1956 Gibson Les Paul Special Restoration Pt 1

[@pvdguitars2951]

Everything beautiful: the sound, the playing, the guitar and last but not least the craftsmanship! Thanks for inspiring us and for giving those vintage beauties a new life!

[@randygeist666]

If it was mine, I would not refinish it. Looks absolutely stunning as it is!

[@auntjenifer7774]

If were mine I would never have taken it apart, let alone strip the fucking finish off !? Dumb move there stripping the guitar SB's its finish off.

[@dubreg6711]

love your show, strangely therapeutic

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thank you Colm

[@nathanleyvas6667]

Absolutely loved the attention to detail on the harness. The curvature of the ground wires and lacquering the insulation was brilliant!

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Many thanks. Just subscribed to your channel too. Very cool stuff.

[@SirVicc]

One of my favorite channels. So informative and I get the sort of same zen experience from it as I get from working on my own guitars.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks! Huw's latest Zen guitar chats CD will be available soon

[@shawmatt101]

Wow! The sound on that is amazing. Love those p90’s. Personally I’d leave it natural. It looks beautiful as is.

[@JammyGit]

Those P90s sound great! I doubt that I'll ever be in a position to be lucky enough to be able to buy a vintage 1950s guitar, but I'd quite like to find a nice player from the year of my birth - 1970. Yes yes I know, being 50 years old would still qualify it as a vintage guitar, but what can I say? I still feel 21 on the inside. 😆👍

[@harrisonandrew]

Loved that mate. Fantastic.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Many thanks!

[@GazP23]

I found you guys through the Chris Buck strat project (loving that!), but I'm really enjoying the channel. Nice easy style and top quality content. Keep 'em coming!

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jimdeeds]

Stand back. Chilled out genius at work. Love these videos. Thanks.

[@bwedwards67]

I love the sound of those P90’s. That guitar sings.

[@nilsx3020]

Superb video, thank you for sharing with this degree of detail. If it was my guitar, I'd keep it that way a few weeks and enjoy it as it is, too. I'd also keep the Grover on there for now until period correct tuners pop up. They're such a common period replacement back then anyways...

[@dada1952]

I have 2 CS Historic Specials, one in TV Yellow and one in Red. It's the Gibson for Telecaster lovers. Nice to see this one getting a new lease on life.

[@cclubb85]

Another very enjoyable and interesting watch. Thanks for your efforts putting this vid together, Huw 👍

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Cheers Chris

[@MichaelWatts]

Hell of a way to start the weekend! Thank you!

[@henryhunter5026]

Very interesting video featuring a stunning old LP Special. Your skills, knowledge and attention to detail are amazing. I hope that there’ll be further updates on this wonderful instrument.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Glad you enjoyed it! More will be forthcoming

[@chrisdrake447]

Excellent video, Huw! Great close-up work, great pace on the narrative, and some tasty playing! Nice...

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thank you kindly!

[@stevesoldwedel]

I enjoy this format, Huw. Thanks for keeping the content coming.

[@clintcalkin617]

That looks amazing, can't wait for the TV Yellow. Those tones...not sure what's better, the guitar or your chops. Well done!!!

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thank you.

[@guydouglas6094]

Keep the natural wood. A light stain with a satin clear finish - trial a small area under the pick guard. Yep, those frets have to be replaced BUT what an amazing sound. Love that. And what a history this guitar must have - places and players. Good video.

[@jackieohehir3259]

Stunning stuff.....very informative.......stay safe

[@Fraizz]

Oh my ! pure delight for eyes and ears.

[@iwillnevergetone5]

I love that bare wood. seeing grain just looks like the guitar has a story

[@eoghanbradley3509]

Awesome, can't get enough of the videos. Man that guitar sounds great.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@pneumatic00]

The term "valuable fault(s)" comes to mind. Everything that was "wrong" with this guitar was not wrong enough to consign it to the dustbin, not that you'd do that even if it was 10 x worse. Very nicely done! I also applaud your decision to keep the guitar in its present state and enjoy it for a while as is. It will wait for you!

[@dyamariv3628]

Amazing video, love the work you do! Can't wait for the next!! A tip for anyone that want's to clean huge bloobs of solder off the back of pots cleanly is to heat the back like you did and quickly wipe the puddle off with a piece of scrap cotton shirt. You have to be very fast but it works. Just don't heat the pot too long

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks for the tip. I just used the soldering iron itself to wipe off the solder, but totally agree about not overheating the pot. I'll try that T-shirt trick next time - H

[@Neil1979]

Just found your channel. Thank you for the great content!

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@LennyJohnson5]

Excellent, as always.

[@jesjolte]

Great project Huw! I've got at well played 56 LP Special myself. Great guitars, those Specials. Let me know if you want some pics for inspiration before you do the refinish

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks Jesper. I'll definitely take you up on that. I assume our friend in Amsterdam has your email?

[@jesjolte]

@@tonetwinstv2863 Cool, yes he has my email. Looking forward to see how the LP Special project unfolds. I'm sure it will end up great!

[@chrissilverhand1]

What a guitar! Superb, thank you.

[@etreimage]

great vid :)

[@ernestschultz5065]

A holy relic

[@simonhall2682]

Sounds great!

[@pierrederesistance]

Is there a part 2 coming any time or has the guitar gone now?

[@buffdoc46]

A tip, when you have the pots separated like these, pry the tabs on the covers off and clean the wiper and turn plate by themselves with deoxit. Pots will be good as new. Yes you can spray deoxit in the side hole, but eventually they will go bad again. Great video and yes Specials are great guitars.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Great idea!!

[@kotogray8335]

Owww owww owww There you go!

[@kommi1974]

Needs to be repainted TV yellow. Please do this girl justice.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

I think we might just do that ;)

[@gibsondrummer]

Sounds awesome

[@matthewsprechet8022]

Love the video excellent learned a lot

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Glad it was helpful, thanks!

[@DP-hn6rl]

@Tone Twins TV this is my old guitar!!! Just one correction, it’s a 1955. I’m certain of it.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

We think you might be right, but we're erring on the side of caution until we're researched this a bit more. We're particularly interested in the fact that there are 2 wire holes leading into the control cavity. One is in the usual place and a second that leads from the bridge pickup rout and goes under the treble side bushing. There is no blow out around the second hole, which makes us suspect that it was done in the factory. Suggests that Gibson may still have been figuring things out when this guitar was being made. And if that is the case, then this must be one of the very first mahogany Specials.

[@buffdoc46]

@@tonetwinstv2863 definitely an early one, pole piece rout size in pickup cavity is one key, the other as you mentioned. Pot codes are good approximate.

[@erajad]

'56 makes it the same vintage as . . . me! :) Lovely instrument, and really enjoyed the patient care while you took us through these stages of the restoration. Btw, my first "real" electric was a '69 Tele Thinline with mahogany body, bought for $125 CDN at Hudson's Music Box in Toronto; had to borrow half that from by brother to make the purchase. It's long gone, sadly. Had it for many years, but never quite got on with the low frets (!) on it. Loved the mahogany, though, and would be loath to cover that lovely wood! Is there such a thing as TV yellow stain? Or is that heresy! Anyway, thanks for this thoroughly enjoyable 38m29s!

[@haytguugle8656]

Here it is; December 2020 and I'm not finding the Pt 2 yet. Should we assume that this is because the finish hasn't been completed yet? I can certainly understand if it's not quite ready. I'd guess you have other work to keep you busy, wanted to spend some time just to enjoy playing that brilliant sounding instrument (even over utoob it was obvious that it's a real gem), and then proper finishing does take some time and deliberate attention to do it right. That said; is there any chance we could get some kind of update? Or maybe a suggested timeline when we could expect to see the culmination of your craftsmanship? Lots of repair/restore videos on the toob. But this is one that I'm kind of wanting to see it brought back as it deserves. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Sorry for the wait. I'll be getting onto it in the new year I hope.

[@Vandebilt]

Did you ever came out with a pt 2 and a refinnish?

[@gio-ue3dw]

Great work! Sound beautiful! Any suggest/advice for height of the pick up and set every the pole? Thanks you !

[@tonetwinstv2863]

I just put the pickups in without shims. The bridge can't go any lower and I wouldn't want it higher. The neck could come up a bit for a bit more clarity and that would also even up the two pickups, but it doesn't need much. The poles are slightly tweaked, with the A and D poles raised on both. I just pick through a barre A chord at the 5th fret and listen for string-to-string balance. If a string is too loud I drop the corresponding pole screw down and if it's too quiet I raise the pole screw. Nothing scientific about it, I just set them by ear.

[@TheBlaggers-uv7vc]

That’s lovely. 👍🏻😎

[@darenanderson1960]

Excellent video! That guitar is so cool. Is there any concern about humidity causing problems with the guitar unfinished?

[@bevo65]

7:22 Huw flashes that secret message again! 😂

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Damn right. That was me saying don't even think of giving me a hard time for chipping away at a 56 Special with a chisel ;)

[@bevo65]

@@tonetwinstv2863 I know better! 😊

[@willsutton3767]

Huw, did you ever spray this guitar? Would love to see the finished product! Thanks for the content!

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Hi Will. Not yet, but I will very soon I hope.

[@redkingeye]

"Pastic parts" made me chuckle for some reason.

[@troyrahnedir]

because he forgot the s.

[@kevinc8387]

Hello enjoying your channel very much. Just finished the 1956 les paul special part 1.i couldn't find part 2. Was it removed ? Or is it right in front of me and I'm not seeing it. Thank you again for your channel

[@tonetwinstv2863]

A work in progress. Sorry...

[@johanndaart7326]

What's the history of this husk? Really great project!

[@denboe2894]

Was looking froward to seeing a finish on there. OK then TV Yellow.

[@WillyKidd]

Hi Huw, great video! Did you ever end up doing the refin on this LP, or has it been left natural?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks Will. Still waiting until I've finished a few other projects. Currently restoring a 61 Strat and a 65 Firebird.

[@WillyKidd]

@@tonetwinstv2863 fantastic, I'd love to see more project videos as this one is!

[@redbone6950]

I have 2 sets of Klusons 49 ES125 and 67 J45. Red Bone on Facebook. Buttons are rough of course.

[@johna1160]

n.b. Until solder has solidified, stabilize wire with bare finger tip for three "ows".

[@ToddTheJoker]

loved this! will there ever be a part deux?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Yes. One day we promise...

[@ToddTheJoker]

Awesome! I look forward to it!@@tonetwinstv2863

[@MrTendentious]

My only guitar regrets are the ones that got away. I was offered a 58 junior back in the mid 80s. It had a clumsy refinish and a horrible action, so I walked away, and have regretted it for years.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Nice one Bruce. We're sure many of us 'of a certain age' can tell similar stories ;)

[@Sthackenberg]

Hi, there is something special with the grain filler and it’s colouring on TV yellow, I have investigated it for the finish of a junior replica and although passed on to Florian Jäger for the Restauration of a 57 special... if you are interested...

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Yes please. Very much so. Always keen to learn more.

[@Sthackenberg]

Tone Twins TV some Mailadress?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

@@Sthackenberg Can you send me a message with your email through Instagram? Just search for huwpriceguitar and we can take it from there.

[@somearchitectTX]

Great video!! Could anyone give me a rough idea what a vintage Special might sell for in salvage condition like this? I can't afford a 50's Gibson, but I can put one back together.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Keep an eye on Reverb and the bay, they do come up from time to time. Thanks and best of luck with it

[@jeremyday2173]

Where are the nibs on the fretboard binding? They seem to be missing - doesn't that suggest it has been refretted? Thanks

[@tonetwinstv2863]

They're still there Jeremy, although quite worn and hard to spot on camera.

[@jeremyday2173]

@@tonetwinstv2863 Many thanks for the reply

[@bigblacktomcat]

Love it H. I'm gearing up to do a TV yellow myself. What grain filler are you gonna use? Some say red, some say mahogany. Btw, why have specials got soap bars & juniors dog ears? Pretty much the same guitar. Cheers, Tony B.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Hey Tony. Not sure yet, but I'll be doing a lot of experimentation. Seems to me that there's a mustard/mahogany look to the grain flecks on these early ones. I have another 56 here at present and that's how it looks to me. It's not red and it's not that dark. I'll email or give you a call sometime soon and maybe we can compare notes.

[@raydowley1038]

sounds and looks awesome as is, think I would just oil and polish

[@glenkepic3208]

Wish i could have done this to my neck broken and reset wrong (flat) '64 SG Standard....oh, I only paid $150 for this refin in '75. Heard it got fixed and screamed. strat after but love SG's. Should have kept both.

[@bobilly]

I have a 56 Special myself! But the headstock "Les Paul" is so faded. This one says "Les Paul Model," shouldn't it say "Special?"

[@retalt]

Brilliant thanks mate. That was fun to watch and sounded great at the end. 2 questions if i may. Where did you get that Attenuator from? And what wattage soldering iron do you use? Cheers Rich

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks Richard. The attenuator is home made and you can find the article I wrote on how to make one on Guitar.com. I can also build them for anybody who wants one but doesn't fancy building their own. I use a temperature controlled iron that goes up to 450C - H

[@retalt]

@@tonetwinstv2863 Brilliant, thanks Huw. I'll have a read and see how brave I am feeling. 👍

[@thomasstonehewer7037]

Hi, I have a 78 Les Paul Special, unfortunately I cant get to it during lockdown... do you know if it will have long or short tenon? It’s got the best neck p90 I’ve ever heard

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Sorry Thomas, we wouldn't know unfortunately

[@thomasstonehewer7037]

@@tonetwinstv2863 No worries, I will take a look under the neck pickup when I get chance. Fyi even the 78 model has really flat frets stock from factory... almost like a fretless!

[@tonetwinstv2863]

@@thomasstonehewer7037 Interesting to know. Guessing it has the tune-o-matic too?

[@thomasstonehewer7037]

@@tonetwinstv2863 Sorry only just seen this, yes it has the tune-o-matic something that initially I didn't like but quickly got over. It really has the greatest P90s and a very lush dark fretboard. Feel free to check it out at Instagram @tonehewer

[@tonybrooks476]

Welcome to Guitar ASMR.

[@heinrichheimpel538]

Why Does it say Model on the Headstock? I have never seen or Heard of a special that has Model written there

[@tonetwinstv2863]

We think you're right. It's not a silk screen and the headstock finish appears non-original, so we suspect it was just a mistake left over from the refinish.

[@the_nondrive_side]

I'd just get Mohawk Nitro and spray it with a matte clear and reassemble... Well might sand layers and polish leaving the last one matte...

[@presmasterflash7555]

At what point did Gibson start putting “special” in place of “model” on the headstock silkscreens for LP Special?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

We think you already know the answer to that ;)

[@presmasterflash7555]

@@tonetwinstv2863 so that’s not the original veneer? Or the Les Paul silkscreen was resprayed? I was thinking maybe in the first iterations they had “model” before they got their own labeling. That was me assuming.

[@thehandseesall]

It's strange how the ears in the headstock are not the equal distance from the machine head holes. I would hAve thought that they would've been equal every single time a Gibson was made...🤔

[@tonetwinstv2863]

You'll often find the headstocks are asymmetrical - especially the 'mustache' at the end

[@thehandseesall]

@@tonetwinstv2863 that to me is so strange on something that also deals with precision.

[@DayRider76]

I bet you could tune up a 2x4 and make it sound good.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks but TBH I think my guitar playing has 'improved' dramatically since I learned how to edit video footage ;) H

[@DayRider76]

@@tonetwinstv2863 maybe I need to learn to edit?

[@sweettoof9002]

Why would anyone have taken the TV Yellow off that beauty in the first place? That's a shame.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Brown was fashionable in the 1970s maybe?

[@madgeniusmusic]

What a beautiful guitar. You left the L out of plastic.

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Apologies. It does tend to happen when you don't employ a professional writer ;)

[@madgeniusmusic]

Tone Twins TV never mind. Lol.

[@PimpinBassie2]

Why not thrash those old electrolytics?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Do you mean trash rather than thrash? Assuming you're talking about the capacitors, they are not electrolytics. They're paper/foil types. Signal capacitors in amps become problematic when they leak DC. Since there's no DC in an electric guitar, tone caps either work or they don't. These are the originals and still doing their job just fine.

[@gibsondrummer]

Pastic parts How did that little bit of an amateurish production gaffe make it to the final edit ?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

And we're deeply and profoundly sorry to have ruined your enjoyment of this free to view video and we will strive never to be so slap dash ever again.

[@redbone6950]

Sorry not J45. 50's lap steel.

[@GIBKEL]

Too bad.....that original TV-yellow probably could have been saved with patiences.

[@jonmale3104]

should that not read Les Paul special??

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Yes Jon, it should. The headstock has been refinished and the decal/silk screen is non-original

[@robertobrien2903]

Why spend so much time worrying about keeping all the electronics original if your just going to pull the original frets out anyway...What a waste of money and time.