Luthier's Lament

Рет қаралды 96,689

twoodfrd

4 жыл бұрын

A couple of small jobs which turned into bigger ones.

Пікірлер: 285

@stevenedwards4470 4 жыл бұрын

I think spite driven industriousness is a positive character trait.

@hermit3400 3 жыл бұрын

"Spite driven industriousness"... You sir, are a wordsmith. If you don't write for a living, you should!

@stevegrooms1142 4 жыл бұрын

I enjoy the fact Ted never seems to feel sorry for himself when a job gets nasty. It's never "poor me." Ted has the pride of someone who expects to prevail even when the job doesn't go as expected. That's admirable and refreshing.

@gnuclur8952 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Grooms that’s an excellent point.... some of the other KZfaq videos I’ve watch include O poor me bs with continued complaining.. this guy just deals with it without a bunch of drama... good catch Steve.

@podfuk 3 жыл бұрын

@@gnuclur8952 yeah, Jerry from Rosa String Works has "It’s not easy to be me" moment in almost every video, but I like him a lot, Its almost become a running joke ;)

@superchroma 3 жыл бұрын

He probably does, but is able to edit out all the moments of despair so it all seems mundane.

@socallars3748 Жыл бұрын

There was one episode where he started with an extended rant about how the Canadian tax system punishes self-employed people, it seemed like something that had been building up inside him for a while. So he vented it all out in one shot and has never mentioned it since! I'm glad he got it off his chest. Ted is a class act. I can't even begin to describe how much I enjoy his videos, every single one of them. As somebody who has played for over 50 years and thought I knew guitars inside and out, but I've learned SO MUCH from watching a master repairman/luthier at work.

@MusicTechHelpGuy 4 жыл бұрын

TWOODFRD: "Now I'm mad..... calmly explains the problem and a solution to fix it." ME: "smashes guitar." I wish I had your ability to be so calm and collected.

@jonathangozzo3737 3 жыл бұрын

Well he would also have a very mad client 😂😂😂

@mrz80 3 жыл бұрын

@D Zuke I thought they just channeled the rage into harsh, cynical lyrics wrapped up in massively involuted prog rock anthems :D

@MaximilianBocek 4 жыл бұрын

This episode's head slapper: clear plastic palette over the area to be painted! It's at least small-g genius.

@markbryant4641 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah!! Fantastic idea.

@EdvardRickard 4 жыл бұрын

I thought so as well..

@pedroreyes4670 3 жыл бұрын

I had seen a violin maker do it, but it still requires a lot of care. Anyway, Ted is a genius.

@jfrorn 4 жыл бұрын

"This is unfixable.....So I made up a couple of back braces here..." haha, I love this channel.

@PetraKann 3 жыл бұрын

Unfixable meaning without major modifications

@jfrorn 3 жыл бұрын

@@PetraKann that's not unfixable. Unfixable is in spite of any modifications.

@PetraKann 3 жыл бұрын

@@jfrorn making Modifications changes an "unfixable" instrument into a "fixable" one. In its current state, it is unfixable with respect to preventing bowing of the instrument neck which is primarily caused by the poor structural design. Fixableness is a state directly related to the design of the instrument as well as the integrity of the materials and manufacturing process. This is very much a spiritual matter

@jfrorn 3 жыл бұрын

@@PetraKann First of all you completely missed the point of my initial post, which judging by your comments is understandable, secondly (and lastly) modifying something so that it works is actually fixing it. At least in this universe it is...

@PetraKann 3 жыл бұрын

@@jfrorn Making design modifications is changing the instrument. Fixing something is repairing it to it's original or intended state. You do understand the difference. I know it's subtle, but give it some thought.

@ramsayward6582 4 жыл бұрын

Without a doubt, this is my favourite KZfaq channel. I enjoy watching Ted do his magic.

@mikemorrison4860 4 жыл бұрын

"In this case I can only charge so much for the work, the budget ran out long ago". I hear that. I work on my own guitars because I got tired of trusting people who never really cared and I got better as I went. My real job is plumber and I go through the same type of thing dealing with poor workmanship and design, etc. To even persevere and not just give up is a testimony of your conscientiousness. That tells people that you really care and commands respect. Every now and then it is a labor of spite, just as you said, and you just get through it and move on. I watch all your videos. I really enjoy them. Thank you so much for showing what you do and keeping it real.

@patricksheridan7509 3 жыл бұрын

Lol I'm a plumber also watching to get how to tips

@johnyoung1298 3 жыл бұрын

I get the same way over stuff I have to fix when it's one of these "what the f**k were they thinking when they designed it moment"

@cfcasey.guitars-ukuleles 4 жыл бұрын

I admire your patience in dealing with the cigar box. I’d have been tempted to return it to the owner and say, “I’m sorry, but this is a badly engineered piece of garbage and I really hope you didn’t pay very much for it. There’s really nothing I can do to make this a durable instrument.” Kudos to you for doing what you could.

@SchnappM 3 жыл бұрын

I would have thrown it in a dumpster and told the owner that some bird flew away with it

@budgetguitaristcom 4 жыл бұрын

As a hobbyist who hasn't quite mastered refretting, channels like yours are invaluable. I think you do a great job of explaining things. :)

@blazer6248 4 жыл бұрын

Whoo! Refretting is something I may try later on. Just did my first level & crown and it turned out pretty good. Got 1 fret that may need a little more love but I started with 17/21 that needed touched up. Most were just high by a thou or 2 on one end or the other. Ends were still seated well so I didn't have to glue any down. 2 entire frets needed addressing and a couple were high right in the middle. Plus a few that needed touched up on one end or both and I had 17 total! it started with me thinking I had 2 high frets around 13 & 14. Once I got the neck straight with the strings off, the fret rockers told a different story lol. I only had bends choking out at 13/14(fretting the 12th/13th) and everywhere else was ok but I went ahead and knocked them all down anyway. Ended up breaking a tuner in the process but it wasn't my fault. The previous owner of one of my guitars tried to string up a G string(.016"-.018") in the high E slot, and then tried to tune it to high e. It bent the tuner over about 20+ degrees and snapped the string, and they gave up and sold the guitar. I made the bent tuner work for 4 months and it finally gave up on me yesterday.

@krystalmesh 2 жыл бұрын

"I'm repairing it on spite" describes my entire career.

@matthewbartolone7036 10 ай бұрын

Loved the candor, I would have been just as surprised that the chips were not original but I'm sure i would have missed that, outstanding narrative and work, Thank you.

@dannymatthews6365 2 жыл бұрын

Your dedication to the craft is amazing in these days of disposable everything.

@LaLaLand.Germany 3 жыл бұрын

That cigar box sounds good, rather like a banjo. I watched a cute vid about a little pig not knowing other pigs, it grew up with cats so it behaved like a cat, it purred and meowed and jumped about 1,5 meters up while playing. It became a cat at heart. Why i do come up with this: This cigar box grew up with guitars, it is a guitar at heart while still a cigar box. But without the love and care of some good people it would never gotten that far. Without the dedication of the caregivers they would´ve ended up as a pork chop or wood chip mulch. Now more than ever the world needs people who don´t see the misfit but the joy that they bring -after a little work...

@5000rgb 3 жыл бұрын

"forgery grade work" What a phrase

@randybecker7339 3 жыл бұрын

While your cigar box guitar repair was outstanding in its inventiveness and sheer stubborn effort, the level of craftsmanship on the Gibson was inspirational. I'd bet that as a kid you could do 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles practically without much effort at all. Your patience with these repairs is as amazing as the finished work is beautiful. Beyond showcasing your incredible skills, the sheer variety of repairs you're called upon to do is truly remarkable.. Love the videos!

@stevesstrings5243 4 жыл бұрын

Great analysis of the construction of teh Reso-CBG! As a novice CBG builder, it was both educational and thought-provoking!

@bombercountyblues 3 жыл бұрын

I see a c.b.g. in the thumbnail.. I know I'm about to see Steve in the comments.. how's it going mate?

@stevesstrings5243 3 жыл бұрын

Great, Jon! Thanks for asking!

@kotogray8335 3 жыл бұрын

I DEFINITELY think you should build your own "cigar box" guitar You were really enjoying playing that one

@Ricobass0 4 жыл бұрын

The box guitar needs two tension rods, like a banjo, from neck block to tail block.

@nicolen.9642 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful craftsmanship on the sound hole damage. Remarkable 🎶🎶🎶

@MichaelLloyd 4 жыл бұрын

I recently found my dad's old Gibson. It was bought by my mom with S&H Green Stamps around 55 years ago. I'd guess that it's not the highest end guitar that Gibson made. I can't find any kind of number, just Gibson at the top of the headstock and the black bell near the nut. I say found, I knew where it was, but I hadn't thought about it until I started watching your channel. It still has (most of) the original strings from the last time that he played it. All things considered it's done pretty well just sitting in its case for at least the last 30, maybe 40 years.

@wez161 4 жыл бұрын

These jobs are like those cakes in France we call "galettes des rois", in which there's hidden a small porcelain object. Objects that can give you a crown, but on which you'll also certainly lose a tooth.

@wez161 3 жыл бұрын

Je suis réparateur ( et non luthier) en magasin. Et j'ai beau aimer mon métier, j'ai beaucoup de mal à aimer ce genre de petites cochonneries "à la mode"

@josephbrewer7026 Жыл бұрын

Nicely done on both instruments. I especially enjoyed watching you repair the Gibson’s sound hole. Masterful work. I have to say, at the risk of enthusiast’s wrath, that I never have understood the making of a stringed instrument from a cigar box or the like, but to each his own. Thanks for yet another enjoyable and informative video.

@grazioso58 4 жыл бұрын

=) first one is excellent nuanced comedy , the second one with the chalk pigment trick is priceless , thanks!

@garcemac 3 жыл бұрын

You didn't fail, Ted. You took something that was going to fold itself in half withing the next month or two and extended its life greatly. At least the client has a cute little wall hanger now instead of something clogging up a landfill. I had planned to make something similar this summer with parts I have lying around. I'm thinking that a maple neck bolted to a 2x4 that's routed for a Tele neck pickup is a damned fine idea. I'll ironically use an Amazon box as the body. This was also a fantastic lesson in small-body bracing techniques. Not a failure at all, sir.

@nocturnalferalguitarist 4 жыл бұрын

I like this channel so much , I've been letting the ads play out and even click on em from time to time. Useful enjoyable content isn't easily found, and always a 👍

@RandomShites 4 жыл бұрын

The drawings and theory behind it were very informative and cool. I'm not even a luthier, congrats!

@blazer6248 4 жыл бұрын

That's exactly how I'd have done it and I'm not even a luthier. I'm just a lowly automotive technician lol.

@parttroll1 4 жыл бұрын

As a Structural Engineer myself he did a great job in explaining how loads are transferred from the neck and body. Yeah you can’t have too many braces or gussets for that cigar box. Maybe the owner will have to detune a whole step or so?

@perihelion7798 4 жыл бұрын

ADDENDUM: When I made my cigar box guitar [from a real cigar box], I made it a neck-through design. I used a maple plank which goes all the way through the box. I hinged the box so I can access the interior very easily. No problems with the action over many years.

@wrencormier513 3 жыл бұрын

I did the same, though mine is a 3 string bass

@Jester-Riddle 3 жыл бұрын

Yup. Cigar Boxes should have hinges, or how do you get the cigars out ... ! 😆

@jcripp7974 3 жыл бұрын

This was a reso. Could you still go neck through?

@perihelion7798 3 жыл бұрын

@@jcripp7974 Nope. The resonator chamber, and it's three parts, are in the way, so I don't think it could be done logically.

@wintersummers3085 2 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised how much that box guitar can warp with the top being so thick

@polvacf 4 жыл бұрын

The work in the Gibson is absolutely gorgeous!!!. Always glad to watch your talent Ted. Greetings from Colombia

@markjames8664 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I’m amazed at how well the repair matches up. No one would ever notice.

@Ukedc259 4 жыл бұрын

Another masterpiece. Thanks for sharing your work. It’s greatly appreciated.

@turtferguson4831 3 жыл бұрын

I love the detail in these videos. Gonna be bingeing for a while

@csnelling4 4 жыл бұрын

Loved your cigar box resonator playing 👏👏👏👏👍🇬🇧🍺

@Exgrmbl 4 жыл бұрын

Using phillips heads in a place where you can barely apply axial pressure, very clever design.

@gramursowanfaborden5820 3 жыл бұрын

i don't think "design" had any part in the construction of that instrument.

@symonf1966 4 жыл бұрын

Great video and thank you for posting. Mixing the colour on the see-through material was fantastic, also the artist chalk pastels, as luck would have it I have a high quality artist shop in my town and I'll be picking some of those up.

@Gerry2210 4 жыл бұрын

Great channel and what a genius! Brilliant work you do. Greetings from Ireland.

@michaelinglis8516 3 жыл бұрын

I certainly dont relish the fact that some of your jobs dont go as planned but I not only learn the most from them but they remind me your job is just as much troubleshooter as luthier. My jobs ALWAYS seem to be the troubleshooting kind lol so at least I know I'm not the only one. Thanks for taking the time to share your frustration. When I'm frustrated on a job it takes everything in me to keep from going into "rush to a solution" mode. Anyways I really love these videos!!

@gatesgardensguitars8871 3 жыл бұрын

I worked on a cigar box which was neck thru and even came out the end of the box where it was strung through. No truss rod and 3 steel strings. Sounded great played with a slide. The box was also reinforced with mdf which made it an easier weight to play.

@PelicanIslandLabs 4 жыл бұрын

The thumbs down are from the "luthier" (and his friends) who did the original "repair" on that Gibson.

@AlfOfAllTrades 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet dreams! That was an awesome repair and you've earned a good nights sleep. Looks great!

@gordon5004 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful work, as always.

@davidjohnstone2952 4 жыл бұрын

Repairing for spite made me laugh...keep up the great work!

@LiLi-or2gm 4 жыл бұрын

So satisfying to watch you work, Ted. And the results are always pleasing. Thanks for sharing your work with us!

@indorider 3 жыл бұрын

"Repairing on spite"... I love it! I know the sentiment all too well.

@cradd00 4 жыл бұрын

That finish repair at the end of the video looks incredible. Good job, nicely done.

@garywhitt98 3 жыл бұрын

Ted, you are an encouragement for sure. Thanks.

@arctichare8185 4 жыл бұрын

I find your videos, and definitely this one, very interesting and also well made. Thanks so much! (Your investigations, discoveries and solutions captivate me.)

@dwebster50 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice... the cigar box one , to a 55 Gibson . Now that is cool. That covers a lot of ground . Sure wish I lived in Ontario ...I would be bringing my guitars to you. The 46 & 55 , yes Gibson’s

@okiwatashi2349 4 жыл бұрын

Great tip on using the clear mixing palette! I really enjoy your videos, I’m a luthier, I build violins mainly, but your work is so informative and inspiring. Thanks

@RockStarOscarStern634 2 жыл бұрын

0:51 That's a JN Guitars Cigar Box Tenor Guitar model Cask Punchcoal, it's an Acoustic-Electric Resonator Tenor Guitar in Black.

@the_nondrive_side 3 жыл бұрын

I did a wine box with all Strip laminates. Even with an admittedly small and potentially weak neck join my box reinforcement and transition from the neck and attaching it to the face. It hasn't creeped. Bracing across the back and bridging in between the resonator and pickup.. Exactly what I have. Dollarama sell stainless cat food bowls that have a bottom surface flush with the outer rim.. My resonator of choice.

@alext8828 Жыл бұрын

It's amazing that you can find things already made if you look around. Colin Furze built a jet engine out of a toilet brush canister.

@stevenpressley5956 4 жыл бұрын

You are the man! I love watching you and Rob Cosman.. I always pick up something useful from you guys 👍 Thanks for the great content.

@dalgguitars 4 жыл бұрын

That CBG just quadrupled in value! Great video, thanks so much. I love my own CBGs. Neck through.

@SlimSlashie 3 жыл бұрын

The patch work on the Gibson is phenomenal! Way to go buddy!

@onemanswrld 4 жыл бұрын

I found this video very interesting....solving problems using common sense...observations...and engineering from experience.

@dr.crypto6891 4 жыл бұрын

Several master techniques revealed in this video. Cheers and Thanks.

@timothycharron8807 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! I love watching your stuff😊

@ed801975 4 жыл бұрын

Ted, I absolutely love watching your videos! They’re always fascinating and I never get enough of seeing you perform magic on these instruments. You’re a brilliant luthier and I would never have a moment’s hesitation about letting you work on one of my instruments. (Other than the fact that I’m in the USA almost as far south as you can get without ending up in the Gulf of Mexico! 🤣) Please keep the videos coming!

@slavoverlord1517 3 жыл бұрын

God warn us before playing that cigar box next time, i got my cousin pregnant...again

@robertshorthill4153 3 жыл бұрын

Slav Overlord. The fellow that contrived this "black box" contraption would have done better to have built a sort of solid topped "banjo" contraption with a co-ordinator rod that could have been adjustable. It's sort of tuned like a "banjer" anyway, sounds to me.

@parttroll1 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent work on the 2nd repair

@frankmedina4230 3 жыл бұрын

Great Chalk Pastel tip!!! Thanks so much!

@MrJoeydano 4 жыл бұрын

Another great instructional video thank you so much I’m about to attempt my first neck reset and bridge removal . Watching your videos has given me invaluable information to have confidence that I can do this 👍

@davefoster6156 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, you considered the cigar box guitar a failure? Sounds damn good to me! I am glad you pointed out that engineering stuff about cigar boxes

@robertrosenfield405 4 жыл бұрын

Outstanding! Always a fine day in the shop Ted. You can't always re-engineer a design, but I agree with the classical style foot.

@larsfrandsen2501 Жыл бұрын

You are brilliant. And brilliant at explaining things. I hope you know that.

@michellessard7047 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks again Ted , best channel on you tube ! 👍👍👍💖

@andrewwolfe2071 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tip on chalk substitute. Very helpful. Have a great weekend.

@humnpwr 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is the calmest luthier on KZfaq

@Three_Eyed_Willy 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent work, especially on the Gibson.

@sidneysnottley6414 3 жыл бұрын

Enjoyable , relaxing and educational - Great video / Great channel. Thanks.

@Sungodv 4 жыл бұрын

you really are the best, sir....sincerely

@CMRWoodworks 4 жыл бұрын

Interesting stuff! Enjoying your vids and learning a lot.

@shawnbarron7900 Жыл бұрын

Spite repairs, lol. A testament to your workmanship.

@QuebecLimaCharlie 4 жыл бұрын

I love and respect your integrity.

@guitfidle 3 жыл бұрын

Whe I build stuff like that cigar box guitar, I put a stick from the neck block to the tail block- this relieves the tension from the body.

@paulhendershott667 Жыл бұрын

I built a neck-thru design like Del Puckett and Michael at Southern Fried Cigar Box Guitars do. Stable, easy to work on and adjust, and the 2-piece heel and neck-thru, it's solid as a rock, low action, and stays in tune

@miaoupha2370 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing video. Like usual. You take pride in your work.

@benlogan430 7 ай бұрын

I’ve only had luck with CBG’s with a neck through design. Or at least a neck that goes to the end of the box. Stick in a box is my favorite design. But I like to keep it super simple for my cellar parts CBG. Reso’s require to much work for the end result for my taste. Excellent work my friend!

@joebikeguy6669 4 жыл бұрын

I love your channel. I build CBGs and I run the neck in one piece right through to the back of the box which eliminates the problem you encountered with this project.

@willford8475 4 жыл бұрын

Really interesting video. Thanks.

@christianpusey2791 4 жыл бұрын

Great work(as always).👌 A master of your craft Ted @twoodfrd.👏🤘 Always a pleasure to watch👍✌💜🙏

@Yougotadollar 4 жыл бұрын

Great episode

@markknoepfle3913 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Dresdner was the person who's books I learned finishing from. I still remember fabulous finishers frequently finish firewood first!

@L1V2P9 4 жыл бұрын

It takes a very high skill level and analytical acumen to do a job like this, especially to do it right. Ted has more patience than I'd ever have. I'd hate to think how I would utterly destroy the Gibson...I shiver to think about it.

@gusblacksmith9 Жыл бұрын

You are an inspiration, man! I've never found a luthier/guitar tech with your philosophy and work ethics. I'm a dedicated amateur guitar tech BECAUSE of those bad professionals I've met and after watching hundreds of your videos I know just the type of professional I wanna become. Yeah, I wanna be like you when I grow up, lol (I'm only 37). Thank you!

@marshallgeorge3819 3 жыл бұрын

Typically cigar box guitars are setup for playing slide guitar. The bolt on neck is a good idea, but you do need to have the fretboard come over the top of the guitar for about an inch. I add a block on the inside of the box for the neck to attach to and use a T-nut on the inside of the box that a long 1/4" machine screw attaches to. A pair of screws are installed through the top of the fretboard into that block to keep it from moving. The neck then has stability and can be removed if needed.

@pdp977 4 жыл бұрын

Perhaps you have a future in creating your own line of cigar box (type) guitars? Fantastic to see this work and thanks so much for sharing.

@JackdeDuCoeur 4 жыл бұрын

Nice work! Thanks

@bonniedust3452 4 жыл бұрын

Only three words.....'Just Great Stuff!'

@rakentrail 4 жыл бұрын

Take a solid block of mahogany and rout out for the pickup and resonator! Done! LOL!

@cmdrerniepaul 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. I have a few cigar box style guitars that I am planning to build over the next couple of years. Nice to have some ideas for bracing to avoid some of the problems that black cbg has.

@mhsandifer 3 жыл бұрын

outstanding dedication sir

@EdvardRickard 4 жыл бұрын

Screw the narrative. You are providing us with an education into the life of a luthier. I would love to see how you manage your production schedule.

@dougmatson1594 4 жыл бұрын

You do very nice work!

@henryhunter5026 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video. The repair on the J55 was most impressive, it’s almost invisible. I’m sure that the owner will really appreciate all the skilled work you put into achieving an excellent result. Homemade cigar box guitars can be lots of fun but if you’re gonna sell them you really have to pay some attention to structural integrity. As you said a banjo style rod or a neck through body design would have worked, I guess that if the owner of the guitar you fixed just used it for slide, as many cigar box players do, the high action would be ok, (until the thing breaks in half).

@mollylewis7199 2 жыл бұрын

A traditional cigar box guitar, including a resonator, has a through box neck which has additional reinforcement within the length of the box to make up for the wood notched away, often with part coming out at the front to form a neck heel. All the string tension is taken my the neck alone. I make mine out of hard maple and have a 1 degree back angle which avoids these issues from the get go. The neck is screwed to the box, using internal shims, and everything can be adjusted with shims if ever necessary. All the problems in this job would have been avoided.

@kennymartin3416 3 жыл бұрын

Kudos man your a guitar surgeon.

@griffisguitars2921 4 жыл бұрын

Great video!! Haven’t even watched it yet

@Pgcmoore 4 жыл бұрын

outstanding!!!

@RetroPlus 3 жыл бұрын

I made one of these cigar box guitars for the first time and even I knew that you need to consider the tension of the strings. I went for basically making a neck through design and attaching the box to it, that way repairs are easy and you can even swap boxes without too much fuss.