Mick’s Vlog - The New Strat Journey Begins (And Pretty Much Ends) - That Pedal Show

Welcome to That Pedal Show! Please subscribe to our channel and visit our store www.thatpedals...
In this video I reflect on the last few months and the problems I was having with my main guitar… that now seems to be known as ‘Blue’ thanks to the TPS audience!
I’ve been talking about it on the regular Friday and Tuesday shows, and lots of people have asked if I could document some of the journey.
So I’ll try - this is part 1 where I play four guitars back to back and think it over. In part 2 I swap the bridge out on Blue, and in part 3 if I get that far, I’ll swap the pickups out. If you’re looking for a video on ‘what is the best Strat-style guitar?’, this is definitely not for you. If you’re interested in some of the factors that go into why we choose and bond with these ridiculous planks of wood, you might find it more interesting.
One thing I will say… This process has made me even less of a fan of A/B testing and blind listening that I was before. I’m discovering that I can’t play, listen and be objective at the same time. On the subject of which... I'll get asked this a lot, so I'll answer here. Why on earth did I use so much gain in this video? Honestly, I have no idea - listening back, it was a mistake.
Hey ho. Part two might have some better sounds.
Anyhoo, please enjoy the vid. Parts 2 and 3 will be along sometime in December and/or January. Cheers!
Pedals and amps used in this video
• Dunlop EJF1 Eric Johnson Fuzz Face Distortion
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2RWVVfd
• Fulltone Full-Drive1
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2PKpL5a
USA: imp.i114863.ne...
Australia: bit.ly/2rFuUSH
• Thorpy FX The Dane
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2wLUk32
Australia: bit.ly/2Y2K96S
USA: bit.ly/3x2WRqr
• Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2cQsuNc
USA: bit.ly/31ZWbVv
• TheGigRig QMX6
www.thegigrig....
Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalsh...
• Two-Rock Classic Reverb Signature with Two-Rock 212 cab and TR 1265B speakers
Guitars in this episode:
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster (2001): Watch Mick’s video at bit.ly/2cQv3yT
• Macmull S-Classic: www.macmull-gu...
• Fender John Mayer Signature Stratocaster (2008, no longer made)
• PRS Silver Sky: www.prsguitars...
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USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedals...

[@andertons]

Legend....

[@ej3651]

I want to be your friend, Mick. We can play with strat parts at your place after school every day!

[@KelsterVonShredster]

lol

[@zerohourdrift]

Who wouldn’t? He’s one of the best players around today, has a million pedals and amps, and seems to be a downright great guy. As a 19 y/o I aspire to be as awesome as mick when I’m a little older/more grown up😂

[@KelsterVonShredster]

@@zerohourdrift if you're 19 and watching this channel, I commend you! You are advanced already.

[@zerohourdrift]

Kelster Von Shredster lol thanks. I started playing at 14 and built my first strat at 15😂

[@everybodylovesgav]

ALL IN FAVOR OF MICK REBUILDING HIS ORIGINAL STRAT SAY AYE !!!!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Not going to happen. It’s a dog. Sorry!

[@mikebuckman5182]

"AYE"

[@everybodylovesgav]

@@ThatPedalShow You know what they say ....you cant keep a good dog down XD

[@strattac2264]

I'm a fan of Mick building a strat, but he should start fresh. His first strat looks done.

[@danieltrilling6295]

A Y E

[@JasonM96]

Obviously, I wouldn't watch TPS videos if I weren't interested in guitar tones, but the best part of this video for me was the story of your first Strat. It was a lovely testament to musical and paternal love.

[@Hawthorneeffect1]

I still personally think Blue sounds the best between the 4 guitars.

[@evan4168]

I agree

[@mattgilbert7347]

Yep

[@nickbouvy8851]

Keybo Dare me too. And I am the very happy owner of a silver sky

[@jonbradbury3843]

I agree, Blue sounds the business

[@horsehead]

Agreed, it had a best overall sound.

[@TomWebbFilms]

I think you need to rebuild your original first strat. That would be a great series of videos.

[@ThatPedalShow]

It’s a dog, unfortunately - will never sound good. Cheers!

[@adrianhjordan1981]

So a Fender CS recreation then... 😝

[@TomWebbFilms]

That Pedal Show that’s a shame! I recently resurrected my first guitar and it was great fun.

[@jvanb231]

@@ThatPedalShow build it in case you are wrong

[@tulk3747]

@@TomWebbFilms small world I just started that same journey myself. Funnily, mine was '91 $99 Yamaha I bought new, lol. Gets me fired up. Can't wait. (wont link but my YT channelI started documenting it)

[@ethanbarker3467]

Mick, your story about your first Strat reminded me of how my dad surprised me with a Gretsch 6120 for my 16th birthday even though I was complete crap at guitar at that point in my life. Now I’m a full time musician and that guitar still remains my number one. Cheers to dads who see potential in their kids even before other people do.

[@Kurt9099]

I could listen to Mick play all day, any guitar, any amp, any pedal. I just dig his playing!

[@TheSwalden588]

Blue sounds so much better to me than all the others. I feel like it pushes just the right amount, also your hands already tell you what strat you like best.

[@vincentkeith5259]

People with a total passion for what they're doing are fun to watch. I'm so new to the electric guitar that I find everything fascinating, notably, what really experienced people can hear that I don't. One of the things I've experienced in several disciplines is how much resolution comes with experience and familiarity that is entirely unavailable to the casual observer, whether that's B&W photography, audiophile sound, fly rod action, trigger pull and reset, or ... whatever your passions are. Every one of those four guitars sounded the same to me - maybe in 10 years, I'll actually be able to hear the differences. I'm sure the differences are more pronounced in person - but I wouldn't bet on my ability to sit and listen and tell which was which, my ears just are trained that way.

[@RabeaMassaad]

Great vlog! My genuine question here is. Surely this is an ‘in your head’ thing about the vintage strat. Apart from how wood ages, and I guess every other element. The designs of reissues are supposed to be the same spec as the originals. I dunno... I just think a lot of this has to be placebo effects. I’ve not played tons of vintage strats but my CS 61’ and 55’ reissues are meant to be as they were in the day. Anyway, I’m rambling... i just think it can’t be just the fact an old guitar is better because it’s old if that makes sense

[@ThatPedalShow]

Hello mate! I agree with about 75 per cent of that - the in your head thing is surely massive. But... We should go out and play some originals and make a vlog. Hope your new Esquire is making awesome noises. And... you know that your CS 61 is part of the reason I'm taking on this whole blimmin caper. Ha!

[@RabeaMassaad]

That Pedal Show yeah... I think I need to try some vintage strats. I need to see what you’re seeing. It’s not that I don’t believe it or that I disagree I’m just really curious HOW much difference there is. I don’t think there isn’t a difference but I really wanna know where those differences are when you’re playing and making sounds

[@johncooper16]

Looking forward to that vlog. Get it done.

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

Yes , there's something to be said about older vintage guitars ,, they have mojo , after being loved / broke in

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I think vintage guitars are absolutely different. I don't know if that translates to better, necessarily but the very old Fenders I've played were just entirely different from modern versions. That tree's been a guitar 40 or 50 years..

[@MarkB.Guitar]

I love everything about the Macmull (including the headstock). PRS sounds great, too 😍🤩

[@imgonnagetbanned]

My mentality has ALWAYS been whichever one feels the best to play is usually the right one to stick with... unless you have seriously dead wood that doesn't resonate at all, you can always tweak sound with pickup swaps etc., but if it doesn't feel right, I find I am never 100% happy... then again, this is why I own 5 Strats. Lovely vlog Mick, thanks for taking us on the journey!

[@andrewmorgan1640]

A more calmer version of a strat journey than mine. Ended up with a Custom Shop reissue Fender, Silver Sky, Suhr and a Macmull. All in red as i mentioned to you in Tokyo. All in all, the Macmull is my favourite of the new bunch. But I am also never going to sell my orignal American Standard that I have refretted and tweaked over the years. Just need to learn how to play now.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Any specific reasons you can point to as to why the Macmull is your favourite, when compared with the others (or just why the Macmull is great, in and of itself)?

[@andrewmorgan1640]

@@mattgilbert7347, to me it just feels like an old strat for one, I agree with most of Mick's comments on why he likes old strats except for some of the wilder things like where screws are located and the angle of the trem spring clamp. For me it is 100% the tone and feel. It is super light and just feels right. I dont care that the fingerboard is not shiny (seriously mick). I have a couple of friends with early 60's strats who ordered one after playing mine. One thinks his Macmull is better than his 2 vintage strats, one thinks it is equal. Both think it is safer for their $30,000 guitars not to go to gigs.

[@piersuntersander]

I was starting to worry about TPS overexposure and then notification pops up and in I go again :) keep up the good work and attention to detail, it makes all the difference. Thank you Mick and Dan and Simon and Catherine and anyone else behind the scenes. And good on ya to invest in quality kit...A Dumble filmed on a VHS handycam from 1987 doesn't sound as good as one shot in 4k, of course!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thanks Piers. There are people who think we are making too many videos. But that’s okay, they can just watch less.. thank you!

[@piersuntersander]

@@ThatPedalShow Yes. There are also people who think Hitler was misunderstood. Amazing how free content draws the most criticism. Perhaps a thought towards Patreon-only content, in view of your recent giveaway conundrum. With regards to this upload, a very well put together vlog, with a perhaps unintentional accent on how the emotional response to an instrument is as important as the technical craftmanship present in said instrument. In terms of broadcasting, this was ace and showed a good blend between the insightful views of an industry professional, a 'visceral' visual representation of the struggle between form and content, and an overall tone somewhere between Mark Kermode, Michael Palin and Danish Peter of the Honore Clan. In the same way that Top Gear is not about cars, th TPS is starting to grow its own spirit. Godspeed.

[@purushswaminathan5693]

@@ThatPedalShow 2018 has been all TPS overexposure for me, but I am not complaining. I have become tone-wiser, bought some really quality pedals/gear that suit my playing, moved into an apartment where i can practice louder(😂) and therefore as a result my playing has definitely become better due to the tonal inspiration(something Mick alluded in the recent Q/A thingie). Thank you everyone at TPS🙏 and have a great holiday season!

[@piersuntersander]

@@purushswaminathan5693 That's awesome...I hope your new apartment is built from tonewood :)

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@piersuntersander Why'd you have to bring Hitler into this, man

[@ap7498]

I love the journey Mick!! Thanks for letting us be a part of it!!

[@jonathanpentreath6039]

The Macmull sounds so great with drive. It seems to have a bit more compression in the pickups, and has that lovely mid-range feedback propensity, but more controllable. It popped more for me.

[@Snoopdave2000]

The macmull was clearly the best of the bunch imo. What put you off it was probably the headstock shape and the vintage fretboard radius your In love with

[@ThatPedalShow]

1. I LOVE the Headstock shape of the Macmull! It’s easily my fave non Fender peg head on any S type. 2). Can’t say I //really// noticed the radius. 3) It is indeed a wonderful guitar. But I like em a little more sledgehammery than classic Stratty. For the main one anyway. 4) After playing too many vintage ones now, I’ve kinda concluded I’m never going to love a new guitar. Cheers!

[@Snoopdave2000]

@@ThatPedalShow me too, yh I think the macmull are 9.5 radius, have you played a K-line s type? Each guitar is different even if you match the years I guess. I definately understand wanting older worn in guitars, I've been buying second hand. Got my eye on a landau tho, but when it comes down to it I don't really need it, I have my Prs and blade rh4. The comfort of the curvy boards tho are tempting me as I widdle much less

[@streetrockusa]

To my ears the Macmull is the one that stands out with that extra 3D expression quality to it, that SRV #1ness, though Mick seems to have a harder time playing that guitar, so maby the feel is more tricky than the others.

[@MRN89]

I love these honest, natural and raw style videos that you guys upload Thanks 👍🏻

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thanks Mike, that means a great deal to me. Sometimes the internet is an unforgiving place, so I really appreciate the kind words.

[@MRN89]

Not a problem, thanks for the entertainment and insight.

[@garethbyrd5860]

It's always personal taste, but it's the macmull every time for me in that A/B/C/D test. It had a plumminess to the mids rolling into the bass and the top end was never chaffing to the ear. 'Just lovely', as Dan would say.

[@tskjek08]

A fantastic journey. One that could have no end in sight but I’m glad that Blue has again warmed your heart as you have been in the trenches together for a long time.

[@philsaunter1956]

Man that macmull sounded amazing. No wonder people who played one are all so excited about them.

[@themaninme]

Phil Saunter very true

[@PatoGallini]

Hi where are they made?

[@WS-ij1fu]

@@PatoGallini Israel.

[@furbymetal83]

It caught me off guard as well. First I was kinda glaring at it, thinking about that hideous headstock, but man, it sounded so full and crisp

[@clench13]

I am thoroughly enjoying Mick’s journey and I can’t wait for it to continue. Your knowledge, insights and personal preferences are greatly appreciated my friend. See you on the next one.

[@aidanpinder7106]

Gahhh that macmull sounds so breathy and open, everything I could want in a strat, and controversially, I love the headstock!

[@ThatPedalShow]

I do too. Genuinely so!

[@Kevin-the-Just]

I'd like to thank you guys for another year of great edutaining videos. I think you have, almost single handedly, rekindled my interest in guitar effects pedals. I hadn't played for decades, but since retiring and finding your show the old passion has returned and I've learned a lot. All the best for 2019. Keep it up.

[@nickdevriese]

Can’t wait for part 2. Callaham stuff is awesome.

[@kevinwhite5539]

I own a 55' and 64', they was my pride and joy til I bought my first Mac. Ended up with three. They have something that is more than just "sound", they are so musical, dynamic OMG...... and it's actually vibrating. sum this up with perfect playability and result is all your guitaristic dreams.

[@lance134679]

They all sound great. I really like the neck pickup on the MacMull. Thanks for the video. Love my Strat, too. it's my go-to for gigs. So versatile. (2012 Fender Select SSS)

[@swardmusic]

What things were made even more clear to me- 1. Get a strat that feels phisically comfortable and inspiring to play 2. Get pickups - vintage/modern or somewhere in between suiting your taste. 3. Tuning stability for the regular gigger. 4. Rock on. Love the show boys keep it up

[@olredbeard420]

The silver sky sounded the best through my car speakers, which I would argue would be a great reason to keep it and have it set up the way you like it.

[@elvagabundovatti]

I´ve watched just 3 Minutes of this episode and already love it.

[@christurner2398]

I'm so glad you showed your first strat body. I thought I was crazy for tinkering with my strat (including trying to refret for myself. Fail), turns out I'm not alone

[@ThatPedalShow]

Dan said the same thing!

[@Adornoquartet]

Oh my. I watched to the end and the ‘62 Fiesta Red is the one. Awesome guitar, hands down the best of all. You are clearly inspired playing it, natural. Carpe Diem, Mick, you must have a guitar like this. You deserve it.

[@dthompson5150]

I really wish you did lessons, Mick. I'd love to learn from you. Your playing is always killer.

[@n3rdg4m3r]

This a neat series that I cant wait to see more of. Coming from an Ibanez owner who only plays humbuckers. I didnt really understand or dig the Strat sound when I started my guitar journey. Somehow through watching Mick and TPS, I find myself intrigued about what makes a Strat sound like a Strat. Cheers Mick and Dan for opening my eyes to more tonal options and keeping that spark of musical knowledge and passion growing.

[@riverrhodes7394]

The Macmull was my favorite. Just amazing!

[@tonelogic]

Thanks for this Mick! Been waiting forever for you to do this series. First guitar was a squire strat and spent years hating strats until I started playing a few friends again recently and about to being the strat journey myself. Definitely helpful to hear these models as well as the vintage stuff. Good luck on your part swapping!

[@willgoodfellow4235]

Ha ha- I only just got to the moment at 38 mins where you mention me and the Landau strat. You legend! You know you're welcome to borrow it if you want to include it in another part of the blog. If I wasn't getting married then I may well sell it to you and upgrade to the Jason Smith Masterbuilt. The journey isn't over yet though. I'm off to see our Danish friend to try out some better amps at Andertons just to see if that changes my perception of whether it's worth lusting over the masterbuilt.

[@MDCSYD]

This is truly an excellent video. The Methods that Mick used were clear (added his explanation & opinions) and to the point. No wonder he was an editor for guitarists UK Mag 👍

[@KristofferVad]

Marvellous stuff Mick. For me Blue all the way. The PRS is a lovely guitar but a different beast to a strat from what I have seen in videos. Looking forward to parts 2&3.

[@bobirwin1]

Mick you could drive yourself crazy with this. I know when I used to work in a music shop that out of 20 strats we had in stock there was only one that I would choose now to add that to finding a vintage strat some of which might be Friday night jobs and you would find yourself in very rare atmosphere indeed. My advice is do what you are going to do and keep Blue and swap the pups.

[@tonybrooks476]

Blooming heck. I think I preferred the sound of the Macmul to Blue.

[@ThatPedalShow]

I reflect on that later on.....

[@tonybrooks476]

Ahhh jolly good show.

[@tonybrooks476]

Yes that was it - when you had it clean it was just lovely.

[@tonisiret5557]

It's very close between the two for me. If Blue feels better, I'd go with that.

[@luckyno888]

I agree. That Macmull is sublime. You gotta get your hands on a DeTemple '56. Wow!

[@TheWelhaven]

Ooh, nice. For decades I though I was a Gibson-guy, and I don’t know how much money I’ve used chasing the perfect Les Paul. Then I bought a strat, and realised I’ve been a strat-man all along (my first guitar in the 80s was a Hondo. Hated it, I guess that was one of the reasons I never got into strats again). Now my two main guitars are strats, the others are either sold or packed away.

[@cawfeedawg]

It is such a personal thing, but I have to say it will be awesome to see blue with the proper pickguard screw hole pattern.

[@scrawfordmusic]

I really appreciate how self aware you are about your preferences, Mick. And how gentle but firm you are with people who might not understand where you're coming from. It's your honesty and candidness (and Dan's too, to be sure!) that make TPS great. Interestingly, I thought the Mcmull sounded great! But I couldn't get past the headstock. I thought the Fender John Mayer sounded really good clean, but suffered more than the others when the gain was increased. Thanks again for doing this!

[@RaceJan]

You know this is going to be expensive... I think you will end up with a proper vintage strat (much like the fiesta red 62). Love to see where Blue is heading.

[@shorerocks]

Wonderful idea, this vlog. We are now entering the phase were I kinda feel I know both of you for decades. Nice. Cheers from Germany!

[@revcofe]

I still have the squier strat my dad bought me at age 14. Twenty-two years later, I still play it. Been modded a number of times (it's not even really a "Strat" anymore)... but I'll never get rid of it.

[@kitoyobeni1]

I still have my Squier (an '85 MIJ SQ series), my third electric, also heavily modded. Locking tuners, graphite nut, Screamin' Demon strat size bucker in the bridge position, JB Jr strat size bucker in the neck, acoustic bridge saddle system installed, etc. Frets could use some attention, and it's not my everyday player anymore, but I could never part with it. Currently looking at getting my 2nd guitar back (a Dean Eighty-Eight super strat, which I traded for the Squier all those years ago), not an expensive purchase so it could happen in the coming months if I find a nice example.

[@Zeinzu2]

Did NOT want that to end. Cant wait to see them all!!!

[@adamlonghorn9341]

Just brilliant, thanks Mick. I hadn’t realised how much TPS has affected my world until you played Blue and it sounds like home! A:B comparisons...they absolutely have their place. Contextually it is different depending on the player etc etc but the fundamental dispassionate point of how the different instrument sound playing the same thing is one side of the puzzle. You’re absolutely right that another, more important for the buyer, is how the instruments affect the player. Tim Pierce , Steve Lukather etc can bang out pure quality licks at will then replay the same thing on demand...and they’re awesome but while I enjoy that in a song...in a performance it’s a little dead for me. David Gilmour and others like him don’t work like that and each note from their zone touches deep inside. That’s your side of the fence and TPS is better for it. Can’t wait for the next episode. Merry Christmas. 👍👍

[@gordrock]

Great to see a really personal insight, also great to see the how and the why. Thanks Mick, enjoying the journey.

[@orenkn]

The Macmull was pure magic to my ears ... Rest of them are nice strats :)

[@periloustemple8290]

Those were brilliant old strats you played that fiesta red: I could hear it and I could see it in your face! That was a beautiful moment. I have played a 64 that was sort of rough looking and had some PU swapped - but swapped in the old days (60's or 70's). I did not have a chance to plug it in - and the only thing around was a solid state amp I did not wish to hear. But the resonance in the room and feel under the fingers (with rusty old strings, mind you). It was something it took me months to stop freaking out about. It is an inexplicable experience.

[@elonmush4793]

Mick is a hopeless romantic. :D So am I but I liked the Macmull's crispness actually.

[@YMESYDT]

I just want to appreciate what you said about new guitars stepping away from what you want. I’ve always thought I was incredibly picky but then I started trying old guitars and it just made sense; they were the first guitars that just put out exactly what I put in. It’s so hard to find a new guitar that can do that and what I really don’t understand is why that doesn’t seem to be the focus in newer guitars and newer companies. Even the Custom Shop a lot of times.

[@daveharris4032]

You’ve gotta love The Mick💪

[@pedroalmeida7066]

I've stopped at the beggining of the video to say one thing: Mick you are pretty good at this storytelling/solo vlogging thing. Being alone with a camera I presume, telling a story without a lot of those pauses and I presume without a detailed script. Very Very nice.

[@eddlabel]

Makes me want to buy a Strat. Tho I missed the Mex Hendrix Strat, it's clear to me that the sound in my ears come from the VRI 62s. Maybe because Mick's sound has been my reference of Strat sound... thanks bro!

[@39MercFlathead]

I'm for rebuilding Blue also. BUT, the PRS Silver Sky trips my trigger as the four stand today. That's from a guy whose Strat is actually a 20 year old G&L S500 with the big MFD pickups. But seriously, you have loads of time invested in Blue. One of the great points about Strats and Teles are that they are so simple and straight forward you can mod them to your heart's delight. My favorite Strat of all time until I bought my G&L was a coral pink mid 70s with Lollar pickups. My grandson's Strat probably has no two parts from the same manufacturer. Well, the tuners are all the same and the pots and frets are the same. But the major systems are all different and he can change them out anytime he wants.

[@thebestian]

Ironically enough, the macmull sounds more "to me" like a faithful reproduction than the actual fenders. Nice low output pickups. Blue is a specific strat sound, "throaty" like you said. The PRS is a new game. Pushing clarity to a new level and getting new sounds. I'd just like to grab those pickups and put them on something.

[@viciousest]

Awesome vid, Mick. I look forward to seeing Parts 2 and 3.

[@nickwilson9210]

Great video I really like the sound of the brown or gold Strat just sound like a vintage Strat. I would love to see a AB video on the new full drive pedal and the old non mosfet fulldrive it would be nice to see how close they are

[@jessierenfro6279]

The silver sky and the Macmull are killing it IMHO

[@juanmartinreborati7928]

Blue, all the way. Sounds best to my taste, and clearly, you connect with it more than with the others. And it's your guitar, not somebody else's. Cheers!

[@DavidWilliams-iq3eu]

Thanks for shooting the video, Mick. From this, if I was picking one to take home it would be the Mayer Signature Strat - I liked the clarity. Interesting thing for me was how similar they sounded back-to-back. I've missed hearing Blue over the last few months because that for me has been what a Strat should sound like. And when you've played the others in videos I've always thought they don't sound like Blue. Now it turns out they do sound much closer than I would have imagined! Some of that will just be me being bad at remembering and comparing sounds across different videos, but some of it I'm sure is what you are saying about different guitars inspiring you in different ways. Depending on how a guitar makes you feel, you'll dial it in in different ways, you'll dial amps and pedals in in different ways, and you'll play different ways.

[@marvean2519]

I think sound wise I like the Macmull more than the others. It’s hard to tell through youtube but it seems to be most opened sounding one.

[@tombowman9463]

So much comes down to pickups -- a surprising amount. My 60 Strat reissue had Texas Specials, which always sounded muddy to me. After years I swapped them for Virgil Arlo pickups. The basis timbre didn't change, but the mids became clearer and the string to string articulation blossomed. Doesn't stop the Strat journey from continuing, though, because the inspiring nature comes and goes over time. Still, this remans my main guitar.

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

Great Vlog love it but Mick get yourself that Custom Shop strat mate you know it makes sense. I did and have never looked back , having said that like you i just love Strats 🎸🎸

[@Steve_9292]

In the first ten minutes something you guys have said about how other things affect your perception of sound really rang true for me. I had my head in another tab and was struggling to differentiate between the guitars other when the playing stopped and Mick actually said he was changing guitar. Then I settled back and started actually watching, and with the guitar changes the differences in tone became so much more obvious. So, "sounds the best" is a fickle mistress for sure, settle for the one that pulls your heartstrings and helps you be the player you want to be. Seems to me it's the only way to do it. Bollocks to A/B! xD (Also as an aside, the video quality and standard of editing is immense. I know it's a lot of work, but it really shows.)

[@TheMadLicksBand]

Please do a show with Eric Johnson. Pretty please.

[@vadlasletta]

hatuliko2009 and please ask about his old dumbles, what speakers he used in his cabs, is there modulation on his dirty rhythm sound from his first instruction video. Lol just get into it. Ask about the chandler tube driver, tc scf+ stereo chorus, mxr time delay, mxr rack flanger, echoplexes etc.

[@johnmarquez333]

Yes, please!!! Pretty please!!!!

[@TheMadLicksBand]

I think that with EJ the thing is to let him plug in to stuff and show HOW he's setting it up.. That's the real treat. Anyone can buy this or that guitar/amp/pedal.. not everyone can set it up to sound like THAT.

[@lynyrddeville]

Mick, I watched the re-fret episode and I would swear you were on the hairy edge (or maybe even just past it) of tearing up when you saw the little touches done and heard the way your guitar was awesome once more. Back from the grave perhaps. Kinda touching actually. Aw great, now i got something in my eye, now I gotta go...

[@alenac7269]

I really enjoyed this - thank you for doing it, twas very interesting! They all sounded great and there's def no wrong here, but for what I like I thought Blue by far sounded the best! 👍 Blue was just so open and intimate to my ears, plus I love the way it compresses. The other Fender was my second choice, the Macmull third, and the Paul Reed Smith was by far my least favorite. I really don't have any kind of brand loyalty so I was totally open to any outcome, so this was fun/cool for me! Anyway can't wait for the next episode 😉 Merry Christmas TPS! 🎄

[@gordonirf]

Thankyou Mick. I greatly enjoyed that. Looking forward to the next installment. Good luck. .

[@hezz74]

Love love love blue, what a great fat sounding strat. Oddly enough when you were playing "slow dancing" I preferred the McMull over the two John Mayer models.

[@ianngalbraith]

I have the Callahams bridge on my strat.. you're gonna love it. It's so precise in the movement. No going back.

[@45calypso]

Admit it Mick, you want a vintage Strat and that itch will never be scratched till you get one. So, bite the bullet, sell all the gear you can and search high and low for one. I suggest CBS era, circa 65-70, when they still had four bolt necks and decent pickups. A quick scan of Reverb suggests you might be able to snag one for 6000 quid or so. A lot of money, I know, but still a hell of a lot cheaper that pre CBS.

[@chomby3]

For me that may be even worst, no slab big logo. It would constantly be screaming to my eyes "This is not the 59-62 strat you wanted"

[@45calypso]

Yes,@@chomby3 you could be right but personally I love those big headstock Strats especially Hendrix Era. Anyway just my opinion for what it's worth ( i.e not much ). Mick seems like a sensible guy so I'm sure He'll make the choices he deems appropriate. I love his blue guitar BTW. Cheers.

[@Twominutedevotions]

Two years ago, I got the opportunity for the first time ever to play a 1964 Strat and now I know the difference. Even some of the more molested old timers have those necks, and those necks make all the difference and made me never want another new one. I'm buying a few cheap necks to learn how to mod and woodwork them to be like that neck. My last Strat journey ended up with a 1970s MIJ clone just because the neck was so tasty and close to the '64. I replaced everything else in that guitar and refinished in Nitro. But you're 100% right. The necks on the old ones were just so different and nice feeling.

[@hieronymus932]

I would love to see that Japanese strat rebuilt / come to life. Would be a cool idea to do a frankencaster tangent.

[@emppupalomaki4204]

Did you just read my mind? This was really the content I wanted to see at the moment. Blue sounded the best to me, probably because you're so familiar with it and you feel like home with it (at least it seems like it). Awesome!

[@joshmore7175]

That Silver Sky sounds the cleanest and purest to me, but not necessarily the best. I love that Macmull though

[@ej3651]

The Macmull has some woody tones that I would love in a tele!

[@Xenious]

Very excited to hear part 3 and the fat 50s!

[@thorwulfx1]

In almost every sound setting, I found myself connecting with the MacMull.

[@ebeep]

Ok Mick, we need a follow-up video on pickups for Blue as well as pickguard and pickup cover options and which ones you chose. Many new green guards don't look right at all, just dyed green, but I've seen others that are spot on! I'm currently struggling with strat pickups as they make a world of difference, but the search adds up, so I do as much research as I can before buying another set.

[@jasonjohnson4996]

I went in expecting to love the prs the best but man that macmull sounds sweet. I just went to the top of my dream list. Not that any of them did not sound awesome.

[@LeighGhostTao]

Awesome Mick, can't wait for Pt.2 'n 3!

[@harryvincent]

I think I liked the Fender John Mayor best clean but the Macmull distorted, interesting video, last year I bought my first strat. MIJ 60s reissue.

[@WeskerDyszel]

That base Two Rock tone at the start with blue was absolute magic. I don't think I ever properly appreciated the sound of a dry valve amp before TPS.

[@Gathbard]

I would sell the others minus blue, sell a couple of amps and pedals, chip in if I'm still not there, then buy a vintage 60's strat; OR get in touch with Simon Law and book a slot to craft a SVL 61 reserve.

[@naganud]

Fucking great episode :) This is essentially the high end/in depth version of the journey we all go on when we are deciding on a new guitar, and it’s great to see someone else obsess over the details the way we all do :)

[@michael_caz_nyc]

They all Sound Great - however: the White Sounded Darkest ( my least favorite ) and surprisingly the Macmull ( in a close call vs. Blue ) Sounded the Best ex: Most Strat-like Chime and Twang. Lower Output Pickups fellas !!!

[@Tinners1983]

You can (and should??) adjust the screws in the cavity to get a slight angle if you have the bridge raised, even more so if it’s Jeff beck high. This enables you to keep things more in tune with extreme bending on the bar. Also Mick, I’m guessing you’ve played some of Simon Law’s guitars over the years, I know you wouldn’t have one to hand, but are they a possibility on your journey?

[@erniesfo2022]

My vote: Sonic Blue Vintage 62 Stratocaster, hands down. John and George would approve...

[@erajad]

Great vlog; thanks for it. Glad you're making these! And totally understand the Blue attachment. Why, oh why, oh why did I ever let go of my 1983 Strat Elite (black, rosewood, hardtail) (bought in 1984) (said goodbye to it in 2011) which I loved. And I'll never get back again. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3!

[@grajmahal]

Yeah, I'm not buyin' that any of these guitars really make much of a difference when we're listening to them with a mic'd up amp broadcasting on KZbin. I'm listening on a pair of nice, neutral nearfield monitors and if I close my eyes, there's no way I can tell he's switching guitars. I know this is not going to be a popular comment, so I will apologize in advance to all of you with "gifted" ears. Maybe in person we can pick up the nuances, but I have a sneaky suspicion that it is more about the feel than it is about the tone. Especially when you add variables like pedals, a high quality amp, and high quality mic's. Honestly, guys- how much difference are guitars -that have been similarly voiced with the same targeted sound- gonna make? I'll take the pretty blue guitar with the proper headstock, thank you very much.

[@ThatPedalShow]

I pretty much agree. Mick here. There are definitely differences, but as you say, as soon as you tweak a pedal or an amp.... who’s to say? It is much more about how they feel and react to you personally. Totally agree!

[@colonelsalty4839]

I don't know why, but the Macmull is my favorite one. Something about the way it interacts with everything in the signal chain (and Mick's hands also) is really pleasing to my ears. I think that sometimes some sounds "resonates" with you, and that's part of the beauty of playing guitar ! But it's true that there's not a lot of differences between those four, they're strats after all, designing to sound in a certain way ;-)

[@nickvareymusic]

Mick it does sound like Blue and the PRS are a little more naturally slinky? Is it true?

[@jimmythefish]

I'm listening through a reasonable set of Bose desktop speakers and I couldn't tell a difference between guitars on a casual listen. I agree 100% that it's about feel, and about your emotional connection to a guitar or a style of guitar. Some people would think you were crazy to get a custom shop Tele when you could get a MIM Tele, Strat and a studio Les Paul for the same cash. Others want one guitar that just makes them want to play. I dunno - I have a Martin D28 and a MIM Tele as my only two guitars and the only thing I looked for in the tele was the feel of the neck. But then again, the kitchen table is often my only audience.

[@garystackhouse5787]

I can certainly hear some MINOR differences, but would never be able to tell you which is which in a blind test. Much like tube amps vs a really good modeler, it absolutely IS the feel, not so much the sound, that determines what we connect with. I'm with Mick in that whatever inspires you to play is the right guitar... if that means it has to be the right colour with the proper number of pickguard screws, so be it!

[@JonWickensMusic]

That MacMull sounds awesome!!!!

[@birdwoodcbgs71]

Blue and the prs for me. I think blue wins by a whisker. That 2 Rock is amazing.

[@jamesrobinson529]

My sentiments exactly!

[@peterjackson9529]

Yup Blue then the PRS.

[@rjroth4869]

Exactly. Overall, Blue by a whisker. On some PRS sounded best to me. I'd be very happy with any of those!

[@ckunstadt]

same.

[@Always_in_C_standard]

Blue sounded the best from where I'm sitting. Glad you are sticking with it.

[@johnjoy1318]

Please link the parts ! I’m building a relic strat right now and those plastics looks great.

[@colaboytje]

Added to my playlist for this evening!! I am so excited for this!