:16 - Replacing the Potentiometers 03:08 - I've got a Screw Loose! 04:06 - Adjustable Bronze Nut 05:21 - Pickup Switching Explained 07:29 - How Mercury Differs from Jupiter 07:50 - All Other Features (Check the Web) 09:08 - Mercury Sound Samples More from Science of Loud: Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/csguitars Join Science of Loud Discord - discord.gg/uJHFgJRunb Buy Science of Loud Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store Website - www.csguitars.co.uk Contact - [e-mail] ___________________________________ *Description contains affiliate links. Purchasing using one of these links will generate a small commission for Science of Loud at no additional cost to you.*

[@andersjjensen]

Drooool! That thing looked and sounded NICE!

[@TheWorstManOnEarth]

For "any tone" versatility, I'd choose the Taylor T5 Pro ... you have a great variety of great electric tones PLUS a great acoustic guitar tone, and in a slim body slim neck lightweight package. The Taylor T5 Pro is an extreme quality guitar, and it's also pretty expensive too.

[@DrewKane]

I love the colour and inlays. It's a beautiful instrument.

[@joecosta3416]

As someone who is a big Jaguar guy, these are sick. Seems like they might just need some lock nuts on the switch screws and maybe some springs on the nut "saddle" threads if that wouldn't cause vibrations. Threadlocker works too though (again, as a Jag guy, I'm very familiar ha). I'm totally with you on the pot torque, I love a quality feeling smooth and slow turn and also am a big fan of the normal CTS pots. I get why people like fast pots, but they're not my cup of tea. LOVE the little details on this thing though, congrats on picking that up. Seems like a blast and sounds righteous

[@TheWorstManOnEarth]

There's a price point above which any permanent modification devalues a guitar ... except if you're a renown artist. Below that, any mod is often basically ignored, that's why you always keep the original spare parts to reverse back to original and either keep the upgrades (PUs, hardware, ...) or sell them separately. Like, if you're not Jeff Beck, don't mod a costly Strat with an original vintage Wilkinson Split Roller Nut for instance ... or maybe do it with a replacement neck, but not on the original neck. You can sell the original guitar, and then sell the replacement neck and the Roller Nut separately.

[@gringogreen4719]

My first thought was "Must be full sized Bournes pots..." Yup. Now, two things. You can do what you did and just swap out the Bournes for CTS full sized pots. They are equal, you see Bournes in Boutique made guitars. You can also swap out for Bournes mini pots because the "throw" is very similar to full sized CTS pots. I definitely recommend Bournes mini pots for Import guitars if you want a CTS feeling throw and you have a cramped electronics cavity. I had to do that on my Samick Malibu (the black one in my pic) and it works great! I have full sized Bournes pots on two guitars. I have a Squier Standard Telecaster with the control plate flip. The reason being is that I can do Volume ans Tone swells with my pinky on that guitar. I am in the middle of making a non working Ibanez Roadstar II guitar work and I have Bournes pots on that. It was a free guitar and the old electronics has seen better days so I am bringing essentially a non playing guitar and making it playable with new pickups, electronics, and tunners. Before anyone gets upset this guitar was in "Poor" condition, left in a garage in Phoenix for a decade or two and I am doing this basically as cheap as I can with existing parts. So it plays better, once the pickups are in it will sound good. The old pickups are going to a buddy who can use them and one or more may need to get rewound. Basically a new set of Alnico V pickups from Amazon are way cheaper than fixing the old ones. The guy works at a music store so it will either be cheap or free for him to get fixed. He likes vintage more than I do. I like taking a vintage guitar and make it more in line with modern guitars in terms of sound and playability. I like the destressed patina that the neglect has given this particular guitar.

[@GillamtheGreatest]

loctite/thread lock has a purple version too. it still keeps stuff together but isnt quite as strong so you are less likely to strip something when you need to move it. i really like it for guitars and pedals and things that are smaller and more delicate.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Love it! 😍👌 Can't believe you tightened the secret "tone" screw tho! 😲 Was very surprised that didn't completely ruin the tone 😅👍

[@seafoodsalad3356]

I think for me, the tippy top tier on this would be instead of the slide switches, normal three ways so you can get at them when playing easier - like the Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmasters!

[@Kiwaloayo]

specifically that locktite is not permanent! make sure you buy the right type and wear gloves when or wash you hands directly after use!

[@cals4887]

Also a little fun fact about it, it won't dry on the surface of stuff because it only dries/cures in the absence of oxygen, like when it is on installed threads.

[@gregg7233]

Love the way the truss wheel is cut out

[@alexcorona]

On my Jazzmaster I put the adjustable kind that just uses 2 screws and I love it. It’s great for down tuning , no more rattles.

[@orryfishburne5326]

Potentiometers that turn easy is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to electric instruments

[@TheMerc1950]

100%

[@frankiechan9651]

Dislike of low friction pots Colin? Stares at the EVH Wolfgang where Ed specified low friction pots for the Volume (got to love the swells for Cathedral) and, though he never used them prior to the Wolfgang, a "regular" friction pot for the Tone.

[@pabcrane]

Well that certainly looks like a cool guitar. And sounds fabulous (particularly for me through the AD30). I kind of wish I needed a new guitar

[@MAX96MENDES]

You want a low-friction Poti? Try a 500K EVH-Wolfgang Low Friction Pot. You will be amazed how great it is.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

Those GT Ratio staggered locking tuners are sensational. Have them myself. On everything.

[@Captain_Yata]

If I could get a Valiant with a Floyd Rose, I would never play another guitar ever. That said, I'd probably be perfectly happy with a non-trem one too.

[@chrispodesta8105]

This guitar is So Cool

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Beautiful guitar mate! Goldie and Tony should hang out one day ;)

[@odekipalace]

i love the fret inlays...

[@bl00dy1ng]

It’s the only thing I don’t like on it. They look so bad in my opinion. If it had 70s style black block inlay it would bring the guitar together

[@TheGorillafoot]

The nut is pretty interesting. Certainly will save time.

[@caelenselke-minogue]

2:32 Ain't no way blud really said that

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

What i would like to know is if the Orange 30 cand keep up with the backline of a band. perhaps more important the drummer, LOL. So could you tell me what it's usable dB level is. A great show to do would be to show the dB level on all your amps. A real world show on dB in general showing ideal dB needed per instrument in an un-miced backline would be beyond practical and useful.

[@ScienceofLoud]

That's got MUCH more to do with the speakers, their sensitivity rating, and how many of them there are. You can't give that data for an amp because the amp isn't the thing generating sound, it's the speakers.

[@niclastname]

I feel like for $3,000, it's literally the _least_ they could do to put fresh strings on it before sending it to you after it was played by dozens of grimy hands at a public show... Sick guitar though!

[@ScienceofLoud]

I'd still have changed them anyway, I want to know it's my brand, my gauge, and my set up.

[@valiantguitars9029]

Fair point!

[@SleepingLionsProductions]

where can i get that nut! And just that nut for a gibson style nut? I hate having to file the nut down

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

Those nuts have been available on Amazon and Ebay for decades.

[@SleepingLionsProductions]

@@2DclanSnipingTeam Guess who just bought some lol

[@SilkandScrooge]

But does it chug?

[@mypal1990]

Had to check the sound samples and this is a gritty tone to it. Man imagine throwing a fuzz pedal on this?

[@ScienceofLoud]

Imagine NOT throwing a Fuzz pedal on this! There was a Fuzz Face used alongside the Orange AD30 for the sound samples. Sounds great with a toothy tone.

[@rhalarda4088]

I recently got some grief from a friend because i out the everything axe pickups in my mim hendrix strat. I love Hendrix but i mostly wanted it for the body and neck. And I'm pretty sure Hendrix wouldn't care if he were alive.

[@ScienceofLoud]

If there were one person who absolutely wouldn't care you are messing around and modifying your equipment, it would be Hendrix.

[@rhalarda4088]

@ScienceofLoud Exactly. I love all my guitars but at the end of the day they are tools to help me create the music I hear in my head. Too many guitarists put them up on pedestals. I also feel Leo Fender would encourage it since the strat was designed to be modded.

[@phildem414]

Rad!

[@martinclayton7260]

You seem to have some Caledonian black finger rot? Is that from touching something that an Englishman has touched? You know that it makes you part English now! So welcome to the club.

[@jcsolomon6470]

To Me That's a Lot before the Mods😮!What's Right for me Might not be desired for You!Take care,now!M.C.😃😎❣🥳

[@DrewKane]

2:35 Giggity

[@alanwilson1724]

Rancid English jobby hand crust 😂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@PooNinja]

🇺🇦+ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿=😮 yes

[@ronnielobosmith4870]

Get some. Of the felt cymbal washers and cut them to fit underneath the knobs to give a little bit more friction

[@GamerSirus]

A $3k guitar with defects and requires mods?? Hard fucking pass from me. Could get a Schecter for 3x less and get it flawless.

[@JYZProductions]

$3000 and cheap pots and they couldn't even put every screw in properly, you might as well buy a crappy basswood bodied Ibanez if you wanted to get ripped off.

[@DisabilityExams]

My antivirus alerts on the valiant website.

[@zenistermister9695]

Too much Loctite. You only need a drop.

[@ScienceofLoud]

That literally is a drop. The macro lens is fooling you.

[@zenistermister9695]

@ScienceofLoud Damn lens! 😂