Can we make this £75 Encore Stratocaster sound like the all original 63!!!

[@Andy-ri1ns]

Absolutely needs more views.

[@lenduckworth99]

Agreed. This guy is awesome. Doing an overhaul on a Squier SE. Watched this three times already. Subscribed.

[@paulhudson2293]

Amazing how good a £75 guitar can sound when you put about £1,000 worth of work and materials into it 😃

[@leonpesticcio1675]

Still £13925 cheaper 😉

[@parlance.electricco]

€1000??? Your guitar tech must love to see you coming.

[@paulhudson2293]

@@parlance.electricco I really don't think that's far off but I didn't do the maths on when I wrote the comment. That being said, it's about £320 for those pick ups and wiring loom, and from other Google searching, £75 for a custom nut replacement, £350+ for a complete refret, and £150 for a full rewire, so ~£900+.

[@yorganyog]

I have an encore a friend Gave me 12 years ago. Came to me so damaged. The Wood is ok. This vídeo was the Kick that made me believe I could do something with her. This guy shows skills and its an honor to see them. Peace.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks man so glad you liked the video. Good luck with the work. Cheers Matt

[@derekclacton]

The Fender has more body to the tone but the Encore sounds remarkable - great job! 🎸👍

[@alvarogabrielcarbajalastud131]

exactly what I was thinking

[@jamlemon]

This just came up randomly on Facebook as an ad! Tempted to pick up a cheap Encore and do the same. Can you imagine rocking up at a gig (when they let us do that again!) with a cheapo guitar and it sounds and plays this good.

[@zackraiden5875]

You'd blow all the gear elitists away with an encore and i bet they'd say "well you've just put encore stickers on a fender"

[@MirlitronOne]

Some of us do this all the time...

[@davidsillars3181]

Could not believe how good the Encore sounded! Jaw dropping. Blooming heck, brilliant job! Six hours!

[@jamqc24]

Came from the instagram ad of this, did not disappoint

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Glad you liked it dear chap, there are more coming soon.

[@Ricardito7]

I need to change my pants after watching this vid!! Monty is the man and I want to learn his craft soooo bad!! Unreal skills, I could watch (and do) this stuff all day. Guitar porn 😍🙌🏽

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks mate

[@jbh219]

If this isn't the best advert for your pickups and services I don't know what is! Great vid

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks dear chap. Glad you liked it.

[@braindeadmm6]

Absolutely fantastic video and the smile when you played the encore, was just awesome. Big question though! how much would the pickups, the rewire, refret and setup cost?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

It was a massive improvement over what it sounded at the start. It was a massive job and for those exact spec components and work (reshoot, refret, new bone nut etc) you'd be looking at £700-£1000 depending on where you went but, lots of it you could do yourself with a bit of practice. So yes it's not cheap but still a lot less than the (£15000 I say in the video, I found out after it cost £30000) Strat. Thanks for watching. Matt

[@alainbrisebois8334]

@@Montysguitarsandpickups But like you said, today, you can buy a 100 too 200 excellent plying and sounding guitars.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

@@alainbrisebois8334 you can but it depends on what tones etc you are chasing.

[@trevorlindsey580]

I did the same thing with a $49.00 Encore P Bass I bought, and it was outstanding. These instruments have very well made necks. The Ho wood bodies are also extremely light and resonant.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

100% agreed.

[@davidhall7954]

Great Video, I love this stuff. I bought a black Encore Strat off Ebay for around £15 and I took it apart, changed all the pots, the wiring and put an Oak Gigsby 5 way switch and Alnico 5 pick Ups as the originals hummed like crazy. Put some copper tape in to isolate the Hum, changed the Tremolo Arm for a Wilkinson and my Grandson who is getting to be a good guitar player at 14 years, he now loves it through his Marshall or Fender 15 frontman, I changed the speaker in the Fender, as the original is garbage. He also plays an Epiphone Acoustic I got for him, when he was 13. I filed the original frets and polished them, straightened the truss rod, which is not so easy in our version, it is an early one, like yours. I also changed the nut for a Bone nut. The next thing I will replace, will be locking tuners, maybe Wilkinson as they are good, not so expensive. I have bought him, so far a Telecaster Copy, Les Paul copy and a East Coast copy Precision Bass. The modified Encore is now his favorite Electric Guitar.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Great work it sounds like your grandson is amassing quite a collection. Modding guitars is always fun!

[@calvinmartykleinmcfly6998]

Amazing. Great to see as I have a 1995 red encore and didn't think there was anything I could do with it.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Get modding! If you need any help give me a shout. Cheers Matt ps love your user name

[@unclebigkid1020]

The project guitar sounds better than the 1960’s one 😀🎸

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

UNCLE BIG KID you’re not wrong!

[@georgestevens1502]

I upgraded a $90 Korean made strat I bought in 2006 (with still useable gig bag thrown in for free) with Guitar Fetish high impedance single coil strat type pick ups, brass bridge block, titanium block saddles, new pots, 5 way switch, input jack and rewiring the tone pots so the bridge pick up could be tone adjusted. Previously, I had the tuners changed to Grover mini locking, a professional set up and frets 10 and higher leveled and crowned by Sal the luthier who was at Sam Ash on Sunset Blvd here in LA for some 20 years who did all the work, first in 2006 and then in 2018. All of that was done for $400, including labor. The brand name is Bronx. It has the best rosewood fretboard I've seen on any guitar. I would put it up against any strat type guitar. The neck single coil sounds exactly like Clapton's Gibson humbucker tone on Disraeli Gears, which was a most pleasant surprise. Custom upgrade your electric guitars yourself is the way to go. No need to spend two grand on a Fender Pro series axe. Sure miss Sal now that Sam Ash closed it's doors. Anyone know how to get a hold of him?

[@gerrymcfarlane2615]

I own 5 Encore Strat style Guitars, on some I’ve upgraded the pickups and replaced bridge with rollers (just my preference). I love the weight and balance of the guitars, they all have amazing necks. The stock tuners are workable. Highly playable , great sounding instruments. Astounding value for money.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

I 100% agree

[@bm2425]

what kind of tool do I need to adjust the trussrod of a 1995 encore custom deluxe stratocaster? I took the neck of to adjust the trussrod but I really don't know what to use. The trussrod did not look hexagonal and more round. Maybe someone out there knows!

[@AVM-Music]

I have an Indian made (1980’s) Encore strat. It’s amazing. Currently running emg selects because we had them hanging around…upgraded the trem for one with brass block, has lockers, graphite nut and it’s incredible. Fender full size body, heavy as hell and sings like a strat and plays like one. Currently upgrading a 96 squier with orange drops, CTS, 64 voices handwound for pickups and stupidly slinky .7 gauge strings

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Well done guys! I just bought a 1980's Greta (india) made Encore HSS Strat for £70. Looking to get it playing like a top-end guitar. Victor...

[@andreweasombentley4703]

Great video and very articulately explained. You should do more of this kind of thing! :)

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks dear chap hopefully more to come soon… Very soon

[@davidbrown2945]

This is brilliant, I've always thought that alot of cheaper instruments can be made nice players with a little tinkering and the addition of better hardware etc. The encore sounds really nice, top man!!!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Cheers chap!

[@pvdguitars2951]

Amazing upgrade! Beats the Vintage Fender. I love it when an old cheap guitar gets upgraded! I found a 30$ strat copy and turned it into my favourite guitar. Cost me less than 150 $ and it can compete with the big brands.

[@3rdtonefromthesun]

It doesn't though, it has way less body and warmth.

[@chrismcdonald1518]

Just found this channel - absolutely loved this video. Awesome. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Chris McDonald Thanks very much so glad you liked it.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

If I had an Encore when I was 17 I’d have been one happy puppy!

[@clockworktoastboy]

Your Instagram campaign brought me here - props to your social media marketing team. That said... I actually quite prefer the sound on the upgraded Encore 😅

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks dear chap, glad you liked it.

[@rhysbooth4842]

I have a 90s encore strat i got in a charity shop for a tenner and with no modifications apart from polished frets and a decent set up it plays nicer than some of my fenders I really need to bring the sound up to par

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

With a bit of tinkering they are lovely instruments

[@bobmatthews5720]

Great work and video. I would love to see you put them in the hands of some guitarists and do a blindfold test!!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

That would be cool!

[@davethebass3517]

Great work there, Matt! To my ears the Fender still has a little more body to the tone, but in a live situation you'd never notice the difference. About 20 years ago a friend asked me to do some setup work on his Encore Strat. I only had American Fenders at the time but I couldn't put that Encore down - I loved it.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks man. When you get a good guitar no matter the cost it's a glorious thing.

[@dmj09]

Look on your face at 8:20 says it all..sounds great

[@MrRoyclarke]

I'm a new player, I found this video so informative and interesting. Thanks

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alancolville2464]

Trying a similar thing with an encore but fitting floyd rose style nut and bridge hope it works as good as this

[@sergiysteghura9428]

I came here because I came across an old Encore Stratocaster and I want to buy it. In fact, there is something special and magical in it. This guitar will gain weight in the world of electric guitars. Ukraine.

[@ijahtom]

Perhaps bring the Pickups way down, I feel they be more simular then. Wow, amazing.

[@petebanham9009]

Awesome video! Itching to get a set of Monty's in my strat now!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Glad you liked it man. Cheers Matt

[@davidlloyd9598]

I have the same encore. It sounds amazing. Mine plays and feels like a strat and is made from alder. The pots are all 500k.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

🤜🤛

[@cedricfarquharson5842]

great video. It's inspired me to try something similar with my Encore.

[@livinghere1972]

Sounded like the Encore had more chime, and the Fender more depth in the bass with an overall better response to the playing. Both good.

[@fepatton]

I'm wearing that exact t-shirt watching this. 😂 Love my Monty's pickups!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

That makes me happy!

[@1234588001]

i just picked up an encore guitar im going to work on this thanks man brill vid

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

LD101 mixer So glad you liked it you can do a lot with an encore, good luck!!

[@datanoster]

Cool! my first guitar was an encore, if i remember the frets were gigantic. Btw It sounds like your audio is clipping quite a lot on the guitar parts.

[@zam4688]

that encore sounds absolutely superb after having work done on it! It doesnt sound anything like a £75 guitar! What a fantastic job! I wish i could learn how to do al that stuff! Ive got an old cheap guitar and bass that could use a bit of upgrading!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Just start dear chap learning on the job is the best way I find. If you need any help give me a shout. Cheers Matt

[@zackraiden5875]

Should do one on an Encore E99 too, would be good to know if you can make it better than a les paul for similar money

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

there's one in the pipeline, I'm just waiting on getting my hands on a burst

[@Nickshreds890]

Your explanations are very thorough!! I'm subscribing and will be sharing . I am keen to try the fret wax on my first guitar .. it's a Fender squire that played for 6 years from beginner to intermediate and for music exams too. It's awesome to see and hear how big a difference a set up and new pickups can have on a guitar . I appreciate that you're sharing a lot of information and not keeping secrets. Awesome stuff and I feel inspired to give some of my old guitars some of the fret wax and see if that makes the fretboard feel more comfortable and makes the guitar play better too . 😀 cheers!

[@gusdogbrownlab435]

Great video. I spend just a bit more money and have the Vintage V6 guitars. They are great value for money, especially second hand

[@jlfmartin]

Where I can get and buy this upgrades? Which pickups and potenciometers some link for buy them items? Thxs

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

I've added links to the video of exactly what I used mate.

[@creationinspired200]

I used to watch this guy so long ago and i begged the other company to send me his setup video never thought id see him again you have a channel of your own though! Already subscribed thank you sir!! I have to ask though why did you use solder when removing the fret??

[@Bluejeanmusic1984]

I'm doing the same ... I just got an old encore and swapping it about. Mine cost £30 . Will make an amazing work horse guitar . Would love your pickups in it

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

freestyle jamming good work dear chap I’ll gladly help in any way I can

[@batphink2655]

Wow you're a talented lad, well done it sounded very good indeed!

[@cgavin1]

One of the reasons I love the stratocaster (and the Tele too) is that they reduce electric guitar to the simplest of requirements. All you need are two pieces of seasoned wood bolted together and some good pickups. The rest of the time and money you saved not going down the rabbithole you can spend on the really important part: the amplifier and speaker.

[@rabyoung3917]

Excellent vid, I have the PAF's and Fully Monty P90's in two of my guitars..I see a set of Monty's going into my partscaster.

[@Tatasko]

Mate, that sounds perfect! What amp do You use in this vid?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks man, it was a Rift 15C such a killer little amp. Cheers M

[@amaansajid01]

Why does this not have a zillion views?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks dear chap 🤜🤛. Cheers Matt

[@calvinmartykleinmcfly6998]

I've got the red one. Bought it in 1995 I noticed that the frets aren't exactly spaced te same as the fenders .

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

I'm not 100% sure if they used the same scale length, I'll have a look into it.

[@MyName-ez9lv]

Man..where have you been hiding your skills, thank god I searched for encore guitars.

[@cowieson]

Ace video! I still use my 2003 Mexican Strat as my main guitar and it’s had a similar set of upgrades over the years. Age old question, but where do you tend to set the pick-up heights for your ‘62 pickups?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Glad you liked it man. There is no set height for your pickups but check out this video from a while back and it should get you sorted. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHqtmYmPqaelj7M

[@cowieson]

@@Montysguitarsandpickups nice one, thank you!

[@Skiddins]

1:08, 8:09 to compare the cheap guitar before and after he worked on it. 7:23 for the 60's guitar to compare.

[@ngle]

The Fender should also be worked on a bit to get them closer.😄

[@tobybathon]

NIce job. Just put your relic wax on all my boards. Stuff is amazing! Costs for shipping and toll to germany was quite high but woth ist. Great Stuff. Keep on the good work man!

[@ZootC]

This was really informative. I have a 1970's sunburst 'lawsuit' strat that I'm doing a similar job with. bit delayed because i have to work out of my small shed and the weather has not been kind. Interested in those pickups. I have some Alnico V 'vintage' single coil replacements ( although i'm toying with the idea of a hot rail humbucker on the bridge ). Do you sell the pickups you featured? Obviously I'm going orange drop caps and cts pots. I'm also going a bit mad and stripping back the sunburst finish to see what the wood grain is like in consideration for a nice natural oiled finish ( I'm a carpenter, not a luthier, I like a nice bit of wood ;) ) I think it's ash. You did a fantastic job here and if anything I thought the 63 was a little muddy in comparison but let's be fair, you call it a £75 Encore but you've put at least £1000 of work into that if you factor in your time.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks for the kind words. This was a really fun project. The pickups in the video are our 62 Strat set which are available here www.montysguitars.com a humbucker in the bridge is always a goodn but you can also try adding a baseplate to your standard Strat bridge pickup as it boosts the lower mids and gives you more punch. If there’s anything I can help with just get in touch cheers Matt

[@sun-p6g]

Script and stats aside. I would say it makes a good begginers guitar because it is a combination of the same 'architecture as the fender and Gibson so it will make it easier to move from one to the other. I have one of the earlier ones that was poorly made. .I had to file one side of the finger board straight. I had the same nack design on my first electric in the 1970's.. They can be made into instruments as good as any other.

[@rainydayswithdogs]

Amazing job.

[@MrGiorgioud]

I understand your needing to switch guitars again after completing the job: you couldn’t fathom how the humble Encore could, dare I say it, sound even better than the 1963 Strat. Yet, incredibly, it does, in my humble opinion. I have a 1-pick up black Strat-type Encore which holds an enormous value for me, as it is a present from my beloved wife which she bought at the beginning of our love story. But, as beautiful as it looks and as comfortable as it plays, make no mistake, it is an Encore. It needs upgrading and then it will be a serious contender, with added sentimental kudos. Your video was amazing and I greatly enjoyed it. Now, the question: how much is it for the damage? Is it something kind of affordable or only within the financial realms of the Billy Duffys and the Mark Knopflers?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Hey Giorgio, that's a really nice story; I'll gladly help you out with that. The work in the video with all the components would be quite expensive (around £1000), but you may not need all for it, you can get any guitar to play at its best with a fret dress and a good set-up and maybe a bone nut which would be less. If you'd like to chat about it, email me at [e-mail], and I'll gladly talk you through all the options. Cheers Matt

[@ConjuredUndead]

I mean, T Cut and Lighter fluid on a neck. How British 😁

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

You can take the boy out of Blighty but you'll never take Blighty out of the boy.😉

[@97pezza]

Stick a thicker trem block and it'll be even better

[@samsmart111]

great job! well a good guitar is a good guitar and that depends on the craftmanship that went into the building and refining wich you showed very well. A lot of cheap guitars have a good basis but because of the price point they don't put high end craftmanship and quality parts into it of course.

[@andrewbroadhead1897]

That was great, you must be well proud of that. How much would all that work have cost had someone come in and said do all this please 🎸👌

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

andrew broadhead thank you Andrew it was really fun to do. All this work would be around £700ish

[@andrewbroadhead1897]

@@Montysguitarsandpickups your face said it all when you first strummed the encore, it was like shit that's really close 😂👏

[@williamdon3442]

Killed it dude. It sounds amazing.

[@greenslider]

Still have a ancient encore coaster bass I got for Christmas '86. Brass saddles. Awful split pickup. Weighs a tonne. Still use it.

[@gfd4897]

that's is a master luthier there, hat off

[@Bruisewillies]

I think this just shows where your money goes when you buy any guitar. Bodies are bodies, as long as the necks straight, fettle the parts and a good set up and there you are.

[@boojbah1]

Hey there Matt...Great to see videos from you again! By the way, never had the chance to thank you for the PAF pickups I got from you a couple years ago....LOVE THEM! Also do you make single coil pickups for a '61 Epiphone Olympic? Take care and will be in touch....Jimmy.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

boojbah1 Hey Jimmy so glad you’re loving the pick ups I hope they give you years of tonal bliss. Do you want to pick up like a New Yorker? If so I can do them as a bobbin and a magnet just haven’t figured out a way of getting the covers made yet....

[@deanmccaskill5495]

God D@M Monty’s products are awesome!

[@Plainburst58]

I have a 1983 JV Squier (I believe the same kind of guitar you did a pickup rewind on recent). Well mine has terrible wiring (not sure if original) along with a non original neck pickup. Tempted to give it the same makeover you gave the Encore...

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Sounds like you have a goodn' you might not have to be as brutal as I was on the Encore to get it rocking.

[@ijahtom]

! Thank you. Why Not making more of this 'type" of videos and why Not making longer videos? That would be amazing o. Well wishings and all the best 👍🏻

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks More to come soon. The guy who filmed this one is a friend of mine who usually does TV chef videos as his day job hence it looks so great. I'm working on getting better at doing it myself so fingers toes and other appendages crossed, there will more to come soon. I'm so glad you liked it cheers Matt

[@ijahtom]

@@Montysguitarsandpickups thanks o, that will be great. One love

[@marianomenconi264]

Very good. From anonymus to good guitar. Best work.

[@smashy152]

Noticed you are using actual zippo lighter fluid , get some panel wipe its pure naptha aswell and you can get 5 liters of it for like 15 quid (just be sure to check the product sheet and check its actually naptha based panel wipe)

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks for the tip I've ordered some!

[@joebloggs430]

Listening over the internet in a blind test it would be hard to say which is which .. you could see that he was shocked how close the encore sounded to the fender.

[@alfalders3020]

Awesome. Love this.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks so much!

[@bradsparks6008]

Are they a possible guitar to whack a fender pickguard on and do a stupid mod with fender Texas pickups? Just an idea :)

[@SashaIvantic]

Loved this vid, Matt!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks mate!

[@tomfairbairn1202]

Pickups sound great 💪🏻

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thank you!

[@msasa7343]

I wanna see the guy's reaction when he gets his Encore back :) Wawaweewah!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

He was the guy filming it and he loves it

[@jeffreybuckingham3782]

I thought the Encore surpassed the Strat. I thought it to be less "flubby" in the low end and seemed more balanced.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Jeffrey Buckingham it sounded great

[@JoePerkinsMusic]

Sounds great :-) Now can you make the '63 sound like an Encore?? :P

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Joe Perkins Think I could manage that

[@BeerandGuitars]

Ha ha

[@mrlepotts]

Did you keep the old bridge and saddles ?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Leon Potts yes I did. We changed the frets, pickups, electrics and nut that was it

[@georgeclarke1183]

I need to do this modification to my guitar what was the actual cost of all these modification

[@andreaiannelli5636]

This is great Matt!

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thank you dear chap so glad you liked it.

[@jonathanjohnstone428]

That was so enjoyable thank you

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ryanstark2350]

The Strat still sounded better but this demonstrates that pickups are the most important part of a guitar. No need to buy dirt cheap guitars which could have a range of problems. Get a reasonable one then upgrade pickups but a few hundred £ can still get you something decent. Old 90s Epiphone G400s and Yamaha Pacificas are good basic guitars. Once you have much more expensive guitars you realise that some of the cheaper ones are absolutely fine.

[@BassFace68]

Jeepers! How much would you charge for all that work?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

It's a big job so you'd be looking at around £700-£1000 depending on what hardware you went for and where you got the work done.

[@peterlucas4600]

Didn´t say you leveled the frets after fitting new ones.

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Yes You should always dress the frets after fitting new ones to guarantee they are all level

[@JanFranklin2010]

Do you have an in depth video of these tricks please, I've just bought an encore guitar

[@JanFranklin2010]

Could you possibly link those items you used please, just got myself an encore.

[@TheJazzucator]

I really enjoyed that Thank you

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Very welcome

[@TheKevinNewsom]

Very close!

[@coolboy-qc4eb]

appreciate all the work done but the 63 is still leagues ahead.

[@On_Dust]

I prefer the encore strat better than the fender strat.

[@Leeroytrucks01]

Wow!! Mind blowing. Just found this vid and am looking forward to learn this amazing trade. Do you teach ?

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thanks for your kind words and yes we do guitar tech days that can cover whatever aspect you'd like to cover. If you'd like more info email [e-mail] and we'll get you sorted. Cheers Matt

[@stephenboyes5189]

awesome

[@lenduckworth99]

Absolute pro. Brilliant.

[@frantisca]

Impressive: well done !

[@Montysguitarsandpickups]

Thank you

[@syllomusic]

25 year old Encore Strat! Wow. Makes my 22 year old Encore Strat seem young, I've been questioned at gigs as to why on earth I choose to keep playing the damn Encore strat, I don't even know why, but it sounds beautiful and I'll try to look after it 'til the day I die