Hey Matt, hope you see this comment. I have several vintage P90's and pots and would describe myself as a bit of a guru for 50 wiring. Those earlier pots are nice IRC's, Gibson used IRC's up until around 55 before they switched to Centralab. Yes, 250k tone pot is exactly what Gibson was using for Juniors. I'd recommend you find a vintage IRC pot, open it up and swap out the broken shaft and you'd still have the original pot in the guitar. The P90 has all the signs of being original, only thing missing is the masking tape as insulation for the leads. In vintage 50's P90's, you always want to see double black wires coming out of the pickup. Since the two plate screws are flat head screws and not phillips, your P90 is definitely early 50's. Anyway, cant wait for the next video! PS. Yes, if the P90 still works, to try to pry off the cover, the bobbin will crack super easily.

@jpalberthoward9

8 ай бұрын

I save all of my old pots for the exact same reason. If the shafts break off, sometimes the carbon track inside is OK, and if those are worn out and making crackling noises, many times the shafts are all right. When you have a desk drawer graveyard filled with such things that appear useless to the average "normie" (When are you going to clean up this mess and throw out all this junk?), you can perform tricks that make people think you're some kind of magician. Fixing the wiring without disturbing the solder joints is always my first choice, and in some cases, it's also worth above average sums of money when performed successfully.

@BeenBeenBeenBeen-fp2st

8 ай бұрын

What do you think he paid for it? Apparently he got it off facebook marketplace and someone should know.

@MatthewScottmusic

8 ай бұрын

thank you for this excellent information! There is masking tape on the leads, it may not be visible in the video.

@BeenBeenBeenBeen-fp2st

8 ай бұрын

@@MatthewScottmusic How much did you get this for? Someone said you got it off facebook marketplace.

@lewitamalizia

8 ай бұрын

That's absolutely correct. I owned a 55 junior with IRC pots and grey tiger cap. I believe they switched to centralab halfway through 1955. On the other hand, I think that checking is actually over a coat of sanding sealer or clearcoat between the bare wood and the colour coats.

Cracked neck? I deem it AUTHENTIC!

@kalkidasofficial

8 ай бұрын

😂😂😂 true!

@DS-nw4eq

8 ай бұрын

It’s been around for 70 years, something is going to be wrong with it.

@bobcampbell911

8 ай бұрын

Lol.

@Mountainrock70

8 ай бұрын

Im closing in on 50 years playing guitar now and have never broke a Gibson neck or any other neck. Ive owned around 40 guitars over the years and have 18 currently. My point: neck breaks are your own fault.

@DS-nw4eq

8 ай бұрын

Can’t buy gear, joke about cracked necks!

I think this gem has fallen into the right hands. Whatever you do to this guitar, please share it with us.

@craigusselman546

8 ай бұрын

very precious guitar indeed.

What a find! Fix the headstock crack, reset the neck with fresh hide glue, refret with your preferred fret size, and sort the wiring. Don’t refinish! It’s gorgeous and represents the story of whatever this beauty went through. Looking forward to the next video!

@R3TR0R4V3

8 ай бұрын

Bare wood is really asking for trouble though.. It would be wise to put a coat of something on it.

@thruxtonvalrico67

8 ай бұрын

I read all these comments before making my own and now I won't because you said it best. With the amount of technology and advancements in wood care, there HAS to be a way to preserve both the current flaking paint while keeping the amazing/rare wood checking. If high end car restorers can solidify flaking car paint while preserving the patina and prevent further rusting, then there has to a solution for this guitar. Great comment.

@RamsayPhillips

5 ай бұрын

@@R3TR0R4V3 that wood is so seasoned from years of exposure, there’s absolutely zero problem with leaving it as is.

@robertkroberjr.157

4 ай бұрын

Ballistol might be a good choice for preserving the wood. Check it out.

I’m a bit surprised that it doesn’t have that deep cigarette burn on the headstock, and a cracked pick guard. That guitar is over the top cool. Thanks for taking the time to do these Matt. I really appreciate it ✌️

Plug those holes. You can still have remnants of the guitar's "history," but you need to protect the instrument's health. Those screws are inviting problems (as the cracks suggest). As for the finish, that stuff is just flaking off. If you want to keep what you've got, consider shooting it with a coat of non-glossy clear. It would change things a little, but it'd also preserve the existing paint and the cool checking. The nitro won't just lay over the flaky stuff, but will melt into it and adhere to whatever is underneath. The downside to any clearing or refin is that you'll probably want to gently clean it somehow with naphtha or mineral spirits because you never know what's lurking on the wood's surface. But unless you want that paint to continue sticking to your arms, that's a risk you must deal with. Edit: Blush remover is a great option. That would be a nice first step.

Dude, I can't wait to see this all restored. The sound of that old P90 was amazing on the last video. I would personally want to get rid of the screws on the neck joint and glue it back on - which requires some skills but I'm sure you can figure it out!

@JMurdochNZ

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, I honestly do not see the point of going to the effort to restore this thing only to leave those ugly-ass screws.

@shaniwoods5923

8 ай бұрын

Agree get rid of the screws

@MickSupper

8 ай бұрын

Putting those screws in without pilot holes first caused the splitting. Yep, get rid of them.

@JMurdochNZ

8 ай бұрын

@@MickSupper definitely. To leave it untouched would potentially compromise the neck stability going forward. It's a structural weakness that needs to be rectified.

@NigelTufnel612

8 ай бұрын

Agree, definitely get rid of the screws given they are damaging the body.

As far as the finish is concerned... 2 ideas... 1) You may want to consult with a couple of art conservators from a local museum who have experience with surface consolidation and experience with polychrome wooden artifacts... ie.... painted wooden objects like sculpture and furniture etc. 2) It is possible that that beautiful "ghosted" checking on the raw wood could be enhanced and protected with several coats of a good quality tung oil. Carefully hand-rubbed in, allowed to dry and then applying another 1 or 2 coats , dried and carefully buffed out by hand. It is a great protector and moisturizer of wood, will add a slightly deepened lustre to the wood, and once dried, hardens like a bit of a plastic resin to further protect the wood. Periodic applications will be needed under regular touching and use. 🎸

@mpirron1

8 ай бұрын

No way, that would total the barely hanging on original paint. He's gotta stabilize what's there to be touch-safe before he does anything else if he wants to save any if the original finish.

@fstopclick37

8 ай бұрын

@@mpirron1 Hence, my first point about consulting a restoration pro about surface consolidation. I used to work in a museum. Consolidation of paint on something like a canvas painting is detailed but more straightforward. Performing such a task on a thicker substrate such as a slab of wood requires different techniques which may or may not be performed (possibly) for a reasonable cost depending on what kind of outcome is expected out of the final project.

Great video Matthew and a great find, everyone clearly loves this guitar. Early 54, amazing. My thoughts ...... Body - stabilise the existing paint then clear varnish. Remove the screws in the heel (they don't belong there), repair cracks and plug the holes with mahogany dowels, they will be it's history. Keep the original frets if possible. Repairs as necessary. Good luck.

@WhiteRussianDolls

8 ай бұрын

This!

@spacelab2756

8 ай бұрын

Good advice.

@spacelab2756

8 ай бұрын

After thinking about this more I would wait on doing anything to the finish until after you have all the cracks stable for some time. Anything that can flake off should scale off before putting anything over it because it will flake later and take the covering clear lacquer with it. Finish the repairs the neck set and the refret and the tuners and the bridge, etc get it mechanically sound and play it for 6 months or so. Then decide on if you want to spray it. Once you spray it there’s no undoing that. I’d leave it alone and eventually it’ll be bare mahogany except under the pickguard!

@koll789

8 ай бұрын

Thanks guys 😎

It's always a relief when the truss rod is able to turn on a vintage guitar like this (pun intended)

I like the idea of just putting some form of seal over the body and remaining finish. Preserve the history while also protecting what’s left and the exposed wood

@theloamrider4265

8 ай бұрын

Exactly what I came to say

@rocknrollmandolin

8 ай бұрын

Great suggestion 💪

@R3TR0R4V3

8 ай бұрын

Bare wood, as-is is no bueno! Really hope he coats it with something. 🤞

@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG

8 ай бұрын

@THEROCKLORD1 Or...OR! ...put it in stasis; there's a stasis chamber in Sickbay...

@fiftynineseconds

8 ай бұрын

Yes. I love that idea.

Beautiful guitar! Can’t wait to hear you jam on it properly! Love the channel Matthew. Keep up the great work in preserving musical history.

It is very nice to see your love and respect for vintage instruments but always with the aim of playing them!

This is by far one of the coolest guitar videos I have seen in a very long time. Such a special guitar that looks like it is in the right hands. Hope you are able to nurse this great instrument back to health and have many enjoyable years playing it.

Such a gem you have there! Please do anything you can to preserve it as it looks now - it's incredible . If things don't work out, you can always go for a refinish, but it is stunning with all that checking and little finish rectangles!

Fantastic find Mathew. I do enjoy your videos and your passion to keep these instruments working. Keep up the great work brother. Thomas from Idaho

27k views and 3k likes already?? Man, Mikey Rose told me about you and your band and i gotta say you guys are amazing!! Been trying to backlog and keep up with everything Matthew Scott! Amazing songs and tones with this band. Keep up the amazing work and hope to catch you guys in and around Norman every time you play!

I think it's so cool that someone cares enough about these old guitars to not just want to save them but to get them back to "playable" condition. Can't wait to see the rest of this series.

This might be your most intriguing find yet. Looking forward to seeing you work this one back to life. Love your new release too, by the way.

I'm loving this, man. Looking forward to the continued restoration.

This "pixelated" pattern of remaining paint is what I like the most in this amazing guitar.

Stoked to see more of the story of this guitar

I’m looking forward to seeing more on this project! Such a great find and awesome guitar!

You are simply amazing! Can’t wait to see more of this restoration!

I want to see a restoration and see you play it! Awesome find and congrats!

Awesome series...looking forward to more!!! ❤

Hey guys, you gonna love this junior, got a emg humbucker for it and did a turquoise poli finish, you guys gonna love it

Matt, your doing a wonderful job. Your passion for the history and stories is to your credit😊😊😊

Great video. Don't spray the guitar, let the rest of the paint fall off all by itself. Refret the neck, get rid of those ridicules neck screws and plug the holes and reset the neck. Glue the headstock. Rehab the tuners and pots if you can. The tailpiece is tough to say what to do with but maybe plugs and straightened inserts will let you keep the bridge. Can't wait to see the next episode. By the way, your record ROCKS! I really enjoy it.

Superfine find Matt! I owned a 58' for a few years. I now own a 2016 Tobacco burst. 🎂🎂🎂

I love the deep dives into these instruments. Hope to see many more! Thanks for sharing.

So much cool work to do. A lot of hard decisions for sure. Have fun Matt. Much respect for what you are doing!

Very well done on looking after what is essentially a valuable antique. When we see guitarists still playing guitars with much paint missing and this guitar you are working on has some original paint present, personally I would love to see it left as is paintwise. It is part of it's history and it's "patina" and I am sure you will look after this beautiful piece of music history, a rare piece as well. Thanks for this, well done.

@R3TR0R4V3

8 ай бұрын

If he leaves it as-is, there will be no paint left at all.. It's already chipping off. He needs to "lock down" what's left and put some kind of coating on it, whether it be varnish or whatever.. _Anything_ would be better than bare wood! ;)

Full restore , it deserves it. There’s enough rat rod guitars out there bring this back to its glory.

What a great find! Looking forward to more episodes

Love this. Whatever you decide will be the right call. Personally I’d remove the neck screws (they’d constantly remind me of a bad repair - whereas what you’re doing will be high quality). everything you’ve suggested sounds amazing. Can’t wait to see it…

I think you're on the right track trying to get the existing paint to settle down with some cut lacquer thinner. I would still clear it. Use some flattening agent in the clear to keep some of the matte finish character of the wood.

What I did to my 57 Special with a broken pot post was buy another one from the same era and swap the wiper/post out, putting the unbroken one in my pot. I was able to do it without breaking the solder joints. Yours will be easy, as its not an issue to break the solder joint. The pot backs are easy to take off and put back.

Love to see the look conserved to retain its appearance as it is. A fantastic find and I'm looking forward to you playing it

That’s an amazing find, Matthew. I’m jealous! Really looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Thanks for sharing!

I'm sure you would have already done this, but just in case...if you put the screws back in the neck, I would pre-drill the holes to the right depth, slightly smaller diameter than the screws so they can still grab. It looks like someone thought the screws would grab in the neck and suck it down, but the mahogany was too hard and the screws just pushed the neck away from the body. Pre-drilling will also ensure you don't split any more wood when the screws sit deeper, and the neck is seated properly. I don't know much about fixing guitars, but this looks like a rookie woodworking mistake.

Hi Matthew. Amazing find. Can't wait to see more videos of it. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

This guitar was made just a couple weeks before my dad's 4th birthday. I love watching videos like these and just being fascinated with how far guitars have come along, but people still love and want that retro style and build. Great stuff!

@terregarob

7 ай бұрын

Your dad is the same age as me then, 1950 was a great year!!

I always enjoy your videos like this one. Very very cool to see an old soldier getting some much due commendations! I'd say to take the neck screws out and repair those holes but it'll be sweet either way. It's always fun to see a vintage guitar well preserved for history but just as fun to see one like this. I'm ready for part 3

@dirtybusinessboy

8 ай бұрын

Is there a range of SN's from that year and those weeks you could figure out to get at least an approximate SN or is that sacrilege?

@2na-phish

8 ай бұрын

@@dirtybusinessboy inked on serial number would have been 4 for 54 followed by the number of the guitar 0001, 0002,0003 and so on.

@dirtybusinessboy

8 ай бұрын

@@2na-phishThanks for the info. It would be cool if Gibson somehow issued a new SN for his guitar that could never have been a real number. Like 4 10000 or whatever. I'm sure that would never happen but they are all about playing authentic these days :)

love that guitar even if it is a Gibson. i wouldn't remove those screws they could be magical tone screws j/k. man you do great vids always informative and an awesome player best part you're a player that takes care of his own guitars much respect.

I totally stumbled onto your channel and all I can say is thank you for the first time to the KZread algorithm for finally sending me a gem! I am all in on this one and have so many thoughts and opinions but won't even go there as this is just way too special! I am here for the long haul and have never been more excited to see a guitar find and restoration like this.

Have similar story . 1956 Junior found at a garage sale in horrible condition. Had original P90 and electronics. Pots, orig bumble bee cap. Missing bridge and tuners .Head stock chewed knawed on by some hungry varmint Pt over numerous times. Horrible paint jobs. Put it together, plugged it in. It growled like a beast! One of the best sounding guitars ever. That P 90 was a sleeping monster. Long story short ,at first my feelings were to leave it all knarly. Played it out some . At first used it for slide. Gave in ...refretted, refinished TV yellow , no regrets. Will never give this one up. So looking at your find . Looks like it got painted ? Advise refinish, refrett, you will cherish that one .

Such a rad find, Matthew! For what it’s worth I’d plug the holes on the back, and I think I’d refinish it. Normally I’d err the other way but on this guitar, because the finish is so far gone, I think it’d be a good idea. Kinda more out of a maintenance type reasoning than cosmetic. A good era specific refin should keep that guitar going another 70 years 👌🏻

@chucklambert7283

8 ай бұрын

I think the finish the way it is it’s pretty cool, but I think if the neck can be seated in properly and glued in properly and get those screws out of there. That may be the way to go. everybody has an opinion right?

Awesome content Matthew! The question I always have when I watch your video's is.... how the heck do you find these things???

I had messaged the guy about this exact guitar the second it hit Facebook market and it sold very quick. Despite that I really wanted this guitar, I’m glad it went to a good home! Couldn’t believe it when I saw your video come out a couple weeks after it sold. Small world!

@burgerguitars

8 ай бұрын

How much did he ask for it?

Can't wait to see how it looks and sounds when it's restored

Loving this project Matthew. I can't stand those repair screws in the neck though. I know they are part of the guitar's story but personally I'd like to see them gone and the neck reset properly (if that is possible). Maybe it's just me! 😂

What an absolute great find. The blush remover is a great idea. But after that I would shoot a satin clear very lightly just to preserve the wood. Yes it will darken the mahogany some. You could also use an oil if the blush remover really grabs that original paint. The pot date could date it a little later don't you think? Because they bought those things in large batches and some could be hanging around past their date. I mean it's the best option you have to date but necessarily conclusive.

Wow. Wow. So cool. The etching from the finish checking is off the hook. Looking forward to your restoration. Love this guitar. 😍😍😍

That guitar was so fortunate to find you.

While I am certainly not a fan of artificial relic jobs (Fender and sadly, now Gibson) I love the story this old guitar tells. It’s just gorgeous! I might remove the screws from the home repair job, but I certainly understand your point that they are part of the guitar’s history. If it were mine, I’d seal the the bare wood to preserve, but would leave the weathered old look intact. I can’t wait to see how this one turns out.

@josephbrewer7026

8 ай бұрын

I agree that this is a set neck with a home repair job using screws. I’m torn as to whether I’d leave them after properly repairing the set in. I’d probably remove and repair the holes, but I respect your preference.

@midnite_in_november

8 ай бұрын

You don’t like relic guitars but you like leaving a guitar in a barn to get the same look… relic haters are so confusing

@BryanClark-gk6ie

8 ай бұрын

Reliced guitars are made for us younger guys' all of you old timers sit back and polish your guitars because you know we can play better than all of you sitting around banging out 3 chords trying to play county music.

@josephbrewer7026

8 ай бұрын

@@BryanClark-gk6ie Hahaha… There are licks and riffs I play that you couldn’t even comprehend. At least you don’t have to worry about scratching your “relic” as you ride your bicycle to your guitar lesson.

@daviddawson1718

8 ай бұрын

​@josephbrewer7026 don't let that puppy get under your skin. Some people play and others talk shit and hope that they don't have to back anything up.

Has all the tell tales of a really early original Junior. Very similar to my '55 that I bought from a co-worker years ago. It had been completely stripped down and spray painted industrial blue. He kept it in his locker at work to play on his breaks. Your bridge studs are in the same spot mine are roughly with the treble stud pretty close to the pickup, which to my understanding is indicative of the earliest Juniors. Mine had the Grey Tiger, but it was leaking, and the non-original pots were ruined by the hack paint job. As you probably know, be VERY careful with that P-90 cover, your bobbins are probably disintegrating. Contact Seymour Duncan, he gave me some very useful tips on preserving my Junior's original pickup. While you're at it, you might check to see the angle of the neck, too. I know mine is very shallow, i have the bridge pretty much decked to the top for a nice low-medium action, but it can't go any lower. You've got a perfect opportunity to fix yours. You could spray a very light, very thinned down coat of lacquer that should seal it without changing the look of it. It won't hurt to test spray a very small area.

Fascinating stuff. I saw the video where you went to Wichita to buy it; when you plugged it in and played it, you got me to subscribe right there. It says a lot about you when you say you are the “caretaker” of one of these pieces of craftsmanship and art, not the “owner”. Can’t wait for you to get this one restored; it will be magical given your love and talent as a musician!

So very cool. Enjoying your process. Best, brother!

I have a 54 goldtop that was a barnfind - paid $125 back in 1979

@hailmaryrecordings8255

8 ай бұрын

Up your’s 😂

I think the answer to the refin question depends ultimately on what your intentions for it are: Is it primarily piece of “folk art” that you want to preserve (that just happens to be “playable”)? If that case; then keep the way it is - maybe try melting the lacquer back in as you suggested. Or, Is it a guitar that you actually want to play - not just technically “playable”. In that case I’d just do a complete refinish. With the neck issue is already not the most preserved guitar in the world. Personally I’d do a refinish and re-set the neck, plug the holes, etc. keeping it true as much as possible to original.

I can’t wait to see how this turns out. The ghosting of the varnish checks in the wood-I really hope there’s a way to preserve that. Very cool!

What a find. Looking forward to the next installment. Hello from the UK.

Very intelligent analysis and knowledge of guitar! Great to see someone so connected and competent.

Nice find man. Looking forward to the future videos

Awesome video. I look forward to the future episodes. Good luck sir

Dude, you are the real deal. I've heard some of your album, but I think I'll wait till until I get the CD so I can crank it in my car. Love the junior, btw.

Fantastic Matthew, thank you for sharing this with us.

Great content. Thanks for the history lesson on early Juniors. Entertaining and informative.

Hey Matthew, great interview on the Blues Rock Show !

Can’t wait to see what you do next ! Great find!

This is incredible & fascinating stuff Mathew! Thanks for sharing! Best wishes. 👍

Really loving this guitar. Keep it going. Can't wait to see the next steps.

Please preserve the original finish. It is a part of his trip and adds charm to this piece of history. You're great man

Always a pleasure to hear you

The finish checking in the wood also looks like it’s part due to the sealer in the wood. Fascinating stuff!

This is AMAZING 🤩! Cannot wait for the next video!!! If I were you, I would not know what to do with the screws from the back of the neck … they have been there forever and if removed them you should fill the holes, possibly unsightly without a refinish … on the other hand, they surely do not belong on LPJ! Also, looking forward to see the experiment of trying to re-dissolve the lacquer ! Super cool! Great video !

Bloody leave the finish alone... let this be The Rory Gallagher of LP Juniors man... its a Beauty! Rock on Brother... Best regards from Prague! 😃👍👍😎😎🔊🔊🎸🎸

Dude can’t wait to see the work to be done. Man I’m a guitar nerd!

Congrats on 200K subs, Matthew!! Wooo Hooo!!!

Can’t wait for the next episode! Love these.. keep ‘em coming

Would absolutely love to see her brought back to her glory! You have all the original components. Maybe this could be a Gibson collaboration and bring her back to life.

Sweet. Im glad someone like you has it. Enjoy the journey.

What an amazing find! Looking forward to next video

This is a really exciting revival. Definitely a lot of delicate and tough work ahead but It'll be awesome to see this guitar shred again!

I had the exact same model when I was a teenager, around 1963. I let someone “borrow” it in the mid 70’s and I haven’t seen him or the guitar since then.

Good luck! Waiting on your restoration/JJ

Can't wait to see it all repaired

Wow that guitar is in a lot better condition than I thought after watching the first video, I thought the fingerboard was dissolving and that the body was completely weather checked but this guitar is actually not that bad at all. I'm glad you found it and are making it playable again!

Man!!! I'm excited to see the next episodes!!! !!! I love your chanel bro!!! Congratulations!!! Cheers from Netherlands!!!

Charlie Starr is probably watching this and dreaming of that guitar in his touring rig. What a find!

Congratulations on this awesome find!

I love that guitar! I went to Spotify and listened to your new album, I LOVE it!

Very cool, Matthew. Nice find for sure!

Love what you do the for the old guitars. Looking forward to what you do with the hidden gem.

Keep the finish, let it flake! This is the total example of honest aging and a genuine, no bullshit, relic.

This baby is almost 70 years old--'looking forward to seeing what you do with her.

Super cool, loving this one. Cheers Matthew.

This is awesome stuff! Great video!

Love to see it restored.