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 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.
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!
Hey Ted, try a nice sharp pair of small electronics side-cutters for initial fret lifting. They are nice because, unlike regular fret pullers, the jaws come together from the back first, and you can just get under in one spot first, then gently rock the tool forward to follow the radius. They are like a tiny pair of wedges that are working progressively from back to front and with a lot of control. I hope this makes sense. It's hard to describe. I've done it this way for many years, and much prefer them to my standard fret pullers where the jaws come together in parallel. Thanks again for a great video.
I tried to make one once, grinding the little pathway for the fret to travel through at the back of the jaws and everything. It just never felt comfortable to me.
@@twoodfrd I've never felt the need to mod mine, but yeah, it's not for everyone. Your wrist is in a weird high position. But I also like getting the iron tip right over where I'm lifting the fret, which is not possible with regular pullers either.
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.
Absolutely fabulous video - I have a great Chinese-made LP junior re-issue from the Epiphone brand, which needs a *load* of work - this was really interesting for me :-)))
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.
FYI Ted, Mouser Electronics has Concentric Potentiometers in various combinations. You mentioned having trouble finding them in another video, but I couldn't find it. I use Mouser for buying Amp Repair components that I do as a rare side job. Biggest issue is there's a minimum buy (used to be $25, but rumor has that it has increased, but I don't know for sure, as I haven't bought anything from them in a couple of years)
Okay Ya talked me into it. I'll do mine. It's a 56. It has scalloped frets. Not the Wood the Wire. Rebuilt mine last year. It was a total Wreck. Now???? Necks too bad to play. Wish me luck. I like your trick protecting the wood from pull out. Thanks to You!!!!
To we in the USA ,it seems all the great luthiers are Canadian. At least the ones on YT. But I am still amazed and confused why this video would have any dislikes.
That's what I LOVE about you, Ted. you love the significance of the instrument you work on more than the money you can make! I have couple of instruments I'd like to have you "refresh", a 2009 Les Paul Standard and a circa 1998 frankenstrat I built with a Fender 3 tone sunburst body (w/electronics and case) and rosewood (without hardware) neck I married. The strat has fret and action problems. The Les Paul has crappy sounding pickups and is hard on my fingers. I have a couple other "project" guitars (One of which has sentimental value to me, just me and the guitar. Silly, I know, but you understand) that you could probably help with too! I know you could make me happy with my guitars.
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!
love this axe , one of the best sounding rock guitar . vintage sells for over 10k on used guitar market , reissue 1957 custom shop mint condition for 3.5k
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.
The x's on the fretboard are from young beginners wanting to remember the frets to press to play a given song. I used to do this on my first guitar when I was 7. I used an ink pen to mark some frets I was using for a song.
Some of those first act guitars that were sold at Walmart we're almost an exact reproduction of the Gibson Junior I've takin a couple of them that I've gotten out of pawn shops for 15 or $20 and set them up and they really play nice they're fast Little guitars like you said rock and roll baby.. anyway nice fret job.. good tips on vintage work..
Lovely junior. Your attention to detail is great, i just wish the work done on my old guitars would have been done as meticulously, but it hasn’t been. Just received old strat missing pieces of the fretboard after refret. He said wood was so dry it chipped. Fuck me, it would not have chipped if you would have done it. But there you go.
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!
What about sizing down with fret wire? I recently bought a beat up US strat with medium jumbos, which is the only thing keeping me from falling totally in love. I'd like to get it refretted with vintage size frets but I'm worried about those chips you were talking about. The fretboard has a compound radius as well. Is this something that can be kept relatively original with different radiused sanding blocks? (of course by a competent luthier?)
Any tip for crowning without compromising the fret leveling process? It seems that I cannot get it 100% right and always have to go back and do some leveling touch-up again.
"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.
I wonder if snap-on toroids could be used on the pickup lead wires (provided enough room) to combat the microphonics. I use them on my ham radio coax & power cords with good results.
One of my favorite videos of yours
Really great work. 👍
Leslie West make great sounds with a Jr too. Had to watch this because of him. Great job!
Brilliant work.
very good video, extremely informative ... thank you.
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!"
very cool!
Les really was the best. R.I.P.
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...
Highly unlikely Les did any fretwork, that's skilled labor....maybe he cut a piece of fretwire lol
Awwhh thats a brilliant story, that end bit had me belly laughing! :)
Wow, what a beaut'… and that Junior tone, gotta love it.
Your approach is that of an art conservator-restorer, not that of a typical repairdude. Very different mindset. Much respect!
Well said. I’ve also never heard another luthier say anything about doing something specifically to make it easier for future repairs.
Yeah, I have a degree in art history and spent time on archaeology sites. I guess it carries over.
@@twoodfrd that makes so much sense. Very cool!
@@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.
@@waybackplayback1347 "rammy"! i know exactly what you mean here and yeah, there's a time and place for that and vintage guitar repair is not it
Great job as usual!!
Thanks This Old Teddy!
Those old Brazzy boards are gorgeous.
that rings like a bell...lovely
Thank you! Keep posting, these videos are great!
super educational thank you
Great video once again
It brings a smile to my face to see and hear a nearly 70 year-old guitar rock like that
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.
Master job Ted!.
It sounds AWESOME
I am also a big fan of your since of humor
That guitar sounds incredible !!
That's an aftermarket compensated bridge. Intonation is compensated for a plain G and should be pretty good. Fantastic video, thank you.
SOUNDS AMAZING! 19:10
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!
Best video yet!
thank you
RJ
Beautiful guitar! A junior is next on my list of guitars.
Top work mate.
Gorgeous!
Hey Ted, try a nice sharp pair of small electronics side-cutters for initial fret lifting. They are nice because, unlike regular fret pullers, the jaws come together from the back first, and you can just get under in one spot first, then gently rock the tool forward to follow the radius. They are like a tiny pair of wedges that are working progressively from back to front and with a lot of control. I hope this makes sense. It's hard to describe. I've done it this way for many years, and much prefer them to my standard fret pullers where the jaws come together in parallel. Thanks again for a great video.
I tried to make one once, grinding the little pathway for the fret to travel through at the back of the jaws and everything. It just never felt comfortable to me.
@@twoodfrd I've never felt the need to mod mine, but yeah, it's not for everyone. Your wrist is in a weird high position. But I also like getting the iron tip right over where I'm lifting the fret, which is not possible with regular pullers either.
Nice job.
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 have that same LP Jr. 1958. Also a 1959 Fender Pro Amp (tube) from the same era.
this was so good
rock out
I have a copy of this guitar made by National made sometime in the early 60's I love this little guitar and it too needs new frets.
That p90 sounds killer!
Nice job on a great vintage guitar.
You really should have been an orthopedic surgeon. Great work.
Absolutely fabulous video - I have a great Chinese-made LP junior re-issue from the Epiphone brand, which needs a *load* of work - this was really interesting for me :-)))
I think that is a retrofit bridge -- nice job !! Max fat = Leslie West !!
Ive always used my sprit levels for leveling !
nice job
"Probably witchcraft, you cant get rid of those. Might be dangerous" gave me a real life laugh out loud. I always say that too.
Holy grail guitar. If I bought a vintage electric, this would be it.
Christ, was this LP even played at all? The immaculate condition it's in is unbelievably difficult to maintain.
Lovely
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.
You da man as usual.
i love your exquisite vocabulary when used to describe what you’re doin
That’s a beauty
I don't have a fret puller, but I have used two chisels - bit of a relief seeing you using one, I thought I was being some kind of heathen doing it!
Good tip about filing the first few teeth of the fret saw, makes alot of sense!👍 Will remember that one.
A few of the high-end saw manufacturers do this by not putting any set in the first few teeth to make it easier and more accurate to start your cuts.
cant beat a jr ..
FYI Ted, Mouser Electronics has Concentric Potentiometers in various combinations.
You mentioned having trouble finding them in another video, but I couldn't find it.
I use Mouser for buying Amp Repair components that I do as a rare side job.
Biggest issue is there's a minimum buy (used to be $25, but rumor has that it has increased, but I don't know for sure, as I haven't bought anything from them in a couple of years)
Okay Ya talked me into it. I'll do mine. It's a 56. It has scalloped frets. Not the Wood the Wire. Rebuilt mine last year. It was a total Wreck. Now???? Necks too bad to play. Wish me luck. I like your trick protecting the wood from pull out. Thanks to You!!!!
To we in the USA ,it seems all the great luthiers are Canadian. At least the ones on YT. But I am still amazed and confused why this video would have any dislikes.
I like les paul juniors.
Those Xs on 3,5 and 6 fret probably refer to Smoke on the water
That's what I LOVE about you, Ted. you love the significance of the instrument you work on more than the money you can make! I have couple of instruments I'd like to have you "refresh", a 2009 Les Paul Standard and a circa 1998 frankenstrat I built with a Fender 3 tone sunburst body (w/electronics and case) and rosewood (without hardware) neck I married. The strat has fret and action problems. The Les Paul has crappy sounding pickups and is hard on my fingers. I have a couple other "project" guitars (One of which has sentimental value to me, just me and the guitar. Silly, I know, but you understand) that you could probably help with too! I know you could make me happy with my guitars.
“And I can relate to that” lol.
That thing never needed a truss rod adjustment in 65 years? Wow. They really were making magic guitars in Kalamazoo in the ‘50’s.
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!
masterclass
love this axe , one of the best sounding rock guitar . vintage sells for over 10k on used guitar market , reissue 1957 custom shop mint condition for 3.5k
could be dangerous, don't want to mess with no rock n roll voodoo !
Cool job!11
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.
Awesome :)
Very nice video and thanks for your sharing! May I know if you glue the frets after installation?
Where have I heard that tone before? :)
I cant stop watching your videos! Thanks for sharing all your hard work!
Appreciate the Johnny Thunders shoutout at the end
🤘 ROCK AND ROLL!
I'd love to have follow ups with your customers after they get the guitars back
Fabulous repair. Real craftmanship and passion!
The x's on the fretboard are from young beginners wanting to remember the frets to press to play a given song. I used to do this on my first guitar when I was 7. I used an ink pen to mark some frets I was using for a song.
Some of those first act guitars that were sold at Walmart we're almost an exact reproduction of the Gibson Junior I've takin a couple of them that I've gotten out of pawn shops for 15 or $20 and set them up and they really play nice they're fast Little guitars like you said rock and roll baby.. anyway nice fret job.. good tips on vintage work..
Lovely junior. Your attention to detail is great, i just wish the work done on my old guitars would have been done as meticulously, but it hasn’t been. Just received old strat missing pieces of the fretboard after refret. He said wood was so dry it chipped. Fuck me, it would not have chipped if you would have done it. But there you go.
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!
End frame says Thanks for watching
I say thanks for uploading ... please keep them comming👏
Nice job sir ! I get the little details except the millimeter stuff . I am still on ASE( Ask Someone Else ) standard .
What about sizing down with fret wire? I recently bought a beat up US strat with medium jumbos, which is the only thing keeping me from falling totally in love. I'd like to get it refretted with vintage size frets but I'm worried about those chips you were talking about. The fretboard has a compound radius as well. Is this something that can be kept relatively original with different radiused sanding blocks? (of course by a competent luthier?)
Absolutely great quality workmanship. Thank you.
Winner.
Any tip for crowning without compromising the fret leveling process? It seems that I cannot get it 100% right and always have to go back and do some leveling touch-up again.
T.: "... The headstock is in one piece!"
Me: *sad face*
Leslie West!
"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.
Little beauty, what a survivor. Great job 🙏❤️🙏
Are there channels like this but for bowed instruments?
It's probably witchcraft you can't mess with that lol😂😂😂😂😂😂
Finally Johnny Thunders gets some love!
Notes that sound so sexy they were marked X Rated.
This is one of the best channels on the internet. As a small town guitar tech you have taught me so much.
That of boy rocks! Sweet sounds for a 50’s relic 👍
I wonder if snap-on toroids could be used on the pickup lead wires (provided enough room) to combat the microphonics. I use them on my ham radio coax & power cords with good results.
Johnny Thunders!
Love your vids . Bit confused thou .@13:40 how can you use your stanley straight edge on the neck that still has relief ????
I fink the marks on the finga board are from when he took the guitar to sto-enge
Im crying. My wife broke the headstock on my Junior about 16 years ago and i sold it for spares.....