I personally liked the original PUP's, I think you can get the sound of the replacement ones with the use of noise gates and EQ since you are losing so much brightness. Maybe it is my speakers that are not picking up the details, but for a strat, I think the original pickups are closer to what it should sound like. But lovely video, I love the work you have put into every single one you have produced. Keep them coming, I love to learn and you sure do a great job teaching.
Phil, you spent $200 for the guitar and $695 for the parts. You could buy one kick-butt guitar for $900, with higher quality woods and craftmanship out of the box. That said I enjoyed the video as always. I never miss a "Know your gear" video. You have a big heart and are one most positive and honest people on RUclips. That is very rare these days. Keep you the good work.
Usually ppl buy the guitar and upgrade it one new part each time... not all at once.. and of course some ppl do upgrade on a guitar you’ve been using and already love...
Yeah but could he had bought a guitar with better woods and craftsmanship for that price, plus the things he put in this strat? Probably not, that's the thing about moding guitars that people just don't seem to understand..
@@lucasamoriim5126 usually people upgrade one part at a time. Buy a 200 300 dollar guitar that feels fine, then slowly upgrade small parts here and there. Sometimes it's easier to break it up into smaller parts bit by bit. It's a lot easier to buy a 300 dollar guitar and put 500 dollars into it over the course of 5 years or so vs going right out and buying an 800 dollar guitar, and some people just enjoy working on things. "Built not bought" so to speak. That and I've noticed that it takes increasingly more money to get guitars that are decent from the electronics side these days. My 700 dollar ibanez is going to get new pickups here soon and probably electronics as a whole, and I've had it for nearly a year. There's no way in hell I could have afforded a 1000 dollar guitar at that point in time, and I feel like I'd get my money's worth more by upgrading the current axe than selling it and buying a new one, plus I love the way it feels and it's perfect for me in every other way. Also frankly the difference the wood makes isn't as big as people make it out to be. It affects the tone, but pickups and electronics are more important.
@@Sheltada Exactly. I think the trick is to get a nice builded cheap guitar. I have a cheap ltd that I've been modifiyng. It didn't sounded that great before, but the build quality was better than most entry level guitars and I could go with it for a long time until I can afford a more premium guitar.
Philip good video I have a question do you know if that Vegas tremolo system if they have one for a Harley Bentley cst-24t? Clearly it's not a Stratocaster it's more of a PRS Style but I would love to replace it with one good enough but you just said you were going to put one on your expensive guitar haha because this one was so cheap
Phillip McKnight - I love your channel, I've learned quite a bit from you over the last year, enough that I do the setup work on all my friend's guitars. One thing that I've never seen you mention is using teflon thread tape in the tuning keys when you mount them. I've had issues on a few guitars with them vibrating loose over time. To keep them tightened up, I give the threads a few turns of teflon tape the first time I restring. I haven't had a problem since, and unlike threadlocker or superglue, it comes right off if you need to replace a tuner.
If you ever come to Atlanta, you got huge fans working at Righteous guitars. A.k.a. Me (Zack) and the other new guy Alex. I usually watch your videos having experience in the topic but your charisma is amazing even if I'm not learning something. I've learned tons from you, especially things about gear I've never sold or worked on. I've also learned some manners from you, believe it or not. Thank you for your work!
That's a pretty huge compliment from a shop that looks to be one of the finest ones around! Yeah, Phil indeed does have a casual, friendly manner about him. My understanding from people who have met him IRL is that he's exactly the same on-camera as he is off-camera - except he swears more off-camera. Which means he's even cooler IRL. :)
RC32 there’s a lot you can do with less tools than you think. I’ve built guitars with just a $20 drill, a$3 soldering iron, and a Phillips screwdriver and a couple sheets of sandpaper. That’s a big part of what I show on my channel.
@@WolfGuitarsandGear Ahh that's really cool to hear man. I definitely know that it's possible to build from scratch, but I definitely need very much learning in craftsmanship on that scale
Hey Phil! This Tagima TG530 is very popular here in Brazil. I bought one used for less than US$ 80, and the funny thing is that Tagima has an even more affordable brand called Memphis (yeah, right? Haha), and they share the same electronics and hardware. I have a video on my channel reviewing a Fiesta Red Memphis strat (amazing for its price), and another one comparing a modded inexpensive Memphis Les Paul (with Brazilian pickups) and a Gibson with a blind test. It's in Portuguese, but I think you're gonna like hearing how these guitars sounded. Thanks for your amazing work and cheers from Brazil!
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Funny that I watched this tonight.. earlier today I installed a MojoTone Blender harness in my 97’ HHS American Strat that now houses Custom Shop 57’s..the blender allows so many more tones than the stock pickups and wiring.. Thanks Phil, and it was really easy to fit up!! Rick it on!!
Phillip, as always, you're time and effort to make this is greatly appreciated, as is your keen business sense. I'm a proud low-level Patreon supporter and the value you provide there is beyond any of the other channels i support. Thank you.
Quick sidenote : I'm very excited for your 2020 youTube Pickup Shootout Series. The old pups here are harsh and brittle, the MoJo Tone warm and smooth. HUGE upgrade. Guitar Players, Phil is _THE MAN_. He'll teach you tips that will save you a bundle! Check out his "How to Intonate" video, playing a well-setup, and in-tune guitar makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. When you sound better, you play longer, and learn more !!
Hey Phil, please keep this series up as a regular. It's so good. You've inspired me as well to do this for my friends. And now I can even make a small profit, nothing that will change my life, but it's awesome to work on guitars and learn more about them and aftermarket gear. Thanks so much Phil, Cheers from Belgium...!
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Cool video as always Phil! Love Marty...one of the 1st RUclipsrs I discovered...even before you! Thanks again for showing us what and how to do upgrades and improvements like this...gave me the confidence to do these things myself! 😎🎸🤘
I bought that exact mojotone harness, and the experience was horrible. That cheap plastic piece that you insert the leads into has very little longevity. I was very careful to press those buttons down gently, and I got it all wired up, except the hot lead from the output jack because the button got stuck and wouldn’t come out. I got a replacement from mojotone. Installed it, then a couple months later I got a new set of pickups, and...same freaking problem. I had to solder it. So, lesson learned. Don’t use these wireless kits if you actually plan to try out different pickups. I was very gentle with it because of the first experience, and it still broke with very little use. They need to either upgrade that cheap plastic, or people just need to be aware how fragile they are. I don’t recommend them at all. Otherwise, great video Phil. I am a big fan of your channel! You have helped me to learn a lot. Thanks
The Mojotone noiseless pickups weren't as jangly as the stock ones, but they still sounded pretty good! It's one of the few noiseless sets I would consider.
Whoever comes out with a humbucker that sounds like a single coil will own the market. Hasn't happened yet. Interesting bridge and tuner upgrades though 😃
Phil must have done a good job on this guitar because Marty STILL plays it many of his videos going on 3 years later. Marty has dozens of guitars, I don't think he would be using this one often unless it sounded great.
I pulled my fully loaded 2010 American Standard Stratocaster pickguard off my Tagima 530 Woodstock in Red and put the original back on the guitar just yesterday. Neat bridge conversion.
I wouldn’t have mentioned my vac for Christmas, but then you showed why it’s even for guitars. The Tool Bear turned is “makers” onto a Ryobi battery and free tool Black Friday deal. I had to go into big-orange to get that 3-gal vac, though it turned out they finally got them in for the day. That vac was youtube reviewed because it all self contained and small enough to store in a cabinet. It can clean work areas and because it’s medium sized you can just tote it around, no chord but it has some guts. I have a Traeger and a Wolf stove that get stuff caught and it ends up stopping ignition, that’s my main thing other than I’m tired of my bulky wet-dry and the cord. I think it will be good for the guitars too because using it isn’t a project.
I have that same multitool, it's great to have all I need for guitar in one place, no need to go to my toolbox to dig out that really specific allen key from under a million other things..
Hey, Phil! Great vid! Now I can sell all of my tools! Just a heads up! I didn’t see a link for the bridge in the description if you wanna add that! Thanks, man!!
Dude! Been watching your channel a few years and I never comment. I had to say something about this one because It is really giving me ideas!! Not that your other videos did not. This one just hit me in a certain way. I have hip shots on my favorite gigging Guitar and the reliability and staggaring is nice!! I also have some Guitar Fetish locking tuners on a Prince Copy Tele from Thomanne, Harley Benton brand that in a year of gigging have not let me down!! Keep doing what U do bro!! Lots of brain food I can use to make a better Guitfiddle playing me!! By the way, both sets of pickups have their merits and drawbacks in your video. 60 cycle hum is an issue for some of the places I play. I like noisy and noiseless stuff from Guitar Fetish because they kinda give me the Nile Rogers strum tone I am after (on a budget) when playing very clean, but can at the same time scream on high gain when I need it. But you convinced me I should give Mojotone an audition. Vega trem bridge was what interested in, but your other comments kept me listening!
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Great Video Phil ...I personally love the darker sound and design of the Mojo pups. My hrs were cut back at work and had to sell my electric to pay some bills.... but, after the holidays hopefully things will pickup and I get some OT to support my Guitar/Music habit 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😂😂😂. No worries I still have my acoustic 🎸🎸🎸. Your vids help guys like me so much....In my opinion your so honest & transparent as compared to most...which is super cool in the day and times that we live. Rock On Brother !!!
TG530? That guitar is amazing! I own one for about a year now (same red color, but with Tagima's new headstock), and I have just done a few mods to it. It is a very common choice around here for people that want a beginner guitar or a solid base for doing some mods. I see all the time people buying those and installing national pickups, like Malagoli pickups, that are very good. I'm really happy to see them being recognized in other countries too. Great video as always and keep up the good work! Cheers from Brazil! 🇧🇷
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
I think it makes more sense to put reasonably priced parts in a cheap guitar to mod it and make it better than it is. When the mods cost as much as a Fender why bother you have a $1,000 Tagima. I do love the videos and the info is great. Show guys how to take a cheap guitar and make a good one for a couple hundred bucks. Keep up the great info!
First love your channel. You really had me going with the Vega Trem. I have a 2013 American Standard Strat and I've never been very keen on the trem so I never use it. I'm really an avid beginner and getting long in the tooth (65). I'm re inventing my youth. You made the comment of how important it was to save all of the old hardware. I have 9 guitars (all bought in the last year) and the Strat is by far my favorite. When I went to the Vega Trem site, unknown cash in hand and ouchhhhhh. 240.00 euro. I never plan on selling my Strat but I could buy another Harley Benton (I have two now, really enjoying them, ). I'm going to hold off for know. My wife threatened bodily changes if I brought another guitar into the home so I'm being sly with modes. Again, love your videos but the good angel prevailed, no new trem for now. Looking forward to the next video.
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Godo timing...planning on doing pretty much the same thing to my partscaster. Updating the tuning keys, wiring and tremolo. Although different brands. Sticking with the texas specials, though, but I did a crap job with the soldering years ago and the pre-wired has a blend option. ...I just need to reogranize a bit, get all my tools in one place, and clear a space to start my projects.
I actually liked the original bridge pickup best. I would just use a cheap Behringer noise reducer pedal to get rid of the hum. The tuners and bridge seem pretty sweet though.
Not trying to be picky here, but you cut the jack off to remove the old pickups - so restoration does need soldering. :-) Awesome video, highly appreciate that you show such “beginner level” stuff also.
Phillip McKnight Yes, these are great! I use their LP style kit. TBH from all the solderless kits I, tried I like the Obsidianwire ones the best so far.
I put pribola blues classic pickups in my white squier standard series with the maple board and big headstock , it’s the ultimate Hendrix Woodstock look and sound alike 👌
I like the “cheap” original pickups!? I own a ton of S types from Custom Shop, Knaggs, PRS, etc…and after watching videos on the T635 model specifically…I’m getting one! 🤘😎🎸
Great video... If cheap upgrades becomes a theme i have had fantastic luck with cheap amazon pickups. Every generic set of alnico single coils sounds batter than most stocks up into the $500 range. But anyway love the channel this is a cool upgrade
Now I would love to see you redo a Fender Custom Shop guitar, with all them parts you removed from that $100 guitar, and hear how that changes the tone on a very expensive guitar!...Cheers!
It's hard to tell listening on You Tube. But the new pickups did not sound any better then the old pickups, just diffrent. I would not be happy with that considering how cheap the original pickups were, and how much the new pickups cost. Thanks for all the great videos and info.
The new pickups by no mean sound bad, but they just don’t sound like single coils to me. I’ve always enjoyed single coils over humbuckers and can live with a little hum.
Hi Phillip, great videos btw...Hipshot offers a few locking tuners...I just purchased the tagima 530...what locking tuners from hipshot did you install exactly. Thank You
Phill, if you can get your hands on a Tagima T900, I just bought one. It's their higher end tele style. I am in love with it and I'm sure people have never heard of their high end stuff. Plus it's still relatively cheap, a lot cheaper than a USA tele.
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Is that blue guitar with white pickguard behind you a Duesenberg Bonneville? I love the shape of it. Do other makers use that shape; is there is style name for it? I like your style of presenting this info. Though giving some idea of the costs would be cool. Thanks!
Hello Philipp, thank you very much. I used sandpaper and graphite from a pencil. Now my guitar stays in tuned. I’m very happy because I love the dimarzios which are in the guitar. Could you make videos with one humbucker and one volume knob (like Van Halen) and the 2nd Video humbucker, volume tone. 3rd video 2 humbucker, one volume and so on?
I still prefer hovering a ringing pitch fork to tapping the pickups, which risks scratching covered ones. .....but I guess for this video that would count as a tool. :)
Love my woodstock series strat! Can you confirm what vega trem you put on this? Pretty sure my measurement is right that this guitar has a 2 1/16" spacing. Thanks for this video, hope you're well!
That bridge has my interest and so does the no solder electronics. The new pickups however dont sound like single coils. But I think you could use any pickups with that no solder kit right?
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Thanks for the video! I have a question though : the Vega trem system looks great but it’s too expensive and also I can’t find a way to get it from my current location. Is there another tremolo system you can recommend? Thanks again!
victor formosa I have the Tagima 635..it sounds amazing. This was the cheaper 530 model. For the money Tagima blows Squier, Yamaha, and all those other strat copy brands out of the competition.
@@Taylor-dl2kr yes, it's very underrated, I also have the higher spec copy, with the alnico pick ups, I need to sand down the frets a little, if you have a good amp, they sound great, that's a nice guitar you have, nice to know your happy with it, which country are you living. I am in the phlippines.
There is this solder less system that I use called Mad Hatter Guitar Products, and I want to know your opinion on them. I think they're pretty fantastic and of course this is a subjective matter. But I love the tone that comes from it and how easy it was for me to install it.
Heyoo Phil, you should get one of the last squier active Stratocaster HH made with a rosewood fingerboard I got mine and I love it, it’s a $400 squier I would like to see what you think about it
Hello Phillip! Since you made the Ibanez AZ video something has been on my mind. How would you sharpen the ones made in Indonesia? Really like your videos :^)
This channel is the reason I’m currently upgrading my monoprice Indio telecaster. $99 & I’m blown away by the quality of the instrument. Smokes any Squier tele. I’d reccomend checking them out on Amazon or monoprice.com.
The original pickups seem like they would sound better if you want that dirty crunchy sound, the new pickups are if you want that clean rock sound, funk even jazz, and just a normal guitar sound
Great improvement in sound and I'll take your word for improvement of the 'feel'. With the cost of the mods, is it better than either a mim or american strat? Great video!
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
@@PhillipMcKnight I installed one on my MIM strat. It cost as much as the strat(LOL) but the improvement on tone and feel was worth it. Thanks again for your videos!
@@GmanMusicProductions Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Right On Phil!! Thanks so much for putting such awesome work into that guitar! You're the man! Hope to hang again soon my friend!
Marty! You spoiled the surprise!
I see you as one of the must trustable and reliable youtubers
Love your vids, keep it up man
Thank you, that means a lot and I take that trust very very seriously.
I personally liked the original PUP's, I think you can get the sound of the replacement ones with the use of noise gates and EQ since you are losing so much brightness. Maybe it is my speakers that are not picking up the details, but for a strat, I think the original pickups are closer to what it should sound like. But lovely video, I love the work you have put into every single one you have produced. Keep them coming, I love to learn and you sure do a great job teaching.
Same, same
Phil, you spent $200 for the guitar and $695 for the parts. You could buy one kick-butt guitar for $900, with higher quality woods and craftmanship out of the box. That said I enjoyed the video as always. I never miss a "Know your gear" video. You have a big heart and are one most positive and honest people on RUclips. That is very rare these days. Keep you the good work.
Hey don't forget you can remove those parts. put them in your next project. Keep them for a lifetime. Sounds like they would be worth it. Rock on
Usually ppl buy the guitar and upgrade it one new part each time... not all at once.. and of course some ppl do upgrade on a guitar you’ve been using and already love...
Yeah but could he had bought a guitar with better woods and craftsmanship for that price, plus the things he put in this strat? Probably not, that's the thing about moding guitars that people just don't seem to understand..
@@lucasamoriim5126 usually people upgrade one part at a time. Buy a 200 300 dollar guitar that feels fine, then slowly upgrade small parts here and there. Sometimes it's easier to break it up into smaller parts bit by bit. It's a lot easier to buy a 300 dollar guitar and put 500 dollars into it over the course of 5 years or so vs going right out and buying an 800 dollar guitar, and some people just enjoy working on things. "Built not bought" so to speak. That and I've noticed that it takes increasingly more money to get guitars that are decent from the electronics side these days. My 700 dollar ibanez is going to get new pickups here soon and probably electronics as a whole, and I've had it for nearly a year. There's no way in hell I could have afforded a 1000 dollar guitar at that point in time, and I feel like I'd get my money's worth more by upgrading the current axe than selling it and buying a new one, plus I love the way it feels and it's perfect for me in every other way.
Also frankly the difference the wood makes isn't as big as people make it out to be. It affects the tone, but pickups and electronics are more important.
@@Sheltada Exactly. I think the trick is to get a nice builded cheap guitar. I have a cheap ltd that I've been modifiyng. It didn't sounded that great before, but the build quality was better than most entry level guitars and I could go with it for a long time until I can afford a more premium guitar.
Marty's video of the guitar was great! I highly recommend checking it out
Hi Zach, that is a cool idea. I like it!
Maybe a Sweetwater one also?
Philip good video I have a question do you know if that Vegas tremolo system if they have one for a Harley Bentley cst-24t? Clearly it's not a Stratocaster it's more of a PRS Style but I would love to replace it with one good enough but you just said you were going to put one on your expensive guitar haha because this one was so cheap
Tagima makes great affordable guitars I have the tw61 which is the jazzmaster copy👍🤘
Phillip McKnight - I love your channel, I've learned quite a bit from you over the last year, enough that I do the setup work on all my friend's guitars.
One thing that I've never seen you mention is using teflon thread tape in the tuning keys when you mount them. I've had issues on a few guitars with them vibrating loose over time. To keep them tightened up, I give the threads a few turns of teflon tape the first time I restring. I haven't had a problem since, and unlike threadlocker or superglue, it comes right off if you need to replace a tuner.
If you ever come to Atlanta, you got huge fans working at Righteous guitars. A.k.a. Me (Zack) and the other new guy Alex. I usually watch your videos having experience in the topic but your charisma is amazing even if I'm not learning something. I've learned tons from you, especially things about gear I've never sold or worked on. I've also learned some manners from you, believe it or not. Thank you for your work!
That's a pretty huge compliment from a shop that looks to be one of the finest ones around! Yeah, Phil indeed does have a casual, friendly manner about him. My understanding from people who have met him IRL is that he's exactly the same on-camera as he is off-camera - except he swears more off-camera. Which means he's even cooler IRL. :)
Joe Satchton I've heard about the relentless sarcasm and it's endearing!
You have just inspired me to finally commit to my partscastor project I have been wanting to do for a long time. 2020 will be Partscastor year!
You had all the time in the world for the parts caster last year, did you do it?
Now that's definitely something I want to know about, not being the most accessible with gear and tool! Awesome and informative indeed!
RC32 there’s a lot you can do with less tools than you think. I’ve built guitars with just a $20 drill, a$3 soldering iron, and a Phillips screwdriver and a couple sheets of sandpaper. That’s a big part of what I show on my channel.
@@WolfGuitarsandGear Ahh that's really cool to hear man. I definitely know that it's possible to build from scratch, but I definitely need very much learning in craftsmanship on that scale
Hey Phil! This Tagima TG530 is very popular here in Brazil. I bought one used for less than US$ 80, and the funny thing is that Tagima has an even more affordable brand called Memphis (yeah, right? Haha), and they share the same electronics and hardware. I have a video on my channel reviewing a Fiesta Red Memphis strat (amazing for its price), and another one comparing a modded inexpensive Memphis Les Paul (with Brazilian pickups) and a Gibson with a blind test. It's in Portuguese, but I think you're gonna like hearing how these guitars sounded. Thanks for your amazing work and cheers from Brazil!
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight
Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Great mods.I love the new pickups. Great tone.
Phillip, you're the best of the best. My favorite guitar RUclipsr, and a real inspiration. Keep up the great work.
Funny that I watched this tonight.. earlier today I installed a MojoTone Blender harness in my 97’ HHS American Strat that now houses Custom Shop 57’s..the blender allows so many more tones than the stock pickups and wiring.. Thanks Phil, and it was really easy to fit up!! Rick it on!!
Definitely like the sound of the pickups. Great choice
Thanks for sharing
I like how clean your workspace is! That really helps my ocd
Phillip, as always, you're time and effort to make this is greatly appreciated, as is your keen business sense. I'm a proud low-level Patreon supporter and the value you provide there is beyond any of the other channels i support. Thank you.
Quick sidenote : I'm very excited for your 2020 youTube Pickup Shootout Series. The old pups here are harsh and brittle, the MoJo Tone warm and smooth. HUGE upgrade.
Guitar Players, Phil is _THE MAN_. He'll teach you tips that will save you a bundle!
Check out his "How to Intonate" video, playing a well-setup, and in-tune guitar makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. When you sound better, you play longer, and learn more !!
Guitar sounds way better! Impressed by that Vega bridge!
Hey Phil, please keep this series up as a regular. It's so good. You've inspired me as well to do this for my friends. And now I can even make a small profit, nothing that will change my life, but it's awesome to work on guitars and learn more about them and aftermarket gear.
Thanks so much Phil,
Cheers from Belgium...!
Hey! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight
Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.
Love the solder-less pickup wiring...glad to see other manufactures doing what emg has done for a while
Cool video as always Phil! Love Marty...one of the 1st RUclipsrs I discovered...even before you! Thanks again for showing us what and how to do upgrades and improvements like this...gave me the confidence to do these things myself! 😎🎸🤘
I bought that exact mojotone harness, and the experience was horrible. That cheap plastic piece that you insert the leads into has very little longevity. I was very careful to press those buttons down gently, and I got it all wired up, except the hot lead from the output jack because the button got stuck and wouldn’t come out. I got a replacement from mojotone. Installed it, then a couple months later I got a new set of pickups, and...same freaking problem. I had to solder it. So, lesson learned. Don’t use these wireless kits if you actually plan to try out different pickups. I was very gentle with it because of the first experience, and it still broke with very little use. They need to either upgrade that cheap plastic, or people just need to be aware how fragile they are. I don’t recommend them at all. Otherwise, great video Phil. I am a big fan of your channel! You have helped me to learn a lot. Thanks
The Mojotone noiseless pickups weren't as jangly as the stock ones, but they still sounded pretty good! It's one of the few noiseless sets I would consider.
Sharpen videos are my favorite.
... don't forget to keep your work area clean.
i can see how the noiseless pickups would be easier for live, high gain sounds, but I think I like the original pickups better tbh
Whoever comes out with a humbucker that sounds like a single coil will own the market. Hasn't happened yet. Interesting bridge and tuner upgrades though 😃
Phil must have done a good job on this guitar because Marty STILL plays it many of his videos going on 3 years later. Marty has dozens of guitars, I don't think he would be using this one often unless it sounded great.
Still cant beat real single coils. Nice setup though.
I pulled my fully loaded 2010 American Standard Stratocaster pickguard off my Tagima 530 Woodstock in Red and put the original back on the guitar just yesterday. Neat bridge conversion.
I wouldn’t have mentioned my vac for Christmas, but then you showed why it’s even for guitars. The Tool Bear turned is “makers” onto a Ryobi battery and free tool Black Friday deal. I had to go into big-orange to get that 3-gal vac, though it turned out they finally got them in for the day. That vac was youtube reviewed because it all self contained and small enough to store in a cabinet. It can clean work areas and because it’s medium sized you can just tote it around, no chord but it has some guts. I have a Traeger and a Wolf stove that get stuff caught and it ends up stopping ignition, that’s my main thing other than I’m tired of my bulky wet-dry and the cord. I think it will be good for the guitars too because using it isn’t a project.
Oooh!!! That is exactly the same Tagima as mine, model, color and all! Thanks for this video Phil!
I definitely liked the sound of the old pickups better in every comparison, but the rest of it was awesome!
Super informative! Thanks Phillip.
I have that same multitool, it's great to have all I need for guitar in one place, no need to go to my toolbox to dig out that really specific allen key from under a million other things..
This is such a great series ~ thanks Phil McK!
Hey, Phil! Great vid! Now I can sell all of my tools! Just a heads up! I didn’t see a link for the bridge in the description if you wanna add that! Thanks, man!!
Dude! Been watching your channel a few years and I never comment. I had to say something about this one because It is really giving me ideas!! Not that your other videos did not. This one just hit me in a certain way. I have hip shots on my favorite gigging Guitar and the reliability and staggaring is nice!! I also have some Guitar Fetish locking tuners on a Prince Copy Tele from Thomanne, Harley Benton brand that in a year of gigging have not let me down!! Keep doing what U do bro!! Lots of brain food I can use to make a better Guitfiddle playing me!! By the way, both sets of pickups have their merits and drawbacks in your video. 60 cycle hum is an issue for some of the places I play. I like noisy and noiseless stuff from Guitar Fetish because they kinda give me the Nile Rogers strum tone I am after (on a budget) when playing very clean, but can at the same time scream on high gain when I need it. But you convinced me I should give Mojotone an audition. Vega trem bridge was what interested in, but your other comments kept me listening!
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Great Video Phil ...I personally love the darker sound and design of the Mojo pups. My hrs were cut back at work and had to sell my electric to pay some bills.... but, after the holidays hopefully things will pickup and I get some OT to support my Guitar/Music habit 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😂😂😂. No worries I still have my acoustic 🎸🎸🎸. Your vids help guys like me so much....In my opinion your so honest & transparent as compared to most...which is super cool in the day and times that we live. Rock On Brother !!!
TG530? That guitar is amazing! I own one for about a year now (same red color, but with Tagima's new headstock), and I have just done a few mods to it. It is a very common choice around here for people that want a beginner guitar or a solid base for doing some mods. I see all the time people buying those and installing national pickups, like Malagoli pickups, that are very good. I'm really happy to see them being recognized in other countries too. Great video as always and keep up the good work! Cheers from Brazil! 🇧🇷
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I think it makes more sense to put reasonably priced parts in a cheap guitar to mod it and make it better than it is. When the mods cost as much as a Fender why bother you have a $1,000 Tagima. I do love the videos and the info is great. Show guys how to take a cheap guitar and make a good one for a couple hundred bucks. Keep up the great info!
That blue Dano is a beauty !
Awesome! Amazing how fast you got all that work done
I really appreciate it when someone shows us kids, "Hey, you can do this!" Do not be afraid, but instead get to 'Know Your Gear.'
I have installed 2 of the Obsidian Wire systems and they are fantastic.
Another inspiring video mate, thanks 🙏
First love your channel. You really had me going with the Vega Trem. I have a 2013 American Standard Strat and I've never been very keen on the trem so I never use it. I'm really an avid beginner and getting long in the tooth (65). I'm re inventing my youth. You made the comment of how important it was to save all of the old hardware. I have 9 guitars (all bought in the last year) and the Strat is by far my favorite. When I went to the Vega Trem site, unknown cash in hand and ouchhhhhh. 240.00 euro. I never plan on selling my Strat but I could buy another Harley Benton (I have two now, really enjoying them, ). I'm going to hold off for know. My wife threatened bodily changes if I brought another guitar into the home so I'm being sly with modes. Again, love your videos but the good angel prevailed, no new trem for now. Looking forward to the next video.
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love the bridge. I think I need one of those for my MIM strat. :\
Thank you for always explaining stuff in detail. It's freaking great.
I would love to have Phillip sharpen my 50s strat.
mojo bridge sounds delicious with the crunch ! ✌️😎
Godo timing...planning on doing pretty much the same thing to my partscaster. Updating the tuning keys, wiring and tremolo. Although different brands. Sticking with the texas specials, though, but I did a crap job with the soldering years ago and the pre-wired has a blend option.
...I just need to reogranize a bit, get all my tools in one place, and clear a space to start my projects.
I actually liked the original bridge pickup best. I would just use a cheap Behringer noise reducer pedal to get rid of the hum. The tuners and bridge seem pretty sweet though.
Swap pups, money doesnt mean upgraded. Clear here. Lol Love the show phil!
Not trying to be picky here, but you cut the jack off to remove the old pickups - so restoration does need soldering. :-) Awesome video, highly appreciate that you show such “beginner level” stuff also.
Hi BK, the kit came with a new jack, so I just chucked the old one and didnt need to solder at all. I can not convey how impressed I am with the kit.
Phillip McKnight Yes, these are great! I use their LP style kit. TBH from all the solderless kits I, tried I like the Obsidianwire ones the best so far.
Just bought one of these today. I just my copy your mods.
Thanks for the video.
Great sound changer with the mods.
Upgrading a Tagima guitar is a must.
As we like to say in Brazil : Upgraded Tagima kicks Fender's Ass
No
Hey phil i got he same red Roland greettings Form Austria. Appreciate your Videos , keep going!!
I put pribola blues classic pickups in my white squier standard series with the maple board and big headstock , it’s the ultimate Hendrix Woodstock look and sound alike 👌
I love these videos. As a n00b builder/modder you always inspire.
Thanks for more great content Phil!
Love this video! Tagima now have really good guitars under Zaganin supervision...
I like the “cheap” original pickups!? I own a ton of S types from Custom Shop, Knaggs, PRS, etc…and after watching videos on the T635 model specifically…I’m getting one!
🤘😎🎸
I like to also buy a new pickguard. Leave your original hardware on the original pickguard, so it is an easy swap to put it back to original.
Yes don't need any expensive tool but you will need a healthy bank balance with that being said I understand the premise love your channel
The original bridge pup was pretty good.
Great video... If cheap upgrades becomes a theme i have had fantastic luck with cheap amazon pickups. Every generic set of alnico single coils sounds batter than most stocks up into the $500 range. But anyway love the channel this is a cool upgrade
Phill McKnight, the wizard 🧙🏻♂️ of the desert 🌵. You just ooz information. Thanks 🙏🏻
Very nice video Phillip. Right up my newbie Ally.
Now I would love to see you redo a Fender Custom Shop guitar, with all them parts you removed from that $100 guitar, and hear how that changes the tone on a very expensive guitar!...Cheers!
Tagima back!!
Here where I live these modela are considered beginner guitars.
It's hard to tell listening on You Tube. But the new pickups did not sound any better then the old pickups, just diffrent. I would not be happy with that considering how cheap the original pickups were, and how much the new pickups cost. Thanks for all the great videos and info.
VegaTrem, wow. At less than 2 minutes into the video and with only one part, we've already surpassed the total cost of the guitar.
The new pickups by no mean sound bad, but they just don’t sound like single coils to me. I’ve always enjoyed single coils over humbuckers and can live with a little hum.
These guitars look very similar to the sx range, given the headstock
Wouldn't it be awesome if all the big manufacturers could agree on an universal solderles system?
Hi Phillip, great videos btw...Hipshot offers a few locking tuners...I just purchased the tagima 530...what locking tuners from hipshot did you install exactly. Thank You
Phill, if you can get your hands on a Tagima T900, I just bought one. It's their higher end tele style. I am in love with it and I'm sure people have never heard of their high end stuff. Plus it's still relatively cheap, a lot cheaper than a USA tele.
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Is that blue guitar with white pickguard behind you a Duesenberg Bonneville? I love the shape of it. Do other makers use that shape; is there is style name for it?
I like your style of presenting this info. Though giving some idea of the costs would be cool.
Thanks!
Hello Philipp, thank you very much. I used sandpaper and graphite from a pencil. Now my guitar stays in tuned. I’m very happy because I love the dimarzios which are in the guitar. Could you make videos with one humbucker and one volume knob (like Van Halen) and the 2nd Video humbucker, volume tone. 3rd video 2 humbucker, one volume and so on?
I still prefer hovering a ringing pitch fork to tapping the pickups, which risks scratching covered ones. .....but I guess for this video that would count as a tool. :)
Love my woodstock series strat! Can you confirm what vega trem you put on this? Pretty sure my measurement is right that this guitar has a 2 1/16" spacing. Thanks for this video, hope you're well!
Hi Philip! Thanks for sharing this mod! Do you prefer this over Squier's Bullet Strat?
That bridge has my interest and so does the no solder electronics. The new pickups however dont sound like single coils. But I think you could use any pickups with that no solder kit right?
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Nice upgrades! Bridge looks great! Ik guess you did lube the nut thoroughly? thanks Philip.
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The cheap mics, sound great too!!
Great video, Phil!!! Very informative! What's the song beginning at 2:46 when you start removing the springs?
I really love these! Marty got a sub out of it....
Thanks for the video! I have a question though : the Vega trem system looks great but it’s too expensive and also I can’t find a way to get it from my current location.
Is there another tremolo system you can recommend?
Thanks again!
I have seen a good number of reviews om the tagima guitar. I think the pickups they come with sound great.
victor formosa I have the Tagima 635..it sounds amazing. This was the cheaper 530 model. For the money Tagima blows Squier, Yamaha, and all those other strat copy brands out of the competition.
@@Taylor-dl2kr yes, it's very underrated, I also have the higher spec copy, with the alnico pick ups, I need to sand down the frets a little, if you have a good amp, they sound great, that's a nice guitar you have, nice to know your happy with it, which country are you living. I am in the phlippines.
victor formosa Absolutely. I run that thing thru my line 6 hd500x pedalboard and my fender mustang 4 amp...it sounds amazing
@@Taylor-dl2kr Sounds like a good set-up you have. I take it your tagima is a Brazilian make?
victor formosa yes it’s Brazilian made.
There is this solder less system that I use called Mad Hatter Guitar Products, and I want to know your opinion on them. I think they're pretty fantastic and of course this is a subjective matter. But I love the tone that comes from it and how easy it was for me to install it.
Hello from Chile. Is the tagima pickguard size the same as a fender strat? Thinkin' swap for another colour. Tnx. Nice vid
Heyoo Phil, you should get one of the last squier active Stratocaster HH made with a rosewood fingerboard I got mine and I love it, it’s a $400 squier I would like to see what you think about it
NICE! I wonder if that bridge would fit on a Squier contemporary with the 2 point setup. Do the screw holes line up?
I put set of 59 mojo in my squier and it's sound great
Hello Phillip! Since you made the Ibanez AZ video something has been on my mind. How would you sharpen the ones made in Indonesia?
Really like your videos :^)
This channel is the reason I’m currently upgrading my monoprice Indio telecaster. $99 & I’m blown away by the quality of the instrument. Smokes any Squier tele. I’d reccomend checking them out on Amazon or monoprice.com.
The original pickups seem like they would sound better if you want that dirty crunchy sound, the new pickups are if you want that clean rock sound, funk even jazz, and just a normal guitar sound
Great improvement in sound and I'll take your word for improvement of the 'feel'. With the cost of the mods, is it better than either a mim or american strat? Great video!
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That bridge looked cool, similar to a Bladerunner. Have you tried the Bladerunner bridge?
No, but I will look it up. Than you for recamendation.
@@PhillipMcKnight I installed one on my MIM strat. It cost as much as the strat(LOL) but the improvement on tone and feel was worth it. Thanks again for your videos!
The Bladerunner Tremolo is amazing. I added one to my MIM Roadhouse Deluxe Strat and it is a vast improvement even on the Fender 2 point tremolo.
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Nice vid
Thank you