Upgrading A Cheap Guitar with Expensive Pickups - Squier Bullet Mustang with Phat Cats!

[@xx-ip7ej]

Life today is too short and uncertain to worry about whether changing pickups is a good idea. Just gotta do what you want to do. Love your channel. Cheers from Japan.

[@NotLolo]

YOLO

[@justinhaskell5502]

So right.

[@gernotboesser6901]

I don't believe, that anybody is worrying about it, it can be great fun, and it is creative anyway, to change parts of a guitar, to maybe make it better or more suitable.

[@DimKAt21]

Well said friend

[@adrian_V99]

Regardless what goes on around us we must live as "normally" as possible. Having a hobby or vocation one is passionate about is life-sustaining mentally, emotionally and even physically,

[@BladeDoomer86]

From experience, the neck of a guitar really is EVERYTHING. If you have a quality fretboard, good setup, then a guitar is worth upgrading, no matter the brand or cost. A bad neck will ruin the experience no matter how good the electronics sound!

[@ljdellar]

I would have to agree with one proviso; the neck JOINT needs to be accurately made and tight fitting too. You can still get a rubbish guitar with a great neck if you have a badly mounted neck.😁

[@joeking433]

Funny, I've always thought the same but I never found anyone else that really did! I grade all my guitars by how good the neck is! I get the necks I like and then find some bodies on Stratosphere to put on them! I have an aluminum neck, a composite neck, a couple USGA necks (which are perfect) and a few cheap guitar necks that I leveled and dressed that are really good.

[@JeffSealePhD]

By far the most entertaining guitar channel on youtube. Well done!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Jeff that's appreciated! 😎👍

[@Dogsrule777]

This is the most fun part about owning a cheap guitar. Ya gotta trick it out with killer pickups! For some people that’s all they can afford to upgrade and when you hear it it’s totally worth it. :) Cool guitar!

[@joeking433]

And you can always take the good pickups out and put the old ones back in when you sell it, and you can sell the pickups or use them in another guitar.

[@gernotboesser6901]

I like the yellow colour of this guitar, besides, your explanations, why this is a fine guitar for beginners, are truly reasonable. this is for all the mums and dads that are watching this, 'cause Christmas is not so far away, and hopefully some of their children like to have an electric guitar and start to learn how to play it. 👍

[@antonyedwardson9900]

I got one of these in blue for my daughter last year and it is a great guitar. Fair to say that she hasn’t really ‘found’ music yet but this guitar will be there ready once she does!

[@sleepymarauder4178]

Dear Mom and Dad, Please do not skimp out on the amp. A nice amp doesn't have to be expensive. A second-hand Boss Katana, Orange Crush, Fender Champion 20, Roland Cube does wonders. A half decent guitar with a half decent amp, doesn't destroy the bank and will sound nice.

[@richgray5762]

@@sleepymarauder4178 and don't forget some decent headphones

[@Jon-boy420]

Man I love these videos. I love upgrading an inexpensive guitar and making it even better.

[@jasondorsey7110]

I got rid of my squiers and most of ny lower-end basses a few years ago, but I keep coming across all these videos about upgrading squiers and now I find myself wanting a project to work on...damnit

[@daleturner3507]

Definitely sounds good with the Phat Cats in it. And as for clean tone I like that edge of break up that P-90s are so good for.

[@jasondorsey7110]

Those pickups gave it a new voice, it sounded so dull and lifeless in its stock configuration

[@joeking433]

I've put good pickups in many cheap guitars, and expensive tuners, too. Like you, I think it's fun and the guitars are excellent! It's always better to be amazed at a cheap guitar that sounds good than be disappointed with an expensive guitar that doesn't meet expectations (which often seems to be the case).

[@kevinnsevinn799]

I’ve done the same 🤘🏼

[@howardmaryon]

The other day I saw in my local music shop a Squier Tele, secondhand, for not much money. It was the cheaper one without string through body. I was about to look at something else when I noticed that the pups had been changed to Seymour Duncan Hot Rails. I checked it over quickly and bought it, and when I got it home and played it it sounded wrong. I opened it up and the previous owner had bodged up the wiring, badly. I got the correct wiring diagram off the SD website and started again to rewire it. Now it sounds great, but what was the previous owner thinking, putting £200 pickups in a £150 guitar? I got lucky.....

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one Howard! 😎👍

[@H_mzaS]

Well some people use cheap guitars as modding platforms because it’s easier to mess around on a cheaper guitar as compared to a more expensive guitar. Even if you screw up wiring or damage the body a little it doesn’t hurt. If I was in the previous owners position, I probably would have swapped out the SDs for the original pickups before selling. Those pups on their own would probably have fetched at least $150 on the used markets .

[@johannesfahrion9156]

Cheers from Texas! Really love your channel, your approach to guitars and life in general. Btw, I discovered my favorite pedal watching and listening to your use of The Rat. You are a fantastic guitarist. Great skills. Never stop making videos.

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks man that's really appreciated!! 🙏😊

[@jodyg5648]

Couldn’t have said it better myself…..from the piney Woods of East Texas. Rock on 🤘

[@itspaddyd]

Glad to see other people on the HB sized P90 train, I have a set of monty's 54' P90s in my PRS. I would recommend them to anyone, I even asked for different covers to the ones they use and they obliged!

[@bludworm1]

Colin! I can listen to you talk and play all day and night. I live in the US, and keep your videos on all day and night. Go to sleep listening to you and wake up with you still talking and jamming. Keep it up! You are something else! One of the great ones. Luv ya, man...

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man hope you don’t get fed up with me though! 😆👍

[@H_mzaS]

I love this channel. Thank you for doing a pickup swap and being honest about the fact that there isn't that much of a difference in the sound. I changed the pickups on my 335, expecting a massive difference, but there wasn't much of a change.

[@jameswilliford5478]

I would upgrade as well because I really like the squire mustangs look and feel.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

I'm a total amateur when it comes to this, but i ordered a pre-loaded strat pick-guard with twin humbuckers which i installed to my affinity, it was so easy, just one wire was needed to be soldered to pick guard. There's a lot of hate for Fender Strats with twin humbuckers, but the sound it produces is like owning a LP.

[@ShaunGcq]

Literally did this last weekend to my Squier Starcaster. Absolutely amazing shift in tone.

[@deangodfrey5942]

After watching the episode with the Strat & the P90, I decided to turn one of my Telecasters into an Esquire (of sorts) I took out the neck pickup changed the scratchplate for an Esquire one, replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan Little 59 humbucker, changed the control plate and wiring to just a single volume control (no tone or switching) & put a top loader bridge on it. Turned out quite well, great channel keep doing what your'e doing.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice work Dean! 😎👍

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

That's one of the few times I've seen new pups make a 100% non subjective improvement in tone. Great job

[@ladyluckdrums]

Man, seeing your excitement when the wiring worked made my day! I've had a rough day and seeing you happy lightened my load. Thanks!

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks that’s appreciated.. hope you have a great weekend! 🎸😎👍

[@adamp6401]

That yellow is glorious

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

Love it. I was slightly disappointed that you seemed so eager to mod your "super cool" Bullet Mustang, and was grinning from ear to ear when you revealed you'd bought a second one, to leave your original pristine. 😅

[@Bruisewillies]

Also, I think the admission that it didn't make an enormous difference only underlines how good the stock guitar actually is!

[@aaronhiggs]

@@Bruisewillies it’s crazy how good the more budget branded guitars have become. I just picked up a Squire 40th anniversary Jazzmaster and I like it better than my buddies made in America Jazzmaster. Just the fit, finish and pickups are superb.

[@coltonmuri3672]

It's never stupid to invest in pickups. That's where almost all of the sound comes from. Lightweight Squier bodies are just better than the boat anchors all the boomers are obsessed with. The snap that basswood adds to the pick attack sounds cool.

[@ubermac85]

I found a Mexican Mustang P90 in a pawn shop for $420. It sounds soooo good and at 24” it’s so fun to play.

[@robpodd8665]

The pure joy on your face when everything worked before the play was awesome ! Loved the video as always 👍 👍.Looking forward to next weeks adventure !

[@deepiper6529]

I just bought a Squire Bullet Mustang. Surf green color The more I play it the more I like it. Love your channel and your reviews.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one Dee!... thanks for supporting 😎👍

[@InkedGamerWolf420]

It’s very much not a stupid idea. These are amazing modders platforms. Cheers from Canada

[@Edward1312]

Big improvement but to be fair the stock pick-ups weren't bad for an inexpensive guitar especially at lower volumes. Just goes to show if the basics are right then you have a good modding platform and a good set of pickups and pots can take your sound to another level even when it's a cheap guitar you are starting with.

[@nedludd3641]

That's a big thing in the States, penniless young studs getting an entry level s-type and then tricking it out with Seymour Duncans + trem + slot tuners. Yamaha sell a Pacifica with pricey appointments installed

[@Dr-Anton-Phibes]

Love the satisfaction you get Colin when your modifications work ! " Get in " when the pickups worked sums it all up. I am sure you inspire many on here to have a go at things that they might have discounted in the past. Oh and you forced me down the Gibson SG road with all these reviews 😁

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Anthony! 😆👍

[@joeb8007]

Wow I love the sound of that guitar and pick ups, great job as always it’s a beaut

[@williammarshall4277]

Sounds fantastic. As a side note…I like listening to you play.

[@theguitaristas]

🙏😊

[@relevantinformation6655]

I had (still have an old Peavy t-60 I bought in the 70s. I had all sorts of things done to that. On a peavy guitar. On Volkswagen commercials and many others that was my go-to over a dozen or more that were also go to’s. There is something about that much solid wood and a tele sort of neck with coil taps that could mimic a les Paul-ish & a Strat-ish sound . It uses a wonder-bar arm with a brass nut (70s) . Super steady tuning. I still love the guitar. Where all the mods worth it. Yes, because I like the guitar. FUN and it was a busy work tool.

[@theguitaristas]

😎👍👍

[@jerryrn62]

I am just hook on your channel and the projects, everything! Love it all! Thanks!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Jerry!

[@StankoAx]

6-7 years ago I bought a Squier CV Duo Sonic. After liking the feel, I bought the Fender Duo Sonic MIM. Sold the Fender, my Squier is still my main live guitar. Cheap guitars are amazing.

[@thejuggernaut5327]

It’s fun! Plus, you always have the parts to use on another guitar , if you get tired of the Squiers

[@francoisdunord7169]

i like the darker sound on this guitar, great entertainment ❤

[@TheClassicQ]

Because we Can! Love it!

[@donaldsmith188]

I bought a 69.00 double humbucker Squire, because I had 2 Manuleus Fat Diane pic ups that were unused. Now I play that guitar more than my USA built Strat. Enjoy your vids and your picking!

[@emo_galaxy9413]

You sold me when you said "I know it's stupid, but it's fun!" right on right on my friend. I understand that so well.

[@robertorochamartinsrocha7041]

«AH!!!! there you are» Clean loop!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@theguitaristas]

😆👍

[@Scruffy1000]

Thinking that the finished job wasn’t , perhaps, a game changer here’s a ‘Top Tip’ Colin. To get the same amount of fun of doing the upgrade but save £250.00? Easy……just take out the old pickups and pots …… hide them for about a month and then put them back again…… man I’m a bloody genius ! Loved the video as always and I totally get the fettling bit, not sure the game was worth the candle. In replacing the pups but as you say… it’s fun! The pots seemed much better though, especially the volume. Great work fella, love it….. Cheers, R

[@theguitaristas]

Good plan to save a few quid! 😆👍

[@austinjosef41]

I love videos like these. Really enjoyed the epi 335 upgrade series. One of my favorite channels

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Austin thanks for support!

[@XJRMaltManiac]

You already got me infected whith your Bullet Mod video and, what a small world, I ordered my pickguard from the same source. And yes, I also did it 'cause it's fun! Well done, Colin!

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one! 😁👍

[@Zoso981]

"I know it's stupid, but it's fun" Is the working title of my autobiography. ✌️🎸

[@theguitaristas]

😆👍

[@chuchuchip]

I'm silly enough to spend money on pickups & controls if I like the guitar. I tend to keep the guitars. I like the shape of the Mustang & that yellow is really nice. Then again I tend to change the arrangement connection of the pickups, especially humbuckers. I love the sound of the yellow P90 you created. I've done this to 3 guitars. My 1st, an old Vantage circa 1978, & 2 MIM Strats. 1 Strat has a 2 pin plug to change the entire pickguard, 1 H/H, 1 S/S/H. Each guitar has its own voice.

[@johnulrich5572]

Brilliant, Colin. I bought a Bullet Mustang pre-covid and loved it. My first real guitar was a 1966 Fender Duo-Sonic II which I bought new which tells you I'm an old guitar player. I modded the Bullet to look and sound like my old Fender with single coils, new pots and wiring. What fun! Yes , the cost of the parts was about the same as the guitar but who cares. Now I have a nice Olympic white "Duo-Sonic III". I really enjoy your videos and look forward to your next one.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one John! 😎👍👍

[@nieko3038]

Nice color. Refinished a pbass in yellow with black pickguard. You can always swap pickups with cheap ones when you sell the guitar. Otherwise you probably lose a lot of money. Love Mustangs. I have a set of Tonerider hb sized p90

[@jeffwyatt7199]

Its always fun making choppers!!! Great video. There is so much affordable gear available out now its nice to see some of the off brands you pick up and share with us and a lot of it sounds really good.

[@sawekziokowski7114]

Absolutely loving this take on moding that you arę doing now.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man!

[@lilbigmanrecords1708]

It's not stupid man. It's absolutely awesome

[@brianheale5064]

Nice one mate super stuff as usual.

[@Dave062YT]

I caught the offset bug this Xmas by buying a 2011Fender blacktop jaguar 90 in candy apple red .Íts my first p90 guitar too .I fancy a mustang next as a project and this is right up my alley .Great stuff .

[@randydodge7295]

I’ve got a pair of custom shop nocaster pickups in a squier bullet tele. Plays great and sounds amazing.

[@victorbeebe8372]

An American musican name Jack Parsons? He played with Allman Brother's and played on Joe Bonamasa cruises. He plays Squire off the wall. No mods. Of course He plays the giutars until He find one

[@fullmetaflak]

Went back and rewatched this video after being inspired to toss some EMGs into the mustang I bought six months ago, cheers

[@migueldemaria3830]

"Because it's fun, okay?" Love it!

[@ferdberfle5069]

You're a man after my own heart, a true Gear Nerd! I love to fiddle around with changing out parts to see what they sound like. I'm in the process of building a "partscaster" Les Paul with a set of the HB size P90s that I bought from Guitar Fetish. I just have to finish sanding and finishing the body before I assemble it. I thought those P90s made a big difference in tone on your guitar. As you said, the HBs sounded quite harsh to me. The P90s were much "smoother" for lack of a better word. Cheers my friend!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Ferd!

[@michaelbledsoe1060]

I had custom wound pick ups put in my Squier Classic Vibe 60's strat 10 years ago. Still gig with it today. Fun stuff.

[@eakinj]

I love videos like this. in my 39 years of playing, I have bought a lot of guitars just to mod them, most recently I found a copy of a guitar that falls under Holy Grail status for me. The actual manufacturer will not make them anymore for anyone under any circumstances, so I had to settle for a fake one. As you could probably guess it's a made in China guitar, the build quality is surprisingly good but all the hardware "Floyd Rose Licensed Bridge" pickup, pot, all of that is just garbage. So I ordered DiMarzio Super Distortion Humbucker, a Floyd Rose Special (It's a major upgrade even as the lower end floyd rose bridge) and not pot. I do expect it to sound different as the pickup is microphonic, shrill, just an over all bad pickup. I'm excited for the project. I also have three of the Firefly guitars I ordered in bulk just to see how consistent their quality is or isn't and plan on setting them up and giving them away to people I know who are wanted a beginner guitar. (I'd honestly avoid them, they are not as good as the hype and it's going to cost a little money to get them to the point I would be willing to hand them to someone as a gift. Anyway that's a long introduction just to say I really enjoyed this video, have subscribed and look forward to seeing more of your videos. Take care!

[@nellayema2455]

That's a cool looking and sounding hot rod now!

[@justinjones9712]

I like your videos. They are nice and relaxing to watch. Keep it up. Cheers from Arkansas, US!

[@whittlad]

I have an idea for a long term project for you Colin! How about making your own pickups?

[@joehahn8817]

There would be a lot of cussing in that one!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@catmandoodoo7903]

I’d buy a set of Colin pickups. A P90 called The Bollocks would be perfect 😹

[@theguitaristas]

🤣👍

[@risteardohaodha23]

Just try stuff… oh, wrong channel 🤪🤣 nice video!

[@rabbithowls71]

One of the best parts of the guitar hobby for me. Take a cheap guitar with good bones and throw some nice parts at it. Sometimes every thing comes together, and you get a little magic. Other times, it just doesn’t work. So you try something else. What could be better?

[@Cannibal_Actual]

Love it! You play that instrument very well

[@theguitaristas]

😁🙏

[@sqidvishus]

I've been considering swapping a Phat Cat or something similar into my Epiphone SG Custom bridge. Your mod videos are always an inspiration! Wiring always scares me for some reason. Also, the ending on this video caught me by complete surprise and had me laugh out loud. Thank you for another fine film, Colin.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers mate, yes SG Custom would be fantastic with these phat cats you should do it!! 👍 Glad you clocked the ending! 😆

[@pinkiewerewolf]

The ending was hilarious! 😂

[@theguitaristas]

@@pinkiewerewolf Cheers mate! 😆

[@pinkiewerewolf]

@@theguitaristas Cheers Colin! 👍

[@richgray5762]

Face the fear for major growth. You'll look back and wonder why you ever doubted.

[@KoolBell4AU]

I have always wanted to do this sort of project. Thanks for re-energizing the "want". My wife isn't going to be so happy. 😎

[@tad5920]

"I know it's stupid, but it's fun." Exactly - well said. Great video!

[@jamessutherington3471]

I bought a bullet telecaster and changed the ceramic pick ups and put some fender tex mex pick ups in it and wow it elevated it into a great tele. Cost was £135, guitar was £159! Totally worth it! ❤

[@ces69]

I’ve got the “Tex Mex” in my Frankenstrat, great pickups for the money, but added a “base plate” to the bridge pickup to add extra bite, which it does!

[@mrdino5101]

@@ces69 Great idea! I have been looking to build a '74 Tele custom with a PAF in the neck instead of a wide-range HB and am considering the Tex-mex in the bridge due to it's ability to hang with a humbucker. I think your baseplate addition would make it even better. Was adding the baseplate easy?

[@ces69]

@@mrdino5101 Very if you have a 30-60 watt soldering iron! Ive done it to a couple of guitars after reading on a forum that the “Tex Mex” responded particularly well to the addition! Some come with a wire already attached and coated with wax to make them stick to the base of the pickup but some don’t, but either way you should get some instructions or look up on KZbin! If there is no wire, you just need to solder a short length to the plate that you then solder to the pickup connection. To attach to the pickup just place in position and use the soldering iron to gently melt the wax which then sticks to the pickup as it cools. If there is no wax you can just melt a bit of candle wax on to the plate and then attach in the same way! A very cheap easy modification that is easily reversed if you ever desire! As you probably know, Telecaster bridge pickups have a base plate, so it your using a Telecaster pickup you shouldn’t need to fit one!and attaching one to a Strat definitely gives it that kind of Telecaster bite! I found using decent 250k pots and a better capacitor makes the most of the Tex Mex too which are great pickups for the money! If you want to upgrade a little further, the “Texas Special” Telecaster bridge pickup in my opinion sounds great!

[@davidmerrittjacovino]

I love your attitude. Bravo

[@michaelw6277]

I bought some Bootstrap Lakesurfer pickups for my Squier Affinity Jazzmaster. Still in the mail, really looking forward to having them in.

[@MaTTheWish]

Literally just bought a custom vibe Mustang today and then I see this.... Great!

[@theguitaristas]

Excellent guitars Matt! 😎👍

[@MaTTheWish]

@@theguitaristas loving the channel Colin. Fantastic

[@TommySG1]

Fun video 😊 If you love the particular guitar it’s well worth it in the end, I agree. Even if it’s a Squire or an Epi. The old story about diminishing returns is so, so true. The more you spend ( especially after the 2,500 range ) the less you hear, at least for me 🤙

[@jasondorsey7110]

American fenders were never cheap, but nowadays it feels like a cashgrab, especially when you see how decent their more budget-oriented offerings have become, some choice upgrades and a thorough once-over by a competent guitar tech and you got something really usable for a grand or less

[@joehahn8817]

If Eddie could have his Frankenstrat, surely you can have your Frankenstang!!! Enjoyed the video man, definitely entertaining...😁😁😁 Hope you have a good weekend, see ya' next Friday...TTFN!!!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Joe, have a great weekend mate!

[@keithh8661]

Always a pleasure,I have one ,would love to try,as soon as I can get nut figured out,so first fret can be in tune with rest of guitar, lol thanks much!!!

[@theguitaristas]

Does it need the slots filing a bit?

[@jessejorgensen3931]

It's been a minute since I've been able to catch a new video. I swear, I think I really started to learn guitar so I could fiddle with it. I got my first electric this past august because of a review on this channel. Epi lp custom. Put in a seymour duncans sh4. I love the idea of making a cheap guitar sound expensive. The only thing that gives it away is the fact that the headstock says squire. Keep up the good work!

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one Jesse!... tinkering's half the fun! 😁👍

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

You make my day beautiful everytime I watch you …you’re great and love your channel ❤❤❤❤❤and oh yea superb cool project love from 🇨🇦

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks Nicolas, that's appreciated have a fantastic weekend! 😎👍

[@angusorvid8840]

I've been considering putting a Phat Cat set in my stop tail Schecter. I just love what P90s can do. I love this channel. It's a real guitar player's channel, about real things that make a difference in tone, and very practical.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Angus, I say go for it man... I have a schecter PT needs resurrecting I may even do the same! 😎👍

[@markcunningham6086]

Gud show again..... been there dun that, got the T-shirt. My inexpensive project was much worse. Wish now it was a Squire to start with, next one will be.

[@TomASwift]

Installed a set of Phat Cats in my daughter’s Mustang last week with this video as inspiration. People talk about “cheap” guitars. My daughter has 13 guitars to choose from (thanks to my GAS). She doesn’t care about the name on the headstocks. She appreciates the brands… but they don’t help her pick a guitar to play. For her it’s about the weight, the neck, what the fretboard feels like, and of course… the sound. She loves the light weight of the Squire Bullet Mustang. The phat cats made it a much better rocker. I offered to clean off the Squire. She declined. Today she jammed on the Squire at an event. This guitar has great bones if you want a Mustang without a trem.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one! 😁👍

[@TomASwift]

@@theguitaristas She posted up a video of her playing at a music school recital with the modded Mustang. It’s the latest video on her little channel. rose2thorn if anyone is interested. Take care

[@3.v77]

That mustang now looks like a 70 boss 302 🤯 sounds great too!

[@theguitaristas]

😁👍

[@Mandobird1]

Another fab video. Love Mustangs, love that colour.

[@rideough]

I don’t think this upgrade is too far. This model has a cult following for doing exactly what you’ve done, the “High Caliber Bullet”. I’ve done the same type mods on a black one with gold stripes and did a huge amount of fret work and now it’s one of my favourites, and I too want to have a second one!

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one!... I now also want the black with gold stripes! 😆👍

[@angusorvid8840]

I've always been a fan of upgrading budget guitars. I would think nothing of putting a $200 set of Duncans, DiMarzios or even more expensive EMGs into a cheap guitar if it got me the tone I was after. I've also upgraded very expensive guitars. I'm very utilitarian when it comes to guitars, and although I once owned a '61 strat that could sell for as much as a Ferrari if it was pure vintage I didn't complain that it had been modded with a set of DiMarzio Shockwave actives and Kluson style locking tuners by the previous owner. It was a fine ax. I got it for $500 and sold it to a friend who knew it wasn't vintage for $3000 back in 1990, two years after I bought it. I then took some of that money and bought a Les Paul Studio. I didn't like the stock pups and swapped them for a Duncan Custom/59 set which worked great. Recently I've modded such guitars as a Schecter Deluxe with a DiMarzio Super Distortion/Air Norton set; a PRS SE with a Duncan JB/Jazz combo; a Yamaha Revstar with a DiMarzio Norton/Air Norton set; Yamaha Pacifica with a DiMarzio Tone Zone/Virtual P90 set; and a double humbucker Mexican strat with everything from a DiMarzio Super 3/Super 2; X2N/Super 2; Duncan Full Shred/Jazz; Duncan Custom Custom/Jazz set; and finally a JB/Jazz set which sounded best. I did a lot of mix and matching before I settled on the best pickups for the right guitar. Pickups are very important to me. They are what make an electric guitar electric. Yes, they make pickups for acoustic guitars too, but that's only to amplify the acoustic tone. With an electric guitar the pickups not only pick up the resonance of a guitar but process the sound electronically.

[@LGuitarB]

Thank you for a nice Friday night again 🙂

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers for watching!... have a great weekend 😎👍

[@salmonti9707]

Love this stuff. I have stuck expensive gear into inexpensive guitars cause I enjoy the results. Cheers from North Carolina.

[@bloozepicker]

I'm so glad you did this. I've been considering getting an Eastman Romeo LA with those SD Phat Cats in it. They sound great!

[@lammyjammer6670]

I bought one August of last year that I finally received last May. It's perfection. Worth the wait for sure (especially given I was able to purchase it before they went up in price 🤣). It's for sure the best setup and appointed I've purchased brand new even though it has some finish flaws below the gloss. I thought about sending it back but it's otherwise perfect... I kept it even though it's probably a B-Stock

[@aaronhiggs]

Colin; the pure joy of you tinkering and having fun with guitars is infectious.I’m with you. I just put a pair of emgs in a series 10 80’s super strat for the giggles. It’s great fun! I swear the Squire Mustang is the best value guitar made today. Cheers.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Aaron! 😁👍

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

You can hardly call yourself an amateur anymore Colin, you've upgraded plenty of guitars now.

[@theguitaristas]

And sometimes they even work first time! 🤣👍

[@alanst.4417]

Yeah I'm starting to worry if it ain't going to be too straightforward and boring professional in the future 😄 The messing and swearing part has always been fun and a discovery voyage 😉👍

[@theguitaristas]

@@alanst.4417 Don't worry there's not much chance it will ever become close to what we could call 'professional' 🤣

[@alanst.4417]

@@theguitaristas well never say never 😉

[@krum41]

Another killer,love it!

[@USTTRM]

Just got my Squire 40th anniversary telecaster today. Funny timing as I plan to swap the puppies.Have a good one!

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one Mike!... looking forward to the videos man! 👌

[@ronniechun-akana6433]

In all of life one must have FUN. Good Show.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Ronnie!

[@jmoses580]

Oh my goodness 😄if I wasn't laughing I was smiling through this whole video! My favorite so far!!! On top of having a good time watching you I learned a bunch! Thanks again 😄 Loving it!

[@johnfritz15]

Another great video, sir. I was excited to grab a drink and get stuck in!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers John, thanks for joining us! 😁👍

[@lilbigmanrecords1708]

Dude no way mods on bullets is only a good idea. The playability is amazing

[@misterroboto4557]

this is my favorite guitar channel. never change

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man! 😎👍

[@gringopig]

I upgraded a Harley Benton DC Junior I bought used for£99 with a Mojo dogear P90, tonepros bridge, bone nut, kluson tuners, a new pickguard from tiny tone and pots from crazy parts and paper in oil cap. Crazy but you are right: fun!!!

[@theguitaristas]

😁👍

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

". . . not a huge amount of difference . . . " Exactly. I've owned one of these for about three years now, and they are amazing . . . and NOT just for the price. I swapped in an inexpensive set of locking tuners when I first got it, and now I'm done. 😎

[@karlp.1096]

Hi Colin, I love your channel. The information and entertainment you provide is excellent. I look forward to every new video. I am thinking of doing the same type of upgrades to my Squier guitar that I have had for a lot of years. I have plenty of Gibson, Epiphone, and Fender guitars. (I have no need to do this) To a normal person this wouldn't make sense! To a guitar nut........it makes perfect sense! We do it because we can. Keep up the Great videos!

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

Hello, From The StateS 🇺🇸 I enjoy, your KZbin Channel. Thanks for Sharing 🎸 🎶 🎶 🎶

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks Patrick that’s appreciated! 😁👍