The Ultimate Squier Upgrade Experiment. Sharpen Your Axe

[@malicesmom]

Thank you all for the positive comments and I am glad to see my experience has inspired some of you to start sharpening your own guitars. (If you would like to see the full length videos of my repair journey, there is a link on the KYG webpage.) Thanks again to Phil and all of the sponsors for putting this together. I have learned a lot and hope the viewers have too. Now, on to my next project guitar!

[@dcn4real]

I'm going to the KYG site next - curious about the 'finished' product (what's on the Phase 2 mod list? ;). Helping your daughter swap her guitar's tuners would be an excellent family time project. Good Luck with the community music program, Melissa, & please post updates!

[@SrDeMaFp]

You did great, Melissa! Congrats and best of luck with your music program!

[@TexanUSMC8089]

Well done.

[@andrewsloan4228]

Melissa, just wanted to say REALLY well done!!! And well done to phil too, great video, maybe I can do that too... if I ever decide which parts to buy!!!😀😀😀 Again, great job 👍!!!

[@necronorris]

Hi Melissa! Did you find you needed a tool to remove the bushing from the old tuners or did they fall right out?

[@jbn1237]

OK. I'm sending my guitar to Melissa to sharpen!

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

I laughed so hard. She kicked ass

[@mist4620]

Melissa should start a series called 'Sharpen Your Axe'.

[@OriginalPuro]

Ok.

[@coopertrost3816]

There are a ton of different guitar channels on youtube, only a few have something really different to offer. yours is definitely one of them. This stuff is awesome.

[@billyvitale8994]

Melissa.. bravo!!! Phill your honest candor and desire to share yiur knowledge is unsurpassed.. now you expand into the realm of collaboration... it's now about sharpening not just guitars but human interaction and collective learning...Outstanding.. as is the support of all those who sponsor and support what you...and perhaps in short order what WE.. are doing

[@demantoid418]

Nice job Melissa. Thanks Phil

[@Voartist]

I did this on a kit build and an upgrade to my Squier Strat. I watched tons of videos and wish I had found some as succinct and logically progressive as this one. On my Squier I pretty much gutted it; locking tuners, Graphtec Tusq nut and string saver saddles. Seymour Duncan pickups, new pots and a 5-way switch, new jack, shielded it, leveled and dressed the fret wires, and of course new strings. I might take a look at the Graphtec Tusq string trees. The Graphtec nut and saddles have definitely helped it stay in tune better and has no buzz. I highly recommend those items. It sounds great, holds tune much better, and I'd play any gig with it. Thanks Phil and Melissa!

[@the-creech4790]

Yay Melissa!!! I've been playing for 40 years and still afraid of soldering. You jumped in like a pro! 🤗

[@nellax8314]

dude i love the sponsors on this. good on them helping melissa

[@skeetschuler1859]

She did a great job. Congratulations Melissa

[@jamesmerritt5562]

Fantastic video! Well done to Melissa for even attempting the task and not giving up! Phil, this was a great idea and you executed it very well, as always! A+ to both of you! As an electronics engineer for 25+ years, I have never owned a tip tinner or cleaner. When I'm done using the iron, I wipe it off on a damp sponge then, quite heavily, coat the tip with solder then turn the iron off and gently place the iron in the holder. I will, literally, leave a large of blob of solder on the tip of the iron and carefully place the iron back in its holder so as not to knock it off. Next time you heat the iron for use, simply wipe it on a damp sponge and it will be perfectly tinned and ready for use. I do have several tips for my iron but I have had the same tips for many years.

[@navarogswrath2224]

I’ve never responded to a KZbin video before. I thought it was great to watch someone with no experience follow your repair videos and you commenting. To take on a project like this to me would be very intimidating so big thumbs up to Melissa👍

[@MrAg127]

I am a 58 year old newby who started on the Donner starter kit. So I still can't play very well but I picked up a free Squire affinity strat 2000 that had some issues. This video is fantastic. I have now changed the jack and fitted a new pickguard to make it play. It has given me confidence to experiment. Thank you you two. It has been so helpful. Its the best video I have seen. I have now sharpened my own axe! Thanks from Scotland.

[@tomfoolery2082]

Watching a beginner shines a lite on a few habits iv picked up over the years doin this type of thing that i wont b doin anymore. U go girl!

[@timcastle165]

Phil, I’ve always enjoyed these “Sharpen my axe” videos, but this has to be one of the best ones! Mellissa did a superb job and with you giving advise basically only when she asked for it! I have also started to work on my guitars and the guitar tech at the local guitar store agreed to check my work at no cost. Fantastic job Mellissa!!! Phil thank you and Mellissa for doing this video and I hope you do more of these!!!!

[@sbootstrap4588]

BRAVO Melissa...trailblazer! BRAVO Phillip...online remote mentor! BRAVO...Sponsors...sponsoring! Although I'm 5 years after...this is my new favorite KYG video...!

[@jimsanderson9020]

Great job! I loved how deliberate and methodical Melissa was. Her solution was her soldering iron issue was perfect. Thoughtfulness and patience really paid off!

[@kopmatt07]

Only 18 minutes in, but this is a great video. As someone who has dabbled (unsuccessfully) in repairing problems with my own guitars, it's really great to see both an expert and an (gifted) amateur go through it step by step. Thank you both so much for this video!

[@anthonynonya]

Hey Phil I hope you're reading this: Sharpen My Axe is my favortite YT series. So, I've had an Epi LP Special 2 for 15 years, rarely played it. Bought a kit with a small amp not knowing anything. After buying a decent acoustic 2 years ago that I love, I realized I rarely played it because it wasn't fun to play. Your Sharpen series has inspired me. I've replaced the static-ey input jack, have a new nut and tuners on order. I'm also putting chrome covers on the pickups and have changed the knobs to amber. And they go to 11! I have a little fret leveling and polishing to do then get it put back together. I'm excited! Anyway, I wanted to thank you for your great content, the education you provide, your humility, and most of all your inspiration to not only upgrade my guitar but also obviously play it more, and have more fun. Thanks!

[@worshipgeek]

Melissa is my hero. Overcoming the hurdles of electric guitar repair with grace and courage, and then turning her newfound skills around to help her community. What a great womsn, and a great video. Thank you both for all the time you put into this for us!

[@davidmiller1218]

I'll add my thanks to Melissa for her quite clear video demo of her work, including frustrations and solutions. I noticed, while reading some of the comments, that people were envious of the free mod gear provided but, considering the time and effort that was put in making that video, it was well worth it. I know I've been made aware of StewMac-and ordered some tools-and Graph Tech-from whom I'll be ordering parts-due to Phil's repair videos. I'd never known there was a source for guitar repair tools/parts for amateurs to do their own work. Thanks Phil! And great job, Melissa!

[@mikew2256]

So awesome. You were great Melissa, very well done.

[@richdelb]

Phillip, I have been watching your videos for a while now and really enjoy them. I have to say that this is, by FAR my favorite one. It IS very inspiring to see Melissa accept the challenge of soldering and changing these parts out. Well done on both ends of this video.

[@drkoontz]

Melissa & Phil knocked it out of the park, What a great video. Melissa looked very comfortable on camera and was good to see repairs done through her eyes. Keep up the great content Phil!

[@simplygreg17ify]

THANK YOU MELISSA...I've never had the confidence in working this indept on my own guitars & I've played for 28 yrs...I now have the confidence in watching you work in yours & I gained confidence off of YOUR confidence. And thank you Phillip for compiling this video.

[@1980bwc]

Same here. There was a couple things she did, that I have always been afraid to attempt. Not anymore though. Thanks to her.

[@malicesmom]

Thank you all for the positive comments and I am glad to see my experience has inspired some of you to start sharpening your own guitars. (If you would like to see the full length videos of my repair journey, there is a link on the KYG webpage.) Thanks again to Phil and all of the sponsors for putting this together. I have learned a lot and hope the viewers have too. Now, on to my next project guitar!

[@redkingeye]

@@malicesmom great job Melissa, I find working on a guitar is both therapeutic and a wonderful way to create a bond with an instrument. Everyone should have the courage to try it! Wishing you many great years of enjoyment with yours. Have you given it a name yet?

[@malicesmom]

@@redkingeye Hmmm. Never thought about naming my guitar...🤔

[@Supperconductor]

Great job Melissa! I was especially impressed at how you kept your cool at that nut slot mishap. I’ve had meltdowns over less, just ask my wife.

[@good_king_guitarman1334]

You're sayin' what everyone else is thinkin'!!!

[@DANWRIGHTITIS]

@@good_king_guitarman1334 . AYE: A FIVE minute job never takes 5 minutes!

[@malicesmom]

Thank you! Yes, my heart totally sank when I did that. Looking back, it was pretty crazy that I would even think to try smashing it in there with a mallet, but you learn from your mistakes, right? I also burned through the insulation on one of old wires with the soldering iron (you can see that on the full length videos on the KYG site). Thought I had ruined it. But again, learning from my mistakes.

[@tomsparks3259]

This is probably the most useful kind of video. Often times an expert will do a video, taking for granted and skipping over the parts that really puzzle a beginner. In this video, the beginner gets to every one of those bumps in the road and figures out the "secret" to getting over them. Melissa, you should be really proud of yourself! Good job!

[@ofershragay]

Melissa is great! She pays attention to those small details in work that helps you reaching the target. One thing is seeing a video and another really execute it correctly

[@mrsips710]

This was a great idea. It was extremely encouraging to see Melissa do all the work on her guitar as a first-timer. I loved it. Great Job, Melissa!

[@canufathomit6728]

Really enjoyed watching Melissa work on a Guitar (and film it) for the first time. I learn something new every time I see a different person work. Great job Melissa!

[@Strattus19]

LEFTY LOOOOOVE! She did a great job for her first time upgrading her guitar. I did much worse my first time, had to almost throw the pick guard away because my solder job was so bad. Thank God for my best friend, saved the whole project. Now I do much better and your videos have been a point of learning for me!

[@mikephelps6511]

Thank You Phil . Ive watching for a few months now and youve inspired me to transform my 1986 G & L ASAT Special . Alot to love in that guitar but Im goig for the Dream . All refinished ( a whole plan for that ) Bur new bridge saddles , nut , tusq retainers . Tuners are still great , love the PUs and Tone pots are flawless . Belly ( smaller than most ad arm rest cut in front . Natural Mahogany with Natural Danish oil finish . Should be steller . I took 6 hours to hand finish the back of the neck . started w 220 grit then grdually worked up to 3000 grit . MAN what an improvement in feel !!!! Im so stoked Phil , Ive only just begun this project but with your help im confident itll be as Good as it gets ! BTW You ARE A Great Teacher .......themks again ....mike p NH USA been playing for 50 years !

[@ccmusic2249]

Phil is like the orchestra conductor. You may not think you can do it, but Phil believes in you, and pushes you to greatness. Thanks to Melissa for the courage to try this and thanks to Phil for his primo guidance!

[@jefffogle1288]

Two thumbs way up for Melissa! Patience and a spirit of adventure, being open to new experiences and following through. Kudos.

[@butchford7995]

Just want to let you know I think what you do is great! Melissa did a wonderful job of sharing everything that went into her project. Thanks to both of you! Keep up the good work!

[@markewing6780]

Thank you Melissa! This was a great idea! I've been trying to get my 11 year old daughter and my 8 year old son involved or interested in this hobby with me. I've gotten them both guitars. and I try to show them stuff all the time. I work on guitars every day, and Phil is a big part of that. Know Your Gear is a HUGE part of my life. I try to watch all the Q & A's and any videos from Phil. I appreciate this video and I am going to show it to both of my kids and show them how easy this stuff is. Thank you Phil & Melissa!!!!! You are both invaluable.

[@curtpair6044]

Way to go Melissa! Phil, it's so cool that you helped her, and hopefully others in this way! I live in the same "town' as Phil (We met at Namm in the Ibanez booth!). I had been taking my guitar to a repair shop in Scottsdale for years, and they did GREAT work. However, they took FOREVER to get guitars repaired, often 2-3 months for SIMPLE set ups and such. I too decided to learn on my own. I bought some tools and a neck jig from Stew-Mac... a few books and DVDs, and off I went! My buddies all come to me to set up their guitars now, because I've learned to do a pretty darned good job! Keep it up Melissa! Only you can hold you back!

[@wesleymorris1]

She's so cute, and she did a really good job, I hope more people do there own setups, don't take it to big box stores and get bad customer service and wait forever.

[@wesleyAlan9179]

Right on! I've been playing for over 20yrs and i will NEVER let any one set up my axe's! Im very ocd about it.... On a good day i could sit for hours adjusting pickup hight, string hight and intonation, lol!

[@mikewithers299]

I agree. I had to learn these things bcuz I couldn't afford a tech when I was young. So now, nobody touches my setups, and I'm quite happy with how they play

[@mikemce899]

Even though this vid is 7 months old, the content will not only be inspiring it will be timeless. Outstanding work Melissa🎸! Phil McKnight never disappoints. Thank Bud 😀

[@barryjmccormack]

Great video. it was so much more enlightening to see Melissa, a beginner, do it from scratch and see how she overcame all the problems. Well done Mellisa and a great concept Phil

[@jamesdouglas1743]

Awesome job! I want to thank Melissa and Phil. She just gave me enough confidense to mod my first guitar after 16 years of playing. I just ordered my parts and solder gun. Have done everything except soldering to my axe.

[@Klaxet]

For 2009 Squier Strat correct nut model: PQ-5042-00 : TUSQ Slotted Nut 42mm Flat Bottom. I own exactly the same guitar and had to go through this upgrades myself. Very helpful video, thank you.

[@markgueren9633]

That was AWSOME!!! It’s great to see someone just digging in and going out of their comfort zone!!! Great job Melissa!!!

[@bjl4433]

Great video! Melissa is an awesome woman! It knocked me out that she's going to contribute to her community with what she's learned to do. And Phil, thanks so much for lending your time, contacts and expertise to her ... and to us! I've just retired and moved down south to where I grew up and my workshop is nearly done. I cannot wait to try these mods on some of my project instruments. I have plenty of them, but have been scared to start on even one. Just a super job done by all.

[@giovannicerva5522]

That was great. I did a very similar project myself on a fifteen year old squier that was my sons first guitar. Since he has long moved on to bigger and better guitars, and this one no longer functioned properly, I decided to give it a go. I stripped everything out of the guitar, and interestingly enough I decided to start with the input jack, just as you instructed Melissa. But I had a similar issue with the nut as well (I also used a graph tech nut). Thanks to Graph Tech for the assistance in sizing this for me. Great customer service. Anyway, a little sand paper did the trick. Yes, I replaced two of the pick ups with Stewmac pick ups, but I went for a heavier tone and did the bridge with a Seymour Duncan. It all came out great and created what is now a very playable guitar that’s gigable, and back in the collection. I will definitely do this again in the near future. Thanks Phil!

[@andrewdimartino7426]

Hey its Melissa, that's awesome! Shes one of the KYG community that ive actually talked to in the comments section before! I noticed her picture in the shirt montage at the end of an episode, because she was about to do a fret polish and it was actually that same day that I did my first fret polishing job. I commented that I thought that coincidence was cool, and she found my comment introduced herself and said she appreciated my comment, I thought hat was even cooler. Its really awesome to see someone that I know is around my skill level try it for themselves. This is the most empowering Sharpen My/Your Axe yet!

[@DrummClem]

Hello there. It may seems stupid , but I bought a Squier Affinity ten years ago in order to start playing... then she slept in a bag for a long time... and I am ready to start over again and to make it great ! No fancy stuff, mainly shielding, changing the string trees and lubricating the nut. Other things may come... later ;) These series are inspiring ! Thanks so much!

[@niclastname]

I loved this! She seems eager to learn and gain the experience and she seems very sweet! :) The only thing I think was missing was seeing her enjoying the guitar after all the work. I don't need a comparison, but I would've loved seeing her happy with the new hardware! Great idea, great video, great viewer to pick to do it with. She was great

[@DanPeacock]

Thank you for putting this up, Phil. So many videos out there are of the experts and show all the polish, making a task look easy. It's daunting to start out and Melissa proved it can be done.

[@Dkarr0282]

Well done. Loved that she did not get discouraged with things that went "wrong" and was able to keep focus on the task. Great video.

[@quetzal996]

I'm in the middle of upgrading my nut in my guitar and was getting discouraged with my work and was thinking about taking it to a tech to finish. This video made me realize I should just keep at it rather than give up. Excited to see the new line of repair videos!

[@ericlewis9638]

Great video Phil & Melissa. Very helpful & interesting! I was very impressed with Melissa’s taking control & not showing any fear or intimidation with the soldering!

[@uptopmikep7065]

I think she did a bang up job. I love seeing how other people take on a new challenge. Well done Melissa!!!

[@FotnoLafontaine]

Tremendous job Melissa. You learned and implemented more skills on your first guitar, than I did on my first half dozen, and I didn't have to film any of those! The sky's the limit now. Thanks to Melissa and Phil for sharing this with us.

[@yobaby14]

Melissa did a great job on the mods! It's videos like this that make me sure to watch your videos, Phil. With Melissa's dedication to both the project and the videos, I'm sure her music program will be a success!

[@Grandpa.Dan8881]

Very nicely done by Melissa & Phill! And thanks to all the contributing sponsors...

[@joemama32100]

Probably one of the best videos I've seen on your channel. I basically ran into all those problems modding my guitars. But it's really awesome when you do it right.

[@timmahnesmith1582]

That was great! I love the way her confidence in creased with each task and she was able to pull off the project! Way to go!

[@brandonspurosky9314]

Been playing for about 15 years and never changed pickups myself so watching this gave me the confidence to take my guitar apart tommorow. Thanks Melissa😊

[@hmrbruce]

Melissa Thank you for doing this for us all, Not only did you try something new but you had the courage to do this front of us all THANK YOU!

[@joephillips4082]

I've played guitar over 50 years and I never had the nerve to try anything Melissa did. I applaud her fearlessness and her success. Well done, Melissa.

[@GearingUpShow]

This is such an incredible video. I watch every video of yours but never comment. I felt like i needed to this time. What you did for Melissa in the way of parts, instruction, and support is inspiring. By far my favorite video of yours so far! don't get me wrong, I love your reviews, but the extent you went to to show that even we can upgrade our instruments is incredible. Probably the best creator/viewer interaction I have ever seen from a reviewer. I hope my channel can help people like yours does someday. A+ man. Seriously.

[@BAMozzy69]

Congratulations Melissa! Hope you are enjoying your Sharpened Axe that little bit more because you id the work yourself. Thanks Phil and Melissa for sharing this video and hope it inspires others to Sharpen their Axe...

[@joelesh1381]

That was super cool! I agree with the comments that Phil thought outside of the box with this video. It was inspiring and definitely not your typical KZbin content. Good job Melissa.

[@tonynoon8693]

Great job Melissa! Also huge thanks to Phil and all of the sponsors. Thanks for making this happen. Well done everyone!

[@leeasbury7273]

I love this! And this girl is fearless and wide-eyed about all this stuff. I'm currently really sharpening 1, of 2 Squier Bullet Mustangs I have for her birthday next week...plus she just got her first apartment...its only a block away from my house where she was, and across the street from the Veterinarian's Hospital she works at. I just wanna point out how proud I am of her, and how this video not only gave me the idea to really pro finish this Mustang up, complete with a new cool custom pickgaurd im gonna get my buddy to make while I keep improving anything I possibly can think of. I have no problem throwing $$ at this Mustang because I had it long enough to know its worth it. I actually bought 2 more i was so impressed. I'm a PRS guy, but the Mustang is so easy and fun, and SOUNDS SO GOOD TOO!, IM GONNA HAVE MY BAYBA GIRL DO THIS SHARPEN STUFF WITH THE OTHER 2. SHES GONNA LEARN SO MUCH AND BE SO PROUD OF HERSELF. And I needed a big project to do anyway. I was gonna see if Warmth had anything and build something from scratch, but the Stangs were blown out for only$129 each...couldn't resist. Lots of cool new stuff out this year actually...even the new acoustic Breedlove Companion Organic series of short scale all solid wood guitars were so impressive, I bought 2 of those also haha. Nicely done to both of u! Man...a young, pretty, ambitious, lefthanded, non-goth type ♥ sweetie, who is also so determined and contaminating the whole audience with good-vibes and free Uber rides! (It rhymes 🤷‍♂️🤷🤷‍♀️) 😉. I'm obviously overly smitten right now cause, ....well, she's cute and didn't give up or get visibly upset and irritated... or, whatever... ha, but I'm So excited to give my daughter her custom daddy improved Mustang on her birthday, but this video was so perfect and useful that my daughter and I are gonna see how her guitar started out, and where we land it, together with our own hands and lots of appreciation.! Ill even let her use my best Xytronic soldering station and show her how easy it is with the right tools and solder lol. Cheap solder is just so frustrating and not an option on my benches. It's not even expensive, relatively, compared to that terrible "Crimped Slinky " stuff that always seems to be around and begging you to try it just once more. Nope. I have a stockpile of great easy flowing quality solder, and dozens of high-quality tips...cause they do wear out, and its so much easier with the right stuff 👍🕺 Ok, boys and hares (an inside daughter joke...she was always making up goofy stuff. Can't wait to double surprise her with the blonde limited nos Fender Champ to play through later that night too...then a triple...let's call it an inside the PNC park home run 🏃‍♂️ actually, when I explain the guitars were gonna do whatever we want to...they are swimming pool routes, so one of them is getting at least 3 Humbuckers, or maybe some 4 pup combo with switches, phase shifting...maybe some SD triple shot mounting rings!? 3 of those wired up to some nice combination of yet TBD pups...sounds ambitious and unnecessary, and definitely something I'm gonna make happen anyway lol! I also see that I can squeeze 2 HB's with 2 P90's if I apply "ourselves " on the 3rd Mustang! Any and all ideas are welcome and encouraged if u read this far... I have tons of parts, pickups, and other stuff at home, plus my buddy is a tech at store he can order whatever I need through. 🤔 I really hope she digs this idea...cause it's gonna happen, and I don't wanna it to be all awkward, like when my little doggie has to pee, but the rain is wrecking his whole plan outside. Then I gotta kinda...pull rank and force the issue lol. Nah, I just hold an umbrella over him. Iys way worse for me, he loves trying to juke and jive the umbrella...I think he wins if he gets a certain level of wet, and makes me say "Bettis " 3 times in my serious voice. He never told me...but that seems to be the rules, for sho. But, squirrels and deer are fair game no matter the weather or daddys tone of voice and level of jagoff tolerance. He obviously believes its worth it no matter the cost if he can get closer to the deer than me. But, he makes up the rules and changes as he goes anyway,...so yeah...those unfortunate random rain relief occurances are met with my skepticism and feeling like-... maybe my spoiled Yorkie/Chewbacca rain-pee cutie doesn't really have to pee as bad as he makes it out. All droopy eyed with his back legs crossed and dancing 💃. Then its like, hey, false alarm with the whole pee-squirting for distance, nightly Olympics con thing i get u with every time dad...but look, squirrels and deer! Awe, they choose our backyard to live in...they live us! I mean my dog doesn't actually say that but I can tell he's thinking it. It might even be some type of telepathy he's advanced to, in his manipulation art. He's an art aficionado, with a minor in Greek centered philosophical philosophy...he's kinda a big deal, n'at. A little snooty...but it'll be worth it when he remembers how good I treated him when its time for him to decide where "old daddy" has to live. We kinda need each other to achieve our long and short-term goals I guess is what I mean 🏂🏋‍♂️🏃‍♂️🚶‍♂️🏌‍♂️👨‍🦽👴 🦌🌰🐿 🐿 psst.. ➡️➡️ 💯👌🙋‍♂️🧏‍♂️🚫🚫🏝🕸🧱🧱🕴🕴🪤⛓🚪🔐 🆘️😹😸😺🙈🙉🙊 💬💭lol🐕 seriously this time though...👨‍⚖️👨‍⚖️👩‍⚖️🧏🏽‍♂️🧏‍♀️🧏🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️🙋🙇‍♂️🙇‍♀️🙇🙅‍♂️🙅‍♀️🙅🙆‍♂️🙆‍♀️🙆🙎🙎‍♀️🙎‍♂️ 💥🤡👈 🐶🐶👌👌💯📫📬📩📃📜 🎁🎈🎈🎊✨🌞🌈👨‍🎤👩‍🎤🤹🧞‍♂️🎅🤶🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️🧙‍♂️🤹‍♀️🤹‍♂️💃🕺🍗🌭🌮🍟🥂🪤👅🐶🦮💨👅👅👅 🍭👈🤡💬hahaha My dog also hides with my phone and tells "Picture Pages" stories. It's his thing. I guess he's luring the deer and chipmunks to a party or something he made up, but he just laughs and teases them...he wants to be their friends. Yeah....he's not really doing it right but he won't listen to me...

[@ChristopherGiroir]

What a great switch on the Sharpen Your Axe series. I loved this! Great job Melissa and thanks to all of the sponsors. I loved watching this one!

[@timnoble4137]

Respect to Melissa! Well done, Lady. That was a big ask to do that on video. And a big up to Phillip for giving Melissa, and the rest of us, the confidence to tackle a Sharpen our Axes project. Tip; I really struggled with my first few soldering tasks, so, I practiced soldering on bits of junk to get my technique down before risking it on my guitar parts. And Melissa got it spot on: soldering iron tip cleanliness is critical. "Who's afraid of the soldering iron, the soldering iron? No, not me no more.". Feel free to put that to music, Phillip. Ha Ha.

[@TeleNikon]

This is a MASSIVE amount of work especially for a first-timer. Well done! I salute that level of hustle.

[@heted1]

Fantastic video, Melissa and Phil. I have a Squire that I've had for 30 years and never play it. I think I will upgrade it after watching the video.

[@fraenkiboii]

This is a really cool concept being endlessly entertaining and educational to watch. It's a win-win-win-win. You can teach, someone learns by doing, you get immediate feedback on how your teaching was, the viewers learn PLUS brands (sponsors) can place their products. Cheers from Frankfurt/Germany

[@SingleMaltMac]

Kudos to Melissa for having the courage to do this! Well Done!

[@katbutnohat_]

As someone about to embark on their first ever full guitar setup experience (I've always been too scared) this was incredibly informative, motivational and fun to watch. Melissa was fantastic and really helped me realise that I can do this stuff too.

[@Brmmsilva]

Great job Melissa! I've been sharpen my Squier too. Still have some things to do, but is going just fine. Congrats to Melissa on this great video. And to you too, Phil, for showing that anyone can do it.

[@giantessmaria]

Well done Melissa! ....I can only imagine how daunting a task it must have been for you...you inspired me to try this myself...great video!

[@1980bwc]

Awesome job Melissa! This was alot for a beginner to tackle, but you overcame all of the obstacles very well. Good luck in your musical ventures! 🙂

[@maidenthe80sla]

Hats off to you, Melissa! 🎉🎊👍 You did a fine job of taking on a task that can be very intimidating to some. Plus, the satisfaction you got for working on your Strat; including all the money & time you saved using the DIY method. When you start purchasing new guitars in the future, life will become much simpler when it comes to maintenance and upgrades.

[@oldguysguitarvlog183]

Good job Melissa!! Brilliantly done!! Now you're a better guitar tech than 90% of the people that say they do guitar work at Guitar Center. I have a vid coming up on my channel modding my Player Series Tele, and I also have an ongoing series where I am building a LP style guitar kit. I always try to encourage people to work on their own guitars!! It's so rewarding!

[@Xubuntu47]

So should I NOT take my bass to GC for fret level/recrown? Maybe shop for leveling beams, etc. instead, and do ot myself?

[@oldguysguitarvlog183]

@@Xubuntu47 I would not take a guitar to GC unless you know the tech personally. If you feel you have the skill, for sure do it yourself. If you are not comfortable doing the job, find a Mom and Pop shop with a guitar tech that has been there awhile, or look around your area. I have had TERRIBLE experiences with GC and Sam Ash "Luthiers".

[@jt1316]

Before I clicked on this video, I thought to myself, yes because I’ve done the same with a squier tele I’ve had for 10 years. When I click, it was a Nice surprise to see more fellow female guitarists. Of course she did a better job because I sort of cheated and bought a a solder-less system Darrell Braun did a video on, but now I’m inspired to try and do the soldering myself! Would probably save me money too!

[@DavidHanks90]

Love your content Phil! I bought a cheap used Squier Strat that has seen better days and put my newly learned skills to the test. I dressed the fret ends, took care of fret sprout, changed the tuners and bridge and even installed a kill switch. It's now my favorite guitar even though I paid less for this one than any of my others because I got to work on it myself. Thanks for the content and keep it up!

[@michelewade5415]

Great Job Melissa. I just replaced the wiring and pickups in my Ibanez. The hardest part was the fear of messing it up. After the first 5 minutes I was good to go. Save some money by DIY, Thanks to you both.

[@mikewoike9429]

I love the fact that you grabbed the bull by the horns and GOT ER DONE. Anything can be fixed. Great job.

[@krelbar]

She learned soldering quicker than most first year students in technical school, where there is an instructor looking over your shoulder rather than much the much more difficult video correspondence. She also grasped concepts quickly AND took the next step and thought things out on her own. After all these years, I've done tons of mods but I still haven't replaced my own nut. This inspires me to learn how to level and dress frets. Just about every guitar under a grand these days comes with unlevel frets. Great job, Melissa! You're well on your way, and off to a quick start!

[@shauncarter924]

Fantastic video, Phil and Melissa. I have also wondered if I had what it takes to tear into my guitars and tinker with them, and now I know that I do. This video should also be an example and a testament as to just how good you are as a teacher and instructor when it comes to these types of things. Kudos to you and Melissa.

[@Sheepleton]

This video definitely serves its intended purpose, giving people confidence to work on their own stuff. Great idea and fantastic work Melissa!

[@daddyosink4413]

Phil.... I have to say that this series of vids is hands down some of the best guitar related content on YT. I started doing repairs/mods/hot rods 32 years ago at the age of 10... never really understood what I was doing until i had the money to order some books and actually LEARN in my late teens. If these vids had been available then, I wouldve started building guitars when I was 18 instead of when I was 35.

[@daleturner3507]

Great job! Very inspirational. Hats off to Melissa and Phil for his helping out.

[@manny75586]

Great job! I know from having modded "less than optimal" guitars, she is gonna love it. It's crazy how much a little effort and a little cash makes such a HUGE difference. Even just getting better tuning machines can change the life of a guitar.

[@dalepal]

Awesome video Phil! Kudos to Melissa for a great job sharpening her axe for the first time and the video showing her work.

[@mattduncan318]

Awesome job melissa. Always good to know how to do it yourself. Phil is a great instructor aswell

[@Bassqueen13]

And PHILLIP...YES, Thank you. This was a SUPERB IDEA. I am forever grateful. Keep the videos coming! Thanks a BUNCH!

[@ernestfoltz2145]

Great job Phillip and Melissa! I'm getting ready to mod a Tagima TW61. I already had measured and recorded the saddle distance. I'm glad I watched this video! I actually measured from the BACK of the saddles. I will correct his before I start. Thanks again Phillip! Keep the videos coming please. Very good instruction.

[@hhohn7]

Great job Melissa. Thanks for this video Phillip. Two years later, I just found the video. I'm not a solderer. So, I added a Mojo Tone '67 Quiet Coil Pre-wired Strat Pickguard to my 2000 Chinese made Squier. The holes were a little out of alignment, but still useable. I had to use a dremel to hone out the neck fitment a little. This Squier rocks. The tone from the new pups is night and day. It's not a USA Fender, but it's not bad for an $80 guitar I picked up used from Craigslist.

[@prplshroud]

It took 4 years for this video to show up in my feed. Wish it was sooner. This was an excellent idea and production. It shows that you too can perform these tasks. Hats off to both of you. I'm saving this video to rewatch for the day I do this to the kids squire strat. I would even purchase the tool sets called out. I don't have a soldering iron currently anyway and would need a new one. Why not get one from Stewmac.

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Great job Melissa! And Phil, that was awesome of you to help her out. Loved this video!!

[@blackwolfgaming676]

I loved this video I’ve never sharpened my own axe but seeing someone who has never done it makes me feel more comfortable with giving it a try and seeing how it goes thanks phil for this great video and thanks to melissa for making her parts of the video

[@mikewithers299]

Awesome job Melissa! You learn so much about guitars by actually doing these kinds of mods. Philip is a great teacher, and full of experience. Awesome job to both of you

[@misinformationwithrandy]

This was great! Totally dig the collaboration and Melissa's sharing with the larger community. Thanks!

[@LanceisLawson]

This was inspiring Melissa did great. Your videos are some of the best Phillip.

[@SteveHart-tt7wk]

I'm older than dirt and have been messing with stuff for decades, but still learn something from every one of your videos.

[@donaldryder5534]

This was a great video. I liked seeing an amateur (like me) do something that Phil makes look easy in his videos. Great job Melissa! Pros make it look easy, but Melissa makes it look like I can do it.