In 2134 AD... a luthier is opens up a 200-year old Martin archtop. "It looks like these braces were expertly replaced at some point. Maybe even improved. There's no way you can tell from the outside. And what are these weird holes outlined in soot...?"

Those pole holes are used for a mold when it's steamed into an archtop to keep the wood from shifting.

I worked for Martin in the 80's in the plant where this guitar was built. Brings back memories. My desk was in the same room that C. F. Martin had his desk. Enjoyed the job very much. They kept at that time many parts in the attic of the plant and there were many boxes of old parts there that were from these guitars. It was my personal break room break to just go up there and have a look. Thanks for the fine job of bringing this old girl back to life again. Good to see a master at work.

The thing about Ted's work that always amazes me, is his almost effortless, nonchalant, attention to the very smallest of details, and then his exacting methods of attaining the desired goal. My mind was blown when he split that spruce to reveal the exact line of the grain, prior to sawing, simply to maximize the strength of the finished brace! 🤯 I can't imagine anyone else taking that kind of care on a repair job like this, and making it seem so workaday! Thank you for your wonderful videos, Ted. You may not know it, but you're an inspiration to a whole lot of people!

A mix of luthiery, forensics, pathology, and Craftsmanship. Loved the final product.!👍🎩😎

I'm always so impressed by your way if working. So many repair guys on YT are such hacks. Thanks for sharing your work so we may learn.

While you have that 85 year old beauty opened up, I would be so tempted to leave a little “Easter Egg,” inside the top sound board. Just writing your name, date of repairs and repairs made. Hidden away, so only another luthier would ever see it if he/she were to take the back off again in another 85 years. Great job on the fix. I’m not big on the tone, though, too bright and thin for me. Thanks for the video, Ted, I always like watching you work.

This is one of a couple channels that I always have to wonder and scratch my head as to why anyone would give this a 'thumbs down'....can't wrap my head around that. What were they expecting? Were they confused and thought this was going to be someone repairing a tuba and were disappointed to see the expert repair of a pre-war Martin instead? Did they think they were going to be watching a cat video? I don't get it. Ted is the most masterful luthier I have seen so if one of you 'thumbs down people' reads this can you 'splain it to me please.

I am about to take the back off of my 1949 Martin type A mahogany mandolin. There are numerous cracks that are barely hanging in there plus a missing back brace. It's also time to upgrade the pickup to a K&K mando twin (an excellent pickup for all sorts of smaller steel string instruments). I really put this instrument through a lot while playing for a few years in all kinds of pubs with a traditional Irish band. Yes, there was some drinking involved, but the cracks came when going from cold foggy outdoor spaces to warm dry cars. There's not enough access through the tiny soundhole. The construction and binding and other features remind me a lot of the guitar you are working on here in this video, just a lot smaller. The finish, binding, materials, and details of construction are quite similar. I am excited to get to examine vintage Martin craftmanship up close. I very much appreciate your video and your generousity with your sharing of knowledge. Honestly, for me personally, I don't know of a single more helpful person than you in the entire social media world. This video is so helpful. Thank you.

You are a freaking master craftsman. Mind blowing work.

I actually said "what?" when you said plaster of paris, and you said "you heard me.." Pretty funny.

You and Rosa String Works consistently amaze me here on youtube. Excellent content as always.

I've watched you do enough work to know you'd get it done right but DAMN! I was still chewing my nails 🤣. I think I speak for everyone when I say "Thanks for filming your wonderful work and sharing it with the rest of us".

I'm a fairly competent luthier and guitar repair man myself, I've built many string instruments from scratch and reset necks, re fretted, repaired braces etc. and I have to say I'm really enjoying these videos and learning a thing or two in every one. Subscribed!

This is by far my favorite guitar luthier/repair channel, and one of the best guitar in general channels. I'm blown away in every video.

Even tho I don’t play guitars if I had one no matter how old or valuable it was I’d only trust this man alone to do any repairs I had. I’d have no problem sending him whatever guitar I had because I know he would do the job better than anyone else out there. Such a master at his craft and it shows.

Were I not living on the other side of the Pacific, you would be my go-to repairman. Absolutely brilliant craftsmanship. Much respect sir.

I love how sharp all his tools are. The chisels cut through hard woods so smoothly

Thanks Ted! It wouldn't have been a holy day without a Woodford special!

Your channel feels like watching the New Yankee Workshop but with guitars instead of foot stools and pie chest. I love it. Expert craftsmanship.

I like when you explain things / history in detail. I learn more about guitars from these repair videos than any other channel.

Amazing work! Both the insights and expertise and attention to detail. A real joy to listen and watch this project come together!

Might not be popular, but damn that sounded nice when you were done, love the bright sound.

Amazing video! Wow, what a repair on the Martin! Thank you for posting your repair journeys.

"Now on to carving the braces which is a really difficult task more difficult than you´d imagine" I start to imagine myself trying for a day and a half getting this right, think that I need to get some distance to the job and go and do the dishes. Start from scrats day 3 and will be needing a cry right before lunch and so on and so on. Then the next line in the video. "I´m going, to be honest, this whole process took me about an hour and a half for each brace". I die a little inside and really realize that I live on a different planet when it comes to woodworking. It is really a pleasure to see a real pro in action, love the combination of explaining step by step, the humor, and the inhuman level you are to the rest of us. My hat is very much off for you sir.

Wow. Seriously. You are so comfortable doing what to use home repair people are the most outrageous things. I realize after watching 30+ of your vids that it's just experience. You know what you are doing every step of the way and you have high confidence that it will turn out well, and if it doesn't, that you will figure out a way to solve the problem eventually. Such a joy to watch these. So inspiring. Thanks!

I always give these videos a thumbs up, and I do subscribe. I greatly admire exceptional craftsmanship. However, I think some praise should be given for taking the time and effort to make these videos. They are not just entertaining, but educational and inspiring as well. Kudos for all the efforts here.

I can't imagine how stressful it would be to undertake a job such as this but you took it in stride. Thanks for bringing us along on the journey! Nice work.

Thank you for your time and videos, they are great. I have learnt so much from them.

With all craziness in the world and on YT these days, your channel provides a place to escape to. Keep up the great work.

Such a distinctive sound. Lovely. Your patience and skills are second to none, Sir. Thank you.

When I want to reduce my stress level I look for Ted's videos. What a master! His skills always amaze me and I always learn something new. And, as another person commented, the quality of the videos is excellent. Almost as good as watching in person.

What a sweet sounding instrument! I’ve only recently found your channel and I have to say, I’m addicted. I’ve been working with wood for over 50 years and it’s refreshing to see someone who takes pride in their craftsmanship and creates objects of beauty. Thank you.

I don’t build guitars - I play them - the owner of this guitar is blessed to have access to a master craftsman like yourself. Your attention to detail is awesome. Whatever they paid you for this work they got a bargain. I tuned in for five minutes as the title grabbed and terrified me and watched the whole thing. Thank you really enjoyed it.

After watching many of Ted's vids, I have to say this is the best showing his craftsmanship and care.

You are master. A man of extreme talent and patience. This was fascinating to watch. Thank you.

The love you put into your work inspires! Amazing video as usual, sir!

Somme great repairs, thank you, I learn a lot from watching your repairs and ideas.

Compelling viewing, thanks for taking the time to document this repair!

17:05 a rare example of seeing this fine luthier, beyond the talented hands at work.

I Absolutely LOVE the sound of that guitar! 😍 Really sweet repair on this one, Ted! Very, very nice!

How you narrate your videos is spot on man, bingeworthy

What a beautiful documentary. Enjoyed it very much!

Thank you for all your wonderful videos. you are an amazing craftsman

Your voice is so soothing. It's like asmr for real👍👍👍 plus I love watching you repair guitars

All I can say is "your talent is AMAZING"!! Pat yourself on the back for me! There can't be many people who have the knowledge and talent you have. Thank you for sharing!

Ted another fantastic video! Your historical knowledge is very impressive. Always a pleasure to watch.

Beautiful work. I love that you say "if we get really lucky", as if it's not your skill that made that happen.

Good god, Ted. I can't even find the words to explain what I'm feeling. This goes beyond exquisite craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing your genius with us.

Spectacular work. I learned quite a bit here. Thank you for sharing.

Wow that was such incredible work! Super informative and quite fun to watch. Thanks for sharing your craft!

Thanks. Enjoyed your work, patience and attention to detail. I wouldn’t have known where to start!

what a unique tone that guitar has.

Adam Savage gave you a GIANT shoutout in a recent video. The one where he sees his new workbench.

You are the farmer of luthiers. You are out standing in your field!👨‍🌾👨‍🌾🎸🎸👍👍

A mine of information and the Sherlock Holmes of guitars. Thank you for your insights.

Really great work. You have convinced me that you are a true master repairman after watching a lot of your work.

This is the best, most practical, look at structural issues I have seen yet. Thanks for the sharing of your expertise and simple explanations. Top notch.

I own a '37 R18 and watching this was fascinating! I love the sound of this guitar and appreciate the history and workmanship you share in this video. Y

I love this channel SO much. You do such great work. Thank you for sharing. I am not a luthier and never will be, but I am a guitarist and enjoy learning from you on why my guitars might be sounding differently over time and what may be going on. This is an eye opening channel.

Stunning craftmanship, sir! A pleasure to watch and learn!

"I'm gonna be honest. This whole process took me about an hour and a half - for each brace..." I thought Ted was gonna say "about a day for each brace". Spectacular work, precise, no short-cuts and so beautiful to watch. Really gives us a better appreciation of the guitars we play, how they were built and why they sound the way they do. And why we should never try to do this kind of stuff. Master at work!

I just had to say something. You are as much an artist at what you do as any musician (and your playing is pretty good as well). You have a lot of skill and knowledge, and lots of tools and tricks, but your love of what you do, aside from profit, which obviously is not your motivation, is the thing. I get a sense of peace watching your videos. Thank you.

I really enjoy watching you work. The intonation sounds spot on too!

Your workmanship is not just exemplary, it's inspiring.

I really enjoy watching you work. Always well considered and well expressed.

It has a beautiful " antiqued " style of sound ,,,, awesome !!!!

This is by far one of the touchiest, tricky, and skillful repairs I have seen you do. That is suck a fascinating instrument too. I won't be surprised if in 80 some years from now people will speak of the strange things done during construction of objects from this period of time in the same way we speak of the things done during the depression. However I will be surprised I am around in 80 some years.

Thank you so much for this video. Just fantastic! I can't really thank you enough.

A wonderful learning journey. I have one truly hand made Mexican acoustic classical guitar my father rescued from a trash barrel more than 30 years ago after its owner installed steel strings, which caused neck bowing and the sides (solid wood) to burst apart along natural grain lines. When my father presented it to me, he said: "I think you have the skills and patience to repair this." There was a mixture of challenge and a compliment in that sentence. My father passed away in 1991, and although I made some crude, improvised repairs with glue, wood putty, and lateral clamping to bring the sides into alignment (I used stacks of books to create downward pressure while the little compression clamps and glue did the rest) I believe I am getting closer to the moment when I will remove that guitar's back to do a more comprehensive repair. These videos provide me with very useful information and even encouragement. Thank you.

Videos are always well made, to the point, and entertaining. Did I mention that I don’t play an instrument nor do I repair them. I’m a carpenter and your knowledge and care have helped my workmanship.

Always a joy to see you work...

If I am not mistaken, the circles on the inside were from the legs of a plate used to push the top in to a form in order to create an even archtop. Though it looks as though it may have been a bit uneven.

Very nicely executed restoration work performed with a good mix of sensitivity for the original specs of the guitar and practical considerations for ending up with a playable guitar under modern stringing. I really like the sound of the finished guitar too. I hope you were well paid for performing such skillful work. Thank you for sharing this. I learned a lot by watching it.

As usual, you have done an excellent job with great deference to the original makers and the repair needs and requirements of the guitar

Wow!!! You are amazing. I was really excited to watch this. Imagine how many guitars love you!!!!!

And people wonder why is guitar repair expensive. That was quite some work on that guitar.

That was really interesting. I saw and heard things I've not seen or heard before. Really impressive work. I've needed that pen in the past. Thanks. 👌

Your chisel carves are my favorite part.

"very chippy" I like that . What an undertaking ! Hats off to you for that. Great video

There is no more need to watch TV. Every aspect of the work exudes attention to detail. Thanks for teaching so many, around the world I'm sure.

You sir are an artist. Thanks for posting

Beautiful work. Very interesting to be able to have a good look inside such an old instrument.

Super interesting video as ever, showing with great skill & knowledge anything can be fixed. I've always wondered how those kind of repairs were achieved...

Wow. Not sure what I'm more impressed with, the skill or the patience. Amazing work.

i actually love the sound of this thing. great work, ted (as always).

Fascinating work. The guitar sounds unique. Thanks for the video.

Excellent repair, I thought the guitar was going to sound boxy and compressed. To my surprise the guitar was clean and resonant. Thank you for your videos.

Fascinating to watch. Love your stuff!,

This is hands down the best and most entertaining luthier channel on YT. Bravo!

What an incredible sound this vintage Martin has! So great to see it coming back to life in the capable hands of a master luthier. Martin guitars are allot like Porsches - IMHO there is no substitute!!

everytime i watch your videos i get the urge to build something and with the knowledge you share helps me and all of get better at it. thank you :)

Wow! That was amazing. Great Guitar.

Top notch work Ted. I'm always amazed at what you can do.

Your work is so satisfying! I've learned so much from just watching a few of your videos.

This was really great. So well done. Thank you!

I have learned so much from you.Thank you for producing these videos

WOW! just WOW! Thank you so much for sharing!

The hard work was well worth it- what a beautiful sounding guitar!

Great job man, sounds excellent! Thanks for the video 🎸🎸👍