Phil X Framus Guitar Here and Gone

Here are some other cool products from a dealer I trust and buy from online
imp.i114863.ne...
Phil X Arcane Inc. Super 8 bridge pickupwww.philxstore....
Phil X Arcane Inc. PX 100 pick (not used in this video)
www.philxstore....
Phil X T shirts
www.cafepress....
Gibson P94
www.amazon.com...
Gator Grip Socket
www.amazon.com...
You can support what I do and show you Know Your Gear.
Get your T shirt, hoodie, or coffee cup
teespring.com/...
Become a Patron member
/ phillipmcknightkyg
Get information early on Facebook
/ knowyourgear
Want to check my Instagram page. Click here
/ phillip_mcknight
What do the Icons on my videos mean? • Video

[@LetsTalkAboutMathRock]

My Monday just got a whole lot better. Thanks Phil!

[@danterosales6985]

Let's Talk About Math Rock which one?

[@daleweber2579]

Same here and the Vegas nights-Capitals advances and the Cavs too. Do think Browns will do decent this year and Indians take world series this year.

[@grant.m.ball0603]

Mine too

[@stevenhow2632]

What up bb

[@Spectralhyena]

Let's Talk About Math Rock I'm going to be making play lists of your lessons if you have or don't plan on it. Just thought they deserve to be stuck together in a package.

[@zerraticz]

This is the best guitar series on KZbin. Thank you for YOUR time, Phil!

[@Misternoname100]

Love the Sharpen My Axe series! Would love to see a sharpen my bass episode, or even an acoustic episode would be very cool! Keep up the great videos!

[@Rauzwel]

That was the most drastic tonal change I've heard with a pickup change, huge improvement to my ears. Great job! I always love when I catch a long running series like this, there's so much more to watch lol

[@Rluce75]

My absolute favorite series on KZbin! As someone who loves to buy guitars and fix them up this series and your channel in general has taught me tons! From the bottom of my heart, an absolutely huge thank you, Phil!

[@dalepal]

I like the way the Phil X Super 8 bridge pickup sounds and appreciate the extra tips you gave when replacing the pickups.

[@DonnieDailey]

I actually thought about looking for a new video today. Cool stuff. I'm only a beginner at age 56 but I dig the channel. Thanks Phil

[@CMichaelKramer]

You and that painters tape. The most useful thing I've learned from you is how to remove strings, use painters tape to hold the ends and put them back on. You have got to be the most informative guitar guy on KZbin. I love all the others, but you articulate your technical knowledge so well that it makes it easy to understand and remember. Great job, again.

[@Kurt1969]

Nice improvements for sure. Great job Phil.

[@westwoodlynx7059]

Massive improvement on the neck pickup. Definitely more clarity in the bridge, although I think I didn't mind the darker/muddier tone of the original for rhythm, soloing I would take the Phil X pickup all day.

[@Claimjumper55]

These just keep getting better and better Phil. Great series!!

[@danxthexman82]

Wow. Poor job with those pots from the factory. I noticed alot more clarity from the pick up upgrade and pots. Great work. It's now alot better for sure. Always enjoy your 'sharpen my axe' videos!

[@MatDuJardin]

the pots makes a huge difference! flabbergasted 😲 much love

[@RobSmithSporty]

Fantastic video! You really changed the character of this guitar for the better.

[@NotSosigRamsey]

never expected you to play bowling for soup:) but great job on yet another sharpen my axe. I really love this series

[@scottyd2262]

With the pickup swap, it makes it sound like you turned on an EQ pedal... Amazing difference !

[@toddflowers8052]

I'll buy the stock pups Phil.

[@zaltuguitar]

Really digging these videos Phil keep up the good work!

[@JackstandJohnny]

I think you have excellent taste in pickups. They are paired together very well and both sound more bright and open in the right ways.

[@GeoFitz4]

The difference from the original to the Phil-X in the Bridge is great. Goes from that fizzy, dark, undefined sound of a cheaper pick-up, to that nice midsy sound with great cut and clarity. Sounds wonderful.

[@jppagetoo]

Both set of pickups sound great. If you have a bright amp you may want to keep the Duncan's. A dark amp would love the PhilX and P94 combo. Like I said, both are winners. The pots are a "must" change for me. A linear pot for volume is not going to cut it.

[@RackhirTheRed]

Great job as always. Just personal preference but I'd take the 59 with the ability to coil tap ( not split - tap ) in the neck over the P90 every time. Once again, just my own personal preference.

[@MusicbyLou]

Improved for sure. But, surely the improvement is appreciated more by the player than by the listener. Enjoyed the video and your explanations. The pots seemed to be the most dramatic change.

[@michaelshane9726]

That's a killer guitar, I really like the sound of that P94. I might need to get one.

[@gunznguitarz79]

You really should've mentioned the pots being changed with the pickup comparison. Love your channel and series though, keep up the great work!

[@TheTactical6string]

this might be the best audio improvement yet with the X PU vs the original. Sounds vastly better!

[@GabrielGAS1201]

I played a guitar with arcanes in it (a trussart HS tele) a couple of years ago and they are amazing, very responsive ang good sounding in general

[@nunocarmona]

The JB and 59 in the middle positiion is a winner combination. Hard to beat for the price.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

While I felt the new pickups sounded better (that Arcane in the bridge killed the JB) I actually thought the Seymour Duncans sounded better in the clean, middle position demo. The humbucker/P90 combo sounded a little thin in comparison. Maybe just my ear.

[@rikkifknrobin]

that all lies down to preference. i prefer the humbucker-p90 over the dual humbucker in this

[@bruceblythe2978]

You gotta get Phil on here with you. That would rock. Love the videos. All of em.

[@mindwarp666]

That Phil X pup in the bridge sounds fantastic. Good job. These are on sale through Thomann for about £800 ($950) in case you are thinking of buying one then spend another $500 on the upgrades. Or you could get an original USA made Gibson SG for about the same sort of price.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

I love these Sharpen my Axe videos, Phil! They're going to come in handy when I figure out what to do with the two Gibson Epiphone Les Pauls I recently found in FB Marketplace. One is a Killer MIK that is actually in pretty good shape, with one tuner that broke something inside but still works. It's very thin for a LP, but still has a carved top. The high E-string was catching under the 15th fret too, until I tapped it down. The other guitar is a real dog! There's no country of origin OR serial # on it, but judging from the fit and finish, it has to have been China. There's no top on the body, and no carve - it's just a flat Les Paul, and VERY light. There are 6 or 8 drill holes in the top, below the bridge, where the seller claims he tried to add a tremolo (I assume Bigsby,) but said he couldn't get it right and just removed it. I actually think he got I right but removed it when he decided to sell it, and there's a reason why: it also has extra drill holes by all the tuners, which are those ultra-cheap ones they use in the Chinese ones. I think he replaced them with better tuners, and removed those and the Bigsby when he decided to sell it. These tuners rattle like maracas, too, LoL. Somebody loved it though, because the frets could use a level and crown job. The tailpiece is okay, but the bridge is not the ABR-1, just the cheaper, import bridge with the screwdriver slots in the posts. I bought it to try and do a really cool finish, but I'll also likely make some improvements. The tuners MUST go, and I'd love to put a set of P-rails in it, but that might be too much to ask of this li'l Chinese fella. If I do, though, I'll use push-pulls to take advantage of those P-Rails. If I get that far, I'll go ahead and install an ABR-1. That is, unless I can find somebody who wants to sharpen this axe FOR me...? (hint...hint...)

[@eriklundstrum4656]

I absolutely adore that guitar

[@stevehogan8829]

This has been a great fun series. Thanks Phil and Phil.

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Great review, style of music/taste is the defining direction for mods. Good choice on the Audio taper pots. They are all I stock, I even use them on the tone circuit. I was very un impressed with the stock controls. That quality would have been pathetic in a $99. Epiphone. Hard to believe any factory shipped it like that, let alone a guitar at that price point.

[@hbomb495]

Phil X and Gibson pickups were certainly brighter and more defined. That Phil X p/up spits out some fire, I can see why he uses it.

[@9imack]

That Gibson P94 was a big improvement in the neck, much more clarity & snap - exactly what I like from a neck pup.

[@niwa9883]

Got mine yesterday tweaked it out as well! Thanks for the ideas.

[@FangPaw]

A guitar with a fat neck, tall frets and ebony board. Perfect! I have big hands and a slim neck makes my hand cramp up. BTW, Bare Knuckle Pickups sell custom-taper CTS pots, which are even more progressive than the normal log/audio taper.

[@1thess523]

Sounds better for sure!

[@FangPaw]

Not to my ears - the new p/ups sounded too bright and thin and lacking warmth. I also prefer my neck p/up to have a similar output to the bridge - I use the neck p/up a lot for soloing and I hate a big volume drop when switching p/ups.

[@Spectralhyena]

Just got a through neck Korean fender telecaster and it came with Seymour Duncan pick ups. Pearly gates in the bridge and a 59 in the neck. I love them. Both are so versatile. Only issue I have with the guitar is the tone knob basically does nothing. Also they aren't Chinese copies they are legitimate Duncan's.

[@Sam-w9des]

id love to have a Phil X sig guitar! nice vid Phillip.

[@mattdickey2717]

Best one you’ve done man!! Such a beautiful looking a sounding guitar.

[@selfishgills8193]

Awesome job as usual!!! I must say I like the sound of the Seymour Duncan JB better... it has a very familiar sound I guess. The Gibson P94 definitely sounds much better to my ears though. Man do I need my MIM SSH Strat sharpened...

[@VincentVader]

Use blue locktight and you won't have to worry about the tuners coming loose.

[@cameroncrane3770]

KillingerDOOM yeah the red is supposed to be permanent, same for chalk lines. I try to avoid them most of the time yet I've found out others don't and when you work on other people's stuff 99% of the time...

[@jamesf2918]

You had me at weed.

[@801bbusy]

James F this hit is for you.

[@skateandfingerboard1]

Do you really smoke weed if you haven’t hid your it in the back of a guitar amp?

[@801bbusy]

Dom Altieri 😂

[@erichgutierrez5545]

This video reminded me how bad I wan't a guitar with a decent set of P90's! Gotta say the harmonics just sound so much crunchier/clearer with the Phil X pick up. Goood stuff Phil!

[@Aniki82]

Oh god... those pickups looks wonderful 4:08

[@T00DEEPBLUE]

The fact that the Duncans are so muddy isn't caused by the Duncans themselves. The stock pots that the guitar came with were probably 250k and the new ones are 500k. Hence the muddy tone.

[@wowdogeful]

It said 500k on the first one he removed though

[@T00DEEPBLUE]

john Must've just been shitty pots in general with a super wide tolerance then. There is simply no way that a Duncan JB\59 set sounds that muddy. Lots of people have the complaint that the JB is actually super bright!

[@patricklarkin8584]

Daniel Lomax yeh I was wondering why they were so muddy

[@Rluce75]

Daniel Lomax I installed new CTS 500k pots in a BC Rich Evil Edge (cheap 500’s and cap) and it greatly improved the tone! I can’t believe it but I am actually enjoying the BC Rich pups as a result! A couple pole piece adjustments and no muddy tone!

[@ryanbarker3978]

Agree with Daniel completely; though I think for this kind of guitar, the Phil X/P90 combination is better. The higher output and brighter tone just makes this guitar feel very 80's to me, which seems appropriate given the kind of music Phil is typically playing (even if the sound is a bit thinner). The JB/59 combo is still super versatile and one of my go-to's though. There isn't a guitar in the world that won't sound good with either a JB/59 or JB/Jazz combo installed. Putting in a TB4, Little 59, and Jazz into my Ibanez RG350 is still the biggest tone improvement I've ever heard out of putting aftermarket pickups in a guitar.

[@playAgainMe]

Hey PM, thanks for the tip about the gator grip for thetuning keys ... i'm going to pick one up. great info

[@Trippylucifer]

One of the best Chanel’s out here 🤤😂 I love guitars so much and this is actually really awesome too plus teaching stuff so perfect Chanel

[@justinray2855]

I love the nod to bowling for soup in the middle position "girl all the bad guys want"

[@kylesnyder9452]

Great improvements! I hope these made in China framus guitars are really affordable considering they're made in China and have pretty low budget components.

[@kevinedwards2067]

Hey Phil, I would love to see some of the winners of Sharpen My AXE send you a video of them actually playing their Philfied New Guitars!

[@antoniomonteiro1203]

Phil: I gess you meant "linear" vs "log" (or audio) potentiometers, also referred to as "linear taper" and "log taper". From my experience, I prefer linear in the volume because usually you precisely want subtle changes close to max vol. With log you risk in live situations to go beyond what you need and it is more difficult to tweak.

[@shadowsong1]

that's the biggest difference in tone do to pickups i've ever heard. that guitar came alive!!!!!

[@bobclarke8628]

Wow! That Phil X pickup is awesome!

[@bjdenil]

That Phil X pickup Sounds a lot like the Gibson Burstbucker Pro of the mid 2000s. Also for it to be a true Phil X I feel like it needs a sticker of some sort... A little embellishment... Or Flair ...but the signiture may cover that need... Cool video! Increadable guitar!

[@thefriendlyfinger69]

Sharpen my sacks. Phil X Framus is amazing( I've played the german teambuilt one). Best neck ever. Lo ve Framus!

[@TrevorParkJones]

"You put your WEED in there!! It's really great, goes right in there!!"

[@darrelpennington3489]

Phil got the Funk go Phil , Question , Came across the PRS SE , The tuners are OK given the price , Will Grover’s machine heads fit , line up with the screw holes ? Thanks for another great video .Phil X is da man !

[@casperboo5465]

Great Stuff As Always Phill, helpful Tips As Well Thank You , Cheers, Oh The Thing Your Using To Unscrew The Nuts On The Tuning Keys Is Called A Gator Gripper, I Purchased One After Watching A Previous Video Where You Used It, And Couldnt Remember The Name Of It, Thanks Phill For Your Time Doing These Videos Very Helpful Cheers

[@robertpace9923]

How much of an improvement could have been made just by changing out those dreadful tone and high sucking pots?

[@johnpruett6980]

I had to throw this video a like just for that specific SNL reference! My friends and I made this same joke everyday for all 4 years of high school!

[@holysmoke7887]

Thanks for showing the Scorpions some love

[@v-lasagna5195]

Phill knows bowling for soup 🤣🤣 I love it 🤘🏻

[@allentroxel9719]

I would've kept the Duncan pickups

[@hanzv5867]

Allen Troxel yea me too

[@deanlokey]

I would of kept the Duncan Neck pickup

[@maxscardanelli6185]

Same. They’re great pickups.

[@michakobojek2112]

I think tone pots were a big improvement. JB and 59 would sound better with new tone pots.

[@davidrees1840]

I'm surprised at how muffled the JB sounds, plus it makes your guitar pink, so easy win for the Phil X!

[@Xaltar_]

Love Phil X, dude looks like he would be a total blast to hang out with. So sad that even the default hardware on that thing is 100x better than anything on my axes lol. But it is what it is and quality parts cost a fortune here. I am happy with my $40 alnico II PAF clones (Vanson).

[@rijosigns]

awesome job looks amazing and sounds awesome too

[@mjallenuk]

Nice upgrade .... those washers were shocking and I bet Framus will be horrified!

[@clintn6677]

I wish there were guys locally that would do these kinds of mods. Sure we have techs that will do what you tell them but it would be cool just to drop a guitar off and have faith that it will turn out great

[@ryanbarker3978]

The new pickups are certainly great - Very high output; lots of mids/highs. Personally though, I would have kept the JB/59 combo... Guess I am biased but nothing beats the sound of a JB/59 or JB/Jazz combo.

[@mikestcroix4757]

Great video Phil, keep up the great work!

[@shauncarter924]

I love these videos. Learning how to mod guitars is fun and interesting. Phil, have you considered letting someone pay you for your services? I have an E Series Japanese Squier that Id love to have modded but I’m scared to attempt it myself.

[@ColinStuart]

I feel like the Duncans out did the Phil X pickups! Also, evidently, Thoman's competition, German's Music Store> Who makes their J&D guitars? I think it's probably Cort, please correct me!

[@pprovost]

Hey Phil! Great video as always. What are those zero-friction pots? Bourns? That taper pot section was very interesting. A treble bleed circuit on that volume pot would sound better, no?

[@pprovost]

Duh. Re-watched the video and answered my own question. CTS. Where do you get them?

[@ethan-el1zq]

Theres a guitar just like that in the local music shop here and its on the wall for $150-200

[@meatrocket1]

Buy it!

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

ethan 1968 thats a pretty good price point

[@ethan-el1zq]

Im not exactly sure who brought it in but it is but it looks exactly like it and same color pickups knobs switch the whole nine yards

[@bmwf1joel]

What store?

[@ethan-el1zq]

The store is also on reverb but im not sure if the guitar is on there the shops name is The Guitar Shop at Hopi Lane I don’t remember if the tag says 150 or 175 but either way if its on reverb with shipping its around $230 i believe

[@bobisadrummer]

I think 220k Ohm resistor in series with a .0012mf cap for a treble "bleed" would make that PT not get so dark when rolling the volume down.

[@Rooster7six]

Dammit! Now I have to find the SNL weed joke!

[@launder0]

Now I wanna change all my pots! By the way, the JB sounds kind of Randy Rhoadsy, but somewhat muddier than the PX... however someone pointed out that the muddier tone may be because of the pots. They both sound cool in their own ways anyway!

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

I actually like the sound of the original pickup for the bridge, and the P94 for the neck. The Phil X Pickup is a little too hot on the mid-treble side, and while that's good for definition, I'm a sloppy player, so I like a little more even spread on the harmonics. Too much definition is actually detrimental to me, because it makes my sloppy playing seem more sloppy than it is.

[@ScottJamesHicks]

I’ve had import stuff but, nothing this sloppy. And I’d rather have the back cover secured with screws. That being said, thanks so much for teaching us about your tools and explaining that volume pot.

[@raysyu4330]

Really like this series

[@baradalamasa]

Loving that bowling for soup riff!

[@backspin6698]

Great work Phil. From Ford to Ferrari.

[@adam3839]

After watching the comparisons, I kinda want one in a light cotton candyish pink color.

[@anthonyward8587]

Fabulous video and like all the effort you put in man. Thanks . T. Australia.

[@nicks4802]

And that bowling for soup riff made my day

[@rompin7]

would LOVE to see a Sharpen My Axe for Squier Jazzmaster J Mascis!

[@vhcxhbvg]

Sounds sharper for sure. I preferred the old bridge for the beginning of Rock You Like a Hurricane. Have any throw away pickups? I've been rocking epiphone stock pickups for 9 years

[@charliefoxtrotthe3rd335]

The linear taper is more or less an off/on switch. A little movement gives you a ton of volume. The straight taper is where you get full use of the volume, from 1 to 10. I had a Fender DeVille 2x12 with a taper pot. As soon as you came off zero, it was at normal volume, 1 was just about where you want it, 2 was the same output as 10. Once you got over 2 the damn thing was just screaming. I removed it and put in a straight taper, so 1 is 1, 5 is 5 and so on. Stupid to use something like that in an amp

[@jasonbone5121]

New pick-ups sounded great!

[@bobmason2607]

It's strange. Individually, I like both pick up upgrades better but, I like the middle with the new bridge and original neck in the 2 position

[@klaymeister]

I liked the old pickups. Especially the middle position. But that neck pick up was kind of muddy

[@reviewforthetube6485]

I like the 59 better but great job man my favoriyte hums are jb 59s so thats why buy it sounds amazing I do like the p94 for the neck tho because its more like a single coil but zi love duncan 59s on the bridge i love the change on the neck pickup nice video man as always love watching them also you have shown me how to do so much to my guitrar and I really appreciate that but I would still send mine to you so you can do stuff to it because you are so good

[@metalhead6659]

Tell you what.....framus is coming out with some nice guitars!!!

[@jpvvandermerwe87]

Great clip - thank you very much mate !

[@nicks4802]

That big MADE IN CHINA on the back of the head hurt my soul a little bit when i saw that, But you definitely tricked this axe out, great payoff in the end

[@PC_HardwareTechUnboxing_1]

I think the neck pickup was an improvement....not so sure about the bridge. I think they sound different enough, but good enough that there is no clear winner on the bridge.

[@ParkdaleAveProductions]

Awesome video, I learned a lot