Fantastic blog Mick - so happy we could help you find this guitar. Honestly the comparison to the blue guitar was fantastic. I thought the gold one was smooth & balanced across the whole spectrum. Maybe you’ll hear it back when you watch the video but I preferred the goldie at all times regardless of what you played. I’m not sure you should change anything!!! Anyway - note for myself on Monday morning… order more of that spec guitar 😂😂

This video is infinitely more satisfying knowing that just a short while late Mick got that '61. Hearing him talk about it at the beginning, knowing he then acquired it, made me very happy. Serendipitous indeed. Congrats Mick.

There’s a lot you can learn about pedals, amps and guitars from articles and websites, but there’s a kind of credibility and first hand experience Dan & Mick bring that make TPS one of my favourite shows and places to learn about gear (along with Micks near infectious fetish for strats!)

Loved this episode, the history of Fender guitar colours was fascinating, Goldie sounded incredible to me, I preferred it to blue in many ways but they both sound awesome, looking forward to more vlogs on the new strat 😄🎸

These Mick's _"vlogs"_ are such great content. 👍 Really enjoyed the history part.

I could listen to you talk strats all day Mick. Love it

as far as i can tell Mick deserves ANY and AS MANY Strats he wishes to have...for his spectacular playing and the huge service he's been doing to all of us guitar nerds...congrats to tour new strat,Mick!

Absolutely love TPS vlog’s. We were spoiled with Dan’s lovely acoustic series recently. I really enjoy the effort and thought you both put into this channel. Very much looking forward to part 2.

What a brilliant vlog! Thanks for taking the time to produce it all, I loved the fact we took the journey to Andertons with you, proper NGD feelings! Looking forward to seeing to fettle this strat into being how you want it, pickups, setup etc. Congratulations on a beautiful instrument.

Mick - love this episode. Great, detailed beginning of your journey to get another Strat that is "your own". Looking forward to your updates on your new Strat. I always enjoy watching you and Dan.

I really hope to see more vlog on this strat’s setup and pickup swap. I thoroughly enjoyed watching (and rewatching) Blue’s journey.

I loved this video almost as much as Dan’s acoustic journey. More on this please. Mick, I had a very similar experience with the custom shop Tele that is now my no 1. I tried several in the store (PMT), and this one really stood out for me - lighter body, really nice finish, very resonant when played acoustically and so on. I had it set up by the store and then tweaked it myself over the next year or so. It took that long to get it how I needed it to be and so I could really bond with it. I changed the bridge for a Kluson with the low profile semi-cutaway sides, swapped the single ply pickguard for a bacolite pickguard, and tweaked the truss rod and intonation over the months. I’ve played the hell out of it for 5 years and I wouldn’t swap it for anything else (except maybe Robben Ford’s blonde tele!). It’s now where I need it to be, though I also long for different pickups. I’m thinking Julian Lage’s Ron Ellis set (I play a lot of jazz…). I think if you find the guitar to be perfect from day one it’s probably because your expectations are too low and you just arent paying enough attention to the fine points (and if you aren’t interested in the fine points why drop 3-5k on a guitar?). That strat looks a beauty. Enjoy the journey of getting it under your fingers.

Love VLOG days! Mick’s knowledge of the Strat and especially the heartfelt sentiment at the conclusion of the video we’re just great! Thank you for sharing this experience and we look forward to more music from “Goldie”! 🤘🎸

Falling in and out of love with our guitars is a natural thing. Developing a relationship, understanding the strengths and weaknesses, what we like and don’t like, what needs to change are a process. It took me a long time to acquire a Strat guitar (Partscaster). Now I keep coming back to it for all the reasons you spoke about. The sound, the feel, it’s modular nature, it’s not too precious are all part why I love it. It’s not that it’s the easiest guitar to play, and get great sounds out of, it’s just that it’s Home?

brilliant vlog!! guitar sounded amazing to my ears and also it looks stellar! And thanks for sharing so much knowledge again! Made me think of my personal acquisition of a strat. I really wanted to do it right and do myself a huge favour. So I went into the shop wanting to check for a nice red alder strat.. ..and left the shop with a green Ash-Body-Maple-Neck Strat. It was the neck that spoke to me immediately when I picked it from the shelf. It's a profile they call "10/56 V". And I still love it after ~6 years of playing it ;) Enjoy your nice instruments and thanks again for what you're doing !!

Re:Relic'ing, I'm with Mick. If it's new an shiny, I find myself babying it, obsessing about every nick and ding, then I seem to fall out of love with it. It's stressful to me. If it's a little beat up, I find that I don't stress about accidentally nicking it on a stand. They just feel better to me, emotionally and physically.

The new Strat sounds fantastic on my side of KZfaq. I’m enjoying sitting here in my warm Australian home enjoying watching you drive around in the icy drear of my former home of Guildford.That was the moist interesting video in ages. Thanks Dan and Mick. 😁👍

What a fantastic Vlog Mick! My road worn 62 vintera in Firemist has nearly the exact same neck shape, thanks for the measurements! And thanks a lot for the history of fender gold colors, very interesting! Hope you fell in love with this guitar and stick to it. :)

Brilliant, Mick! I appreciate the honesty in relating your process about acquiring, assessing and playing a Fender Stratocaster. It was also good to hear your personal opinion on a subtle relic job. I'm right there with you.Thank you!!

I love these Strat shows. Though I’m a Les Paul guy, I can see that the Strat is infinitely more tweakable. So many options to consider!

Just a thank you for all of the information you guys put out there. I've been a drummer for decades. Like many people, I picked up playing guitar during the pandemic. Your videos have helped me so much as I've learned about pedals, amps and how they marry together. I will be going beyond simply liking and subscribing. Cheers!

I have the same guitar (62' customshop) in Sunburst. I've never been a Strat guy but that guitar changed everything for me. I've put more miles on it than any other guitar I've owned by far they are astonishing guitars.

Thanks for posting this, Mick. I'm sure many here can relate to the experience of bringing another guitar into the fold. The weight of the decision, the joy of trying it out and realizing it is indeed a good one. What a great guitar.

Love the video. The search for a guitar is so much fun, especially when you put in this much time and effort into the process. My first strat (fender MIM, Classic player, Sonic blue) was inspired by Mick’s blue guitar, and I love it.

I agree with your assessment on relics. In 1984 when I was barely 18 I got my first strat, a 57 reissue. I was looking at new guitars recently and came to the realization that if I bought a new guitar I would have to wait 37 years for the guitar to be as broken in as my strat! That would make me 92(if I am lucky enough to make to 92{my dad is 93 so it might be possible})

Mick, I just love these vlogs! Its so interesting... your journey with this new guitar is not terribly different from mine with my Custom Shop '59 Strat. It took a couple of years, going around LA to every shop that had Custom Shop Strats, playing them all, looking for that one that I really connected with... and after playing something like 15-16 guitars, I had learned enough about what I was looking for. But still couldn't seem to find it one that reached me enough to spend that kind of money. Funnily enough, I ended up taking a chance on a Custom Shop Strat from Sweetwater. They had so many guitars in stock, and it really helped in finding the right one with the specs that I was looking for. Now, I still couldn't find 100% exactly what I wanted, because I would have had to special order it---and I would still probably be waiting for it to be built. But they had one guitar that was close enough, and they were 100% willing to take it back at no charge if I wasn't happy. So nothing to lose! At first I wasn't sure about it... the color, Faded Tahitian Coral, was a little odd (I wanted Fiesta Red) and the neck was a bit slimmer than I wanted, but it had everything else, sounded incredible and was very light. After playing it for a few days I realized the neck was actually really amazing! Its a rift sawn neck with a little touch of flame here and there. It is very stiff and just feels so solid, and so connected with the body. It is thicker without being too chunky and has a great taper. The guitar is 7.2 lbs, is well balanced, and is amazingly resonant and LOUD acoustically. Then I did the same thing you did. I wanted that bridge flat against the body, so I started tweaking, adding springs, moving the saddles, tweaking the intonation... and completely screwed the setup! So down to my local shop it went for a new setup... which didn't improve things much. I still had a buzzy E and A, and the G sounded like a sitar. I had a fret dress done at another shop and that helped a lot more. Finally what worked for me was tweaking it a bit more myself and experimenting with different strings. So... after more than 2 years, two setups, a fret dress and 8 different types, sizes and brands of strings... I finally have a guitar that I can't put down. I guess what I am saying is that you are far from alone in what you are doing here... its a one in a million occurrence to pick up a new guitar and have everything be perfect. It is much more realistic to find a guitar that gets you 90% of the way there and then to spend significant time and effort to get the rest of the way. But once you do, it will be great! Can't wait for the next vlog!

Thanks for sharing the story so far, I continue to learn so much from these about strats, set ups and my own taste. It’s all about the journey and the right kind of problems.

Really enjoyed your process of choosing this guitar plus all the background information you shared. Your connection with a Strat really comes through in you playing.

Loving it, Mick. As a strat guy, I always love to hear you talk about your journey, knowledge learned through experience, and opinions on strats. And specially with all that passion with which you talk about what you love. Awesome, dude. Glad for your new purchase. Best regards!

Brilliant vlog as usual, I love the small bits on motivation, the “whys”, mental health and just the quick stop to appreciate some music in between the gear talk, after all those are just as important and it’s something that it’s easy to forget. Also want to mention that those wayfarers look great on you. Now back to gear talk… I know you probably already considered and they’re a pain to get, but give some Don Mare pickups a go on that strat. I’ve been in a pickup rabbit hole for many years and tried all the major boutique builders and whilst all sounded great there was that 5% that I could only find on the great vintage examples. Finally decided to pull the trigger on a Don Mare pickup (went for a ZepOtone Live paired with VIPots) and I couldn’t believe my ears. I just had no idea my guitar could sound like that and everything I’ve heard on old pickups was there. I didn’t believe the hype but Don is a wizard. I live fairly close to his shop so I got to pick it up in person and spent some time chatting with him and his excitement, knowledge and experience is very inspiring, now I have two more of his pickups coming!

Absolutely riveting vlog Mick. It's inspired me to spend the evening playing my Strats, something I have to confess I rarely do these days. Personally, I loved the sound of both your instruments, equally good despite their being different in character. And your playing never disappoints. Thank you for a great watch. Best wishes.

Beautifully documented. Loved the history and the cut back to you seeing/trying the guitar. Well done!

Tis a beauty. Just got a new guitar myself. An Eastman T486. It’s an ES-335 style guitar but I couldn’t afford a Gibson. Really really happy with it for less than half the price of the Gibson.

These vlogs are fantastic. Best feel good television i can watch. And that Strat !!! What a gorgeous thing. I have been thinking about getting a custom shop myself lately but haven't been quite sure about what finish to choose. Now i know:) Thanks Mick and Dan. Let the golden age begin.

Absolutely brilliant. Producing such high quality micro-history is a public service of the first order -- for the guitar community first and foremost, of course, but more generally as well. THANK YOU for all the amazing content you produce, guys.

Just watched this again! Your Strat vlogs have taught me so much about my own Strat-shaped object (Silver Sky) and how to love it even more. Thank you!

the fact in the neck side by side view you can SEE the neck differences is awesome. great video mick, you've got me wanting a stratocaster...again. EDIT: Meant to also mention, the relic argument: people forget that the new guitars you can get don't wear the same at all. I LOVE how relics feel and look to boot.

Also Mick, I share your love for certain colors. Gold guitars, and surf green. I can’t resist either. A gold top SG is at the top of my list.

This is a great video, interesting look into getting a new guitar and what some of us go through with getting it to the point where we don't want to put it down. Wished I would have done this type of video when I got my PRS Silver Sky SE. Keep up the great content!

I almost can't state how right-on this video is and how familiar this journey is to me and many of us, I'm sure. I'm taking a similar walk right now with a guitar that I just finished building (my fourth) and can unequivocally state that the magic and the feel is in the set-up and the subtleties, be it a guitar built at home or one from the best builder in the world. Keep on with stuff like this. You guys really are tops.

10:00 There's no way Mick and Dan managed to find a parking spot outside Andertons. Its simply not possible. Ever. Seriously though great video as always!

Beautiful guitar, absolutely love you guys! Those Texas Specials sounded pretty good. Usually I think they are a little too hot to play clean but the height on those were dialed in perfect. Sweet guitar.

Thanks for a great episode! Gorgeous new guitar (congratulations there!), wonderful playing and really informative content. But, above all, I really appreciate your parting comment about making the time to actually play your guitar! That's a timely reminder for us all, whatever guitar(s) we own and our level of ability. This episode has inspired me check out my old '80s Strat again that I've neglected for far too long as I've added other guitars to my collection. It's a genuine "heavy relic" - it came off its strap and landed on a concrete floor during a video shoot back in the day! (This was a few minutes after the cameraman had offered to buy it... groan...)

Great vid Mick - really appreciate how knowledgeable and passionate you are about Strats. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a decently priced used '56 RI last year. Love how the black flash paint coat is already fading and cracking. The neck, tho not the easiest to play, has a wonderful feel. Thanks for the inspiration.

I love this, Mick. The crazy attention to detail with which you approach all of this is very familiar to me. I, like you, wanted a vintage Fender, and also like you, I couldn't spend the crazy money on an original. My dream was a 1960 Tele. I wanted the slab board, a chunky neck, lightweight, 7.25 radius, and Sherwood Green Metallic. And yes, I checked the custom color charts from 1960 to see if Sherwood Green was available in 1960 (it was). I basically wanted a Custom Shop tele that could have been made in 1960, as accurately as possible. I couldn't find it used or new. As you well know, real vintage specs are hard to find on recent Custom Shop guitars. So, I ordered it from Fender. I've been waiting almost ten months. It MIGHT be ready in April. I'm extremely excited and also a little worried that I'll be TOO pedantic about it when I get it. I've decided though: that tele will be MY tele, and I'm going to live with it and love it. I may tweak a few things, but it will be MINE for the long haul. I think you've found something special there, and I hope it truly becomes yours sooner rather than later. Cheers!

Congrats on the NGD Mick. Beautiful instrument you've chosen there. I have 5 Strats and wholeheartedly agree that they all have very distinct characteristics and tonal differences. I'm drawn to each one for different reasons.

Could watch one of these every week, love it, great content as always, thanks! The comment about the time spent looking/thinking about gear vs time spent playing gear, hits close to home... Going through a very similar scenario currently, both an enjoyable and frustrating experience.

I LOVE this new Strat and this thoughtful, in-depth video explaining it all! That color is excellent as well!

I really, really resonate with what you said about the guitar's core tone which you can hear and feel unplugged. That really means something, and I feel that with both my Les Paul and my strat. It's one of the reasons I'll still often play my electric guitars unplugged, people should at least try to appreciate that about the guitar itself, in my opinion.

I’m a 7.25 Strat radius guy, myself. Ohhh the vintage feels 😋

Amazing work that you put in Mick! It's great to tag along on your journey 👌👍

Great stuff,especially Mr. Lee reminding you that it was “your” spec guitar. I have a mid 80’s FCS Strat with the lacquered neck. Now 40 years later it is absolutely perfect and I have yet to play a guitar that compares. I love how you said that the stripped necks are cool just not your thing. I wish everyone would think that way. Guitar is so personal and it has to feel right to you not look right to everyone else. Well said and can’t wait to see more of it!!

If the neck is the best part, swap it over to Blue for a while. Strats were made to swap pieces out when worn down, so why not swap things around as you feel? Finally a video about this guitar, I've been so interested to hear your thoughts. Happy NGD (even though it's a while ago) :-)

I really enjoyed this episode. Mick's playing was strikingly beautiful there when first playing the guitar in the studio. Hard to put into words, but it was like the normal day to day pretense or reasoning for playing in the normal day to day routine was stripped away and it was a man whose inspiration was his love of playing guitar and listening to how his new baby sings. I have to admit I personally thought that the new guitar had a more sparkly sound that I liked slightly better than his number one (opinions are like....), but both sounded fantastic. Thanks for taking us on that journey with you. This was much better than the thousands of 'unboxing' videos out there on You Tube. There is nothing like getting a new guitar you put much thought into and love!!

Another great vlog. And thank heavens for Fender Custom Shop keeping that simple, perfect build alive. Imagine a world without them! I can tell that guitar has great resonance, even when Mick played the first E chord out of the box, it sang. As Gilmour once said, if it sounds good unplugged, it's usually a good one! Just needs a tweak or two methinks. My '52 CS Tele was the same - getting a setup to spec is actually very important. But the biggest takeaway again for me (and I think I can speak for all TPS subscribers here) is the honesty you two impart into all you do in this truly encyclopaedic channel. That's what sets it apart. Keep up the great work, gents.

Absolutely fascinating and brilliant episode, thank you Mick for the information. And congratulations on the stunning new Strat purchase, I have a very similar spec ‘60 Custom Shop in Black/Tort Guard.

For the others on my side of the pond who never use metric (although we should). Neck measurements in inches: Gold 1st fret - 0.846” 4th fret - 0.888” 7th fret - 0.933” 10th fret - 0.969” 12th fret - 0.988” Blue 1st fret - 0.848” 4th fret - 0.858” 7th fret - 0.878” 10th fret - 0.874 12th fret - 0.900”

Mick, I know this is an older video, but I just wanted to say I think it sounds great with these pickups. Also, I think there is something to be said for having something "different". Swapping pickups to have them all try to arrive at the same-ish sound seems to defeat the point of having a collection of strats. Anyway, thanks for the great content.

Great video Mick, really enjoyed all of the knowledge shared. I have played guitars for over 25 years and learned on a 90s Vester superstrat (I still play that guitar) but had never played a classic strat until last year, when I immediately fell in love with the instrument and my fascination with it has grown. So it gave me great pleasure to listen to this video and your knowledge and insights into the history of the instrument. Like many, I don't really want to invest huge sums into getting that genuine classic experience, so go faded, why not! Again, thanks for the video, and all the other videos for that matter.

Congrats on the new strat! It sounds fantastic. I hope the weight doesn't bother you *too* much considering everything else seems to be in place just the way you want. Looking forward to future videos featuring Goldie. :)

For real. I love these history lessons and guitar vlogs. You guys are awesome.

I spent many, many years loving the tone of a Strat in the hands of other players. When I grabbed one, I sounded like garbage. A few years ago, I bought a cheap Squier CV and modded it. Funny enough, I fell in love with the darn thing. Now, I love playing Strats. I've been eyeing USA Strats lately, this video has only increased my G.A.S. for one. Cheers

Great strat you have sir, and now you really need to dig deep with it! Great playing again and thanks for this video, you really know your stuff and we mortals can learn by wathcing. Thank you so much and cheers from Finland!

Great production on this video, Mick - nicely done mate. At the end of your video you talk about making time to play the guitars, you're bang on mate and, like some of your previous videos, you've inspired me to get my guitars out of their cases. Thanks for doing what you do.

Congratulations on the new guitar Mick. I am fortunate to own a first edition Fender logo' d JV '62 Squier (April 1982). It has the original USA Fullerton pickups and hardware, 7.25 radius, rosewood neck. I think that this guitar although in three colour sunburst, has a lot in common with yours. If you get a chance (assuming you haven't already) to engage with an '82 JV Strat, please do. They are among the best Strats I have ever played, bar none. Apparently, when the USA Fender guys visited the Japanese plant to QA, they nearly wept at the quality they found.

Wow. Thanks Mick. I absolutely loved almost every second of this. Very, very interesting. Really well edited. I know you went through personal time sacrifice to bring this to us. Much gratitude is needed. I enjoyed all about the colours, how they were chosen, the fading, the yellowing etc etc. Thank-you. Neck profile and taper I get. I've played a fair few different Strats. Your preference on the neck finish is your personal choice. The reason you love relics is also absolutely spot on. Your strap length seems to be on the low side mind, so maybe that's why your playing stood up suffered, rather than setup? Anyway, sorry to query, but I'm not sure I understand about the Anderton's thing? So, apparently you specced it a couple of years ago, but is it new or used, (as you indicated at the start, it's why you could justify spending)? Does it now have Texas Specials, because they been changed since, or was that what you specced? The only part that was a little bit strange was the 0.7 lbs becoming a possibly a deal breaker 🙄 I'm not a physicist or any kind of scientist, but over the length of that guitar, you have the sensitivity to know when an extra ounce every 2.3 inches. Overall, it's less than 1/3 kg and I bet your watch weighs about half that. If you're strong enough to change Strat springs without any tools, I'm sure you can cope with that kind of extra load 😂

Awesome video, Mick! I, too, recently purchased a fender cs strat in the journeyman relic finish…. For the same exact reasons as you stated. You took the words right out of my mouth regarding playing “new" guitars vs "worn." Thank you for sharing your experience.

That volantes sounding just stellar! The strat is also sounding stellar like its got very high potential of becoming exactly what you want out of it! Volante has just recently found its way onto my board for the indefinite future. Looking forward to further journey of this guitar!!!

Re: relicing. What I feel it gives me is the freedom to use my guitar completely without having to feel that fear of giving it a ding or a scratch. I’m not too crazy about the heavy relicing, but journeyman level is just perfect for me. From there it can - and will - get the wear I put on it, with no need to care about cosmetics.

Wonderful VLOG Mick!! This was dearly appreciated. Quick question: Have you seen Matthew Scott's offering of the '54 Strat he recently posted, and if so, what do you think of THOSE pickup tones? I ask simply because I believe that is what Leo originally intended for the single coil pups back in the day, and I'd like to get your opinion. Wow, I REALLY enjoyed this workup gents! Thank you, kindly!

Nothing compares to a strat, the good ones sing like no other guitar. My first strat an original elite model built in 82 or 83 (I'd tried loads over 2 years until finding the right one for me in 84). was stolen in a burglary in London in 1991. WIth the advent of the internet and ebay/reverb I looked and looked for it (even though I had 4 others by then). I found it a few years ago, or maybe it found me. Still love it more than any of the others (and love all of them). Couldn't imagine life without a strat. TPS still the best thing on youtube. thank you!

Very, very enjoybable - the joy is palpable. I'm thrilled for you. I loved the bit about core tone and neck. The idea that it feels "live" in your arms, ringing and vibrating like that... it's a pleasure to watch you experiencing it, first hand. Plus a massive tip of the hat for the precision with which you hit the segues in Andertons, on the spot. More like this and Dan's jazz idioms, please.

Brilliant vLog Mick, thanks for posting the neck carve measurements that's really interesting and good to know......same as you, for me Relic means you play it without fear of that first scratch/chip even though its kinda false, not sure why Fenders lacquer is sticky sometimes and sometimes not, I've got several CS Strata mostly maple and some are great and some are not good. All the best Chris

I love this episode. Thanks, Mick!

Great stuff Mick. Love the feel and spontaneity to the vlog. Looking forward to the development of this new partnership ;)

I retired my 64 Mustang and am a Strat convert, you are my resident expert! Keep up the amazing work, this and the strat video were invaluable!

I think the new one sounds amazing. Both sounds good but the blue is more “hifi”(?). I guess the new one will find it’s place direct in a mix or band situation.

I do love the relics! Being able to not worry about new scratches is nice.

Loved this, Mick. Genuinely engaging film of a guitarist tentatively working with a new guitar. Loads here for us all to consider. Top man. Hope Goldie works out for you, man.

A brilliant review Mick 👍 also a player who’s tastes in Strat specs I very much agree with. Like your down to earth approach and looking forward to your continuing journey with this CS Strat, cheers

For me, quarter-sawn adds an immediacy that can make the guitar feel less forgiving.Never been a deal-breaker. Just something I've discovered over my forty-five ish years of guitar obsession. They both sound great by the way.

Mick, love you sound logic hear. Grass is always greener on the other side, but that bs is for those who can't find happiness, optimism, attitude in the beautiful things they already have. I dig it. FYI, I have a lot of strats and my favorite is a Chinese model I bought 10 years ago and guess what? It's is based off a 60's strat! Maybe I will follow you down the custom shop route. I shed a lot of leaves the last two years. Looking forward to growth. This episode was very rewarding for us watchers that have followed TPS over the long run.

Mick, I totally enjoyed everything you did with Blue (watched and rewatched) and am looking forward to everything you do with this new Strat! I too, have a thing for Strats, which is why I love your Strat vlogs. Keep up the great work and good luck!

Beautiful guitar, great vlog. I’m rooting for you to find the perfect pickups for it so that it shall never abscise from your hands. Side note, took some measurements of the neck of my 2013 MIM Classic Series Lacquer Strat and was pleasantly surprised at how much closer they were to the gold one than to Blue. Made me happy.

Super excited to see your journey with this guitar! I was a Tele guy until I played my Custom Shop Sonic Blue 1963 Strat - I’ve been a Strat player ever since and love it.

Great video. Everyone loves to watch new gear! Can't wait to see what you end up choosing to replace your current pickups.

As a guitarist, chemist and vintage car enthusiast, your discussion of colors was exceptionally interesting!

Thanks for a great video again Mick. I really hoped that Simon's guitar would find its way into your hands, but clearly it was always going to carry a very high price tag given its history. More than anything I'm appreciative of you going through all of the personal experience that you've gained since acquiring 'Blue'. At one point I did ask myself why you would want to move on from it, but having owned my own 62 Strat, I do appreciate why. If you do lose the will to carry on with 'Goldie' let me know; you already have my details. Best wishes my friend and thanks for the wonderful content.

Mick, I'm glad you've started a new Strat vlog. Your vlogs are among my favourite TPS episodes. Your Strat journey gave me renewed interest in my own Strat, which hung on my wall for years untouched. Your Casino vlogs led to me getting a 335 (I didn't want to go full hollowbody). I find them super informative and personal. I'm looking forward to this next journey. Cheers.

What a joy filled journey - and love the loose changes bits of information transformed into meaning. And, you djents are perfect, but I think we need more Catherine!

Incredible episode gentlemen. Congrats on your journey and purchase Mick! 🙌🏼🎸

Thanks for the Vlog Mick. I always love your playing, whether it’s a Squier or a 61 Strat. I hope you can find the time to play it!

one of the most beautiful color strat I've seen. And please keep up this type of vlog, walk us trough the pickup choices set up etc of this guitar and others. -there are more strat geeks out here.

Great vlog. I have ended up with a MIM Robert Cray Strat with Mojotone 69 clones, refret with gold evo's. Neck is 21.39 at 1st and 24.93 at 12th gloss finish slab board strung with 11s and is great for me. Was underwhelmed at first maybe because came standard with custom shop texas specials according to guy at fender but now a nice strat. Will refinish at some point with nitro thin finish. I like the fixed bridge. Look forward to the next upgrade vlog. Always a joy to watch you both.

48:20 and onwards is tonal heaven. Congrats Mick! Love the bottom end and fullness to it.

Very cool video. I'm also starting to work on a strat that I picked up back in 2020... and haven't really put a lot of work into. Looking forward to the future videos of your journey.

Hey Mick. Just wanted to say that you're a big inspiration of mine. I love your enthusiasm surrounding our favorite guitar: the strat. I hope you will enjoy your new strat journey as much as I enjoy watching your vlogs about it. They feel so comfortable, like getting together with a friend and just talking about guitars. Have a good day!

Great vlog Mick, very interesting. Here's another tweak for you. I set my strats with 5 Raw Vintage springs. They have less tension than standard Fender springs and this allows me to have the bridge almost flat but with just enough to raise the tremolo by one semitone. That's all I need. Somehow they give the guitar a great feel as well. Hard to explain but it works well for me. Keep up the good work.

Mick, I love that cool rub you do holding the low E and bending the B up from a 6th! Had to stop the video to get it after hearing you play it a few times. Would love a video containing more of those type of unique sounds!

Man, The Mick Strat videos are hands down my favorite of all of KZfaq. Just so, so good.