In 1987, I took my '55 Les Paul Jr. to Fat Tuesdays in NYC, where Les Paul played every Monday night for many years, (before he moved to Iridium, where he also played every Monday night for many more years.) When I asked Les to sign it for me, he picked it up, played a little run up and down the neck, then he told me that the first few years they were made, he helped wire some of the Gibson Les Paul guitars. He said "I might have installed those pickups!" before he handed it back to me. I still have mine, but the finish is crackled, it definitely looks like it's been around since 1955. Les was always very personable and appreciative of his fans. The last time I saw him, (about 2001) I said "You're looking good, Les!" He replied, "Your fuc*in' eyes are goin!"
Hard to belive he had time in ‘55 to wire guitars, can someone confirm this? I thought he was still touring with Mary a lot. Not like it’s inpossible and sure done at least couple then but how many who knows...
@@twoodfrd You have gift for walking the razor's edge of OCD and best practices. I despise people my Dad described as "rammy", the kind who blindly tear into (and up) something.
I am addicted to your videos, a Sunday afternoon pleasure. Every so often I will look up old videos from you, like this one, and I have commented before that you are a true Artist, and your videos are very informative. I can not play anymore after 44 years in plumbing & mechanical trade my hands and fingers are deformed from pipe wrenches and old age, but my son, instead of taking over business went into music as a player and I impart what I learn from you to him. He is not very mechanically inclined but he can play. Thanks again.
I have 1955 Junior. I bought it for $50 in 1974 from my across-the- hall neighbor at the University of Florida. Someone had spray painted it white including the neck! Fortunately the headstock was spared. Many years later I paid a small fortune to have it restored to its 1955 glory. The work was done by Eiichi Ishikawa of Shuriya Guitarcraft in Vancouver. He did a fantastic job! 1955 is my birth year so it is a special guitar for me. Plus it is very fun to play!
The best thing I’ve recently discovered here in cold and wet England: a cup of tea lay on the sofa and watch this. After some time you will be the utmost relaxed and possibly fall in to a light sleep. Great videos and interesting to watch your craftsmanship. Not that it’s boring haha.
"Wonder of wonders, the headpiece is in one piece!" Classic. Years ago I had an Epiphone 'Invader' that was a close clone of this style of guitar. Wish I still had it - it was a budget instrument but was incredible once I changed the tuners.
Oh yes please! Wonderful Leslie West driving his amp into harmonic fits of not knowing which way to run with his Junior at 1:51 of Mississippi Queen. One of my favourite moments in guitar history.
You're too funny, big guy! You may be a little bit heavy but God I wish I had your knowledge! But it's good that you joke about it. I've said it several times but I'm gonna say it again, you're probably one of the most professional people I've ever watched and I admire that!
My wife is a quilter and those plastic sheets are called transfer sheets. They’re available in most fabric stores. They really do a nice job protecting an instrument top when you get near it with a file😎
Ted as always your video is more cathartic than anything else. i used to fall asleep to predator or rambo now twoodfrd. Just wanted to let you know that during this time of insanity in the world you give at least 50000 people pause, and a chance to unwind. I fixx kids guitars at school where I work only setups and little odd repairs mostly learnt from you. So indirectly you make them smile and love playing there guitars again. Cheers mate from Aus.
I love that you are as careful with those old Hensels as a $10K guitar like this. Treat them all with real thought and TLC. Score the fret ends, save the X carving - basically just do the job right. He picked the right guy for his refret. Always love your vids, thanks.
That encompassed all the things I've seen elsewhere on RU-vid that made me think "yeah that's a great idea" when it comes to re-fretting. Plus one thing I'd not seen before. Fantastic video.
Wouldn't have thought you were a Johnny Thunders fan!! Im a hobbyist and i make tv yellow dc jrs from kits and then decorate em like JTs with the stickers and waterslide decals of pinup girls. I did his portrait on the back of a vintage 1973 Arbiter DC LP Jr clone i bought from the UK. Its Japanese and the picture i chose was from a Japanese photo shoot of the Dolls in 1973, so it all clicks. Wish i could post pics here cuz i took a maestro sg and filled in the swimming pool top route and routed it for a set of mini humbuckers in the neck and middle positions and a P90 in the bridge spot. Before i did all the routing i painted the front like a real cheetah pelt for Cheetah Chrome too. He loves it.
I wanted to say something earlier but I guess I needed to process it some before I did. You spoke of talent. You were very kind about it, as you always are. Some have it and some don't. ( email question you answered) realize our limitations is big. I have disabilities that keep me from being able to fully comprehend and execute such fine skills. No, it takes a special person to do this. Someone that can read a measure for one. Lol! Merry Christmas! It took me thirty years but I now play by ear.
Just gotta say, I have no interest in guitar repair myself but I love these videos, found this channel a couple of weeks ago and I think I've watched almost all vids.
I've seen a lot of videos about a refet jobs but this one is my favourite so far. So many small tips and tricks, that I can use to reduce wood chipping! I've also sanded down any singns of estensive use of my fingerboards, but you convinced me- this is a part of the mojo, a part of guitar's history. From now on, I leave as much of it as possible. Thanks for the video!
I love your commentary. Thanks for the reminder that the job can be done just as well even if you don’t have the cool guy tools. The Stanley fatty is all too relatable with my quarantine diet of Swiss cake rolls.
Another great episode! I learn so much from every installment... mostly that getting an experienced person to do the work is well worth the money. Fascinating to watch nonetheless.
Another great video, thanks Ted! I subscribe to a few other luthier channels, and watch lots of videos. Though those other guys are also talented, none of them are as impressive as the work you do. Your attention to detail and craftsmanship is just amazing. Even your work bench and all of your tools, jigs, etc. are clean and well organized. Maybe it’s my OCD, but I cringe sometimes when I watch the other guys working on a filthy table, while repairing a 50+ year old vintage guitar. Keep doing what you’re doing and thanks again!
It's great that you respect the client and the instrument. It shows how good a simple guitar can sound. Early on I preferred microphonic pickups as they allow the natural wood resonance to come through in the signal. So much more sonic complexity. Great video!.
Oh yes that's just what I needed. Dying off coronavirus right now at least I will see some nice guitar work before that. Cheers man thanks for all this vids.
Look after yourself - I had it in March and still suffering the after-effects, as is my wife. Be gentle to yourself and don't rush to do anything that requires effort. Sincere best wishes!
