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

This week we take our Squier Stratosonic to the next level. In search of that supercool look and superlative tone we install a custom wound mini humbucker and of course there is drilling involved so either look away now or for the brave of heart come join us to see how it all turns out! 😁🎸
Murray Guitar Pickups: murrayguitarpickups.com
Time stamps:
00:00 coming up this week
01:02 stratosonic upgrade
03:39 what's the plan for today?
05:45 here's the new pickup
07:01 removing the Gibson P90
09:40 installing the mini humbucker
15:47 be careful not to drill though the guitar...
18:23 the pickup readings
19:25 pickguard or scratchplate?
20:05 let's plug it in!
24:31 let's play something
27:38 it feels & sounds really good
29:05 it all works really well
30:10 where can you get one?
31:02 thank you all for watching!
32:18 play out jam
Signal Chain Info:
TC Polytune
Boss DD3 / Boss RC5 Looper
Soul Food
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II 1 x 12
Mics AKG C414 & SM57
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 into Protools
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I AM NOT AN EXPERT. Some things I do know and some things I don't know but think I know and sometimes I say things that are not entirely correct. Once I have said things it's too late to correct them so please check any 'so called facts' with an adult, google, wikipedia, or someone else that knows.
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#squier #stratocaster #guitaraddict #theguitaristas #guitarist #guitarporn #paranormal

[@richardswinscoe5764]

Ben Murray about to be swamped with orders

[@bulico06]

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

[@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.

[@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 👍🎸😄

[@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.

[@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.

[@Stutterin-Bob]

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

[@BinaryDad]

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

[@GROCK619]

Only Colin can turn the fender sound into his Gibson sound..!!

[@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.

[@enfieldhbs2204]

Well done,you make my Fridays.Rock on

[@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.

[@tmacey1345]

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

[@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..

[@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😎👍👍 😎✌👍❤🖖

[@ericfultz9429]

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

[@davidhamilton7780]

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

[@bedroomstudios205]

The pickup change gave that guitar a real voice. 👍

[@user-kq5bc1gt8z]

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.

[@Ukedc259]

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

[@wesmclaughlin9369]

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

[@davidkay3443]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@kevinfitzpatrick9537]

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

[@thomashall2418]

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

[@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!

[@dantaylor1724]

Sounds great, Col, and a definite improvement !

[@pinkiewerewolf]

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

[@flight2q275]

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

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

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

[@John-hi2yi]

Great mod, beautiful pickup. Another great video Colin.

[@Idontlikethisever]

Awesome Colin always good to hear you. Cheers

[@timdowling8902]

Nice work Colin absolutely loved this one well done

[@DaVinci0963]

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

[@patrickaquilina8654]

That's absolutely fantastic! Well done!! Sounds great!

[@lasombra_br]

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

[@jonathan24791]

Cheers Col. Sounded great. 👍

[@Case_]

"Ben Murray Pickups - For if you fancy something a bit normal." I would use this in my references if I were Ben 😂 But jokes aside, the guitar sounds lovely with the new pickup. Definitely an improvement.

[@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…

[@edwardsmith9801]

Looks & sounds awesome!!! Great show per usual.

[@jamesmarciniec4787]

Love it. Looks and sounds fantastic 👍

[@nigef334]

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

[@user-py1bq1xb5l]

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

[@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! 😊

[@craigbrown9987]

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

[@carlosdeno]

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

[@davidpaul6656]

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

[@graemero5532]

A good mod well done Colin. 👍🏻

[@chrishenderson9130]

Nice work, Colin! Cheers from America!

[@stevenhorton7457]

Good work Colin 👍

[@txkflier]

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

[@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.

[@Chimp_No_1]

Very nice improvement ! Really love your playing !

[@stevenpotter-en2me]

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

[@davew8542]

Great video as ever Col. The pickup sounded great. Love the look too. Funny when you got the drill out, the Kenny Everett character Reg Prescott came to mind (probably dating myself there!) 😂

[@Blues-man.]

Another great video, As always.

[@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.

[@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.

[@keithh8661]

What a fun project,great job😊

[@clintchambers7156]

Loved the video.

[@TheClassicQ]

Now I have another project to play with. Perfect!

[@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.

[@cantfindamerica877]

Good call on the mini bucker, definite improvement.

[@anthonythornhill8715]

Sounds great!

[@jmartini8875]

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

[@ChrisNash-ee5xk]

Sounds amazing.

[@ewetoo]

that's a great humbucker, great work.

[@polyphonicgroove]

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

[@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!

[@stevegroves]

Quite a transformation Colin! the new pup has more dimension and character, sounds great!.The bridge P90 sounds really good too so now you have a much improved instrument, great vid and love the playing as always! Cheers.

[@pttrent123]

I quite liked the new pickup, well done and nice playing 🎸

[@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.

[@keymaker_coils686]

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

[@ernieb3626]

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

[@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! 🔥

[@theo9952]

Ι love the sound of the mini humbucker. But changes apart it is such a beautiful guitar. Just a few days ago i saw one such in a shop in Athens. It was hanging on the wall along with several other guitars, mostly American and Mexican Strats and Teles. It immediately attracted my attention. It is much more beautiful than it looks in the video. Stunningly beautiful red finish and i love the thickness of the body and the black headstock.

[@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. 🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@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 😮!!

[@ubermac85]

FYI for interested parties: the push/pull effects are only meant for position 2.

[@derekcostello1016]

Very entertaining - Thank you.

[@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

[@victorbeebe8372]

Great video Colin mahalo!

[@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...

[@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🤔😀

[@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!

[@anthonythornhill8715]

Sounds great

[@rauldubois3910]

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

[@jasq99]

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

[@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. 😊

[@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.

[@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 😊

[@waynewagner395]

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

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic video have a good weekend colin ❤😊 also tomorrow is remembrance day in Canada

[@rockinrob2004]

I always enjoy your vids., It wasn't 40 only 33 mins today! LOL! I actually made it through twice as I watched about 80% then listened while put some laundry in & started cooking. Yes that mini not only looks great yet really tops off the sound so much clearer than the other pup. Yet the bridge 90 sounds great, it's funny how positioning of some pups is + or -. Good job Colin+ I didn't hear any swear words! LMAO!

[@theguitaristas]

I know! there was practically no swearing at all today I must be getting the hang of this! 🤣👍

[@ToddTheJoker]

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

[@derekclacton]

Vast improvement in tone and love the look! 🙂 It’s bright for a neck humbucker but there’s always the tone control 👍

[@NoCoverCharge]

I love the lollar mini humbuckers

[@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