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.

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 😂😂

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!

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

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!)

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!

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

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. 😁👍

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.

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})

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.

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!

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.

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?

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. :)

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 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!

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.

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 !!

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.

"99% I'm not gonna keep these pickups.." man after my own heart.... love it...Congrats on the new addition to the collection!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”! 🤘🎸

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

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.

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!

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!!

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!

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.

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

You guys make the best show of its kind. I love what you do. Mick, I wanna be just like you when I grow up! I'm not kidding. Thank you guys for all work you put into the show. It's really an oasis.

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!

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!!

I would love to shop at Anderton's someday. USA here. We have lost most of the music stores of this type. The last I know of in Massachusetts, USA is The Music Emporium in Lexington, MA. Great staff, top notch gear, and small local business. Great episode.

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.

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.

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.

Hey Mick, I‘m completely with you! I just love my CS Relic Strat, it’s the best guitar I have ever played. Yes relic is not for everyone I was also not a big fan of it until I played one. I’m 47 years old and my daughter deserves most of the freetime I have. And that small amount of time that I have to play it would never be possible to wear a guitar naturally. I was a payed studio and live musician for more than 20 years but today my family getting all my attention.

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

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!

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.

I remember listening to Eurythmics in the car with my dad when I was a child and being completely mesmerized by her voice. Spectacular singer!

Your playing is something else. No need to change those pickups at all! Your playing style and that guitar is incredible.

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 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!

Definitely 2 people that would have loved to have grown up with...for a few reasons. The more I watch their shows the more I get motivation.

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) :-)

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

Hi Mick & Dan, just wanted to echo what everyone has already said; this vlog is brilliant. Absolutely loved it. As a relatively ancient newcomer to guitars at 38, I’m still finding my guitar feet (you play with your feet, right?) and your shows have been a massive help, so cheers for that. Enjoy getting to know the guitar, Mick - it sounds blooming incredible.

bought a fender ultra strat in Cobra blue, absolutely love it.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Am I adding this to the playlist of Mick's various Vlogs on fixing stuff that I put on while grading? Hell yes. Beautiful, Mick-

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 😂

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!

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

Mick became a superhero in this episode--his erudition and his chops and his warmth were all..well, as Dan says, "HUGE!"

I love this episode. Thanks, Mick!

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

I absolutely feel the same about the worn out guitars. I hate the feel of new guitar, it feels so alien. But my first squier strat's neck feels so comfortable 20 years later. It always takes a year or two to even start to feel good. Strats especially I feel like general battle scars give it nice character. I still regret that I repainted some big chip damage (like a nail of the thumb size chips had fallen off) on that squier, because coincidentally the wood looked very nice under. Like roasted caramel. Thumbs up for taking the opportunity for blues brothers reference.

I have a seemingly unlimited capacity to listen to you ramble on about strats. Imagine I’ll watch this more than once, all the while comparing and tweaking my strat

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.

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.

My Ibanez Prestige is 12 years old, had it from new, and it looks like some warn in strats from decades passed. It has never been gigged. It has just been used for "bedroom" playing and recording, but it has been played a lot. It also has an extremely thin finish, which helps, but to me it is the most beautiful guitar on the planet because all that wear is from me using it for the intended purpose. Nothing is from anyone else or simulated. And the wear level is probably a little more than Dan's "Red"

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!

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

A thing of beauty Mick, both the strat and the vlog... dare I say, pure gold 🙂

Most important sentence “if you don’t make time to play the guitar you might as well not have it!!!” Well said !👍👍👍👍

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!

Congratulations! My 2007 1960 NOS custom shop Stratocaster with House of Tone S Type 1960 pickups is by far my favorite Strat, preferring them even to real vintage examples and my 1965 L serial. It is all because of the neck that makes it a supremely well-balanced instrument. The custom shop really make guitars as good as a guitar can possibly be. It is definitely and noticeably a cut above the AVRI series as well IMHO.

That's funny , I walked about the same route : got an American Vintage 62 reissue 3 tones sunburst, fitted Bare Knuckles Irish Tour, played it extensively for years , so happy with it, nitro getting few dings and dents but it's ok. Then few years later, I bought a custom shop Rory Gallagher replica, felt the same vibrant body, slightly thicker neck, custom 60 pick ups that I love, such a lovely tone in my AC15HW1 ... but have difficulties to get acquainted to it, can't explain why. Still love so much my 62RI ! Wish you all the best with this beauty.

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...)

I was really excited to see this! Last year, in 2020, as a senseless lockdown purchase, I ordered a Custom Shop Strat. I'm normally a Tele guy, but wanted one Strat to be my "one Strat." I spent days upon days trying to determine a color I would never grow tired of. After lots of research and going back and forth, I landed on Firemist Gold. Gold, but not "Elvis gold lame suit" gold - more like a stately copper, complemented by rosewood board and mint green pick guard. I chose NOS finish. Unfortunately, I'm an expat working abroad, and have yet to get back to the States to play it! But somewhere in a closet at my sister's house, it awaits.

MICK! Two things. One: when you get a new guitar, I feel like I get a new guitar. It's really lovely and I hope you get a gazillion-because you deserve it, and for my own selfish purposes. Two: I love you, man, I really do... and I appreciate your KZfaq Jedi methods... but I will never--not once, not ever--skip to any time stamp to Just Hear It. Respect to anyone who does, enjoy it your own way... but I'm here for all of it. Cheers to all TPS fam.

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.

If you've never tried Klein pickups you should. After trying many different brands I stuck & stayed with them for strat pickups. I have them in my fender partscaster (EJ alder body, Custom Shop 57 neck) and my strat I had custom built (ash body, musikraft slab rosewood neck also a 57 profile). As much as I love the Fender which is basically a 57, two-tone sunburst alder body/maple neck 7.25/single ply guard, the guitar that I had built turned out amazing. The builder did a great job making it look like it came from the 60's, plays fantastic and it sings! I don't know if it is the ash/rosewood board combination or the pickups or just the sum of the parts and build but it turned out perfect and I am a chronically anal retentive perfectionist. Congratulations on the new guitar Mick, hopefully you bond with it!

I just went on a similar journey I have a relic Telecaster that I love I have a new Telecaster Deluxe that I love. I think a relic look is super cool I don't care what anyone thinks. I went out on a limb and ordered the new Am Pro II Tele Deluxe without playing it from Musicians Friend .My Strat is Inca Silver so I went with Mercury on the Telecaster. Not only do I not have any regrets but It was exactly what I was looking for .Congratulations on your new guitar. For us that live for guitar, there is nothing like it!

I use angle pliers on the hook end with the guitar face down on the work bench. I always have the springs parallel to each other for equal tension across however many needed.

Great video thanks for sharing!!! Just something about the strat the way they sing 🎶 out absolute butter

Yay a strat VLOG with Mick. My day is complete.

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!

Dude, if you still want to replace those Texas Specials I recommend giving Stu from Sunbear a shout. I have a Strat that had gone through three sets of pickups. It had a prominent midrange acoustically which sizzled in a nasty way amplified and I was ready to sell it. Stu said he knew what to do and he wound a custom set specifically tuned to my guitar. It's insane but it worked. It's now a keeper and Stu has become the Alexander Dumble of pickup winders in my book.

Thoroughly enjoyable watch. I had to pause it halfway through and play my Strat for a bit, then resume. Got me all Stratted up.

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.

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. :)

Somehow you have managed to top your Jason Isbell telecaster vlog. This was thoroughly interesting and entertaining. I think most guitar players can agree with what you say about finding the right guitar at the right time. Being 61 years of age I’ve been around long enough to know what I like in a guitar and realized long ago it’s very difficult to find an off the shelf guitar that checks all the correct boxes for me. So long ago I began building/assembling my own guitars. I know not everyone can do that but it works for me. That way I get what I like, and usually for a very good price. Keep up the good work!

Yeah, I'm the same with strats, started off with a '77 3 bolt (had to be the same a Sting's in the Walking on the moon vid) I moved on leaps and bounds with that guitar, 7.25 radius all the way, just works for me too, any other radius and it feels alien on a strat or tele, and now after owning a few, the '59 to '62 slab boards are the way to go, has to be bare wood under the fingertips. Got my '62 reissue and now also got a Vintera Roadworn FSR with pau ferro which feels fantastic!

I’ve got a 2000 custom shop American strat which is all wood grain and lacquered. I put a Seymour Duncan hot rail pickup in the middle position and an on and off switch between the tone knobs. I’ve played the hell out of it. Beat the hell out of it. But she still does what I want and it sounds great.

I'm sure you won't see this comment way down the list, but I can really appreciate your viewpoint on reliced guitars. The last time I spent so much time worrying about every little scratch or ding that picking up the guitar wasn't as much fun because I was so stressed about bumping it into something. Being bored during the pandemic led me to building guitar kits and none of them have beautiful flawless finishes. I know I don't have the skills right now to really make them right, but that's just fine with me. I love the well loved look and I don't worry so much about what accident I may have with them because it only give the instruments more character.