Building a SUPER SQUIER! - Getting BIG Tone With Habanero Pickups!

Part II is finally here! Today is a full electronics upgrade and tone test! This guitar may look the same, but that's what a sleeper build is all about :) Pickup info: shorturl.at/cjDW3 Full parts list is in the video description Enjoy!

Nice. I've built 10 Squires using all upgraded pots, pups, full block trem, bone nut etc using 1.75 thick body. I buy used for about $125 add another $200 for parts. I do all the wiring myself with a 7 way mod using a blender pots. They actually sound better than the player series for a lot less and fun to work on. I usually give them away to schools or music teachers. I can see that you had fun upgrading a Squier as well. Thanks for sharing.

This episode left me 'Stratisfied!' 🤗🎸. Happy New Gear! Thanks, Darrell👍

Took a Squire Affinity and turned it into Frankenstrat. Replaced the pick guard with a clear one, replaced bridge pickup with a single coil sized hot rail hum bucker, completed with the paint job. It went from warm to hot sound. Then gave it to my brother for Christmas. Was a fun build with amazing results.

I overhauled and upgraded a Squier a couple of years ago. Complete changeout of hardware, electronics and pickups. Locking tuners, Tusq nut and tree, Tusq Saddle, new paint job, Seymour Duncan pickups. During a lesson I had it sitting aside and was using my kit Tele, which is pretty nice as well. My teacher, a former professional session guy and gigger, asked me why I didn't use my Squier. I said that I thought he'd make fun of it. He said "let me see it" and began to play. His jaw dropped and said, "This sounds, plays, and feels like an American Classic Strat. It's incredible. How'd you do it?" Well I explained and that was that. But I'm proud of the work I did on it. It was only my second overhaul and it is my favorite guitar. I also play it through a Koch Vintage Series, Classictone, 4x10 amp, which is a monster and is crystal clear. I'm just glad to see this video, to show that a Squier can be made into a really great guitar. My teacher said he would play mine anytime, anywhere. Thanks Darrell.

Sounds good. You could make the old pickguard into a loaded swappable one by adding a "quick connect" to it and the guitar Jack, for added versatility using the same guitar body and neck, etc.

I love my Squier. The wife bought me a VM 70's Strat. I thought id hate it. Boy was I wrong!

Dude! Refinished my '94 Squire i got when i was 12 to Graffiti Yellow! Locking tuners, full Wilkinson brass trem block, bone nut, Fralin Blues Special pickups!! So damn good..

I have 2 of those Weller soldering stations. They are awesome for making guitar pedals, and all guitar soldering, etc. I've changed the tips once in each one in 15+ years of almost daily use.

Hi Darrell, Happy New Year to you! Wow, I would love top copy this build. I found those pickups smooth, pristine and buttery but still retaining that stratty tone. Loved this review. Cheers ✌️🎸👌

Hi Darrell, I have always enjoyed watching your rebuild/upgrade videos, but, this one was especially interesting for me because I also have a Classic Vibe Squier Strat (70's) that I am in the process of upgrading. Thanks for providing a few good ideas!

Darrell, your playing is awesome.

Love it! Looks and sounds awesome! Great build

Great sounding pickups!

Welcome back, man that sounds great!! Cheers!!

Happy new year, Darrell. Thanks so much for this excellent video.

I recently posted a vid of one of your old guitars. I just tightened the truss rod slightly a couple days ago. Everything on it is awesome. Love it. Great vid

You always find the coolest stuff Darrell...............sounds real good.

Nice job! So glad you went with the classic neck. Sounds fantastic too! Those pups are definitely worth checking out!

Great job, as always, and those pickups sound excellent - perfect balance between beefed-up and vintage.