Next Level Mini Humbucker Upgrade! 🎸 Squier Paranormal Stratosonic Goes Stratospheric! 🔥

[@richardswinscoe5764]

Ben Murray about to be swamped with orders

[@Stutterin-Bob]

Mini humbucker in the bridge also....yes please 👍

[@thewhiskyscout1238]

This is a long comment so please bear with me! Years ago like 1988, I replaced a pickup on a guitar (which I still have) and in series it didn’t sound right but liked the unusualness of it so I left it alone but never thought about attempting anything like that again and always used a guitar tech for repairs. Since watching your videos I finally bought an SG from a fella who upgraded from Epiphone to Gibson. One of the pots was bad and watching you inspired me to replace the whole electronics myself. I put Seymour Duncan Vintage pickups in it. I ordered a pre wired set of pots, jack, and switch for American standard that required a small bit of drilling and routing. The neck pot was wired wrong according to the schematic he sent me. I tackled all that the whole time saying, “Colin does it and says I can too”. It worked, thank you for that bit of inspiration now I have a messed up Korean Hamer I picked up for next to nothing at a garage sale and it is my new project. Thank You Sir for that inspiration to try.

[@DjOps01]

Ben's an old friend - we grew up jamming together and he has *always* chased tone. He used to carefully craft it when we played and recorded in the past, and he's always been an amazing craftsman. I'm so glad you showed exactly how good his pickups can be - and that people will only truly hear it when they play it themselves, in their room! Bravo. Good video and entertaining. (And to Muzz! 🙌)

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

Thanks mate. In a way this all started when I played your Yamaha SG200 back in high school, remember that Les Paul Deluxe I had? Thats started my love of mini humbuckers.

[@Idontlikethisever]

Old friends. Awesome Thanks for sharing you guys.

[@bulico06]

Definitely an improvement, clearer and buttery smooth. Mini humbuckers are often overlooked, but they are my second favorite pickup behind the P-90.

[@jrchanning]

That mini Humbucker was a great upgrade, the neck pup now sounds bright and clear and not muddy like the previous one, great work Colin 👍🎸😄

[@wesmclaughlin9369]

Definitely a difference and I think it is a big improvement. Really sounds great!

[@kevinfitzpatrick9537]

Quite a nice upgrade, I love the middle position sound, well done!

[@johnulrich5572]

Usually I can't hear much difference in pickup comparisons but the mini-humbucker has a lot more clarity and definition than the P90. It has a very mellow but clear jazzy tone. SOunds like a valuable upgrade.

[@BinaryDad]

Mis-matched pickups on any guitar are always cool. Don't know why. But they just are.

[@ericfultz9429]

Colin! hey boss, your videos dont seem long. i like listening to you. keep it up!

[@enfieldhbs2204]

Well done,you make my Fridays.Rock on

[@davidkay3443]

When you're having one of your clear outs I'll take this off your hands .. that Murray pickup so articulate.. love it

[@bedroomstudios205]

The pickup change gave that guitar a real voice. 👍

[@txkflier]

Excellent timing! Over the past couple of weeks, I've been watching tons of videos on how pickups work and how to wind them. Even though I've been a lifelong electronics technician, it never dawned on me that a pickup coil isn't just an inductor. The windings also can also act as a capacitor. The thinner the insulation and the more parallel the windings are, the more capacitance. The inductance of the coil and its distributed capacitance are in parallel. This forms what is called a "tank circuit" and it will have a resonant frequency that's determined by the coil's inductance and capacitance values. The resistance of the wire, tone and volume pots along with the capacitance of the tone capacitor and the cable between the guitar and the amp will also affect the resonant frequency and the slope of the output on either side. Very interesting stuff. Now if I could just play a guitar.. 😎

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

Well, you said it better than I can! I don't have an electronics background, in fact I figured that out only after making a few pickups and recording all my readings. I slowly started to understand how the numbers related to each other. At the end of the day, your ears are your most valuable measuring tool so let them guide you, don't just mindlessly chase numbers.

[@txkflier]

@@murrayguitarpickups9545Yes, there are many variables and the sound is what matters..

[@QuantumGamingUploads]

Really like that new mini Humbucker. Very nice tone to it and I must say it suits the guitar visually so much better as well.

[@chancemiller9340]

I'm glad that you pointed out that when the series (volume) pot is UP, that putting it on the bridge pickup only is basically a KILL SWITCH. I bought my online from Fender and thought that I was going to have to send it back or take it to a shop that maybe could look at it and figure out why the bridge cut off all volume when the pot was up. Thanks for that.

[@JensHeidenstecker]

Hi Folks, nice mini humbucker you got there. An improvement in my opinion. I love mini humbuckers. Unfortunately these pickups are rare in Germany. Used ones are rarely sold and new ones are often expensive. I only found one shop in Germany selling these pickup-rings and the needed spacers. I figured out, if I screw down the top of the neck P90 in my Gibson SG Special it clears up a lot not loosing much sustain. I tried to better the woolly tone without a mod. I don‘t want to mod my SG and keep it original. Greetings Jens.

[@johntaylor8829]

It's very nice how the mini humbucker just seemed to fit so well into place! Great pickup, and it looks super cool, too.

[@Ukedc259]

Another Friday saved from the precipice of oblivion. Cheers Colin. 👍🏻

[@zandig666]

I love my dimarzio minis gonna buy a set of firebird minis now deciding between the reissue and the plus now

[@davidhamilton7780]

Just don't get into home dentistry, and all will be good. Thanks Colin!

[@dantaylor1724]

Sounds great, Col, and a definite improvement !

[@markpell8979]

Oh yes, I could hear that difference right away. It was okay before but now it's got a nice clean snarl in 'neck' position while still having some P90 bottom. Murray does good things. Sounds nice Colin, Cheers from Dallas!

[@whittlad]

to my ears it has added more clarity, punch, bass and more woody - no where near as wooly as the P90 and I love it!

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Fun modification Colin. Great transformation, Ben’s PU sounds fantastic! You’ve created a totally jammable/gig worthy guitar. 🎸

[@thomashall2418]

Nice job Collin. That's just what the doctor ordered. You've peaked my interest in those mini hums. Thomas from Idaho

[@bryonmartin9221]

Thank you! That mini humbucker made a world of difference - we can hear it like you can in your room. I can't wait to trade mine out like you've done.

[@richardlynch5632]

Well worth the effort eh...?😉👍👍 This is but one of the reasons that your channel is a "Must Subscribe". BRILLIANT 😁 So many great pup geniuses... However, the cream of the crop stand out don't they😃 Two come out of Australia. Murray and JJs. Great video...as usual. Just a bit of tape to guage depth of drill bit keeps from...😊 Thanks Colin😎👍👍 😎✌👍❤🖖 Love Brother

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

Me and JJs are from the same town actually, people get us mixed up a lot because JJs is run by Ben Bailey

[@richardlynch5632]

@@murrayguitarpickups9545 Must be something in the water eh...?😉👍 You folks definitely have it going on, and word is out😎👍👍 😎✌👍❤🖖

[@TheRealChetManley]

I always watch to the end. This show is weekly must see TV for me. It’s the only guitar channel I watch regularly. That guitar sound and style fit you well.

[@bradyazell]

I bought one of these after your last video on them. Put a pair of used Gibson P-90s in it, a black Tonepros wrapover adjustable bridge and some black vintage Kluson fender tuners as well. It looks and sounds fantastic. All for around $600.

[@cageliner]

It was easy to hear the difference between the two. Putting Gibson minis into my '50s Tribute was easy as Gibson installs the plate in a lot of their P-90 guitars. I had to trim a wee bit of wood for the mini's mounting screws. It was the only way for me to afford a "Deluxe" but I got a fat necked one in the process haha. Firebird pickups are (more or less) mini lipstick pickups side by side, hence their bright, loud output.

[@davidpaul6656]

I love it! I've been thinking about putting either p90s or mini humbuckers in my mahogany strat and this combo sounds great!!

[@RobCrawford23]

Teles with a mini humbucker in the neck position are great (extra fun and confusion to the public if you hide it under the scratchplate) Also have you considered adding a tone pot bypass switch to the bridge pickup t(Esquire mode) to see what a P90 does?

[@baabaabaa-El]

I've got a no load bypass on pos 10 on tone pot on an Eastman with a Lollar, it's like like lifting a blanket off the amp! Not that the other tones are shit, but it makes a difference!

[@RobCrawford23]

@@baabaabaa-El Well it does such a good job on the Esquire I can't fail to see it doing something good with a P90 ;) Even humbuckers benefit a lot in the Peavey Wolfgang I used to have and miss hugely (I gifted it to my son for his birthday and he sold it within a year )

[@baabaabaa-El]

@@RobCrawford23 Oh, he sold it! Little bugga! I bought a mid priced Yamaha BB (with P & J pickups) wanted her to learn on something better than I did... She was just getting the hang of it...& sold it too!! That's a pity mate, Peavey & Eddie parted ways (did he go to Musicman or his own EvH brand?).. so there wdnt be a hell of a lot of em around, esp in Australia. Bloody kids!! Edit: Yeah on a Tele/Esq a tone bypass wd sound great...nasty, but great!!

[@jaypeterson7637]

I really liked the p.u. addition! A definite upgrade. It may be just me...but your playing style/tone is akin to Stephen Stills. 🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@johnladdsmusic]

Nice job Colin! I know for many the P90 is the perfect balance between single coils and humbuckers, but for me the mini humbuckers are where it’s at! I love my Epi Firebird for this reason. A buddy of mine has a gorgeous ‘73 Goldtop Les Paul Deluxe. I got completely lost in those minis playing for over 3 hours one day! That guitar would look killer if you put another mini in the bridge🤔😀

[@tmacey1345]

I heard a huge difference with the mini humbucker. Definitely unique and if I may say, pleasantly refreshing tones. WOW! 👍

[@randrothify]

Brilliant Colin! I just got a Strat-o-sonic in the blue shade and I was contemplating throwing in a Minibucker or Firebird pickup but keeping one of the Fender soap bars to get both Fender and Gibson type tones. It’s as if you read my mind 😮!!

[@timdowling8902]

Nice work Colin absolutely loved this one well done

[@waynewagner395]

The Mini HB sounds great, not so wooly. Mini HBs are my favorite neck pickup in Teles too. Great video!

[@ToddTheJoker]

Made a huge difference! Sounds alot better, no wool anymore!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Colin wow a part 3 with the Stratosonic Strat! When I saw what I was in store for tonight I was literally in "oh wow" mode! Love the sound of that mini humbucker neck pickup! Great choice! AND yes I watched it all the way through from beginning to end! Great stuff! 😊

[@John-hi2yi]

Great mod, beautiful pickup. Another great video Colin.

[@cantfindamerica877]

Good call on the mini bucker, definite improvement.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

I prefer Mini-Humbuckers to Humbuckers to be honest, they are a nice step between a Single Coil and a Humbucker although they manage to sound more Single coil than Humbucker!

[@stevenpotter-en2me]

Oh how cool! This is one of those upgrades I've always thought about but haven't tried yet.

[@redlespaul8139]

Of course we all watch to the end Col ! Great job 👏🏻 I’ve fancied a mini humbucker swap for my p90 on my double cut Les Paul. This has peaked my interest even more .

[@theguitaristas]

That would look really cool too! 🔥

[@lasombra_br]

That's a worthy upgrade. Sounds night and day.

[@txkflier]

I really like the looks of that guitar. Now it has the sound to go with it. Well done!

[@DaVinci0963]

Thanks for the video and the lesson Colin! As always, Thanks again!

[@Idontlikethisever]

Awesome Colin always good to hear you. Cheers

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

That mini humbucker sounds very good. You should put a mini humbucker in the bridge too.

[@keymaker_coils686]

I had tons of fun developing my own mini a few months back for my epi nighthawk. Running asymmetrical coils with taps.

[@inphatmoi]

Nice. Another option would be to swap in a filtertron - TV Jones and Mojo both do soap-bar versions which should be a drop-in replacement. I used the TV Jones one in an LP junior double-cut kit recently - a Classic in the neck and Classic Plus in the bridge. The neck in particular sounds great though ironically I'm less keen on the bridge and have been thinking of swapping it for a P90 :)

[@rauldubois3910]

Hermoso trabajo. Adoro el sonido del mini Humbucker. Tengo una Les Paul de Luxe . Es increible su sonido

[@MrBiggordy]

"You might not be able to hear much of a difference.." WHAT??! Night and day - the mini-humbucker is clean, distinct and articulate, the clarity is fantastic. A major improvement on the P90 neck p'up before. In fact, I'd say the neck mini-humbucker is the only p'up that makes a bridge P90 sound woolly! Great upgrade, great video and great content, as per.

[@TheClassicQ]

Now I have another project to play with. Perfect!

[@victoresarey4036]

signal chain and mic placement matters more than the room sound, especially since you want us to hear the differences via speakers lol frequency response graphs would show i guarantee very little difference when in a higher gain setting...mostly pickups are a waste of money. learned that one the expensive way...good playing helps too haha but as guitarists we tend to shop with eyes not ears...

[@jwilder2251]

I usually don’t like the middle position but this was a perfect balance

[@ernieb3626]

Man, I could tell the moment you hit that bridge pick up at the demo. That new pick up sounds fantastic. Very full.

[@mortonwilson795]

Clear difference on the neck (and middle). Nice one - the earlier P90 was a bit on the sheepish side. Tried the new Gibson 70s Deluxe last week with mini-humbuckers and very impressed. Apparently there are a couple of older Epi Rivieras w minis in floating around here - keen to try . . . the brightness appeals to me as an option. Great to see another Oz pick-up doing its thing. Off back to NZ next week - first time in 40 years . . . trying to contact Mr. Glyns there - big range of homemade pick-ups but email perhaps not a thing . . . no reply yet! 🙄 P.S. Got a great reply from Glyn, hoping I can connect on this trip!

[@baabaabaa-El]

Mr Glynns make great Filtertrons that drop straight into Gretsch's (they're the only pickups of his lve heard in person). My mates got 3 6120s (l know!!).. 2 stock & 1 the Setzer Hot Rod... he bought a set of vintage (like the Ray Butts, TV Jones make) great for rockabilly & luv a bit of dirt. Murray's Pickups in Adelaide make some great gear too..& like JJs very reasonably priced. Have a great time in NZ mate, beware of the sheep!! Edit: He is hard to get hold of, Brett Kingman (l think) said either Glynn or a family member had been ill.. maybe why?

[@mortonwilson795]

@@baabaabaa-El Thanks for that - I hope all is well, would love to connect with him!

[@MyDrugHell]

All the new Epi Rivieras now have mini humbuckers.

[@baabaabaa-El]

@@mortonwilson795 Mr Glynns have a website.. JJs pickups are on fakebook (my daughter got in contact) but may have a site by now also, my p90s were $270AU the pr. Murrays guitar pickups: If you go further in the comments, you'll see mine... Murray answered my comment, l rekn if you press on his pfp all his details will be there (he's got well priced pickups) as you can see from the mini humbucker Colin installed, they're gd quality, handmade etc Best of luck mate.

[@spacepodi]

It sounds like you have a little too much compression going on to me, from my sofa, sat on my behind. Non the less you can tell it’s a good PU. and it looks and sounds good, so the right move to make. I’m surprised the P90 was muddy though, as I always thought they were relatively bright. Anyway, a fun episode, and look forward to next weeks.

[@Nif339]

That mini humbucker sounds great, to my ear it gives that guitar a really nice Tele twang 👍

[@flight2q275]

First time I heard "Big Pond" was on the Flintstones, describing the Atlantic Ocean (the scouting jamboree was an international event)

[@andrewdempsey5312]

You know you’re old when you hear @theguitaristas say “easy” and you think of British wrestling …. If you know, you know. This mod sounds brilliant, but also a little ironic - it now sounds a little more Fender like! Sounds great

[@craigpimlott204]

Yep .satdee afternoons on world of sport .Kent Walton from the Sheffield civic hall…les Kellet vs Leon Arras or Brian glover as we know him ..Catweasle .kendo ,Strongman Alan Dennison .great times…

[@jorge-_-reza]

🎸 Ah yes, a Ben Murray mini humbucker on the neck of the most Un-Strat-like Stratocaster!!! That is a killer combination that sounds great! The only thing I would change is, to put one of Ben's P90's on the bridge as well. Sweet deliciousness...😋

[@buddhamus]

I love the look and the sound of that mini-humbucker in combination with the P-90. I know it's just a visual thing, but the lightly aged cover of the mini fits perfectly with the rest of the guitar. You've definitely moved the Squire to the next level. Now I want one just like it. 😊

[@craigbrown9987]

Always enjoy your long-form videos and an interesting, punter-friendly take on the guitar world.

[@rustyrig2764]

your playing made it sound spectacular. I couldn't tell you what the p90 sounded like after that, great sound, great vid!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man!

[@jmartini8875]

Sounds better yes. The guitar also looks stunning. 😊 Thx Colin. Very cool. 😎

[@clivebonehill3348]

Nice a real improvement, recommend you should try my personal favourite a "Firebird " pick up ( mini humbucker but with bar magnets in the center of the coils ) very different pick up but sounds great in the neck particularly if you play finger style without a pick .

[@danjudson5661]

Wouldn’t it be best to use self tapping screws for that plate? Same diameter but longer then remove and replace with the ones that came with the pickup. I would just be very worried about drilling into the body of a guitar. Nice result smoother

[@spdaltid]

I actually appreciate the iconic Strat single coil sound. But your meddling, Colin, is fun to watch and has launched that guitar beyond the Stratosphere. To Magnetospheric levels and beyond!

[@Jacobus-or6vf]

GREAT VID/CLIP . . . i LOVE the whole S/H idea on a guitar !!! I always wanted (still do) a ''reversed'' Gibson BFG. They come stock in an H/P90 configuration. *I* want a P90/H BFG Les Paul.

[@guitartim2128]

I love Gibson P 90s but I agree with decision to put a mini humbucker in the neck because it sounds so much better. I love mini humbuckers-- to me that's an underrated pickup. Great video👍

[@gearmeister]

That middle sound is so full range now with that mini bucker! Crystalline clear & very unique!

[@ces69]

I used to have an early 80’s Les Paul Deluxe that got stolen that had Mini Humbuckers, replaced it with a Les Paul Custom when the insurance money came through, I’ve never had a guitar with Mini Humbuckers since! Think I might have to search one out! I see Gibson have re released a Deluxe with Mini Humbuckers….Hmmm

[@nieko3038]

Nice. Love minibuckers. Made myself a Les Paul Deluxe some weeks ago doing this with a cheap ‘goldtop’ p90 Eko Les Paul I bought just for that. Had a set of minihumbuckers from ebay I got atleast 12 years ago for €23,-. Fully waxed and 4 lead wire. They sound great for the cheap pickups they are. Still need to install those plates. Got a set from a guy selling them from a Gibson Tribute. It is now holding by friction with a little piece of wood veneer. Budget Deluxe. Think it sounds good on your guitar. Wise from Ben to warn for drilling through the body😅 those things do happen. Interesting film Colin.

[@70bluesville]

Good morning Colin, 🙏 🌄 ☺️ God bless you brother

[@jeffberg8015]

I definitely heard the difference. For my taste I don't mind having the neck pickup with less bite and using the bridge pickup when you want more bite, so I would most likely have left it as it was. I understand that for most the Les Paul has defined for them how a humbucker (or P90) guitar should sound, and they will be unhappy if it sounds too different, while I'm flexible about it. But then I chose an ES 335 specifically so I could also get those mellow jazz tones. Thanks as always for the great video.

[@NoCoverCharge]

I love the lollar mini humbuckers

[@tmac3975]

Great video as always, sounded really good, nice playing.

[@victorbeebe8372]

I liked the mini humbuckers in LP Deluxe

[@tobykraft5180]

That must be a pretty good guitar to put that much effort in. I'm gonna have to get one of them... maybe one of them creamy, yellow ones. I like your videos, you do a great job. 👍

[@jimprather8939]

that thing looks and sounds great , might want to consider a matching mini hum on the bridge .. ? nuttin like a gibson with a fender headstock ...😉

[@madnobby8301]

Hi Colin, great modification, clear improvement to my ears and it looks great too! Mini's humbuckers are the only thing missing from my collection, I think I'll give it a try! Cheers Nobby

[@MalisaDonnelly]

Great show, never to long, have a great weekend, and as always looking forward to next week

[@feastofsiaynoq]

Nice work, I think the new pick up sounds amazing

[@biffabacon1203]

Love humbucker pickups very versatile but my 80s vox has 3 di marzio pickups in and it rocks.

[@Microphones_Matter]

Very nice mini humbucker change. Looks the part and sounds great as well. Definetly like it was made for that guitar.

[@geraldhills41]

my Gibson les paul special has a plate that you can place a mini humbucker straight in .

[@polyphonicgroove]

I'm digging it!! I think that mini-hum sounds great.

[@jamesmgreen15]

I usually don't mod as I tried a few times many moons ago and thought what a load of faff for who really cares. This one I can really see. Super cool guitar..........

[@JanLawicki]

Cool, something to watch later this evening with a nice brewage

[@johndodd4375]

And so you should be happy... it sounded fantastic to me

[@jonathan24791]

Cheers Col. Sounded great. 👍

[@carlosdeno]

Driller Killer! Sounds so much better Colin, nice work! Great video as always and enjoy your weekend. 🤘💜

[@graemero5532]

A good mod well done Colin. 👍🏻

[@Chimp_No_1]

Very nice improvement ! Really love your playing !

[@rambleify]

I just saw they’ve released this paranormal stratosonic. I like the slightly shorter neck length. I’ve been wanting to try one of these mini humbucker in the p90 mount! That bridge pickup sounded pretty good - I like it! The mini HB in the neck - amazing!! Sounds SO good now. I’m surprised how well the 2 pickups work together. You mentioned you thought it sounded like a Strat - I don’t think so - it sounds fatter. I really like it! I want one of these guitars and to do the mod! P.S. I’m in Australia! 🇦🇺 Thanks for this. I watched the whole thing too 😊

[@chrishenderson9130]

Nice work, Colin! Cheers from America!