Phil McKnight Shows Off Our New Squier Stratocaster Hardware Upgrade Kit.

Phil McKnight from the popular YouTube Channel Know Your Gear introduces our new Squier Stratocaster Hardware Upgrade Kit. Many of these Squier's are really great guitars and can play like their much more expensive brothers and sisters with some new hardware and a little work you can do yourself.

Items Used In this video:
Squier Stratocaster Hardware Upgrade Kit

Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set

Understring Radius Gauges

2:1 Precision Notched Straight Edge (Long Scale)

Luthier's Digital Caliper

10mm Guitar Nut Driver

Peg Head Reamer

Tuner Bushing Press

Depth Stop Drill Bit

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StewMac has everything you need to set up, repair or build guitars.
Everything is 100% guaranteed. Fast worldwide shipping.

Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar

[TheAtariCreep]

I love Stew Mac but most the the tools here are over priced fancy versions of tools you should already have or can get local at your hardware store, for much less money too.

[MrMisterock]

I used different types of screw drivers for my upgrades and not the ones from Stewmac. Now the guitar sounds weird. Next time, I will use the right tools.

[patricksclarke]

This is a fantastic ad....for luthiers. Funny that Phil has a video setting up a guitar using dollar store items.

[arthurszabo]

I set up my Stratocaster using offbrand tools, not StewMac. Now it's a tamburica with 8 strings.

[TheRamsberg]

I'm shocked he didn't use Stewmac painters tape!

[rickbaker]

$8000 in tools, $1000 in parts to fix a $399.99 guitar. (yes, exaggeration but the point is made)

[necronorris]

I just bought one of these because that natural finish is everything.

[eddiecarrizales]

Nice. This video was filmed using our stew Mac camera kit.

[fransvenrooy]

Do I really have to buy Stewmack Allen keys? Or can I use my own tools. 🤔 😅

[williambock]

After you buy the StewMac kit, you can start saving up for the guitar parts!

[northofnow]

Good first effort Phil. Just a suggestion, ease up on the use of "StewMac" for every tool label. It's understood. A brief description of the StewMac tools, in the beginning of the vid is enough.

[offbeatbassgear]

Boy, Dan Erlewine is looking great lately!

[bartwa]

ah yes, the stew mac straight edge, sold by stew mac, which is also notched by stew mac to fit over the frets. Stew mac really out did them selves with these great tools. the stew mac calipers are also stew mac accurate so you can stew mac measure your strew mac saddles. Thanks stew mac!

[onpsxmember]

5:03 For anyone adjusting the bridge saddles to the radius of the fretboard:
Make sure that each individual saddle is NOT at an angle. They don't form the radius by looking like a radius but more like small steps. That's a common setup problem.

We need more content from Dan.

[leonarddaneman]

My Squier ESR HSS upgrade kit consisted of a Pearly Gates humbucker matched to two Ultra Vintage Noiseless, a Fender Elite Compound Radius Ebony neck with staggered locking tuners and bone nut, new pots, caps, super switch and an S-1 switch. Surprisingly, the Indonesian bridge and trem block were excellent as is. Altogether, only spent $850 on a used Squier I picked up for $200.
Now that's how you save a boatload of $$$.

[julian]

I am surprised you did not put StewMac strings, the best in the world..

[DavidMartinez-dzpj]

For the common tools which brand should I use? Should I put aside my Snap-On, Craftsman, Bondhus, and Mac Tools? Thanks for linking the items that you replaced on the guitar...soo helpful.

[anthonysilva]

Here’s what I did to my Squier strat:
Locking tuners (Fender on sale $49)
MIM bridge assembly (Amazon $40)
Graptech nut and single string tree ($20)
The set screws can be ground down if they bother your princessly palm.
Had to cut nut slots myself. YMMV

[Tommyhearnsrighthand]

The vintage style tuners are 43% of what makes that strat cool

[donaldfisher]

I have been purchasing some Stewmac tools over the last while. It is quality equipment and most of the tools demonstrated by Phil are useful over the long run. The locking tuners are nice but it may not be practical for most to purchase tuners that need the mounting hole reamed and a bushing press is another added expense. The up grade work on the tuners is expensive for a single use. But, the tools are nice.