i'm a fan of the Cunife's, but the stock pickups surprisingly weren't far off. Much more of a notable difference in the haircut than the sound. Thanks for sharing, and i prefer the new cut.
Agreed. Fenders are $400 plus tax for the set. I'd be curious how the stock would sound with the same wiring as the upgrade. Mine still has the stock but I'm always tinkering. Considering some pickup makers are offering to mod the stock pickups to sound like the originals for $80 I think Squier should have used the same materials that the mods are using. Just a $50 price increase should cover the price of materials.
I think the knobs are a definite benefit …. I do not like the black hats on my Starcaster. I am not hearing a significant difference on the audio samples …. Might be different in the room. Good review.
@@JoeEdelmann3Disagree with the OP, I felt like there was a huge difference in the sound. My ears could tell it at least. The EQ on the Squire EQ was very unbalanced and had more bright punch quality. The Cunife's were very balanced, warm yet chimey
Excellent demo! Great playing and a definitive display of the differences. I got rid of mine and regretted it so, God willing, the replacement is coming tomorrow. I always forget that what we like to hear solo does not always work as well in a mix. The Cunife’s will cut better. Keep up the good work.
Legit, one of the best demos of anything, I have watched in a very long time! I spend way too much time watching gear demos and way too much time being frustrated. I loved how all of the information that you shared was relevant. You stayed focused on demoing the instrument, and not the effects that you were running the instrument through. I love that you gave what you were playing through, and what you were miking it with. And you’re playing? Dang bro! Immaculate. If all goes according to plan I’m going to go grab one of these guitars today. Oh! And hearing CuNiFe’s back to back with what’s passed off as wide range was eye…ear opening.
Great video, been looking for this. Are you using the stock wiring with the old ones? I have a a pair of Cunifes for my natural CV and I'm wondering if using the stock 500k would mellow it out a bit Loved the sound of the upgrade, but the 1 meg seemed just a touch much in the highs
Thanks! Yeah, it was the stock wiring on the old ones so not a perfect A/B. The 1 Megs are definitely bright, but they give you plenty of range to work the tone knob to taste!
@@Guitar_Wolf I think the sweep changes more depending on if you use standard or 50s wiring (where the tone pot sits relative to the volume pot)… in my experience the 1Meg pot has usable tones all the way down to 5 or 6 out of 10, without getting too dull.
I like my Starcaster a lot and as I've listened to demos of the new Cunife WRHB pickups I think I prefer the warmness clean and 'trashiness' driven of the stock pickups. Maybe the thought of paying $200 per pickup has my ears tuned different.
Omg that sound with let down is spot on! As with how well you play it. Sorry, i just love Radiohead, you have played every cover version with honesty, skill and pride always what they deserve.
Excellent comparison! This is a swap I’m interested in myself. The WRHB’s sound fantastic, and I loved the relaxing sounds of the RH songs you picked. Definitely some of my favorites from the years ❤❤
I now have two Starcasters. I have an Affinity and Contemporary. I like the stock pickups. Those Fender Cunife sound nice too. I plan on getting a Classic Vibe as well at some point. I would also like to hear a Starcaster with lipstick pickups. I think that might be interesting.
Totally agree, our lead player (Johnny) played an exact copy of Johnny's set up in his telecaster, Lace sensor pick ups.. your squire now sound's very defined across the frequencies now, great shout on the mods! That maple neck is now really being put to good use, all the little ingredients.. as with the bone nut, top guitar now, sound's amazing!!
I have recently purchased this guitar. I love it! The stock PU's work fine for the level at which I play. Honestly, I can't tell enough difference to justify a swap...
Just did the same to my MIM Tele Deluxe which sounded pretty awful stock, the Wide Range Fenders sound fantastic, I also used 1 meg pots which I think they need to get the most of the chime and attack, only thing with 1 megs is there is a fast roll off....once you get to half way they are pretty much on zero, only seems to affect the vol and not the tone, a small price to pay, I won't change 'em
Quick question, did you have to modify the SQuier at all to fit the Fender CuNiFe? Or did they fit into the existing pickup route? Im thinking of putting some in my Starcaster.
The original pickups are not far off, but the cunife pickups have a certain complexity that the squier pickups lack. Either way I'm gassing for a starcaster now
The stock pickups surprised me. Originaly I was looking for a Telecaster Thinline 72 the one with the two WRH. Then a Squier Starcaster turned up for sale today. Looking forward to collecting it at the weekend. Good demo.
Wow. It's like someone took the blanket off of the pickups. I do the same thing with all of my gretsch style guitars with TV Jones TV Classics. I put 1 Meg pots in. Chime for days. Did you do just the volumes or did you do the tone pots too? Is the harness that you bought available to buy, or is it a special order. Where can I get it? Also, where can I get the knobs? I'm about to purchase a Starcaster, and I want to have all the work done at once. Thanks.
Nice! I'm currently in the process of upgrading my Starcaster, as well. I went with some handmade Creamery pickups which I should receive at the end of the month. I'm also using a new harness I just received from Gunstreet. Super interesting to see you upgrading your guitar in a similar way. Great vid, man.
Hi Joe! I just got this amazing guitar! Are the 1meg pots the same size as the stock 500ks, or there needs to be some adjustment done to the guitar? Also can you please send a link or exact brand and model name to the 1meg pots you put into the guitar?
Hey there! It’s a great guitar! I got CTS pots - the thread is a little wider than the stock metric import pots in the guitar so you or a luthier will likely have to ream the holes a little to make it fit.
This has been the most thorough, articulate, and thoughtful youtube demo I have ever seen. I am really impressed by your methodology. Liked. Subscribed. Plus, Radiohead, and not some more mindless soloing that says nothing other than, "Hey look at MEEEEE!" Not that I mind guitar solos, but I don't think they're useful when you're trying to compare pickups. Bravo.
Huge WRHB fan, and have been playing them almost exclusively since I got my first real guitar in 1984. A tip for anyone thinking of buying the CuNiFe: Original WRHB's, now old, vary even more than than they did when new, which was a lot. I still have that 73 Tele Custom and a 76 Deluxe I bought in the early 90's. If I ever had to replace one of those pickups I'd save 120 bucks and buy a Vintera WRHB on Reverb since in the many shootouts on RUclips they sound closer to vintage originals than the new CuNiFe versions do.
This is what you were talking about! I only have two guitars right now: a CV Telecaster, and a CV Starcaster. I was thinking about these mods in the future, so I am interested to see what the differences are!
Hi Joe! As a fan of Radiohead, I've been enjoying and learning a lot from your vids. Not sure that you're gonna check, but here is a quick question. I've just found an good-looking used classic vibe starcaster on market, but also found a major problem. As we all know, the guitar bridge plays huge roles in aspects of not only the sound but also the look. I just realized that it has tuneOmatic kind of bridge while the original one has fixed tailpiece.😅 Will it bother me a lot? I wonder how you think as an actual owner and Radiohead's huge fan.
@@user-wi7gx6ip5h I don’t think the Tuneomatic will bother you! It mostly affects the look, and arguably the feel (due to string break angle) but it should not noticeably affect the sound. That’s mostly in those wide range pickups!
I'm checking out Love My Switches right now and I'm wanting to buy so much from them despite not needing a single thing from them. So many fun knobs and switches...
I like the stock pickups better I think. Sounds a little grittier. Will leave mine in on mine. For strings I really like chromes on a Starcaster. Thanks for the vid.
@@JoeEdelmann3 Ya I don't mind that they don't sound like a wide range humbucker. (cuz they're regular humbuckers that look like a wide range) Its just more what I'm looking for.
Thanks! I haven’t tried the recent Affinity models personally, but i have heard that the Classic Vibes are just a little notch higher in quality feel. Still, both are a pretty great value!
@@JoeEdelmann3 you’re so welcome! And thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me! I appreciate it so much! That makes perfect sense. And this model is probably a closer replica to the original also I could imagine. I love your mods. I have watched so many demos on this guitar and I am so happy I came across yours!!!! I need to buy one after seeing your video!
Nice video! I am only a beginner (7 months), so modding my Starcaster is a thought I will consider far in the future. I’m not sure how sold I am on the pickup mods. Don’t get me wrong, the differences were clear, but at the end of the day, it seems that there’s more to Jonny’s tone than pickups (whether it be the Tele Plus Lace Sensors, or these Wide Range Pickups). Getting these mods in the future would definitely bring me closer to a true Radiohead tone, but at the same time, playing style/technique almost seems more important? 95% of guitarists I have seen on RUclips with Jonny’s exact gear still sound less like Greenwood than Russell Lissack (of Bloc Party), and Lissack uses a single coil Telecaster, completely different pedals than Greenwood, and a different amp as well. Lissack does have an aggressive playing style though. This is just rambling. Maybe in a couple of years I’ll have a different opinion, but I would like to hear any thoughts on these viewpoints.
You’re not wrong! Playing technique is crucial to guitar identity, way more than the guitar or pickups. Like I said in another video, Jonny will sound like Jonny on almost any guitar! And also, the stock pickups are more than workable as is!
Spot on and Joe made a good reply. I would say pickups are less important of an upgrade for this guitar. The originals are quite good. And yes, Jonny would sound just like him through a totally different setup, I agree with that. Focus on your playing, learning how you like the instrument and how aggressive you want to be. I suggest trying different string gauges to see how aggressively you want to play and that will change your tone :) and different picks (if you play with a pick) also recommend on getting a delay pedal (if you don't have one already) as that is really crucial to some of the Jonny licks he plays in various Radiohead songs. Haven't heard of Bloc Party, will check them out now!
@@SakariKempas Thank you for your reply. I also felt that pedals (such as delays) were much more important to Jonny’s sound, and amp choice as well, especially for Jonny’s distorted sounds. If you want to get into Bloc Party, I strongly suggest their debut album, Silent Alarm. It’s a seriously beautiful album, with great performances from all 4 members. The first four tracks are probably the ones where Russell Lissack sounds most like Greenwood, but you can definitely here the influence that Radiohead has on the band throughout the album. I would say that this is easily one of the best rock albums in the 21st century, and as much as I love Radiohead, I prefer Silent Alarm over most of their albums (besides Amnesiac, In Rainbows, OK Computer, and King of Limbs). Unfortunately, besides their second album, A Weekend in the City, I can’t say I like anything else Bloc Party did, besides a couple of songs here and there.
@@ponchotf9383 totally agree on first two bloc party albums, I love those! I listened to the most recent one (Hymns?) but I couldn’t get super into it, their original drummer and bassist were so crucial to their energy.
@@ponchotf9383 nice to see another Bloc Party fan in the comments. I will say Intimacy and Four don’t get as much love but Russell’s playing continues to get better along with his knowledge of pedals. Octopus, Truth, Trojan Horse, Talons, Better Than Heaven have some really good and effective playing and use of delay. Silent Alarm and Weekend in the City are masterpieces but Russell keeps getting better!
It would be interesting to hear the Squier pickups with the 1 Meg pots. That would be a more accurate comparison. This makes me wonder if it’s the pickups or the pots.. I had the affinity version and the wiring and pickups were unusable. It didn’t even get out of the honeymoon phase before they got switched to some h sized p90s. I still never fell in love with it and wishing I had spent the extra for the cv version
It’s a good point and you’re right, this was not the most scientific comparison since two things changed at once. I think the stock electronics weren’t terrible on this CV though. With the 1 meg pots there’s definitely a global brightness increase but I felt like the reactivity and character of the other pickups was still noticeable for me.
Really cool review. I love squiers, I think they got kind of a bad rep cause they're mostly associated with shitty entry-level guitars, but the truth is that their vintage modified and classic vibe lines are great! I got a classic vibe jaguar and a J Mascis Jazzmaster and they're excellent guitars!
Thanks! I think it’s hard to shake that branding association but I agree that they’re crushing it lately. when I played this Starcaster in the store I couldn’t believe how well it played. And I’ve tried the Mascis and that thing has really taken off with players too it seems!
We're on the same level here. I used to trash Squiers. Now, I own 3! Like you, I own a CV Jaguar AND a J Mascis Jazzmaster! My newest guitar is a CV Starcaster. Squiers have become an excellent guitar for not a lot of $$$.
Thank you 😊for your help one other question... How's it sounds for playing "jazz" or Latin ( Bossanova ) music 🎶? ( I'm Left-Handed and play limited guitar / self taught )
A question unrelated to the Starcaster but have you ever had to the idea to redo your older covers? Now that you got all their gear, why don't you do some sort of an updated version of your older covers like those TKOL or OKC ones.
Nice tones and awesome playing! You definitely nailed the bell-like tones in OK Computer. Are you using 1 Meg pots for all four knobs? I am swapping the pickups in my modern player starcaster for the CuNiFe ones. I think It really makes a huge difference.
Can you do a vid on the alternate part for Radiohead-weird fishes as I can’t find an accurate one anywhere. Or point me to some tabs, thanks, love your content btw
Hey, Joe. Looking at upgrading my wiring on my Starcaster and am wondering how to access the wiring. Is there a cavity behind the bridge pickup or do you have to work through the F-holes? Also, what capacitors do the Squiers come with?
Yeah, you have to work through the f-hole and fish stuff in snd out one at a time…. Part of the joy of semi hollows and why I had my shop help me out on this one. I’m not sure what caps the Squier used, I’ll have to take a look at the old guts!
@@JoeEdelmann3 just took mine in for a guy to take a look at yesterday - decided to roll with .022 orange drops and 1 meg pots. Definitely a job requiring a pro if working through the F-holes.
There are a few videos on RUclips that show you how. If I can do it, anybody can. But it sure is a fiddly job that is a pain in the butt. It's only doable if you take the pickups out first.
I replaced my wiring harness with a Gunstreet harness, 1meg all around. There is an opening beneath the bridge pickup that a full size pot fits through. You will have to enlarge the holes for the pot shafts if you switch from metric to imperial. It was fun and tricky. I used aquarium hose on the pots to help guide it through. Have a plan and don’t lose your patience and you can do it!
I like the stock humbuckers,the fender pickups sound brighter it would be interesting to hear the stock pickups with the upgraded wiring loom with the 1mg pots because that would make them brighter and even closer to the fenders I’d have thought?
Really wanted the Fender version they were putting out a few years ago. By the time I was ready to pull the trigger they switched to squire. Don't want to spend that kind of money on a squire. The reissue fenders are pricey now! I'm really sad about it. Really wanted one. Not into the Squires.
Totally your call! at first I was a little worried that I missed the fender series also. But if I remember correctly, the Fender modern player was made in China. The Squier is made in Indonesia. There’s arguably a slight difference in quality between the two, but IMO they’re more similar of a guitar than you’d think despite the slightly cheaper price point! (You could argue the fender was more expensive than it should be, or the Squier punches well above its weight class.) Of course, if what it says on the headstock matters, that’s all a preference and I understand it.
@@JoeEdelmann3 I know the label does not equate quality. My complaint is truly ridiculous. I'm glad you think it's built so we'll. I'll take that into consideration. Your word has a bunch of weight! Thanks for the RH nerd content. Love the channel.
@@danill4381 If you REALLY want a Fender neck then the MIC Modern Player necks are widely available on Ebay - and probably will be for a long time, as they only fit Starcasters - unless people keep trying to fit them on Strats until they realise the extra fret means they are too long.
@@JoeEdelmann3 Got a Cherry Starburst 2014 for $700, in mint condish! Giving this video some more views as I wait for it to arrive. This vid def helped me seal the deal. It's going to sound amazing through my board into my AC30.
@@JoeEdelmann3 I have an other question : Did you have to enlarge / redrilling the hole for the pots with the CTS? As it is in US format and those of origin are in Asian format (smaller hole).
@@fullmoonlittlehouse yes, I had my local shop install the harness and I am fairly sure they had to ream the holes a bit for the larger pots than the original metric ones!
My only complain with this model is that it's not a body-thru like the original. I mean... sound-wise it might be on the mojo section, but it's a scientific mojo imo. Great video anyway!
@@gafarbello107 I was just trying to get close to the 70s spec, so at that time I presume they were no longer using that method…. Plus the 1Meg Pots are so bright that I wanted to have the full range of motion of my tone knobs 😅 But I did try 50s Wiring in my Epiphone Casino and thought it was also pretty cool! On most guitars, I like when the volume knob (whether via bleed or 50s) preserves treble when rolling back, so that you can get lighter fuzz or amp distortion tones.
@@JoeEdelmann3 I pulled the plug on a Gunstreet wiring harness for my Starcaster and went with the 50s wiring after hearing your Casino video. I’m hesitant with the 1meg pots, because I don’t want it to be too bright like how they were on my Jazzmaster, but I’m good with tweaking the tone more. Love your videos and thank you for chatting back with me; I know you’ve got your own life but just wanna say I really appreciate it!
I think it helps a little (specifically the pot value if not so much the make and assembly)! The stock pickups are actually quite good for the price, but a fresh set of electronics could definitely take them further.
Good video and sound examples but we would disagree with you that it’s light. Our Epiphone ES-339 is light, this one not so much unless ours in a walnut color is somehow an extra two lbs heavier ;-)
and you paid someone to do that!!! cheap soldering iron and a bit of nouse free!!! hope they did``````````````nt charge you much if mine sounded like that it would be gone! thank god it dos¬nt its my go to daily player
Update - I recently added a Les Trem vibrato (NOT tremelo!) - highly recommended!
Did you have to drill the guitar?
I like the sound of both pickups. You can definitely tell a big difference. I think it just depends on what sound you are looking for.
i'm a fan of the Cunife's, but the stock pickups surprisingly weren't far off. Much more of a notable difference in the haircut than the sound. Thanks for sharing, and i prefer the new cut.
😂 I agree, was pleasantly surprised by the stock, but still very pleased with the CuNiFe. Thanks for watching!
Agreed. Fenders are $400 plus tax for the set. I'd be curious how the stock would sound with the same wiring as the upgrade. Mine still has the stock but I'm always tinkering. Considering some pickup makers are offering to mod the stock pickups to sound like the originals for $80 I think Squier should have used the same materials that the mods are using. Just a $50 price increase should cover the price of materials.
I just tried a $30 EQ pedal and was able to get the tones I hear from the new Fenders.
I think the knobs are a definite benefit …. I do not like the black hats on my Starcaster. I am not hearing a significant difference on the audio samples …. Might be different in the room. Good review.
@@JoeEdelmann3Disagree with the OP, I felt like there was a huge difference in the sound. My ears could tell it at least. The EQ on the Squire EQ was very unbalanced and had more bright punch quality. The Cunife's were very balanced, warm yet chimey
Excellent demo! Great playing and a definitive display of the differences. I got rid of mine and regretted it so, God willing, the replacement is coming tomorrow. I always forget that what we like to hear solo does not always work as well in a mix. The Cunife’s will cut better. Keep up the good work.
Legit, one of the best demos of anything, I have watched in a very long time! I spend way too much time watching gear demos and way too much time being frustrated. I loved how all of the information that you shared was relevant. You stayed focused on demoing the instrument, and not the effects that you were running the instrument through. I love that you gave what you were playing through, and what you were miking it with. And you’re playing? Dang bro! Immaculate. If all goes according to plan I’m going to go grab one of these guitars today. Oh! And hearing CuNiFe’s back to back with what’s passed off as wide range was eye…ear opening.
I ordered my Starcaster in Natural last week with the plan of putting Fralin wide range HBs in it
The Fender CuNiFe Pickups sound more alive and distinct but cost as much as the guitar. The new pups are a real improvement.
The Cunife pickups just seem to have more life to them. Definitely more of a tight, focused, single coil-esq tone. Great playing as well!
There might be a slight difference, mostly in the output, but certainly not worth the expensive cost of the CuNiFe, IMHO.
Fair enough! They are very similar, can’t go wrong with either.
Great video, been looking for this.
Are you using the stock wiring with the old ones?
I have a a pair of Cunifes for my natural CV and I'm wondering if using the stock 500k would mellow it out a bit
Loved the sound of the upgrade, but the 1 meg seemed just a touch much in the highs
Thanks! Yeah, it was the stock wiring on the old ones so not a perfect A/B. The 1 Megs are definitely bright, but they give you plenty of range to work the tone knob to taste!
@@JoeEdelmann3 I hear the sweep is a bit more drastic on the 1M. Like what is the usable range?
@@Guitar_Wolf I think the sweep changes more depending on if you use standard or 50s wiring (where the tone pot sits relative to the volume pot)… in my experience the 1Meg pot has usable tones all the way down to 5 or 6 out of 10, without getting too dull.
@@JoeEdelmann3 Right on, thanks man! I'm going to pop these in and have some fun ✌🏻
I like my Starcaster a lot and as I've listened to demos of the new Cunife WRHB pickups I think I prefer the warmness clean and 'trashiness' driven of the stock pickups. Maybe the thought of paying $200 per pickup has my ears tuned different.
I like both pickups but I know what you mean. In some ways I like the original and in other ways I like the Cunife WRHB’s. 😊
Omg that sound with let down is spot on! As with how well you play it. Sorry, i just love Radiohead, you have played every cover version with honesty, skill and pride always what they deserve.
I'm a huge fan of the set of RI CuNiFe I put in my Tele deluxe. These stock pickups sound surprisingly good.
...have a squire natural finish , classic vibe starcaster. it is absolutely beautiful , and plays like a dream
Excellent comparison! This is a swap I’m interested in myself. The WRHB’s sound fantastic, and I loved the relaxing sounds of the RH songs you picked. Definitely some of my favorites from the years ❤❤
I now have two Starcasters. I have an Affinity and Contemporary. I like the stock pickups. Those Fender Cunife sound nice too. I plan on getting a Classic Vibe as well at some point. I would also like to hear a Starcaster with lipstick pickups. I think that might be interesting.
sounded really good! I like Fendre and Squire 🤪
Thaks!
Totally agree, our lead player (Johnny) played an exact copy of Johnny's set up in his telecaster, Lace sensor pick ups.. your squire now sound's very defined across the frequencies now, great shout on the mods!
That maple neck is now really being put to good use, all the little ingredients.. as with the bone nut, top guitar now, sound's amazing!!
i likw my sheraton 2,but this guitar here--i want it!thx for your rely nice video;Playing is interessting!Good job!
You play street spirit, beautifully.
Both sets of pickups were nice sounding....The Fender pickups were brighter bell sounding! Great playing!!
Best review of this guitar I have seen on the internet
Cunife's sounded quite a bit better tbh. Didn't think i'd notice as much of a difference.
I have recently purchased this guitar. I love it! The stock PU's work fine for the level at which I play. Honestly, I can't tell enough difference to justify a swap...
Just did the same to my MIM Tele Deluxe which sounded pretty awful stock, the Wide Range Fenders sound fantastic, I also used 1 meg pots which I think they need to get the most of the chime and attack, only thing with 1 megs is there is a fast roll off....once you get to half way they are pretty much on zero, only seems to affect the vol and not the tone, a small price to pay, I won't change 'em
Thanks dor the demo. The new ones sound fuller and deeper.
Quick question, did you have to modify the SQuier at all to fit the Fender CuNiFe? Or did they fit into the existing pickup route? Im thinking of putting some in my Starcaster.
Nope, they fit into the existing holes!
For gunstreet, did you go Treble Bleed of 50’s wiring.
@@TheInstantClassic86 this one I did the third option, Modern Wiring, but on my Casino I did 50s Wiring and I enjoyed that too!
The original pickups are not far off, but the cunife pickups have a certain complexity that the squier pickups lack. Either way I'm gassing for a starcaster now
The stock pickups surprised me. Originaly I was looking for a Telecaster Thinline 72 the one with the two WRH. Then a Squier Starcaster turned up for sale today. Looking forward to collecting it at the weekend. Good demo.
Wow. It's like someone took the blanket off of the pickups. I do the same thing with all of my gretsch style guitars with TV Jones TV Classics. I put 1 Meg pots in. Chime for days. Did you do just the volumes or did you do the tone pots too? Is the harness that you bought available to buy, or is it a special order. Where can I get it? Also, where can I get the knobs? I'm about to purchase a Starcaster, and I want to have all the work done at once. Thanks.
Thanks!! I did volumes and tones, and I used Gunstreet Wiring Shop! The knobs I got from LoveMySwitches.com.
@@JoeEdelmann3Thanks!!!
Nice! I'm currently in the process of upgrading my Starcaster, as well. I went with some handmade Creamery pickups which I should receive at the end of the month. I'm also using a new harness I just received from Gunstreet. Super interesting to see you upgrading your guitar in a similar way. Great vid, man.
Thanks! Cool - I hear awesome things about the Creamerys also!
Thanks! Cool - I hear awesome things about the Creamerys also!
Really great comparison and stellar choice of demoing Radiohead.
Very interesting video! Noticed the different. Can’t wait for your to play with that guitar 🎸 on a future vid.
Hi Joe! I just got this amazing guitar! Are the 1meg pots the same size as the stock 500ks, or there needs to be some adjustment done to the guitar? Also can you please send a link or exact brand and model name to the 1meg pots you put into the guitar?
Hey there! It’s a great guitar! I got CTS pots - the thread is a little wider than the stock metric import pots in the guitar so you or a luthier will likely have to ream the holes a little to make it fit.
Great, thank you! Are the stock pickup sound samples in the video with the original 500k pots? Everything stock there?
Awesome demo. Thanks!
This has been the most thorough, articulate, and thoughtful youtube demo I have ever seen. I am really impressed by your methodology. Liked. Subscribed.
Plus, Radiohead, and not some more mindless soloing that says nothing other than, "Hey look at MEEEEE!"
Not that I mind guitar solos, but I don't think they're useful when you're trying to compare pickups.
Bravo.
I made a huge difference on the stock pickups. 1 meg pots and playing with pole.pieces gets you closer than you think
Huge WRHB fan, and have been playing them almost exclusively since I got my first real guitar in 1984. A tip for anyone thinking of buying the CuNiFe: Original WRHB's, now old, vary even more than than they did when new, which was a lot. I still have that 73 Tele Custom and a 76 Deluxe I bought in the early 90's. If I ever had to replace one of those pickups I'd save 120 bucks and buy a Vintera WRHB on Reverb since in the many shootouts on RUclips they sound closer to vintage originals than the new CuNiFe versions do.
I’ve fallen in love with Interpol since watching your covers, my favourite song right now is Narc, would love to see a cover for it
Another beautiful song your squire is absolutely doing justice! Can't say a Radiohead fave, they all are!! Cmon.
... ghost horses.. i forget so easy!
I bought the walnut finish classic vibe a few months ago! It really is a great guitar, especially for the price
This is what you were talking about! I only have two guitars right now: a CV Telecaster, and a CV Starcaster. I was thinking about these mods in the future, so I am interested to see what the differences are!
I'm new to your RUclips Channel.
Thanks For Sharing 🎸🎶 💪 ✌
Hi Joe! What pedal are you using here in the bodysnatchers sample?
Hey there! For all gain examples I’m using the EQD Plumes pedal!
Thank you! I love your channel, huge fan!@@JoeEdelmann3
Hi Joe! As a fan of Radiohead, I've been enjoying and learning a lot from your vids. Not sure that you're gonna check, but here is a quick question. I've just found an good-looking used classic vibe starcaster on market, but also found a major problem. As we all know, the guitar bridge plays huge roles in aspects of not only the sound but also the look. I just realized that it has tuneOmatic kind of bridge while the original one has fixed tailpiece.😅 Will it bother me a lot? I wonder how you think as an actual owner and Radiohead's huge fan.
@@user-wi7gx6ip5h I don’t think the Tuneomatic will bother you! It mostly affects the look, and arguably the feel (due to string break angle) but it should not noticeably affect the sound. That’s mostly in those wide range pickups!
@@JoeEdelmann3 Thank you so much!
I'm checking out Love My Switches right now and I'm wanting to buy so much from them despite not needing a single thing from them. So many fun knobs and switches...
I know, it’s a problem! 😂
Lumni fastnet, Irish sea, I've got a message... Iiiiiiii'm on your siiiiide, nowhere to hide.. :) lovely!
Cunife are way better tho the stock Squier are not bad at all. Totally usable
So excited for this. Looking to get a starcaster soon too!
I'd love to see you cover some Real Estate down the road. Feels like they'd be perfect.
I like the stock pickups better I think. Sounds a little grittier. Will leave mine in on mine. For strings I really like chromes on a Starcaster. Thanks for the vid.
The stocks are pretty great as is. No problem! Ooh, I bet flats sound pretty sweet on it!
@@JoeEdelmann3 Ya I don't mind that they don't sound like a wide range humbucker. (cuz they're regular humbuckers that look like a wide range) Its just more what I'm looking for.
I'll eventually get one for myself!
Nice!! the difference is very noticeable ..what is the reference Gunstreet Wiring? how do i find them?
They’re a shop based in Portland, Oregon, US - excellent, friendly service! gunstreetwiringshop.com/wiring-shopchoose-what-guitar
when you're doing the clean strumming, what song is that? im not too well versed in Radiohead songs lol
the neck pickup, as well
Neck clean strum is You and Whose Army? 😊
@@JoeEdelmann3 thank you :)
Love this review/demo so much. Excellent playing. I wonder what your thoughts are on the affinity model of this starcaster?
Thanks! I haven’t tried the recent Affinity models personally, but i have heard that the Classic Vibes are just a little notch higher in quality feel. Still, both are a pretty great value!
@@JoeEdelmann3 you’re so welcome! And thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me! I appreciate it so much! That makes perfect sense. And this model is probably a closer replica to the original also I could imagine. I love your mods. I have watched so many demos on this guitar and I am so happy I came across yours!!!! I need to buy one after seeing your video!
Nice video! I am only a beginner (7 months), so modding my Starcaster is a thought I will consider far in the future.
I’m not sure how sold I am on the pickup mods. Don’t get me wrong, the differences were clear, but at the end of the day, it seems that there’s more to Jonny’s tone than pickups (whether it be the Tele Plus Lace Sensors, or these Wide Range Pickups). Getting these mods in the future would definitely bring me closer to a true Radiohead tone, but at the same time, playing style/technique almost seems more important? 95% of guitarists I have seen on RUclips with Jonny’s exact gear still sound less like Greenwood than Russell Lissack (of Bloc Party), and Lissack uses a single coil Telecaster, completely different pedals than Greenwood, and a different amp as well. Lissack does have an aggressive playing style though.
This is just rambling. Maybe in a couple of years I’ll have a different opinion, but I would like to hear any thoughts on these viewpoints.
You’re not wrong! Playing technique is crucial to guitar identity, way more than the guitar or pickups. Like I said in another video, Jonny will sound like Jonny on almost any guitar! And also, the stock pickups are more than workable as is!
Spot on and Joe made a good reply. I would say pickups are less important of an upgrade for this guitar. The originals are quite good. And yes, Jonny would sound just like him through a totally different setup, I agree with that.
Focus on your playing, learning how you like the instrument and how aggressive you want to be. I suggest trying different string gauges to see how aggressively you want to play and that will change your tone :) and different picks (if you play with a pick) also recommend on getting a delay pedal (if you don't have one already) as that is really crucial to some of the Jonny licks he plays in various Radiohead songs.
Haven't heard of Bloc Party, will check them out now!
@@SakariKempas Thank you for your reply. I also felt that pedals (such as delays) were much more important to Jonny’s sound, and amp choice as well, especially for Jonny’s distorted sounds.
If you want to get into Bloc Party, I strongly suggest their debut album, Silent Alarm. It’s a seriously beautiful album, with great performances from all 4 members. The first four tracks are probably the ones where Russell Lissack sounds most like Greenwood, but you can definitely here the influence that Radiohead has on the band throughout the album. I would say that this is easily one of the best rock albums in the 21st century, and as much as I love Radiohead, I prefer Silent Alarm over most of their albums (besides Amnesiac, In Rainbows, OK Computer, and King of Limbs).
Unfortunately, besides their second album, A Weekend in the City, I can’t say I like anything else Bloc Party did, besides a couple of songs here and there.
@@ponchotf9383 totally agree on first two bloc party albums, I love those! I listened to the most recent one (Hymns?) but I couldn’t get super into it, their original drummer and bassist were so crucial to their energy.
@@ponchotf9383 nice to see another Bloc Party fan in the comments. I will say Intimacy and Four don’t get as much love but Russell’s playing continues to get better along with his knowledge of pedals. Octopus, Truth, Trojan Horse, Talons, Better Than Heaven have some really good and effective playing and use of delay. Silent Alarm and Weekend in the City are masterpieces but Russell keeps getting better!
It would be interesting to hear the Squier pickups with the 1 Meg pots. That would be a more accurate comparison. This makes me wonder if it’s the pickups or the pots.. I had the affinity version and the wiring and pickups were unusable. It didn’t even get out of the honeymoon phase before they got switched to some h sized p90s. I still never fell in love with it and wishing I had spent the extra for the cv version
It’s a good point and you’re right, this was not the most scientific comparison since two things changed at once. I think the stock electronics weren’t terrible on this CV though. With the 1 meg pots there’s definitely a global brightness increase but I felt like the reactivity and character of the other pickups was still noticeable for me.
Well done demo and comparison! CuNiFE sounds superior for sure. You nailed those Radiohead tones! 🤘
Really cool review. I love squiers, I think they got kind of a bad rep cause they're mostly associated with shitty entry-level guitars, but the truth is that their vintage modified and classic vibe lines are great!
I got a classic vibe jaguar and a J Mascis Jazzmaster and they're excellent guitars!
Thanks! I think it’s hard to shake that branding association but I agree that they’re crushing it lately. when I played this Starcaster in the store I couldn’t believe how well it played. And I’ve tried the Mascis and that thing has really taken off with players too it seems!
We're on the same level here. I used to trash Squiers. Now, I own 3! Like you, I own a CV Jaguar AND a J Mascis Jazzmaster! My newest guitar is a CV Starcaster. Squiers have become an excellent guitar for not a lot of $$$.
The old pickups sound a bit like a piano- especially on the clean tone
New pups have a bit more clarity. Slight but noticeable.
Alright cool all I gotta do now is find some stock squier starcaster pickups and put them in my squier tele. Oh and also to grow a manbun. That too
If you still want to do this I was thinking to upgrade my starcaster pickups and so I’ll sell you the stock ones. I am a real person xD
Do they make a left -handed version of this particular guitar and how much does it cost?
Thank you 😊for your help one other question... How's it sounds for playing "jazz" or Latin ( Bossanova ) music 🎶? ( I'm Left-Handed and play limited guitar / self taught )
Unfortunately I don’t think it comes in a left handed variant 😢 but it would sound great for jazz being a semi hollow body with humbuckers!
Didn’t know there was a squier model of the starcaster. Mine is a reissue made in China but not squier.
A question unrelated to the Starcaster but have you ever had to the idea to redo your older covers? Now that you got all their gear, why don't you do some sort of an updated version of your older covers like those TKOL or OKC ones.
I’ve considered it on occasion, but there’s so many other songs to hit first! 😊
Im hearing a more open sound from the cunife's with more high end and less compression. the originals sounded decent as well tbf
Nice tones and awesome playing! You definitely nailed the bell-like tones in OK Computer. Are you using 1 Meg pots for all four knobs? I am swapping the pickups in my modern player starcaster for the CuNiFe ones. I think It really makes a huge difference.
Thanks ☺️Yep! 1 Meg all around.
Which caps for tone pots?
@@guitarbluz62The 70s Starcasters had 0.22 orange drops
What size are those tone/volume knobs? Medium - 30mm?
Yep!
Wow I think those reissues sound great. They let through just the right amount of brightness!
Definitely!!
Prefer the stock 🤷♂️ They glue better. Notes are muddied together in a good way.
To each their own! I think the stocks definitely sound great too.
Hey man, just to clarify, was the 1meg potentiometers only in when you played the new pickups or in bother versions? Cheers
Just the new one! The originals were 500k I believe.
@@JoeEdelmann3 Ok good to know as the new ones sound quite a bit brighter, thanks!
Can you do a vid on the alternate part for Radiohead-weird fishes as I can’t find an accurate one anywhere. Or point me to some tabs, thanks, love your content btw
Thanks! I have tabs for the Basement version of weird fishes on my Patreon page!
Hey, Joe. Looking at upgrading my wiring on my Starcaster and am wondering how to access the wiring. Is there a cavity behind the bridge pickup or do you have to work through the F-holes? Also, what capacitors do the Squiers come with?
Yeah, you have to work through the f-hole and fish stuff in snd out one at a time…. Part of the joy of semi hollows and why I had my shop help me out on this one. I’m not sure what caps the Squier used, I’ll have to take a look at the old guts!
@@JoeEdelmann3 just took mine in for a guy to take a look at yesterday - decided to roll with .022 orange drops and 1 meg pots. Definitely a job requiring a pro if working through the F-holes.
There are a few videos on RUclips that show you how. If I can do it, anybody can. But it sure is a fiddly job that is a pain in the butt. It's only doable if you take the pickups out first.
I replaced my wiring harness with a Gunstreet harness, 1meg all around. There is an opening beneath the bridge pickup that a full size pot fits through. You will have to enlarge the holes for the pot shafts if you switch from metric to imperial. It was fun and tricky. I used aquarium hose on the pots to help guide it through. Have a plan and don’t lose your patience and you can do it!
...they were really close ,in most situations.
What size knob did you get? Small, medium, or large? I got the numbered large and the knob sweep is only from 0-8. I'm guessing medium?
Yep, the medium!
I wonder what this guy's favorite band is
I like the stock humbuckers,the fender pickups sound brighter it would be interesting to hear the stock pickups with the upgraded wiring loom with the 1mg pots because that would make them brighter and even closer to the fenders I’d have thought?
Really wanted the Fender version they were putting out a few years ago. By the time I was ready to pull the trigger they switched to squire. Don't want to spend that kind of money on a squire. The reissue fenders are pricey now! I'm really sad about it. Really wanted one. Not into the Squires.
Totally your call! at first I was a little worried that I missed the fender series also. But if I remember correctly, the Fender modern player was made in China. The Squier is made in Indonesia. There’s arguably a slight difference in quality between the two, but IMO they’re more similar of a guitar than you’d think despite the slightly cheaper price point! (You could argue the fender was more expensive than it should be, or the Squier punches well above its weight class.) Of course, if what it says on the headstock matters, that’s all a preference and I understand it.
@@JoeEdelmann3 I know the label does not equate quality. My complaint is truly ridiculous. I'm glad you think it's built so we'll. I'll take that into consideration. Your word has a bunch of weight! Thanks for the RH nerd content. Love the channel.
@@danill4381 If you REALLY want a Fender neck then the MIC Modern Player necks are widely available on Ebay - and probably will be for a long time, as they only fit Starcasters - unless people keep trying to fit them on Strats until they realise the extra fret means they are too long.
@@JoeEdelmann3 Got a Cherry Starburst 2014 for $700, in mint condish! Giving this video some more views as I wait for it to arrive. This vid def helped me seal the deal. It's going to sound amazing through my board into my AC30.
very cool demo : just a question : the originals pots are 250k ? 500k ? thx :)
Thanks! I believe the original pots were 500k all around!
@@JoeEdelmann3 I have an other question : Did you have to enlarge / redrilling the hole for the pots with the CTS? As it is in US format and those of origin are in Asian format (smaller hole).
@@fullmoonlittlehouse yes, I had my local shop install the harness and I am fairly sure they had to ream the holes a bit for the larger pots than the original metric ones!
@@JoeEdelmann3 thx :)
My only complain with this model is that it's not a body-thru like the original. I mean... sound-wise it might be on the mojo section, but it's a scientific mojo imo. Great video anyway!
Premier signia maple and zildjian k's now!!?? :D
Haha I wish!
I have my starcaster in the mail and was thinking about doing a total upgrade like this to it so it will last me forever
It’s a great guitar (with and without the upgrades)! Enjoy!
Sounds really close to stock. What did the upgrades cost?
CuNiFe pickups were created to get
Are you related to #11 ?
Haha as in Julian Edelman? Nope! We spell ours differently anyways. Plus I’m a Giants fan 😉
@@JoeEdelmann3 dig the Starcaster vid. I'm looking for a good semi hollow body that sounds good but won't break the bank.
Some hollow body action!
Jazzmasters sound great with vol and tone at 7. Up the vol to 10 for “boost”.
Was wondering what the layout of your wiring harness? Did you go with CTS pots or Bourns? What about 50s or Modern?
I went with CTS, 1 Meg all around, in Modern wiring configuration!
@@JoeEdelmann3 I’ve got a Starcaster and really love how your wiring harness, and pickups gave it some more cut. Any reason why Modern over 50s?
@@gafarbello107 I was just trying to get close to the 70s spec, so at that time I presume they were no longer using that method…. Plus the 1Meg Pots are so bright that I wanted to have the full range of motion of my tone knobs 😅 But I did try 50s Wiring in my Epiphone Casino and thought it was also pretty cool! On most guitars, I like when the volume knob (whether via bleed or 50s) preserves treble when rolling back, so that you can get lighter fuzz or amp distortion tones.
@@JoeEdelmann3 I pulled the plug on a Gunstreet wiring harness for my Starcaster and went with the 50s wiring after hearing your Casino video. I’m hesitant with the 1meg pots, because I don’t want it to be too bright like how they were on my Jazzmaster, but I’m good with tweaking the tone more. Love your videos and thank you for chatting back with me; I know you’ve got your own life but just wanna say I really appreciate it!
@@gafarbello107 no problem! Happy to help. Gunstreet is great and I bet you’ll love the harness ✌️
Do you think a rewire would help the Squiers? I know they use cheap stuff and 250K tone pots.
I think it helps a little (specifically the pot value if not so much the make and assembly)! The stock pickups are actually quite good for the price, but a fresh set of electronics could definitely take them further.
Good video and sound examples but we would disagree with you that it’s light. Our Epiphone ES-339 is light, this one not so much unless ours in a walnut color is somehow an extra two lbs heavier ;-)
😆 maybe it’s just mine? Or maybe my benchmark is a hernia popping Les Paul? 😅
Neck clean strums sound like radiohead You and whose army
Squire Classic Vibe Starcaster nut is bone not plastic. Cheers.
Some of the earlier ones were plastic. Good to see they've adopted the bone now though.
I heard a little difference, if I had a starcaster, I don't change the pick ups (my tastes)
and you paid someone to do that!!! cheap soldering iron and a bit of nouse free!!! hope they did``````````````nt charge you much if mine sounded like that it would be gone! thank god it dos¬nt its my go to daily player
tanto le vas a copiar!!!!!
I was fixing to say.are you going to talk or play the dam thing??
500 k on a fender is overkill ! Spikey ice pick. Painful for the audience.
waste of time and money, mine sounds better as original and a hall of fame pedal, total cost $24
terrible , Th Starcaster can sound amazing, but not on here!!