That "tuner clamp" is one of the most ingenious things I have ever seen, the whole process was fascinating. Thank you Ted.

You put ten times as much thought into that repair job than the Gibson engineer that caused the problem in the first place. You have my respect, sir.

I have come to notice that a channel such as this, contains several aspects. One very important one is the ability of the host to speak well, transfer the information, and keep our interest. This channel exceeds expectations in such areas. Thank you and well done.

Adam Savage named dropped Ted. Ted name dropped Adam. Let's get these two together. For what, I have no idea. But I'd like to see it all the same.

“It’s Guitar Operation: The wacky Luthier’s Game!” 😉

I'm American living in Vietnam and we're in lockdown. Things haven't been a lot of fun here. Stuck in a two bedroom apartment with my nag of a wife and my dear, bored four year old. These videos give me something to look forward to.

This must be up there in the hall of fame of most-laborious strap button installations of all time.

"I'll probably make some way of retrieving it" . . . . magic! Tuner clamp - hadn't seen that before. Genius idea.

That guitar is a beauty. I don't like the rubber thing either. I was thinking a purpose built ebony replacement cup maybe? With a thin compressable buffer on the underside. Wierd to build a temple to wood and then slap a piece of rubber there.

Good stuff! As always. I've yet to figure out why there are so many luthier/repair channels and this one isn't the top rated KZfaq go-to, must follow, most subscribed. This is real luthiery and instrument repair at it's best. It deals with real world instructional content, technique, specific to model, build, known variables and stringed instrument structural engineering norms from historical to modern design. This is not about this episode per say, but your content as a whole. Even the simplest hand tool informational, like planing & carving techniques, jig design and setup saw, knife & chisel differences, proper use and best choice for specified tasks its a world of knowledge in your head my friend. I didn't even mention safety and the importance you stress on blade direction or mechanical rotation. You even point out examples when you get hurried and present it incorrectly, as an example of what not to do. You never let a teachable moment escape you. And there's more! So much more. I've learned more about wood types, growth patterns, species origin and natural characteristics based on every possible exposure from climate, condition, players style & habits, like oily, grimy hands, humidity, basic maintenance needs vs neglect, stored in case vs leaned against a wall and the environmental affects associated with all these situations. Another, Clamp styles and techniques, glue variables, adhesion properties and choosing wisely. There is something to learn in every episode, even if you thought you'd seen it all. I could go on and on.. and I have. My apologies! I just don't think people realize the value of what they are getting here. You can pay for a course or get into an apprenticeship to learn a lot of this, but so much of your skill is real world, tried and on-the-fly mastery. Been there, done that, couldn't afford to buy that tool or fit it in my space, I'll design a way, perfected. You can't buy that kind of knowledge. Ted, you are a professor good sir. I only have one criticism. Never think, this is boring, I've shown you this before. Every repair has its own challenges and slight difference. The most minor thing in a setup, like tool choice for that particular instrument or process that may seem mundane to you, can be eye opening for many of us. Keep up this incredible content!!!!

I almost commented about halfway through the video about replacing the rubber with a poker chip. Glad I waited, but confession doesn't make me less of an idiot, just an honest one...😊

Guitars without a control cavity have F holes so you know the word you're going to say a lot trying to work on the inside of it.

Man that tuner clamp + guitar string trick absolutely blew my mind!

One just doesn’t ignore a guitar when it’s tells you how it wants to be played

I can't imagine the amount of patience you have. Even watching you trying to tip over the switch in guitar's body through the little hole at the beginning was making me want to curse. Thank you, Mr. Woodford.

I love how chill your videos are they always give off a nice vibe.

That switch/rubber grommet combo is bananapants. The Switchmaster-style setup would be clutch.

I’d be fine with that switch, because I never leave the bridge pup! Excellent craftsmanship as always!

Gibsons philosophy: Lets build beautifull, excellently sounding instrument from AAA grade wood, with amazing pickups, and then we'll put an 0,10 USD rubber ring under gold-plated switch. ARGH.

Love the whip tip on the 3n1 oil! Great idea!

I own the same model and it's a fantastic guitar. The idea was an L5 body shrunk down by 10% mated to a 59 Les Paul neck with a 16 fret neck joint.

"...the sound of a nut against rubber..." Haven't heard that sound since college.

Always brings a smile to my face to see your videos pop up

It is a pleasure to watch you work, and your explanations are clear and instructive. A pleasure sir, to watch!

Saturday is complete …

Your professionalism and skill matched to your candor keeps me coming back to each video. Thanks for sharing your content.

Does this gentleman know what he's doing or does this gentleman know what he's doing?? Great technique for getting a block in the right position in the side of the guitar. Thanks for sharing.

Great stuff as usual and love those Page tones at the end !

I find your videos interesting and in a strange way, very calming. Stay skilled and chilled.

I have this exact issue on my 275, am a big fan of yours so took a massive shot in the dark searching your name and 275 and lo and behold you've dealt with it exactly - bizarre! Thank you!

A good example of hearing a pickup switch is Keith Richards' CLANK in "Satisfaction."

I'm so glad I watched this a second time just to catch your playing at the end again ! You have a lot more faith in your work than I have in mine, I would not be able to stop that tiny pared down block for the strap button from splitting when I screwed the button in unless I made it from a thick block of fibreglass and attached it with thickened epoxy or used a bolt through the button and a metal washer with a nut inside. I know my limitations ! I also got a better sense of how tiny your workshop is from this video, it looks like the cupboard under our stairs !

I am from south Tennessee, I think you're a fine luthier and repair man, and your videos are awesome!

Im so glad this guitar is getting love. Its gorgeous.

oh boy! you're a genius! loved your 'double string tuner clamp ' trick! keep up the good work mate!

All of your videos are amazing and have learnt so much from you! Would you be able to do a video on how you can tell finishes appart and perhaps how to repair / touch them up?

Thank you Ted for making me smile, again.

What a great and challenging job you did. So cool to watch this stuff.

You're so creative. Genius. Thank you for sharing.

excellent job, the tuner "clamp" is pure inspiration,

Great video Ted ! Loved the thought out placement of the strap button. I aquired a 12 string acoustic guitar that the previous owner tried to put a strap button in the same spot, only with no support behind it. It failed, and now I get to repair the big hole it left.! Gives me ideas for repair or relocation of the strap... thanks for your well thought out techniques for this kind of situation. !

Not only a master luthier , you play beautiful music 💯🎶🎵

Wow that thing is stunning

Love your work brother!!!!

My dude, I love your videos.

That is a beautiful guitar.

Oooh now your referencing Adam Savage 😆. Great video and nice job as always.

I fully understand that Ted is a absolute master luthier but was I the only one that still cringed when he started to drill into it? 😂 good shit as always Ted.

Great as always. That thread you put on the PU selector switch looked like dental floss. Hopefully stronger. But as soon as I saw you do this, my first thought was "What if it breaks? What if the knot comes loose?" I appreciate the beauty of some Gibson's. But I sure appreciate the utility of Fenders. Designed to be maintained, changed, upgraded.

I kept thinking...where is he going with this Awesome work TWood. You never sieze to amaze!

Really love the tuner clamp and your drawing of the rubber/switch problem

Again another smart repair. The strap button install was 👌

Looks like the youtube algorithms are finally starting to show ya some love. Never seen one of your videos the day it popped up but i'm always glad to find my way here eventually. you've got quite the captivating aura, twoodfrd.

I was looking at bouzoukis and stumbled on this... It was so good... Thank you

Now I know what the extra lock nut with the strange little flange was about when I ordered a switch for my 335 build. I thinking fixing one problem should not have to cause a compromise and create another problem. On the upside they left you with a handy little access hole. Great work as always Ted!

I wanted to hear if there was a "click" when switching to different pickup selections. Good video!

Those were the most beautiful wood shavings I've ever seen, they looked like gold. I hate that rubber grommet.

Wow gorgeous guitar 🎸😍

Wow !!!! Keep listening to what you're being told that should be played !!!! Great sampling,,, but the last selection ,,,, WOW !! I could listen all day long !!!! Keep the volume up and the strings warm !!!

The grommets on the older hollow-bodied guitars were much stiffer and had a nice shine to them. This grommet looks like a cheap knock-off. On the ES 175, the grommet and the original long Switchcraft toggle switch formed a perfect pair, no worries at all. BTW, you have to put the grommet in first, pull the switch upward, and fasten the nut.

It’s seeing jobs like this that make me glad I support my local luthier. It may be a simple setup but sometimes they need a break

3 down votes... how could anyone ever down vote your videos? I really enjoy watching you make repairs and it's helped me understand how to fix issues i've had.

Interesting he didn't want the strap mount in the solid heel. I use the small strap around the headstock trick for my HD-35. Always enjoy your vids. I'm a retired machinist and appreciate your videos. Always logical.

I've only just seen this, and very timely it was. I had been considering fitting the classic Gibson rubber switch mount to my ES-275 precisely because of the noise through the amp when using the switch. And now I'm not. Thank you. 🙂

Beautiful guitar, with a nice tone.

Well hey there gang!! Here to get my fixxxx

Your skills and intelligence are outstanding. Wish I had someone like you for all my guitars ....so if you ever move to Tasmania......

May be the most beautiful guitar I ever saw!

Poor engineering on that switch, but boy is she beautiful! Great work and narration!

Absolutely brilliant!

Nice notes Beautiful sounding guitar

really nice video, as always!

Always a pleasure!

That string trick is very neat indeed.

Who wouldn’t want this artisan to work on his guitar. Just wish he was in Alberta . The good ones that know how to access, converse and best of all , play a guitar. Are very few . Alberta Dave

Thank you, very helpful...I own a 1999 L-4 ces, has the same 3-way switch problem...

No shock, another great video!

You are the best luthier thanks for the video!!

I wonder if Gibson could have successfully solved that "isolation" problem by just putting a thin rubber washer under the standard poker chip.

i got so confused because i suddenly heard "okay adam you're gonna have to help me here."

A pleasure to view..once again

I'd have been tempted to replace the rubber with something like a pair of rosewood discs with sliver of cork on the facing surface, so that at least the transverse damping was mitigated. That would drive me nuts on stage. Another beautiful instrument. You always bring the pretty.

Ted, watching that plane so close to your fingers was terrifying! I had to keep saying to myself, "he knows what he's doing" over again!

Tuner clamp. Freakin' genius.

Somehow, you kind of reminded me of Bill Frisell there at the end... Great work, nice playing on a great sounding guitar.

A new Ted Video. Yessss. All hail Zorp.

There's some niche ASMR here ! Thanks for the great advice cos my switch is now cleaned up great.

I've got a ES175 Ibanez copy with a switch like that, the rubber is much more dense and lower profile, no issues except this guitar was once a modified Guitorgan! All the electronics are gone but still has the frets divided into 6 pieces each with leads that go into the body.

A joy to watch.

Great job, as usual. I'm surprised no one asked about the missing theme music. Or was that just some glitch unique to my KZfaq experience? I suppose I could be behind on videos and you explain it elsewhere, but I didn't think so.

Very cool. Thank you.

The puzzles you solve seem so obvious when solved but I know are mentally daunting for us novices.....bravo....reminds me of listening to a Beatles tune and thinking how'd they come up with that little device that's simple genius

very nice guitar and fixup.

I'd love to know how you learned some of your repair tricks such as the tuner clamp to secure the internal block of wood. Regardless, simply amazing!

I'll never work on a guitar like this. That being said, I learned about a switch nut wrench, and using a tuner and string as a clamp. Now, to find a use for it..... LoL Nice video!

I've just added a strap button to a 1966 Hofner 4575 (or, 65-3, as they're also known - it's like a 3 pickup Verithin, with a fascinating control panel). It would just have looked wrong on the upper bout (plus Hofner didn't use kerfling, so that's a weak point), I didn't want it on the heel, and in the traditional position on the body behind it would've ruined the look of the lovely flamed maple on the back. In the end I put it where the uppermost screw closest to the neck on a Telecaster backplate would be. It's out of the way of the hand, and because it's offset to the heel and body there, somehow it doesn't dominate and disrupt the beauty of that part of the guitar.

Beautiful Jazz Bebop guitar

That tuner clamp is very clever.

I agree. Why did Gibson put a rubber grommet on a multi thousand dollar guitar ( in Australia) Must have been a better way . Your work is a pleasure to watch and you do some nice right hand finger work when playing

That is a beautiful guitar... whew.