Upgrading my PICKUPS!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 1.4K

  • @christophersuggs8487
    @christophersuggs8487 4 ปีที่แล้ว +507

    Over the years I've learned I prefer my pickups as low as I can set them. Drop them to the pickguard if necessary. When they start to sound too thin, raise them back up just a bit... this allows the notes to bloom with a more vintage clarity that's impossible to achieve when they're set high. Use the amp to get your volume back. - I think I learned that from Dan Petlanski IIRC....but it was truly a "light bulb" moment for me.

    • @colinstout7184
      @colinstout7184 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      So true, have a lone star strat that has very strong magnets in the pickups. Literally had to take the pickups down to the pickguard before the mags didn't effect the sound.

    • @blagovestpekov8174
      @blagovestpekov8174 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      Well you really made my day bro, now the sound its just bright and perfect just like I ever wished! Cheers!

    • @ronnysuarez3257
      @ronnysuarez3257 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Can you explained a little better? :(

    • @claytonthomas9262
      @claytonthomas9262 4 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Going that low is crazy talk. I'm going to try it out.

    • @blagovestpekov8174
      @blagovestpekov8174 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@ronnysuarez3257 Just seting the pickups low to the pickguard (far from the strings) and in my case sound gets bright, and if u set pickups high, sound gets more fuzzier and muddier (not that shining bright). :)

  • @sch1nken
    @sch1nken 4 ปีที่แล้ว +253

    I would recommend one thing if you solder something again: Always add some fresh solder to the joints, to avoid cold connections. Fresh solder contains "flux" (colophony/rosin) which makes the solder flow better. Second: Heat your connections more. Good connections have both parts heated up a bit. So just stay there for 2-3 seconds and then remove heat.
    But nevertheless: Great work!

    • @jimi272
      @jimi272 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Schinken1 wanted to say excactly the same... just finished soldering 30 patchcables for my pedalboard, and within the first 5 plugs I learned a LOT to my soldering skills haha

    • @funkaddictions
      @funkaddictions 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      AMEN! Those connections will one day become loose and maybe cause a short. Not good.

    • @bob232149
      @bob232149 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I'd probably say to get some solder braid/wick to remove old solder if one is reusing soldered components. More solder on top of solder may or may not make good long term connections and I'd rather not take the chance. Plus, it'll be neater!

    • @planespeaking
      @planespeaking 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Or just get a guitar tech to go it. They have the tools and will do a better job than most.

    • @mzflighter6905
      @mzflighter6905 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@planespeaking Are you the type of person that calls an electrician to change your lightbulbs?

  • @GabesHacks
    @GabesHacks 4 ปีที่แล้ว +77

    5:12 - "There will probably be guys in the comments saying that I do everything wrong. ... Probably. Gotta learn it. Gotta do it."
    I've seen too many people who seem only capable of replying "hire a professional" when you ask how to do something, as if "professionals" are somehow different beings than the rest of us. I still remember a quote from the movie The Edge that I watched when I was a kid: "What one man can do, another can do."
    If someone else learned it, you can learn it too. It might be harder for you, or take more time for you to learn it, but you can learn it.

    • @spanner4778
      @spanner4778 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Deserves top comment

    • @PieterSneep
      @PieterSneep 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I fully agree! I've started getting into doing my own truss rod adjustments and other maintenance. There's definitely a learning curve and it probably won't be perfect on try 1 2 3 or 4 but anything can be learned with a help of TH-cam and some trial and error!

    • @acoffeewithsatan
      @acoffeewithsatan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Definitely agree on this. However, it takes a learning curve to do something well enough, and you don't want your learning mistakes to be made in your prized instrument... that's why I always suggest, get a chance to try and practice what you intend to do on a friend's guitar first!

    • @olehsmirnov2472
      @olehsmirnov2472 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It might be inspiring but it's actually far from truth. Take for example this voice actor: th-cam.com/video/6N5l0sgPP5k/w-d-xo.html . You just can't make your voice that deep if you are not born with it, no matter how much practice you put into it.

    • @GabesHacks
      @GabesHacks 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@olehsmirnov2472 That's certainly true in some cases, but it's true in far fewer cases than some people make it out to be.

  • @JesseNorellMusic
    @JesseNorellMusic 4 ปีที่แล้ว +217

    And I thought swapping my laptop hard drive was intimidating. It's like he's diffusing a bomb. 🤯

    • @franticfrancis9710
      @franticfrancis9710 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Try completely replacing all of the wiring on the whole guitar. That’s my task tomorrow 😰

    • @fundude365
      @fundude365 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@franticfrancis9710 Hope it went well 😅

    • @bradwoods371
      @bradwoods371 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@franticfrancis9710 depends on the guitar. Strat’s are easy.

    • @ryannoel8978
      @ryannoel8978 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I wonder why they can’t advance this technology so it’s not this difficult

    • @john_miller_III
      @john_miller_III 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Lol

  • @dsholt
    @dsholt 4 ปีที่แล้ว +511

    Got to be honest, I don't hear a ton of difference between the two. But that can have a lot to do with the recording, and the computer and headphones delivering the sound.

    • @RandomGuitarGuy
      @RandomGuitarGuy 4 ปีที่แล้ว +89

      Personally, I hear a noticeable difference, but I suspect the real difference can only be heard and felt if you're actually in the room with the guitar. Guitar tones lives and dies in nuances and details, and those rarely come across through videos on TH-cam, unless the recording is top notch and you're listening through studio-quality headsets/speakers.

    • @mescaliiiiine
      @mescaliiiiine 4 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      The difference is not huge but unmistakable at the same time. It's clearly flat before, and comes alive after. Brings up the twang as well.

    • @BeniTheKid
      @BeniTheKid 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      Watched the Video on my Sony Smartphone with shure in Ears in High quality and I was able to really hear a difference, the old ones sounded more muffled whereas the New ones sounded more brighter and clear

    • @jomei36
      @jomei36 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I think it's how you wrote, you may don't hear it in the recording. But even if you hear it while playing, it can affect your playing in a positive way. I don't know it's hard to describe

    • @allouttabubblegum799
      @allouttabubblegum799 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@mescaliiiiine That's exactly what I noticed. It was a bit flat, kind of transitor-ish before. The new pickups made it way brighter and twangy. Big improvement, IMO. I'm having a similar problem with my guitar and I'm inclined to change out the pickups on it now.

  • @DoodlesHD719
    @DoodlesHD719 4 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    The old ones really weren't that bad, imo. I liked the natural fuzz they had, but I enjoy that type of tone.

  • @Aethalops
    @Aethalops 4 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    yes, the new ones sound better. But it seems there's more energy / excitement in your playing after the switch too. Spirit impacts tone! Worthy project.

    • @yourpetard
      @yourpetard ปีที่แล้ว

      Tone also inspires

    • @buschovski1
      @buschovski1 ปีที่แล้ว

      yeah i agree hes more excited about it so the performance changes. sorry, ur comment was three years ago. I keep doing that. responding to old comments

    • @Gliese710_
      @Gliese710_ 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      When you’re excited about an upgrade or change you play better because you’re having fun

  • @thebreakfastmenu
    @thebreakfastmenu 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Interesting! I actually really loved the way the old ones sounded, but then heard the new ones and I'm blown away because I didn't think it'd be THAT much better. Definitely an improvement. Lollar doesn't disappoint in my experience

  • @coastercook
    @coastercook 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    What I have found when swapping pickups and soldering wires to tiny components is that it's easier and cleaner to cut and strip the old wires instead of trying to solder to the tiny junctions. As long as there is still wire on the old pickups, you can reuse them. By doing it this way, you avoid grounding issues. Like when your solder bleeds over and touches another junction point.

  • @LukeWalstead
    @LukeWalstead 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    So, just some general advice for anyone looking to up upgrade their pickups. A lot of small pickup makers will tell you what pots, caps and resistors they recommend to use with their products. Lollar doesn't include this info but, they will help you out if you ask! Whenever a builder is making a new pickup, they limit the variables as they try out different combinations. In other words, they keep all the other components the same. So, if you think about it, each custom pickup model is built to sound good with a particular combination of other components (pots, caps, resistors...) If you are disappointed with your new drop in set and you haven't changed the other components, do so before you decide the pickups aren't any good.

  • @robdownes5159
    @robdownes5159 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    That lollar neck pickup sound is almost all the guitar sound I could ever need, really does sound lovely.

  • @ZacCostilla
    @ZacCostilla 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Next Strat upgrade: I don’t normally go for relic guitars because those battle scars weren’t earned. In this case though, I’d peel off the chipped portion, and sand the edges between pain and wood, and live with a guitar you’ve owned for so long. (Edited to correct spelling)

  • @p_mouse8676
    @p_mouse8676 4 ปีที่แล้ว +169

    As an electronics engineer super fun to watch. Compliments for the can do mentality! Great job 👍🏻
    (Yes there are things but why be nitpicky about it?)

    • @rodwilliams68
      @rodwilliams68 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey since you're an engineer can you help me with a guitar wiring/switch question?

    • @p_mouse8676
      @p_mouse8676 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rodwilliams68 that really depends on what. Lol

    • @rodwilliams68
      @rodwilliams68 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@p_mouse8676 I have a cabronita style tele. I want to use a 3 position rotart style selector instead of the toggle switch that it came with but I'm not exactly sure which rotary switch to buy.

    • @pranavkamath4329
      @pranavkamath4329 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Evil Earl you need a three position and 2 pole rotary switch, you can get a switch with more poles but some with be unused, and switch with more than 3 positions will also work, but you will have extra positions(some switches let you lock out the extra positions)

    • @rodwilliams68
      @rodwilliams68 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@pranavkamath4329 I just ordered one. Thank you.

  • @bm7760
    @bm7760 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Ok, I'm listening on my phone whilst researching some replacement pickups and, truthfully, they sound the same to me. You've a great channel and I appreciate you sharing your skills and knowledge.

    • @OsirisT
      @OsirisT ปีที่แล้ว

      You need to listen through headphones, it may be subtle to some but I've been playing fenders for long enough to really tell that there's a Huge difference in the clarity. The old pickups sound dull and spongey whereas the new ones you can hear the sprinkley brightness

  • @bublok
    @bublok 4 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    6:00 you can test the pickups by tapping anything metallic (e.g. screwdriver) against the pickup :)

    • @hankcohen3419
      @hankcohen3419 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It has to be iron. stainless or not, copper and aluminum won't do.

    • @Gideon.b99
      @Gideon.b99 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wanted to say exactly this!

    • @134SASAKI
      @134SASAKI 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      But I don't recommend hitting the pole piece with a magnetic screwdriver. I don't think there will be any effect unless it is a very high magnetic force, but it it's not mentally good.

    • @gurditt_singh
      @gurditt_singh 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      or even a plectrum 😊

    • @rayota260
      @rayota260 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@hankcohen3419it works with basically anything, even a finger

  • @scottdebruyn7038
    @scottdebruyn7038 4 ปีที่แล้ว +70

    Paul, you're a great guitarist and a novice electronics guy. I'm a great electronics guy (so I'm told :) ) and a novice guitarist... who takes lessons from you! Allow me to return the favor and eliminate the 'string buzz', as it were, from your playing of my instrument... the soldering iron. You'll need a wet sponge, a spool of no-clean rosin core solder, some solder wick, and a decent soldering iron (the one you have will do). Others have mentioned flux here in the comments, that's in the aforementioned solder & is the rosin. Flux cleans oxides off the metals being soldered and 'no-clean' means leaving the flux won't corrode the metals if left on once soldered. 'Tin the iron', this means wipe the tip on the wet sponge (with a twist to clean it all the way around) apply some solder to the tip, and if clean, it should melt quickly & flow evenly around the tip. If not, repeat the wipe/apply. Being careful with the 450-550F drop of molten solder, tap or shake off the excess (don't leave a glob on the tip is the point here). Apply heat with the tip to the joint (heat rises, so under or on the side of the joint is best) and apply a little solder to the opposite side of the joint. The solder will flow toward the heat of the iron. Add only enough solder to fill the gaps of the joint, don't make globs. Cleanliness is key. With a decent iron, good solder and a little practice a solder joint should only take 5-8 seconds. Look for shiny solder throughout the joint, if dull, it's dirty or wasn't made hot enough and will fail eventually. If, like in your case, there is old solder on the joints, use the wick (it's a copper braid impregnated with flux). Push the braid against the joint with the tip of the iron to 'sop' up the old or excess solder. And as you always seem to tell me... "Good Luck!" :) Oh, you ever like to ask about anything electronics wise, shoot me a line.

    • @ricmel8008
      @ricmel8008 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Wow!! I learned a lot here. Thanks

    • @Grant_Ferstat
      @Grant_Ferstat 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Excellent explanation! Have you ever thought of making a TH-cam video on the topic?

    • @Vivek2062
      @Vivek2062 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's some TH-cam content right there 👍

    • @scottdebruyn7038
      @scottdebruyn7038 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Grant_Ferstat I should! Perhaps title it 'Soldering for noobs'... :)LOL(:

  • @jasonkurth7473
    @jasonkurth7473 4 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    Yes they definitely sound better and they "breath" more, however, I was also expecting a larger difference. You should put a nitro finish on it in a color you don't already have! Personally, white strats have always been my favorite

    • @robdownes5159
      @robdownes5159 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      White with a brown tortoise pickguard would look awesome

    • @eelkec9344
      @eelkec9344 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      *breathe

    • @jasonkurth7473
      @jasonkurth7473 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      EelkeC ah yes ofc course. My bad

  • @theDubleD
    @theDubleD 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    The new ones are a lot brighter, i do like the dirtier sound on the old ones, but everything pops more and has a better resonance with the new pickups!

  • @rockerbob949
    @rockerbob949 4 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    Damn I’ve swapped out so many pickups in my strats!! It took so many years to find the sound in my head. The noiseless stuff is a nightmare. I no longer use em’!
    Basically I’m using a combination of ceramic bar and alnico V. And I lower the height way lower than Fender specs. Almost every pickup I’ve tried sounds better lower than spec height!

    • @PaulSpeed42
      @PaulSpeed42 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Came here to mention pickup height. Glad someone already did. It's something I still struggle with on my Les Paul... I get to a point of "happy enough" but have ear fatigue too early to be productive after that.

    • @jackillin
      @jackillin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      What's ur opinion on the Fender Am Special Texas pickups? I tried one a couple of weeks ago & it's in a clearance sale, after trying loadsa Fender strats that day - that's the one that totally got me. I'm really, really trying NOT to buy it! Hahahaha...

    • @rockerbob949
      @rockerbob949 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      jackillin I think they missed the mark a little. I actually like the Tex-mex pickups better ...and they are cheaper. BUT if I found a set ofTexas Specials on clearance I would definitely pick em up

    • @rockerbob949
      @rockerbob949 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Paul Speed oh the joys of chasing tone! Lol!

    • @ChrisPetersGuitar
      @ChrisPetersGuitar 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@PaulSpeed42 follow these directions and try these pickup height settings and let me know if they work for you. instagram.com/p/BvInggQHsbN/?igshid=1y22jykjnenb6

  • @jjmatashi
    @jjmatashi 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Prefer the old ones. I think they're mellower. Just got one of these actually, and I absolutely love it just the way it is!

  • @jsalmons84
    @jsalmons84 4 ปีที่แล้ว +78

    The old pickups sound like the Lollars if you were using a 50 foot cable and capacitance was robbing your tone.

    •  4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      ... or just slightly older strings.

    • @maxmolina6519
      @maxmolina6519 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      To me it sounded like he had a noisegate squashing the tone

  • @raceface_m2579
    @raceface_m2579 4 ปีที่แล้ว +67

    The old ones sounded a bit muffled and compressed.

  • @pabl048
    @pabl048 4 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    I just put lollars in my jazzmaster. Got a gold foil and a p90. Lollars are the bomb! Good choice!

    • @nolanr7679
      @nolanr7679 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ooh I bet that sounds incredible

    • @TcSomers
      @TcSomers 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Their gold foil is crazy expensive but I've always wanted to try it. How do you like it?

  • @BobJones-bh9qz
    @BobJones-bh9qz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I remember watching this video when it came out and I couldn’t hear a difference, glad to say I really do hear a big difference now. It absolutely does that ‘strat thing’ with the new pickups

  • @5000rgb
    @5000rgb 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    When rewiring a guitar, especially when you get into sophisticated wiring like the S-1, I like to use an ohmmeter to check the resistance of the pickups in the various switch positions. It's not 100% conclusive but can give you a decent idea if things are as they should be. It's a little easier than semi reassembling the guitar. If you haven't done it before it's probably not as informative but it can still be useful.
    Props for getting into it without being sure of what you are doing.

  • @gb1978gb
    @gb1978gb 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Congrats Paul and welcome to the dark side of gear modders!! You are one of us now. It starts innocently enough with pickup swaps, a new bridge, tuners etc.... then one dark day you look in the back of your tube amp and get mesmerized by those glowing glass bottles. Uh oh....the hard stuff they warn u about that can literally kill u. Hey have fun Paul, been modding for 35 years, started with with my first strat (which i butchered the frets on back in 85) now i can basically mod or repair all my gear but it took time. You did a fine job for your first swap, its just part of the long fun road of being a guitarist. Love your channel and your style.

  • @sebasnijhoff2493
    @sebasnijhoff2493 4 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    0:28

  • @matthewh6119
    @matthewh6119 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Just wanted to say thanks for another great video, really appreciate what you do. Don’t get discourage, keep making content you like and we’ll keep watching.

  • @RPSartre01
    @RPSartre01 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Wow, what timing! I have a 2018 Fender elite strat with the 4th generation noiseless pickups. And I recently bought the same lollar pickups you have, but also the Emerson Custom 5-way Blender Prewired Kit. I will install them soon. Thanks for the video!
    UPDATE: yeah, much better sound - no muddiness, strings and notes ring out clearly and separately. Great tones, and very responsive to changes in picking technique. The blender feature is great too. I play on the neck pick up mostly and blend in the bridge pickup to nearly 40-50 percent for that extra glassy tone.

  • @mmarcz
    @mmarcz 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sounds good! I just put a set of Fender Yosemite pickups in my MIM Strat, and now it sounds like a late 50s beast!

  • @JeffKeel
    @JeffKeel 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    taking off the poly will be a chore and fairly expensive if you have someone else do it, but from what I've read and heard it will make a massive difference in the guitar. Great Video Paul as always. Great job on your 1st pickup swap.

  • @AZFunk
    @AZFunk 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Emerson Blender wiring harness is a great addition to a Strat. Allows you to blend the neck and bridge pickups together in various combinations, giving you some Tele-like tones. Love it on mine. A light vintage finish would be great on that!

  • @NickGranville
    @NickGranville 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Jason sprinkles some magic dust into his pickups. The difference isn't huge but totally worth it. My fav pickups. I'd replace the pots etc too. As they will affect the sound too.

  • @paspallum
    @paspallum 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Paul - huge difference - vast improvement - well worth it

  • @tadecaylor
    @tadecaylor 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love how the diagram is so simple but then when you open it up it's just a mess of cables

  • @adamloxton8660
    @adamloxton8660 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    It's sounds like you could have fixed the original pickups with some brighter pots (changing 250k to 500k or 350k etc.)
    Higher value pots will let more of the true pickup sound to come thru.
    But well done. I hope you will now pickup this guitar more often. 👍

    • @leadstrat
      @leadstrat 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Interesting point, but with these pickups, I doubt it. They are terrible if you’re looking for Strat tones. I have them in mine and just like Paul, I loved the guitar years ago when I bought it. It’s simply a beautiful Strat and built great, but those pickups were a mistake. Lol

  • @AndrewReynolds1
    @AndrewReynolds1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I was interested in this video as I have a 2011 Deluxe and don't love it. I was expecting more of a difference, but can hear the Lollars are more sparkly or brighter. Your playing is so good that nothing ever sounds bad though (unlike me). I think if I was going to change pickups I would just get a fully loaded pickguard and swap the whole thing over.

  • @PJSGBC
    @PJSGBC 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I just wanted to thank you... not for the demo or anything. But for being so open with what you don't know! So many TH-cam guys seem to know everything... and your honesty and willingness to just try meant more to me than the actual content of the video (though the new pickups sound great... good to have a backup strat tuned flat for the those days when you need a SRV/Hendrix fix!). Thanks again... inspiring... going to try some things myself.

  • @matthewheade9788
    @matthewheade9788 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Paul, I hope you know how much you inspire some of us. Today, i didnt even want to play, but after watching three of your videos, im picking up my music man axis and getting down with some tunes.
    Sincerely, thank you for all you do for your channel and guitar nuts everywhere.
    Much love from Tennessee!

  • @marcohermans3207
    @marcohermans3207 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had the same experience with the lace sensors gold of my straf plus. Lifeless, no top end, one dimensional, regardless of the pick-up height. I swapped them for fender custom shop fat 50's and the strat came to life. It's a personal thing. The tinniest difference in tone can make it another instrument. Most people won't hear it but when you hear it, it's worth the money. Enjoy the lollars!

  • @gonzaloleal1008
    @gonzaloleal1008 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    As a luthier, i recommend you to pick some new pots and capacitor like Emerson custom. That is definitely needy if you want a more open sound.

    • @ot1883
      @ot1883 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Great suggestion!

  • @JohnnyNowhere
    @JohnnyNowhere 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I bought a LH Japanese 50s reissue back in 96 and the first thing I did was start shopping for pickups. I settled on a tapped Duncan Quarter Pound for the bridge, and a Vintage Stack for the neck. I later added a Quarter Pound RWRP Strat pickup as a centre option, then tossed the blade switch and incorporated mini toggles and pan pots to get the damn thing to do almost anything I want it to. New pickups make all the difference in the world. Hot fun.

  • @Cionaoith
    @Cionaoith 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Definitely a personal preference thing, but I preferred the warmer tones of the old pickups to the brighter tones on the new ones. But only one person's opinion on that really matters, and what's important is that it was a successful swap and that you're pleased with the results.

  • @dalehobbs8782
    @dalehobbs8782 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had an opportunity to play a Nash S-63 over the weekend,. and was blown away with how glassy and toneful the Lollar pickups were ( primary guitar includes a Suhr, and an early EJ Strat). So now I'm down the rabbit hole looking into Lollar pickups to replace my Texas Specials in my '62 RI Strat. Maybe how its recorded, but I didn't hear a huge difference. The big difference was your impression- you're impressed with them, and now you've breathed new life into and old friend.

  • @raphilesacher4855
    @raphilesacher4855 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    How 'bout making a relic style finish. Your Strat has already started with it for you :D

  • @mikeaustin4138
    @mikeaustin4138 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    For those who might be interested, Free-Way makes a 10-way 5-position switch that provides the following additional capabilities:
    1. N_M in series
    2. B + N in parallel
    3. B + N in series
    4. all 3 in parallel
    5. N + M in series
    I have this switch in my G&L ASAT Classic S and it's much better than the standard "expander" switch. The "series" positions, while not pure humbucker, sound really good and provide a slight volume boost - perfect for soloing.

  • @nickboon1235
    @nickboon1235 4 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Crazy dutch guitarist uses inches instead of the metric system😂❤️

  • @distractedgarage1801
    @distractedgarage1801 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Something to consider, whenever I get into a complicated project just grab the phone and start taking photos before taking anything apart. If it is a really in depth deal I will snap pics as the teardown progresses. I have torn apart the diesel engine in my semi truck right to the block and pics are invaluable, manuals and diagrams are great but photos are a lifesaver. Retired now and back to my guitars on a more steady basis and watch your channel. Thank you for your hard work on these videos, just keep on trying stuff on your own if it doesn't work out you can take it to someone later but it usually works out doing it yourself. Oh by the way, there are many wiring diagrams on the net for 50s and 60s style wiring if you want to change it up , just a thought.
    Thanks JJ

  • @Grant_Ferstat
    @Grant_Ferstat 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Changing those saddles would also make a lot of difference. I've had a couple of guitars with those bridges & saddles I really feel they inhibit the guitars a bit. I swapped the saddles for more vintage style replacements.

  • @Oatmealyum
    @Oatmealyum 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The guitar sounds so clean now.Good job man!!!!

  • @dokus426
    @dokus426 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Woops at 9:02 I think it should say 'New' pickups, I loved the little project though!

    • @PaulDavids
      @PaulDavids  4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Ah, yes! The last one is mislabeled by accident. but I think it's pretty clear due to the 2 angles right?! :) Cheers!

  • @johncarpenter440
    @johncarpenter440 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I feel like I am the complete opposite. I look at a guitar and almost always think "What can I change or improve? How can I make this more my own." But almost all of my guitars more on the budget side (sub $800 US new). I just love the process of modding and changing things. Even if I end up changing it back to the way it was in a few months or years. It is all part of the hobby to me. I even chiseled out the neck pickup cavity on my MIM strat to fit a humbucker. I since put back in single coils. It is just how it goes.
    Maybe it was just TH-cam compression, but I didn't hear much of a difference, except on the bridge. And I liked the SCN a little better. So what I am saying is... if you don't know what to do with those pickups...

  • @JaySuryavanshiMusic
    @JaySuryavanshiMusic 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Paul Davids is perhaps the coolest musician on TH-cam!
    (btw please don't shout at me! So is Adam Neely)

  • @neelaugustine
    @neelaugustine 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Man, got to give you credits to getting the soldering the pickups to the pots perfectly, really appreciate the job 👍

  • @jomperways
    @jomperways 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    When you change the finish: it may look really cool with the natural wood with some clear code on it but a darker sunburst woul look great too.. u shoul ask the community

    • @davidcudrak9438
      @davidcudrak9438 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Julian Murr agreed. I’m a big fan of natural finish.

  • @JorgeRodriguez-pk9qh
    @JorgeRodriguez-pk9qh 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Paul, I really liked seeing a very good musician doing some good electronic stuff! I'm an electronic engineer (dedicated to do Embedded Software profesionally), I love playing guitar but I'm not as good as I would like. I like to do DIY stuff for a lot of things... Some years ago I completely disarmed my electric guitar (Ibanez cheap model) just because I did not liked the color (jewel blue) nor the figure (RG model) so I took the body, removed original paint, did some cuts here and there and rounded a little bit more all the edge front and back sides(so to look more like the SG models). Then I took the body for rapainting (the only thing I did not do by myself). It was more than 5 years later when I finally reassembled the guitar again, yes more than 5 years, almost all the steps were done separated by a lot of months. My daughter and son were borned in the middle so I had less time.
    I did some notes before disconnecting all the electronics so those helped me to reconnect again. Just wanted to share as your video remind me to that process. The moment when you plug the guitar again and discover that you connect it correctly is magical.

  • @PaulPauliePabloPaolo
    @PaulPauliePabloPaolo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great vid.... those p/ups that were replaced were pretty ‘high end’ anyway and it was still a noticeable difference in a really good way... I have to get these in my strat!.

  • @gibsondude07ify
    @gibsondude07ify 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    My American deluxe is in the shop right now getting its pickups upgraded from SCN to Lambertones so this video is right on point.

  • @sayansaha9080
    @sayansaha9080 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    John Mayer would love the sound of the older custom pickups

  • @johnkruton9708
    @johnkruton9708 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Finally! I have a skill barely a step above Paul!. I replaced and modded my teaching Fretlight guitar with authentic Fender Strat pickups...soldered and figured everything out.
    Now to put it to good use instead of watching others.....

  • @Magitroll
    @Magitroll 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    00:26
    We see what you did there Paul!
    I hope that it can recover from that. :(

    • @nixternal
      @nixternal 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That took me a second. I didn't catch it until I saw this, then looked twice & went ahhhh, now I see it. He got the Fender-19 :D

    • @nickhalewijn5668
      @nickhalewijn5668 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don't get it haha what do you guys see?

    • @bessy32
      @bessy32 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@nickhalewijn5668 on the guitar it says ''Corona California ''

    • @sparky6086
      @sparky6086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@nickhalewijn5668 "Corona" California was on the name plate. A subtle reference to the Novel Coronavirus, which is in the news.

    • @nickhalewijn5668
      @nickhalewijn5668 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@sparky6086 Damn... should have picked that up , thanks tho!

  • @bertrodriguez3087
    @bertrodriguez3087 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Anything you accomplish for yourself is always better. Good for the soul !! Congratulations !!

  • @carlgriffioen9867
    @carlgriffioen9867 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I just finished building a guitar (sg) myself. I first tried spraying paint, but wasnt quite happy with how the paint job turned out. After some searching on the web i came across the "stunning stains" paints/oils from Crimson guitars witch worked really well for me! Maybe someting for you to check out when you dicide to refinish?

  • @NinerFourWhiskey
    @NinerFourWhiskey 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good job Paul. I've done a million of these when I was a tech. You can actually get a pre-loaded pickguard, pickups, switches, correct control pots, everything wired. Just unsolder the output jack wire and bridge ground wire, swap them and you're done. Then set aside the original assembly in the event you ever want to restore it.
    If you do just the p'ups, best bet is to remove the whole pickguard assembly from the guitar as above. Easier and safer to do the swap away from the guitar.

    • @AndrewCCM
      @AndrewCCM 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      NinerFourWhiskey 100% agree. I just did that with a MojoTone guard. Very pleased with it.

  • @Riverdeepnwide
    @Riverdeepnwide 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    1:00
    Yikes! I wish I could make my Strat sound that good ... and it's not my pickups either 😆😆
    Paul I'd let that finish rat out. Thinking of Rory Gallagher's and SRV's Strat's, the Peter Green / Gary Moore Les Paul, Roy Buchanan's Tele to mention just a few. We love 'em just as they are and all the miles, bars, shows, joys and tears that made them that way.
    Any one of us here would see that Strat of yours and recognize it immediately "Hey that's Paul David's Lollar swap Strat!"

    • @greenbrightly
      @greenbrightly 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Riverdeepnwide A ploy finish is never going to look like that.

    • @Riverdeepnwide
      @Riverdeepnwide 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Neil, true poly dies age differently than nitro. It will however age just as itself and for me that's good enough to tell it's story. For sure there are times too when a refinish becomes part of a guitars life. I love 'em all.

  • @LosTroopos
    @LosTroopos 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just a quick tip. If you would don't have the strings on during a pickup change. Just use the tip of a screwdriver against the pole pieces of the pickup. Should give a "clank" sound and you know you're good to go.
    Also doesn't look as awkward as Paul did :D

  • @santiagogutierrez1594
    @santiagogutierrez1594 4 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    3:51 there is so much that can go wrong in this picture.

    • @PaulDavids
      @PaulDavids  4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Actually, not really.

    • @santiagogutierrez1594
      @santiagogutierrez1594 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Alright your rte, there is oooone thing that can go terribly wrong in the this picture. The soldering iron is not secure.

    • @НиколайРогожкин-б7э
      @НиколайРогожкин-б7э 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@PaulDavids
      Paul, after soldering the pickups, did the switch on the volume knob stop working on your guitar? When you press it, the gain of the pickups is turned on. This is a feature Deluxe schemes.

  • @charlie-obrien
    @charlie-obrien 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I noticed more of a difference on the #4 position than I could on the Neck or the Bridge, but I am glad to hear that you are happy with the upgrade, because after all, it's all in the ear of the guy holding the guitar.

  • @vinnieirvine1365
    @vinnieirvine1365 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Huge improvement. The old pickups sound bland, muzzled, sterile and plastic,
    The Lollars sound as true vintage strat pickups sound. More sparkly, glassy.

  • @claytonthomas9262
    @claytonthomas9262 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Next step is to replace the saddles and trem block with Callaham. Probably the biggest bang for buck sound difference I made on my '96 American Standard strat. Do it, you won't regret it.
    Dirty blonde is a killer setup, although dirty blackface is nice as well...more mid's.

  • @reasonsrhymes
    @reasonsrhymes 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    9:16 floating spider?? Besides that, lollar blondes are amazing. Have them in my nash s63 strat. Also have a strat with the blackface pickups which are also great. The blondes would be my say all end all though.

  • @JT-gd7he
    @JT-gd7he 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I purchased a used MIM Fender 50's reissue Strat for $400 with hardcase. The neck pick up was not quite flat so I took off the pick guard to see what was up and discovered that someone had replaced the pickups with Lollar Blondes! Love 'em.

  • @RC32Smiths01
    @RC32Smiths01 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I am actually curious, would it be more beneficial to modify an old guitar to sound new and fresh, or just all around buy a new guitar? It sounds awesome I'd say, which is why I pose the question.

    • @fernank017
      @fernank017 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Unless the guitar neck is warped to bits, then theres no point in buying new

    • @RC32Smiths01
      @RC32Smiths01 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@fernank017 Ahh I see

    • @JRflap
      @JRflap 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The guitar body matters most when it comes to how it feels to play.
      Is it sitting right with your body?
      And very importantly, how does the neck feel?
      When it comes to the sound the electronics will be by far the most important. In this case, changing the pickups and perhaps other electronics will be enough.

    • @khill3530
      @khill3530 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Most people do it cause if you already like the feel of the guitar why try and find something totally new when you can have something your already comfortable with, that has a new sound

    • @Oatmealyum
      @Oatmealyum 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I like buying my guitar because i can make them old and beat up 😋

  • @cathalwhelehan
    @cathalwhelehan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great job - I love when people jump head first into tasks they aren't that comfortable with and seeing everything work out just fine. It helps me to get over that initial barrier of doing it myself. Have a set of Tele pickups I'd like to install but have been putting it off for quite a while out of fear of the soldering iron ;). As for the refinish - that strat has my least favourite colour and the pickguard doesn't do it for me either. It would look great in black nitro with a mint green guard - you may need to change the dots too though as they look like they were chosen to match the existing pickguard.

  • @tootory9506
    @tootory9506 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    definitely wasn't as drastic as a difference as I would expect but like you said going in the right direction for sure. Maybe it has to do with the processing you're using?
    as far as the chip lacquer KEEP IT! you earned it on tour! it's character, just sand it down with some 320 400/600/800/0000steel wool or wet sand and compound etc. to as shiny as you like.

  • @Bjmusic2491
    @Bjmusic2491 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A huge upgrade lovely tone from the new pickups

  • @bigg4454
    @bigg4454 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Those Lollar Blondes sound rather bright compared to the ones that came out. I have the Lollar Blackface set in my 2008 standard Strat which are a tad fuller sounding (to me), but that's what I was looking for in my case. Long as you like what you got, that's all that matters. It's all good!

    • @Bairov
      @Bairov ปีที่แล้ว

      I just ordered that set as well! I'm still torn between sets. If these don't work, I'm going to trade for some blondes

    • @bigg4454
      @bigg4454 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Bairov I have Bare knuckle 63' slab boards in my strat now lol. I'm at the end of the road, done. No more changes. Hope all is well with your hook up whatever you have.

    • @Bairov
      @Bairov ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Big G Nice! Wanted those at one point, but a friend has a set, and they are lower output than his 64's. If the 64's are too much its blondes, then maybe the veneer board set.

    • @Bairov
      @Bairov ปีที่แล้ว

      @Big G What is the biggest difference between the Veneer set and the 64's that you find? My strat is alder btw

    • @Bairov
      @Bairov ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bigg4454 ooh and those Mark Foley 59'S look really nice too!

  • @jimmcdougall9973
    @jimmcdougall9973 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You are now officially a heart surgeon.

  • @ThePremel
    @ThePremel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I like the Old pickups better !

  • @altonreid9726
    @altonreid9726 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I put the Lollar dirty blondes in one of my strats as well. Lollar makes great pickups.

  • @DougMen1
    @DougMen1 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Noiseless pickups are more compressed and restrictive of attack and dynamics as well as having less of the punch, spank, and sparkle that a really good vintage sounding single coil has. The Lollars are a big improvement.

  • @kongfanqi3851
    @kongfanqi3851 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's very helpful for me because I wanna change my pickups recently. Thank you for your video!

  • @nickslide
    @nickslide 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Lollar’s pickups changes every guitar! To better

  • @bananabourbonaenima
    @bananabourbonaenima 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes! more videos about guitar inner anatomy! Maybe a video about the virtues of shielding, or star point grounding?

  • @EpherosAldor
    @EpherosAldor 4 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    Isn't the green wire supposed to be the ground?

    • @CyberDocUSA
      @CyberDocUSA 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      It's cool as long as you don't play in the rain. :-)

    • @sparky6086
      @sparky6086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yes. And apparently, that's where all the harmonics and resulting inter-modulation, which are part of a musical instrument's voice, drained out in this case!

    • @Jack_Of_Some_Trades
      @Jack_Of_Some_Trades 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yeah it is. The fact that they are noiseless pickups means they likely grounded the metal shielding below the coil and maybe added something else inside. Hard to say since that's likely proprietary stuff. Since the new ones aren't noiseless all they are is a coil and only need connection to the two ends.

    • @sparky6086
      @sparky6086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I wonder, if the results would have been similar, if you just snipped the green wires and left the original pickups in? What besides noise was being canceled (Who's to judge what noise is anyhow (aside from a 60Hz or 50Hz hum}}?

    • @sparky6086
      @sparky6086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Brits and maybe other Europeans call it "Earth". Americans call in "ground". I couldn't understand, what Paul called it?

  • @vlaanderen00
    @vlaanderen00 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    6:58 I think that’s the moost excited i’ve ever see you in a video Paul Davids...!

  • @gjw45
    @gjw45 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I think it was a case of you wanting it to sound better with the new pickups, so it does. The old pickups sounded much better. I closed my eyes for the comparisons, and I picked the older SCN most times as the better sounding. The lollars had the slight edge on the clean sound, but only just.
    I was honestly expecting a bigger difference, so I think the problem is with the std pots on the guitar. I've read that people have changed the pots and have had amazing results with SCN pickups.
    I have no idea what they use as STD, but I think going through that 10 button selection switch would also have a negative effect on any new pickup you install. I would buy a cheap fully wired pickgaurd from ebay and install your new pickups in that and try them out. You could also give the SCN pickups another shot without all of that unnecessary switching system.

    • @marvinsands5894
      @marvinsands5894 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yep........I agree, but it's his choice I guess.

  • @Cadet44642
    @Cadet44642 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love videos like this. I have a Squier my first guitar. I have wanted to just replace it all the pickups, neck, trem and the tuners. Videos like this motivate me to get off of my butt and get it done. On the old guitar I would say strip and and go with a natural look. Just my opinion. But, whatever you do it’s probably gonna look good.

  • @martin9707
    @martin9707 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Since I came early I feel an urge to comment something before I even watch the whole video

  • @Seamaltjones
    @Seamaltjones 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent work! As with anything, there are always nuance only experience can reveal, but they will not reveal themselves until you step into the experience. As a Life long Seattleite, I also must compliment your choice of the Lollars, wound in Tacoma just south of here. I have an acquaintance from Vashon Island (obligated to say that) who winds for Lollar, and can't help but wonder if he wound yours. I can also recommend Wolfetone pickups (Also a local legend), Wolfe and Jason Lollar have good history with each other, and each have something unique to offer. The only tip I can offer as an electrician and engineer is that that braiding the leads from the pickup (especially single coils!) can help reduce RF interference fairly well. This, along with good shielding of the cavity, can go along way to attenuating the infamous 60 cycle (or 50 cycle over there) hum. It is common practice in data and signaling circuits to braid cables for this very reason as crossing polarized leads tends to cancel emf/Rf exposure...I'll spare you the formula behind it, though! Thank you for what you do! Best wishes, and especially, good health to you from Seattle!

  • @Ben-yy7io
    @Ben-yy7io 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hey Paul, might help to have a multimeter with continuity testing when modding guitars so you can check to see if all your connections are good!

  • @chrisbardolph
    @chrisbardolph 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Single coils will always have that extra bite and sparkle, but I will say I'm impressed at how close the stacked pickups get. Handy for noisy environments. They both have their place.

  • @bronsoncarder2491
    @bronsoncarder2491 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I honestly didn't hear any difference in tone... you certainly seemed to be having a LOT more fun playing the new pickups, and that made those recordings sound better.
    I bet it made a huge difference in the room... I am watching on a phone, so it's not like I'm getting a lot of dynamics. Lol
    But, hey, I'm glad you enjoy your new pickups!

  • @matthiassoellner
    @matthiassoellner 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I myself used always pre-wired Pickups in the past, because I hate soldering.
    But, well done! You did a great Job! Thank you for posting your video, Paul!

  • @timokapitein414
    @timokapitein414 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    What’s the song called you played at 8:13?

    • @therainrunner
      @therainrunner 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Up!

    • @timokapitein414
      @timokapitein414 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Tom Chadzinski by which artist?

    • @barthardeman5342
      @barthardeman5342 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds a little like gary clark Jr. catfish blues

    • @magnoliasstressus
      @magnoliasstressus 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      see here... his own vid... th-cam.com/video/NsZIzzvCutI/w-d-xo.html

  • @drewbarries
    @drewbarries 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    👏 It is much better Paul, great job on the soldering too. I had Lollar drop ship mine directly to 920D where the installed them in a new pick guard because I didn’t want to mod my original CS Ancho Poblano stock pick gaurd.

  • @eath2496
    @eath2496 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    to me it sounds like the new Lollar pickups have more high end (it sounds better), i usually don't hear any difference in videos like these. does anybody else hear more high-end presence or clarity or is it just in my head (you know just checking)?

    • @vapemcvaperson
      @vapemcvaperson 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes definitely if using earbuds or headphones on a mobile. They're brighter and more crisp. I also was watching some videos on the Mojo Tone pickguard recently and they seemed a bit overwhelming in several videos. But as someone suggested above, you can lower the pups so it isn't as extreme. I have a more difficult search and that is a prewired HSS Strat configuration I want to stay with but upgrade seems it's old and needs new electronics

  • @bluebelllable
    @bluebelllable 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have no clue what you're doing but it is soothing just to watch you do it

  • @mihovildanicic5305
    @mihovildanicic5305 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Be careful, you might fall into a trap of changing everything chasing the dragon you'll never catch.

  • @troutvalleyguitars
    @troutvalleyguitars 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Paul, Great job on all your videos. Content, playing, production.....Outstanding!