The Ultimate BUDGET Guitar! - Low Cost Upgrades That Make a HUGE Difference!

Today I pick three Low cost / high return mods to vastly improve my $100 budget guitar!
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[ZetroDrummer]

That stratocaster is now an EL STRATOCASTRO

[aceofspadesc]

As a beginner i thought it might be helpful to share my experience with a similar build. I've been learning to play via online instruction since the pandemic shutdown my normal pastimes. After playing a cheap acoustic I bought in highschool I read in multiple places that an electric was easier to play and better for beginners. Without being able to go to music stores to try electric guitars, I wanted a cheap example to decide if that was better for me. This video inspired me to buy this very guitar with midset that I would either decide I preferred acoustic, or I could upgrade it if I liked electrics. I bought the guitar and was surprised by how much easier it was to play, but didn't care for the sound. Fast forward a few weeks and I felt I was sticking with and enjoying the guitar enough to upgrade it. Since I didn't have spare parts laying around I bought genuine fender tuners (used), fender Tex pickups (new), and new set of cts pots, an upgraded capacitor, and an upgraded input jack. At the same time I replaced the strings with ernie ball's. I thought I might not notice the difference as a beginner with issues in my technique but the guitar sounds so much better, to the point where I can hear my mistakes (and correct them) much easier than before. I thought the poor sound might be my fault (and it certainly is at times) but the upgrades made a huge difference, even as a novice.


Thanks for the advice Darrel, It was nice to be able to try a cheap guitar, and have a fun project when I decided I liked playing enough to spend the extra money.

[iamthewalrus]

- 0:52 - Replace the tremolo, springs, claw
- 5:51 - Upgrade the pickups and electronics (potentiometers)
- 11:31 - Upgrade tuning heads

Thanks Darrell! I just might become a guitar luthier all b/c of you, lol!

[perihelion]

I have modded scores of guitars, and I paid close attention to the neck and body on that blue Indio.

The body is full Fender depth, nicely finished, and cleanly routed. It is excellent, IMO.

The neck appears to be straight, well finished also, and is a very nice piece of maple wood.

If you only got the bare body and bare neck, that guitar is a bargain at $100.00.

That kind of guitar is a modders dream. Great job on keeping the cost down, and quality up.

[Arfshesaid]

Whether the world ends in fire or ice, it will be survived only by cockroaches and Daphne blue budget Stratocasters.

[foxduckduckfox]

I love how polite Darrell is. It’s a pleasant experience every time I see his videos.

[theuh]

"I hope you are having a great day today" I actually feel he means that, every time.

[anthonyshannon]

I ordered an Indigo Classic for $109.00 this past Saturday. I was delivered 3 days later and straight out of the box it was cosmetically perfect, tuned up easy and most of all plays, feels and sounds almost like a real Stratocaster. You won't have to do all the things that are being done in this video. It's an awesome value!!

[RandomDuude]

It makes me happy to see such a humble guitar getting so much love :)

[DarrellBraunGuitar]

Now I need a custom logo or graphic on the headstock. Any Suggestions? Too bad I'm not a Seahawks fan; their logo would be perfect on the headstock!

Trem mod - 0:52
Pickups - 5:51
Tuning Machines - 11:45
Tone comparison - 17:17

To find quality used parts check your local online classifieds. Also, join local facebook guitar groups, and local forums. There are always great deals to be found, and they are not always on ebay :)

If you want to buy new affordable parts, Ive had good luck with Guitar Fetish, and Solo Music Gear:

Gotoh or Wilkinson both make tuning machines that should attach without modifications
Enjoy :)

[absolutscheisse]

Instructions Unclear






 drilled the new bridge on the headstock

[kestocycling]

Great mod, but i was impressed by how similar the stock sounded to the final product. I’m sure the playing experience was much better, but I hardly heard a difference in the tone.

[leandhernandez]

3:43

original trem: lame skinny boi.
Mexico made trem:


E X T R A T H I C C

[megan_alnico]

If you don't want to take the finish off the headstock and just want to remove the raised black letters common on cheaper guitars like this one or the Squire Bullet series just use acetone. Try the pure stuff and not nail polish remover. It will come right off and not harm the finish.

[austinmiller]

Darrell was my guitar teacher this guy is a legend! One of the nicest dudes I've ever met!

[walterraponi]

We must say that cheap guitars are much better than 20 years ago. You can actually play and learn on them, and easy upgrade them. Good shot! Cheers from Italy!

[rajdeepbharali]

Darrel's the Man!!
He inspires me so much
He keeps on experimenting with his guitar and proves to us that
we donot require a 1000$ guitar to become a good guitarist. Just a couple of mods can make the guitar sound and feel like Heaven!

Lots of Love From India!! Keep inspiring Sir

[GaleForcePhilippines]

Hey Darrell, I watched both of your videos on this Indio guitar and really appreciate you putting these up. I am in the Philippines and working with church worship teams to help bring them up to their full potential. With open air buildings (no air conditioning) their instruments are in bad condition, so this is a great way to get them into good instruments on an extreme limited budget. Watching your video, I feel like I could do these upgrade modifications myself with little to no experience. Thanks again!

[rob]

I bought this same guitar and a couple others that you show on your channel and did the same mods plus put on locking tuners and these guitars are great!!! I really enjoy your channel and learn a lot and look forward to more! As an old guy in my 60's, I am really enjoying this part of my life, so thank you.

[kingrein]

You inspired me to finally do a guitar upgrade so I purchased a Wine Red Cali Classic. Wanted Blue Burst, but not available for several months. I believe my guitar was built in Aug, 2019 and they updated the 6 screws on the tremolo - they now have the smooth top on the screws instead of threading all the way up to the head. I essentially did the same upgrade you did, except I installed a used 2016 American Standard HH loaded pick guard. Was a fun project with my son and we will be posting our upgrade soon. Thanks for the inspirational videos!