1920's Gibson L1

Hats, shirts and stickers: woodford-instr...

[@scottdunbar4898]

"Bulbous and Strange" was my nickname in high school. Good times. Thanks for the video.

[@ubmastering]

Watching that fret board go from dirty to ebony is a treat to see. The work you do is so fun to watch and hearing the results is very cool.

[@James-xf4pc]

Penetration is paramount. You're killing me. 😂

[@TundraMan]

I had a bout with bacterial endocarditis back in 2019. Wound up in the hospital for 5 days and then on IV antibiotics for six weeks, and then had to have a mechanical heart valve replacement. I can definitely see how it would take someone out, especially back in 1916 when Orville Gibson died and didn't have the benefit of modern medicine like we do today.

[@adamkemmerer4520]

Coincidentally, I just was released from a rehabilitation hospital 3 days ago after spending 6 weeks receiving IV antibiotics following getting my tricuspid valve replaced due to endocarditis... Small world 🌎

[@aniquinstark4347]

We really are blessed to live in a time when most things can be fixed. I had a shop injury that crushed my left hand and the surgeons did a shockingly good job. I didn't even have to switch my fretting hand.

[@goodun2974]

I had endocarditis in 2002 and received a mechanical mitral valve. Got it again in January 2020 (no idea how) and had both the mitral and aortic valves replaced (tissue valves, bovine and porcine), just before the pandemic hit. I was happy to get rid of the ticking mechanical metronome in my chest, but a section of the sutures didn't hold well in the damaged heart tissue and so they had to go back in again and fix one of the valves because it was leaking. How I am still alive after all of this, I have no idea. I sure am glad I married a nurse!

[@Sloozer45]

Holy s**t! Thanks for sharing; it's not sexy, but a post like this can Save lives potentially, IMHO. Real advice that may penetrate the nasty ego of so many wounded people that live in their emotions so much that they have a difficult time permitting the harsh pureness of nature to be another tool in their efforts to extend their life as far as possible.

[@goodun2974]

It's no fun having a fever of 104ﾟ and being so delirious that you can't even remember your wife's name. When I was in intensive care after my first heart surgery the nurse asked how I felt and I replied "I feel like Elvis is sitting on my chest". The nurses all thought that I was really out of it from the pain meds and the infection scrambling my brain, but when they told this to my wife she explained that we actually had an 18 pound cat named Elvis who used to climb up on me and lay on my chest.

[@sydjamieson3494]

I got to hear this beauty live in a bar recently, the duo was playing some very authentic old Blues tunes, when I walked in, they were playing 'Dust my Broom,' and the audience was eating it up. Utterly fantastic sound from this guitar, it did justice to all the old tunes they were playing. The man playing it was also a huge aficionado and it was like being transported back in time. Fantastic job restoring this old girl!

[@p_mouse8676]

I know you said in one of your earlier videos that you didn't quite understand why people wanted to hear the repaired or finished guitar. I think this is a very good example of a guitar that most people would never get to hear otherwise. Which is pretty valuable from a historical point of view. That being said, yeah the recording isn't ideal (at all), but showing more familiar type of guitars gives at least some (rough) sense of relative reference (meaning under the same kind of conditions) Nice work as always! 🙂👍

[@askeide5890]

I would contribute to a fundraiser to get Ted some proper recording equipment and a good amp... just saying

[@notabagel]

I also just like when Ted plays a little tune

[@TytoMobile]

@@askeide5890 Or a Helix or Kemper lol

[@kryptichands968]

What a beautiful piece of history

[@kenthhamner2641]

The board looked great after you were done! Really nice work on this rare beauty!

[@Da5idc]

Thanks for this calm pool in the middle of my chaotic world 😊😊

[@JohnKorvell]

I don't know what I enjoy more: the history and trivia lessons, the craftsmanship or Ted's charm.

[@waynejean1242]

At least you take the time to describe construction of said Gibsons, you are the best at old repairs Im a violin repairman i like your work.!👍

[@lawrencet83]

2:15 I loved that you quoted that line from "Apocalypse Now."

[@johnnystrat]

One of the best demos.

[@donhall2759]

Great work with your new editing software. It's no fun learning new tools when the old ones were perfectly good. You retained the feel we all love.

[@brokenacoustic]

Not being the biggest fan of change, I still use Windows Movie Maker lol

[@Daydreaminginmono]

What a beautiful guitar and tastefully modified! Thanks for bringing us a long, Ted.

[@tripencrypt]

Yes, that was a bunch of work. That fretboard looks fantastic! Great job.

[@kbjerke]

I find all your videos relaxing, informative, and entertaining. Thanks, Ted!!

[@Matt_bechillin]

I don’t even pick a video for him, I just see one and hit play , He’s sleeping on podcast potential, Cuz I’m sure he has no interest in that

[@DavidLee-xz2tl]

I have a 1908 L-1 and I also have been building modern archtops and guitars. The old L-1 does indeed have none of the volume or projection that even early L-5's have but that's not due so much from the shape of the holes but the evolution of the top thicknesses they used. The early generations were still trying to figure out how to transition from guitar construction, which had been around for a long time, to violin inspired construction, carving from a plate into an arched pattern. I would imagine that a great fear was that 6 strings could collapse a carved top and bracing and arching thicknesses were still largely experimental and pioneering. A LOT of factours were coming into what we think of as accepted design now. Those early years were all experiments, one at a time, and even the potential of an arch top was unimagined since violins, their closest relatives, were seriously different in their being driven by a bow and needing no sustain because of that. It would indeed be interesting to take the outward dimensions of that L-1 and build it with modern knowledge of arching and thicknesses. Then we could truly figure out what the potential of that round hole small bodied design could be.

[@alfredquecksilber79]

This video triggered me… I had to post greetings from Thomastik-Infeld Land :) Isn’t it great how the internet brings people together? A guy from a middle european country watching a guy repairing guitars on the other side of the great pond. So, thanks for all the content you create. For me thist is like a timeout from the crazy IT stuff at work.

[@richardcooksey1600]

Well done! Beautiful workmanship on this old guitar. Much respect.

[@channelsixtysix066]

What a transformation, Ted. That fretboard looks brand new. Another great display of artisanry.

[@aluminati9918]

Great episode! And we can always appreciate a Joseph Conrad/ Heart of Darkness quote once in a while.. “unsound” Keep the vids going!

[@TheJimbodean67]

Money well spent by the owner to have you weave your mojo into that beautiful old guitar. Well done sir, well done indeed! Thank you for sharing.

[@ByronAgain]

Cool! The pickup has that ole-timey megaphone quality to it.

[@larrimos]

Yup, I was thinking it sounded like AM radio…very cool.

[@rockradstone]

What a transformation! Good decisions all around; you brought it back to life. So good to see the entire fretboard improved in many ways.

[@markrup6369]

These videos are such a gift. Thanks Ted!

[@bulldrumm]

I think I all ready made a comment to the quality of your content. I mean, I'm am not even into playing acoustic, and even less of a luthier. But, just listening to your narration: all the craft knowledge, historical knowledge... it's a pleasure. Thank you.

[@kbjerke]

"The Cowboy Chord Area..." made me spit out my coffee!! Thanks!!

[@CaritasAngola]

I love the sound of that guitar, both acoustic and with the pickup. I don't know exactly why I love it.

[@adobedoug2564]

Thanks for playing them for us Ted.

[@brianc75yt]

Another great restoration! I always appreciate your work. All the best to you, Ted...

[@RMosack]

Great video.

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

Such a relief to see that monstrous, gold tailpiece get replaced. Fantastic job, as always.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Thomastik is known for their innovative quality Flatwound Strings for bowed stringed instruments. Their Jazz Acoustic/Electric Guitar strings (both Round and Flatwound types) have a lower tension because they're designed like their Bowed stringed instrument strings.

[@bobmcdoggish9659]

Another century-old guitar saved. Nice!

[@gregb91401]

And now it's good for another 100 years....great job!

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Doctors completely missed my friends endocarditis, despite him having had heart valve surgery and a letter being on his record stating he was at a higher risk of it. 4 different GP’s in two weeks all misdiagnosed him despite his swollen foot and other symptoms being textbook. He was 18. Still miss him.

[@jeremymtc]

Really came out beautiful.

[@linusmeldrum6049]

I owned one in the early 70s, bought at a guitar shop in Kalamazoo. I needed money so I "pawned" it in the late 70s to my sister for a couple of hundred dollars. She put it in its case under a bed. 15 years later, she visited me and my now-growing family and, unexpectedly, gave it back. I opened the case and after 15 years it was in perfect tune. I needed money for kid's college tuition and sold it to a guitar shop in Lemoyne, PA for $600. Cool guitar, big neck, big heart.

[@rippinstock]

I’m always blown away by your craft.

[@garybuck7684]

Nice guitar. I pick up tricks on your videos that are useful for repairs on other things besides guitars. You are a conservator. I worked in a luthier shop for years in my youth but not at your level of expertise. Thanks for your efforts, they are not wasted.

[@ItsMEsw]

Thanks for doing this thorough video. I own a 1919 L-1 and I wish you were closer to me in New Jersey, so I could have you refret it.

[@jonathandavenport9572]

Hey I have been watching your videos for well a while now. It's my tradition when I get home from work everyday to see if you've uploaded something new. I've got a bunch of guitars to repair just waiting for me in my garage but rarely have the time to work on them. So I often live vicariously through your uploads pretending I'm fixing up old things lol...its therapeutic. Always fantastic content sir don't ever stop! Edit: also have to say thanks so much for the knowledge you pass on its made me much better at what I do!

[@guymandude999]

This is why I tune in, to see gems like this one get a polish. I installed a 50's DeArmond into an old archtop, and I got the same brash sound until i experimented with the distance from the strings. Further away it'll find the mellow zone, but even closer to the strings, too close, you can get this white hot interaction, like Rev.Horton Heat hot. Fun stuff.

[@wmrustycox]

What an absolutely gorgeous instrument !!! Though i love the look of a "F Hole" Archtop... they cannot beat the sound of the "Round Hole" arch.

[@joncaradies3155]

Well done , Maestro .....

[@gemweems2873]

As always an amazing job and history lesson. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and wisdom.

[@twatmunro]

Where's the damn Morris? You're killing us here!

[@garywhitt98]

There is no need to sigh Ted… it IS paramount.

[@myoptik3x103]

Wow, that really turned out beautifully. What a lovely guitar.

[@ShannonFerguson]

Wow! You really do amazingly patient work with these old beauties. Thank you, Mr. Woodford.

[@ShannonFerguson]

Another bot has attacked the comment section.

[@bkebradley]

Working almost 60 hours a week lately has given me much less time to enjoy your videos but I got up early to watch this one today. Love your work, very inspiring and informative.

[@IdFightMyDad]

I like how your computer crapped out so that the release would be delayed until my birthday. Thanks!

[@VashStarwind]

Man that fret board turned out beautifully. Looks amazing, I think I would have preferred the old tail piece but thats just me ha

[@hackerguitar]

The guitar sounds great and the new video editing software is higher resolution - it’s wonderful. Thank you!

[@Paulpoission]

I’ve played a few of those over the years and I’d pick one by the fireplace

[@ohpotatoesandmolasses]

Love that someone made this ~100 year old guitar their own w/ these repairs and modifications. Period correct obsession is overrated ^ ^

[@seanj3667]

I was traveling all weekend and just got home and was able to settled down and watch. Good timing!

[@tomkirk6942]

Loved the Apocalypse Now reference

[@martgryfny]

to be totally honest, that's the best sounding archtop i've ever heard on yt

[@SilasHumphreys]

Personally, I would probably have kept the fancy Art Deco tailpiece, but it's not my guitar, so not my decision. It does sound lively once you've helped it along, and I do like the sound of an oval-hole archtop. That L3 you did a while back was similarly interesting in sound.

[@benperry490]

Another superb job, Im always impressed with your work, ingenuity and skills, the videos, commens and insights are intetesting........for a cannuck

[@jampay44]

Very nice work! I really like the use of a modern style pickguard bracket rather than the old clamp kind.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Inspiring, and therapeutic... Thanks Ted!

[@thestonedabbot9551]

5:20 I have an idea for why that guitar doesnt have position dots on the fingerboard binding Its mostly a lost art today but before electric instruments, the way you held your guitar was very prevalent on musicians minds. I read in a 1903 Gibson catalogue: "The Gibson mandolin should be held at not more than three points of contact; namely, lower rim resting on limb, upper rim resting against body and supporting the right forearm. This leaves the sound-board and back-board, which are carefully graduated, free for vibration." I have a 1912 archtop L1 and tried this out for myself. And by angling the guitar more diagonally between my chest and thigh, I noticed not only that it resonated a lot better, but also that I could clearly see what notes I was holding on the fingerboard without having to lean over. Hence, fingerboard dots arent neccesary if youre holding it the way youre supposed to Just an educated guess of course

[@KristofferVad]

Another great video. Love the aesthetics of these guitars. The tone is certainly different to modern flat top acoustics but it sounds great.

[@diment0857]

Maybe that's because these are not flat top but archtop guitars and of smaller (parlor) size, they owe more to mandolin or violin and not guitar making

[@rodparker4514]

Good one Sir .more please .

[@nerfnerfification]

Lovely job Ted.

[@J.C...]

I just watched Jerry Rosa absolutely destroy an old Harmony and an old 1913 Gibson L3. Thank you for doing impeccable work, Ted. I was about to be physically ill if I kept watching Rosa destroy anymore instruments. Smh. I can't believe people let him touch the instruments they love. 😯

[@tjm5492]

Brilliant solution on the pickup mount. Beautiful work all around.

[@GTsuji]

Another masterful job Ted.

[@jda4879]

Hell yeah perfect timing of the new video

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It reminds me of the Eastman AR804CE Archtop Acoustic-Electric Guitar.

[@marcsmith7037]

Enjoyed that. I have an L-1 from 1915, needs the tailpiece pin block replaced due to celluloid rot. I have a chunk of blackwood for that. Have been thinking about refretting her too.

[@r.l.six-musicandrecords552]

I've always wanted a Gibson L-1

[@jeff901]

Love that giant last fret!

[@tennesseebob1980]

well that is a distinctive sounding guitar

[@ericdavis8537]

I caught the apocalypse now reference!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Always a treat. That black shirt is slimming.

[@Martin-xd4jl]

Hah, funny what you used to fill in the binding. I do miniature wargaming and that's a very familiar technique - we use bits of plastic frames from model kits melted down in solvent glue to fill gaps like that - sprue goo.

[@trulsdirio]

I have made a few reconstructions of lyres from the 6th and 8th centuries (Trossingen lyre and Köln lyre) and from all I could find about them they were also carved from a solid piece (wich is what I did as well). Lots of work I can tell you. My next ones will probably just be made with a thin back panel and sides made from appropriately sized strips of wood (the walls are really thick compared to guitars).

[@stevebrooks4th]

Love the reference to Apocalypse Now!

[@td7426]

The chords you played in the last minute we're really cool sounding

[@zombeatle01]

The curved top & back reminds me of the 40s-50s Rene Gerome guitars from France

[@paulhendershott667]

Wow! She came out like a Dream! Nicely done!

[@wyattsdad8561]

Wow it does sound good. It looks good too. Sounds great for that type of music for sure

[@wolfgartom]

Beautiful guitar, both in look and sound! Great job Ted!

[@kevinfitzpatrick9537]

Excellent work!

[@KristopherCraig]

Great work as usual! Thanks for playing it afterwards as well. It’s great to hear how they sound. I probably would have went with an K&K under the bridge on this instrument. Acoustically it sounds great.

[@SillyMoustache]

I had one of tese for a while in the mid '70s. I go it along with a Martin 2-17 from an American guy who , I later discovered, was smuggling guitars into the UK from the US. HM Customs & Excise caught him and confiscated my guitars for months until I made a legal statement and got them back. The Gibson was in perfect condition, complete with the original tail piece mentioned with a solid Rosewood (?) crosspiece and bridge pins. and the pick guard was fine - which I believe I still have somewhere. The finish was original -a "dun" brown satin finish not unlike a violin finish. Top only. Once I got it back it lived in my lounge but I had just bought my fist place and had to sell it and the Martin to pay the mortgage. I'd love to get that guitar back.

[@damnperrys1]

Fantastically beautiful work!

[@JackdeDuCoeur]

Such nice work

[@EwetoobSucks]

Gibson ! Keeping woodworkers in business since 1902 ! Break Authentic !

[@AngusClarkGTR]

I’ve been watching your repairs for over a year now, and I still find each video fun and interesting. Thank you for doing what you do. It just occured to me that I enjoy watching these in much the same way I enjoy watching Bob Ross’ painting videos. This is intended as a compliment and I hope you take it as one. Cheers to you! Angus

[@bldallas]

Another amazing job Ted; you are a true master craftsman. That guitar looks amazing, now that you’re through with it, and sounds good too. Really cool stuff!

[@f1s2hg3]

Great show great guitar great Ted!

[@greenfinch628]

Wow! I agree with the comment about the fretboard. It really popped. I also appreciate hearing the guitars. I’m not sure if it was the strings, the guitar or both, but that guitar sounded like something from the 20s.

[@phil36135]

I love the sound of this guitar, thanks for the video. It was a nice surprise

[@pawwalton2157]

Very nice work as usual and I am sure that the customer is pleased with the results.

[@waxyjim]

Really impressive work. Thx for sharing