My hat is off to you my good man! As a fellow luthier (25+ years experience, 22,000 instruments repaired) I would NOT have wanted to be in your shoes. But the final results speak for themselves, you are a craftsman in the TRUEST meaning of the word. Awesome work! :)

@nuthinbutlove

9 ай бұрын

He's amazing!

That’s like a Jedi Master level repair, amazing, really.

When you were talking about mixing the various browns, vandyke etc.., it was reminiscent of Bob Ross, lol. I enjoy watching your repairs you are a Master craftsman.I know this after all, my last name is Craft and I'm old.

Wow! I've watched a lot of pretty janky luthiers on KZread who talk a lot but don't really know what they are doing. I'm glad I found this channel. Ted actually knows what he's looking at, what needs to be done, and how to do it. And he graces us with just enough commentary to follow along. A new favorite for me.

@ushnicyuvnikof2748

Жыл бұрын

Yea there's one from Birmingham UK who does absolute bodge jobs.

@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG

Жыл бұрын

​@@ushnicyuvnikof2748"bodge"...? That's a new one for me; please explain...

That was the quickest 32 minutes of my life. Thank You.

What A Great Repair job Here, thanks for the video, I Bought one of these at a Pawn shop in Detroit , On My Birthday in 1978, I Paid $275 Bucks for it, I still have it and it plays Great, I Love the P-90 Sound, Keep the Great videos Coming, Cousin Figel

14:26 “cuz this is really pooched” as if I needed another reason to respect you Ted! Colloquial vernacular! Excellent video and commentary as always. 😊❤️

@vadenk4433

2 жыл бұрын

Not only is it pooched -but the last repair guy screwed the pooch with his shoddy luthier skills.

@yvonnewilson3505

Жыл бұрын

I'm a rank amateur. Rank being the operative word, I have pooched a number of guitars myself. OoOPS !

This job is like taking your car to get a new engine, tires, transmission, rear end, seats, and a steering wheel...lol Great work and luv your videos!

@chuckyz2

2 жыл бұрын

No. I did all that to my truck with the exception of the rear end. Many many many more hours work than he has into this guitar. lol

@bryonkidder6199

2 жыл бұрын

@@chuckyz2 bro...lol I wasn't comparing the amount of time a service manual says about the number of hours to charge a costumer for repair work. I'm talking about the substance of the work being done...lol And come to find out after that work was done, it needed a new sub-frame too...lmao!

@chuckyz2

2 жыл бұрын

@@bryonkidder6199 I was more taken back how you mentioned something I had actually gone through. It wasn't fun. I'd rather do repairs to guitars. So sick and tired of broken knuckles, covered in dirty oils, ruined clothes and the many frustrations encountered when working on old cars. I love fixing guitars and watching people like this fix them.

@TommySG1

2 жыл бұрын

@@chuckyz2 , I totally agree. I worked on trucks, cars, fork lifts etc… for about 38 years and thankfully I’m retired now. Working with wood on a work bench is so much more forgiving as opposed to humping steel on your back or over your head beneath a lift ( or in a pit back in the older days! ). I enjoy this stuff however I don’t do repairs nearly as involved as Ted does in these interesting videos he uploads each week. You can tell he’s been doing this for many years just like all of us in whatever trade we decided to earn a living with 😊

@hutchmusician

2 жыл бұрын

Look up ‘ship of Theseus’. :)

That was one of the hairiest repairs I've ever seen you pull off. Ted, you earned your fee on this one for sure! Just to contemplate rebuilding the neck joint on a vintage, 1955 Gibson would send most guys to the Funny Farm. Damn Ted, you have huge balls! Loved this one. Ted...Are you trying to Gaslight us with Deja' Vu?

@bigrig4385

2 жыл бұрын

He does have big balls and dong. Great luthier and all-around woodworker.

@Prellium

2 жыл бұрын

As a vintage guitar lover, watching this was scarier than anyone horror movie. Happy ending though!

The talent that you have just makes my head spin..

With a few substitutions, this could've been an episode of House. I've really come to appreciate the generosity of spirit shown by Mr Woodford. Not every luthier's ego is in check to the degree of being comfy showing all of the 2 steps forward, one step back, and now I'm having to undo everything I just did. It's curriculum. Kudos

Another wonderful video and job done, I really do relish these. Kind of feel guilty for wishing these ridiculously hard jobs on you but it's just so much fun watching a true craftsman solve these issues. I know the perfectionist in you would want to know that long screw scene got doubled in the edit, didn't tarnish the experience though.

@Mo_Taser

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. This is kind of a niche channel, and it caters mainly to a fairly significant population - musicians. But, it goes beyond catering to just guitarists. It also appeals to craftsmen of varied disciplines like woodworkers. I've never played or even seen a Gibson ES-225 in person, But I really dig hearing and learning about one.

@bobmalone1763

2 жыл бұрын

Anyone here think they could confidently fire up a router on someone else’s first year 225? Wow. Nerves of steel and big brass ones!

@ei96byod

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mo_Taser Oh, the appeal of this channel is MUCH wider than that, I assure you 🙂. I've been a subscriber for a while now, and I'm an IT Technician 😄. It's just satisfying to see a skilled person doing his craft!

@theajthomas

2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same thing when I saw the long screw scene and then I wondered if it might be an intentional subtle nod to him having to remove the neck twice. Sort of “this job gave me deja vu and now the video will do the same to you.

@sneifert1968

2 жыл бұрын

What he said.

Apart from the educational value for guitarists, your videos have helped me to clear my mind after particularly hard or emotional days. When my cat hears your voice, he jumps onto the desk in front of the speakers, curls up and sleeps blissfully. I'm sure your videos have a calming effect on many people. Consider having your videos co-funded by the health care system to combat anxiety, depression and high blood pressure. And thank you ... a lot!!!

You're like a doctor working a patient, one symptom at a time. Mad respect my friend!

Truly amazing repair. I'm so impressed with how well you managed to resurrect that neck joint.

Always inspiring watching you work and the calmness - I'm sure off camera you prance about under lights in front of screaming Marshall stacks, smashing cheap instruments to pieces to let the stress out. Zen.

That fingerboard is absolutely beautiful

you really blew me away. you didn't just do a repair you rebuilt that whole area that was damaged you made it better then it was originally, you have a true gift Cheer's.

@colasko8006

2 жыл бұрын

Guys good man! I want to send him one of my guitars.

17:39 great tip! No matter what it is, if it's round and it falls on the floor, it rolls to the furtherest most inaccessible hidden corner of the workshop.

The touch of the MASTERS hand!👍🏻😉

You opened up the neck pocket and I audibly cried, "Oh, Ted, I'm so sorry." 😂 Yet another amazing job.

Would really like part of a video of you sharpening your chisels and carving knives.

@matthewatkinson7558

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I’ve watched so many sharpening vids and watching your chisels wow Mine never get right

The amount of care you put into these repairs is inspiring to the point of being moving to me. Your reverence for these instruments is apparent!

I like how you show how you always think things through …then something comes forward and you adjust with thoughtful plan. Wish there are more thinking people like you. Ontario is very lucky to have you. Thank you for posting . Alberta Dave 🇨🇦😊🇨🇦😊🇨🇦

What an incredibly intricate repair! And it ain't done yet... Sir, you have the patience of a saint. Looking forward to part 2.

@yvonnewilson3505

Жыл бұрын

Exactly what I say. He says "without too much complaint" all the time . You wouldn't wanna hear what I have to say with even minor frustration levels . He definitely he has the gift of patience.

Ted, you are one of my few "must view" YTers. Your technical skill and the guitar history you impart are always engrossing.

Always great stuff! You’ve got a repeat snip of the 3” screw commentary at 26:40 that you might want to retroactively cut out. You know, or not.

@gregdrew874

2 жыл бұрын

I was questioning the mid-vid b-roll blooper reel.

@brianrockwell1805

2 жыл бұрын

Heh, certainly threw me for a loop.

@rucerius4968

2 жыл бұрын

I thought it was a glitch in the matrix

Excellent work! I particularly liked the counterbore having had more than enough failed attempts to make screws work without one come thru my shop. One sticks in my mind - the would-be repairer had actually snapped the screw as he furiously and futilely cranked away, sad, really that such foolishness exists. To watch you dealing with these challenging jobs is a tonic for me, stirring many memories: thank you.

There is nothing better than watching and listening to you calmly reason your way through problems that would make most people's heads explode, and then using your devastating skills to execute the work you've arrived at as the best choice. It is SO wonderful to watch someone who is as good at what they do as you are. If there indeed is such a thing as "genius," you have it, Ted. I aspire to be as good at ANYTHING as you are at this. And to be as calm about it. You're a zen master luthier. Thank you, as always!

An amazing display of craftsmanship, I'm a player and also repair my own guitars. Your skills are way beyond mine, but, this allows me the opportunity to admire advanced lutherie. This is about as good as it gets folks. Wonderful work.

Wow....what a lot of work, but it's good to see that you're going to get things right and not give up on it. I look forward to seeing the project completed. Thank you for filming this all for us.

I was looking for a video from you all weekend. Seeing how long and involved this video is, I know why it was released today. Thank you!

2 жыл бұрын

Matt...A well known Liverpool photographer shares his memories of Liverpool today through pictures and video. And current Liverpool! ...kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z66KsJOqoLC2nNo.html

Goodness! This repair is amazing. Not only expert skill but brute confidence in carrying out the plan of repair. Thank you

Not many of your videos make me nervous. This one did. You are a true craftsman and it shows in your care and understanding all aspects of each project. Great work!

This is a really good channel. I regard it as a clinic on a theory of guitar structure, inner workings, how to build etc... Presented in a way where it's all about the instrument not the person doing the work. I could tell your love for this. Thank you for some really great information! -Subscribed...

The way you lead in to the repair is like Sherlock Holmes describing all the clues that he -- and usually only he -- sees. Then when you start working, the craftsmanship comes. Lots of fun to watch. Thanks for your vids

That neck joint reminded me of some wooden puzzles I had as a kid. Had to push several pieces around in the right order to get the first piece out so they would come apart. Beautiful repair!

Crazy. When you go to fix a 67 year old guitar you first have to fix the original problems from years ago before doing what you were asked to do. Love your videos man.

The level of knowledge along with engineering skills that's needed for this is a full basket. Then comes the ability of using the hand tools down to the chisels which are not always sharp. How much time does Ted spend sharpening chisels?

@markbernier8434

2 жыл бұрын

I hope he will say but I'd bet very little. Once really really sharp a few seconds on a diamond stone will restore the edge.

@Lu_Woods

2 жыл бұрын

@@markbernier8434 Agree. Ken Parker shows how quick it can be in one of his recent vids.

@gatekeeper65

2 жыл бұрын

Sharpening,.... sharpening,..... sharpening......

@stoneysdead689

2 жыл бұрын

My dad was a luthier and I was taught at a very early age how to sharpen his tools- the time-consuming part was always when he first got them- because they never had the edge he wanted on them. But- once we got them sharpened up that first time- I stayed on top of them with a super fine diamond hone and a leather strop after each use- they stayed razor sharp. He did everything by hand, everything- no power tools. He started out making furniture and carving just for kicks- and then realized one day he had the skills to make instruments- and sat into teaching himself to do so. It took him several years and many tries, but he got good at it eventually. Ended up partnering with a guy named Grissom- they made Grissom guitars and mandolins for a long time, until Charles finally passed. Dad passed two years later- I still see country artists using their guitars and mandolins in videos and stuff sometimes- it's weird. I wonder sometimes if it's one that I held and played with- which I did a lot when dad wasn't looking. I miss the old man....

@telecasterbear

2 жыл бұрын

@@stoneysdead689 Thanks for sharing about your dad. I hope you get a bit of a smile when you remember the good times with him.

I don't play guitar. I don't make guitars. I don't repair guitars. But I do appreciate craftsmanship when I encounter it. ... Your videos are much appreciated.

Man. That was a rough one. Way to go Ted, you earned your pay many times over on this one.

@richsackett3423

2 жыл бұрын

He's not out of the woods yet.

This was an amazing adventure and well worth the price of admission. I still love the opening music .....so adorable.

Very conscientious attention to preserving what was left of the originality, and very skilful at your craft. I will definitely be watching more of your renovations...👍

I'm the 3rd heat! Thanks for what you do. These videos have been really inspiring and have helped me take my repairs to the next level.

You did a superb job on that neck, the joint and all. It's a shame that more has to be done to the body after all of that, but the owner knows who is the right man for the job, great work Ted!

That was a heck of a lot of work, and I thoroughly empathize with the situation of having to go in and fix what someone else has already fixed in their way. I ran into that problem fixing up my car, when I was able to work on it regularly.

That, as my dad used to say, was a job of work. I never understood the saying, but I knew it meant "good job". Good job Ted.

Oh Fiddlesticks! Nicely put and beautifully executed repair satisfying to watch.

I'm guessing it is folding more on the bass side due to the cutaway. IOW, the heel block is rotating less on the treble side because it is being supported by the cutaway. In the past I've remedied this sort of problem by actually adding longitudinal braces to the back that are glued to the side of the neck block. They spread the torsional load forward into the back. Your intuition says to add bracing to the top, but that can kill the tone on arch tops. Of course ply tops have their quirks, plus with a single pickup so far from the neck block access is tricky. I'll be interested in your solution, and looking forward to the next video.

Sir, you are a miracle worker. I can imagine people travel great distances to bring you their pride and joy to bring them back to great health. If only all guitar techs took as much pride in their work as you do. My hat's off to you!

I just love this channel… You consistently amaze me with your skills, and your perfectionism always leads to even the most neglected and abused instruments leaving your shop looking good and ready for another 50 years of use to the owners if taken care of.. Also, there is no gimmicks or fancy post production editing, just you working and explaining what your doing. And damn those chisels are sharp!

I’ve never even tried learning how to play guitar but I’m fascinated watching you masterfully repair these guitars. Just mesmerized watching you work. Excellent!!

Masterclass in restoration, Ted. I enjoy seeing your woodworking skills on display, turning a pig's ear repair job into a silk purse.

Stunning work and I'd say an upgrade to the joint over the factory dovetail. Always look forward to your videos.

Definitely my favorite luthier here, the ability to dissect and then fix most anything, is quite the skill, trust me I'm trying, much harder than he makes it look!

The dowels to lock the plug in place, genius. I once glued a pegbox on a fiddle with epoxy, and it worked great.....until I went to Spain and after a week or so, the pegbox came adrift. Turns out , Araldite (epoxy) can absorb about 2% of its weight in moisture, fine in the English climate but in mid Spain.... I know, I should have made a maple fillet. All things to catch you out. Amazing repair.

How wonderful to see an artisan at work, with an explanation in everyday language that even I can understand. Wonderful with no music.

Hi friend, I'm out in my garage, sharpening a plane and watching/listening to you while the wife if out on a run. Thanks for your relaxed vibe and attention to detail. This plane is coming along well. Cheers to you.

I often find myself going insane trying to figure out "why" someone used epoxy on their guitars. I do appreciate your channel. You, sir, are an artist and I love how you explain steps and why said steps are needed. Bravo 👏

Hahaha I’ve been waiting all day!

@SonofTheMorningStar666

2 жыл бұрын

Me too.

@Adam-wl8wn

2 жыл бұрын

Me three

My 55 225T had the neck off -- I glued it back perfectly -- that extra heel piece is a bodge job... eeek - that maple interior block is not stock -- stock it had a p/u spacer too good luck with the rest of it. !

Talk about a labor of love! Your improvisation and creativity in tackling a truly heinous repair job is remarkable. I’ll remember never to use epoxy! 😂

29:30 Yes, that maple block is original. It’s one of the secrets of the ES-225T/TD They added it in the factory for sustain.

I didn't realize a destroyed neck joint could be redesigned and repaired. Most repair shops would have called this guitar a wall hanger. Introducing new wood and recutting the neck joint is a extremely high level repair. I don't think there's anybody within 350 miles that has the skill or patience to do it.

@Bob-of-Zoid

2 жыл бұрын

It's not all that hard: Give them a quote with an added "May go much higher depending on what I find" and the client is the one who will probably call it a wall hanger. No one in their right mind with the skills needed should charge less than $40 US /hour bare minimum, if a plumber can get $100+ for far less skill. I do this sort of repair too, and wood grafting is not uncommon. Many repair shops will take on the work, but sadly do it as Ted found it: Botched! My policy is do it right or not at all, no compromises, and on that note it sometimes means to do it differently than the original, which means not using a dovetail which has too much grain interruption and isn't as strong as people think, nor do many of them even fit right straight from the factory: Gibson used glue as filler more often than not, and on some instruments from the 80's through early 90's (Expensive ES's and Les Paul's) they used a dovetail on the heel of the neck shoved into a round hole in the body with nearly a shot glass of glue filling in the rest! It's not only pointless because the contacting surfaces are way to small, but downright stupid because of how much that amount of glue shrinks when drying. They could, and should just use box joints to begin with, on all solid and semi hollow bodies, ones that go all the way up to just shy of the fingerboard edge, like they do on SG's. It's not like modern glue isn't already stronger than the wood itself if used on a well fitting joint, making neck resets unneeded in the first place. Tradition for tradition sake is moronic! Gibsons construction methods and designs are utterly ridiculous, like having a large body cut away for better access to the higher frets, only to keep a neck heel design that prevents it; AKA is counterproductive and worthless! It's laughable that they never changed them to "Heelless" designs by now, don't use a luthiers joint on the headstock, both which would allow them to make two necks with the same amount of material as they use for one, which is not only a huge waste of material, not at all environmentally friendly, and expensive, but also would prevent their headstocks from snapping off with the slightest bump! Besides that it would make the instrument way more playable, which is what they are for! Gibson spends exponentially more money on selling shit for shinola, snake oil, and gimmickry than they would by just making well designed and good instruments. As I see it Gibsons are over priced wall art, right from the factory!

I'm addicted to your videos. What a privilege to be able to watch a skilled luthier sharing your craft with us. Thank you.

I drove from CA to NYC in 1980 and bought one of those in a pawnshop somewhere on the way. It might have been $225 which I thought was overpaying for it. I sold the guitar, never really thinking it was of much value. Back then...it wasn't. I sure wish I still had the brown case it came in, though, which would fit a 335. That would be worth a bloody fortune. That guitar presented a challenging scenario. Yes, it's a cool old Gibson but the total value of the work required to make it play nice, including a refret, is about what the guitar is worth, on a good day. Though I *do* see that ES-137s have gone from $1300 to $2K over the last year or so. I disagree that the middle pickup placement is "sonically interesting" unless you're being sarcastic. For jazzy tones, I want that pickup close to the end of the neck, right next to it. Incredible repair skill and patience on display with this one.

ima retired Naval Aviation guy, who builds/Mods TUBE amplifiers, n plays as well, your work BLOWS me away, highest respect! have a friend in N Scotia im sending this video..

Amazing skills. I’m a drummer, however I really appreciate trying to keep this instrument as original as possible. Understand what my guitar player friends deal with.

In the 80s I had a 225! I did what most do….trapeze tailpiece and floating bridge. It was the victim of 2 things, a flood and my 1st. wife! Sure miss her(ES-225)! Love from NW Colorado. Thanxz

Whoever sharpens this guy’s tools should have a channel...

I love the misplaced screw clip at around 23:40.

Tough one, looking forward to the follow up.

This is amazing when you preserve a 40s something Gibson when other Luthier's or craftsman took on trying to get this Gibson working. But, you take it and slowly peel back all mistakes and bring it back is art in Luthiery. Outstanding! I have no reason to make that neck Jig, yet my D28 built in 73 is showing its age. The the saddle is almost flat to even with the bridge. I know I can call Martin and complain about my lifetime warranty owner stuff. But, now either they will or I will shave the bridge first or work on my first neck reset?

Congratulations on the beautiful 'restoring work', and you patience! I'll let here a lttle story that you can relate to! There was once a Japanese woodworker, teaching his apprenticehow to build a type of rangement furniture, and we was taking great care of the back.His apprentice ask him, 'why do you care so much about the back, no one will see it', the master wood worker answered: Yes, but I know it's there!'! Thank you for sharing! Have a great day!

Humbling. While very inspiring, watching these is humbling. Incredible work my friend.

Watching your work and listening to, "why" certain things are done was relaxing. The fact you are particular on your workmanship and standards is refreshing for me.

Bought an Aria AC-18 this afternoon. Right now I am using a file to lower the bridge comb. Straight neck, no truss rod, and action is way too high. So glad I do not think about a neck angle adjustment. Hmmm, not yet. I love how you come across very strange repairs inside that neck. A dove tail that is not exactly a dove tail no more. Still, it worked, more or less, I bet he/she corrected the neck angle a bit, decided to replace broken wood by epoxy, hoping it would cure without leaving a cavity, which would, of course, weaken the neck joint. We can say: man, what a mess. Still, this mess kept that guitar in one piece for an amazing long time. I had never expected that, such repairs often work loose and break. Good job, thanks for sharing.

The repair is absolutely spectacular. Musical craftsmanship! Not everybody's talent and skills! Kudos Ted!

Man I love watching you work!

It is good to see how you work out the solution to the problems you are given. The world needs more people like you.

Very cool vid Ted I have a 1980s ES175 I had similar issues resetting the neck I also had some collapsing of the body after I noticed that it had 2 spice blocks attaching the top to the back behind the front pickup area one of them was broken It took me hours but I finally replaced the block it fixed the body. Thanks again👍👍🎸🎼🎹👨🏻‍🦯👨🏻‍🦯

Oh boy, you went above and beyond on this one!

The level of workmanship to rehab this neck and knowledge that you have is extraordinary. Wow what a job! Somewhat realated - I had a ES 125T single P90 cutaway that was stolen. When you plated a little at the end it was a bit nostalgic.

A piece of history saved and then future proofed. Amazing craftmanship and care.

You are an artist ! We need more people like you to save our loved guitars.

WOW! I found myself holding my breath watching this one. Thank you sir for another look into your shop!

A true craftsman, I love watching how people approach these things. I'm confident if I tried this I would be left with firewood.

You skills never cease to amaze me. Your work is impeccable.

That was absolutely fascinating to watch. I admire your skill and ingenuity in your repairs for this reset. Glad to see that you are keeping history alive through your love of beautiful historic guitars. Thank you for posting this video, I really enjoyed watching it.

Gee Ted, this repair transcends mere competence and enters the realm of artistry. Well done and fascinating to watch. Thank you.

Skill, patience, experience, and sharp tools, no problem. Great work.

Mumbling "Fucking ridiculous" at 12.48! hahahaha! Patience of a Saint!

Mr T... well done and I love to watch you work through issue that would blow so many away!! Thanks!!!

Between you and Dave and you’re two totally different repair persons and luthiers, you both form the backbone of what excites and attracts my interests in my journey of guitar builds and repairs, thankyou very much

That's one those that I hand back to the customer and say good luck. Way above My ability. Great job!

Kind of a thrilling video. Great work.

Wow. Incredible repair; I had no idea how you were going to nag to fix that. Great job! You are one brave fellow!

The clip explaining the 3" Phillips screw is repeated at 26:39.

Wow. Amazing diagnosis and craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing.

U da man. Working like this is stressful but you have proven you are up to the job