'63 Hummingbird

[@Riverdeepnwide]

You are truly a great teacher. The design philosophies, history, humour, research, skills, techniques, tools, patience, thank you so much for the uplifting experience.

[@hilldwler420]

It’s like watching Holmes on homes but for guitars, stringed instruments. Just awesome.

[@dennisgabbeart1814]

Yes, very patient, thorough, and knowledgeable about guitar specs, and every little detail. Truly a wealth of knowledge from everything I've seen so far.

[@Unclejake]

Don’t save me, I want the Ethel Merman impressions!

[@dabsafe]

I’ve found that my Ethel impressions to be quite a hit especially after some chemical enhancements 🤣. Nothing beats Ethel singing either Under the Bridge by the Chilis or Blow At High Dough by the Tragically Hip. A bunch of half drunk, middle aged folks nearly pissing themselves while I pick away and belt out my best Ethel never fails to amuse me.

[@rickbaker4571]

Doesn't seem to matter how hard you strum, one sound comes out of a Hummingbird. Love those old rascals.

[@InfinityEnterprises]

Marvelous sound at the end. This ‘bird can sing!

[@400_billion_suns]

Yeah, I thought the same! Was very surprised by that. Has a great tone.

[@daverice2426]

Oh man, the DRYNESS of "this is a piece of holly wood.....hooray for it"; too good!

[@adammono1839]

So weird. I was just watching your repair of a hummingbird copy and this video popped into my feed. From a copy to the real deal!

[@jeroenvaneekeren]

Translating fahrenheit to celcius: thank you, much appreciated.

[@JohnKorvell]

He can probably translate into Kelvin too!

[@DenKulesteSomFins]

Out of all the horrible imperial measurements, Fahrenheit is top/bottom 3

[@ant1sokolow]

@@DenKulesteSomFins I think it's #1. No simple way to convert. Which ones do you place before it?

[@jonahguitarguy]

I LOLed at holly wood, yeah for it! Love your humor.

[@jonellis2134]

Learn so many handy tricks and tips from this channel, nice to see some decent practical thought processes being shared.

[@stevecroft5068]

Gibson in the 60s did recycle some serial number batches, about four years apart, so it is possible, what with the narrow nut width and filled in screw holes of the pickguard, that this one is from 67/8, just before they reverted back to belly down bridges. Having said that, as far as I Know, they only produced a few Hummingdoves (Maple B&S) and in 62/3, supposedly because Gibson had orders waiting on Hummingbirds, but a surplus of Dove bodies. Excellent as always Ted👌

[@toddkelly6181]

The guy that did a neck reset on my old Martin D18 merely bent and glued the fretboard to the soundboard too, creating that same annoying fall-off. As you mention, almost impossible to play up there anyway without a cutaway, but still bugs the hell out of me. Nice to know there is a solution without actually having to do yet another full neck reset. Awesome job!

[@DrustIV]

"An Exercise in Futility" title of my memoir. Keith's Hummingbird always sounded really aggressive and upfront. "The basic track of "Street Fighting Man" was recorded on an early Philips cassette deck at London's Olympic Sound Studios, where Richards played a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar, and Watts played on an antique, portable practice drum kit."

[@stevecroft5068]

As soon as I saw the title, I knew I was in for a treat, and that it was in great hands.

[@dwebster50]

Thank you, love your videos, and the hummingbird , sounds amazing.

[@agcacustoms2852]

I believe holly is the type of wood used for the headstock veneer before it was changed to plastic. I believe it’s cause it’s a closed grain wood that was very easy to obtain.

[@tiki_trash]

Your delivery of the Hollywood pun killed me! I can barely type. Fuck, I'm still laughing!

[@OutOfBoxCollector]

I'm a big fan and i always look forward to your weekly videos :)

[@infoscholar5221]

I have the Epiphone version. Beautiful sound. Mine's only five years old. I bought mine because of that charming man, Adam Barrett.

[@Sungodv]

I would never be mad if you posted more often...

[@UmVtCg]

He can't, watch his video where he explains his workload. You clearly have not watched them all before whining for more.

[@Sungodv]

@@UmVtCg I've been a subscriber for over 2 1/2 years

[@Sungodv]

soon to be five years

[@jean-marcderaeve5048]

I had a 1964 Dove with the same narrow neck that I finally sold because I found it too hard to play. Thank you for the great videos.

[@deplinenoise]

This comment could be on any one of your videos. I have been on a binge of your stuff recently and it’s pure joy to see someone so talented patiently sharing their techniques and best advice with the world. Thank you for your efforts! It really matters.

[@ianbrown4180]

Thanks again. I really enjoy your talks. Keep up the good work

[@dennisgabbeart1814]

Just found your channel. Enjoy it so much!!! Cannot wait to see future videos. Thank you!!!

[@kennogawa6638]

That Gibson now sounds as good as it looks

[@OGSontar]

Thank you for an interesting walk through on such a beautiful Gibson.

[@scottm121]

I steward a 2016 Hummingbird VOS . It is arguably the finest acoustic instrument ive ever played.. kind of astonishing to be the one taking care of it for now

[@matthewf1979]

It needs a fret job 58 years ago! Ya know, the one time I got my hands on a real deal original burst, the frets were *Terrible* (in a Cleveland voice). I’m perplexed by people who pay double for an instrument that’s unplayable, but 100% original. Give me new pots and a super jumbo fret job every day of the week. I’ll also be very pleased to gut the Astron caps out of a Tweed amp before I even plug it in!

[@wingracer1614]

I'm not a super jumbo guy but I still have to agree about "fretless wonders." Why do they want to make it harder to play? It boggles me.

[@ileutur6863]

@@wingracer1614 I suppose it lets the action sit super low so chording and some basic blues playing is easier. Playing anything else must be hell though

[@michaelgiordano3757]

I played and owned a hummingbird from this time that had low frets and played well. Better then any acoustic I played

[@davidthompson6832]

Only cat EVER to mention that about using a fret rocker ! Listen up 👍

[@madeofnapalm]

Love these history lessons :)

[@f1s2hg3]

My grandpa had that 🎸 wow super cool

[@pizzapimp8128]

I don’t own a guitar. I can’t play a guitar. Still, I find these videos fascinating.

[@sliob]

Same here!

[@davidjohnson00001]

Greetings from the UK, Ted. Another informative video. It would be easy to be deterred by your skill & knowledge. However your can-do approach inspires me to try my own stuff. Cheers.

[@DAaron67]

I once used a credit card as a fret rocker, in a pinch. Wouldn’t recommend if you have access to a real one. However, it did work, and with its help I leveled a fret that gave me fits for a couple years before I was comfortable to tackle it. Great video as always!

[@violao206]

Awesome video demonstrating the true nuances of setting up the vintage Gibson Hummingbird. Cheers!

[@dalgguitars]

Thank you so much for your videos!

[@kevinsnyder4425]

Love the hummingbird ! I have a 68 or 69 copy made by Conqueror (c.j.bruno) . It's been an excellent guitar, and still sounds great. I've been tempted over the years to change the adjustable insert in the bridge, but can't bring myself to do it. It's never had a neck reset ,a fret job ,or a truss rod adjustment. I'm lucky ! Pick guard fell off years ago, and got put back on. One of those timeless guitars I will keep ! Thanks Ted !

[@giovanni5063]

Had a Hummingbird once. Over 50 years ago, I knew a guy in southern Cal. named Sparrow or maybe "The Sparrow" and he had a Bird. I bought a used one and thought I was so cool. Did not really like it. It had that screw raising adjustable saddle and all the screws did was to drill a hole in the top. Traded it for a Santa Cruz H model several years ago. Also, if the box was from the 60's or even 70's most of the Hummingbird art on the guard would have been polished away from a player's arm, just say'n.

[@golds04]

Lovely. I have a 63 SJ. Plastic bridge i think nails it as a 63. Wonderful guitars. Very fascinating. Ty

[@revolution21customguitars]

"...the dropoff is noticable" ? 😂 I really think that's an understatement. From the looks of it that's a good 2-4mm lower than the actual fretboard height is. Ted you're a true wordsmith brother 👍

[@dickranmarsupial4911]

OMG, my dream guitar in dream finish. Going to enjoy this...

[@dcamp671]

I jumped up to show my wife and told her it was my dream guitar too. Was a great watch

[@PopeyeFPV]

That is a 63' Gibson Hummingdove......still a lovely piece.

[@nicolen.9642]

Cool...intro...humour. Thanks Ted 🎶🎶🎶

[@podfuk]

"It's not cocaine" - It reminded me that story of repair guy, who got high on LSD while repairing tape record player from 60`s ;)

[@gusanoperro8558]

how did that happened?

[@theexplodingmothfromhell8012]

Sure it wasn't the buchla synth? The legendary red panel?

[@podfuk]

@@theexplodingmothfromhell8012 You are right, it was a synth ;)

[@podfuk]

@@gusanoperro8558 He tried to clean some crystalic residue from circuit board and when he touched he started to trippin ;)

[@msPaulaA1]

Lines on my bird, lines on my face. Oh wait that not how that goes.

[@norgermish1]

My first neck reset was on a '72 Harmony Sovereign during the bored time of 2020 stuck at home, it has the pickup in the end of the fingerboard. Reset came out nice other than the fretboard drop off at the body. Funny thing, when I originally did the reset I thought about making a tapered piece for under the fretboard but second guessed myself due to my lack of knowledge and that it was probably over-kill! HAHA Thanks for the lesson and the how to I guess I am going to make a go at it now.

[@HayesTech]

My 65 Epiphone Texas FT79N has a 1 9/16" nut and I love it. I wish I could put that neck and nut on all my guitars...lol. Another awesome video.

[@pickersgrip]

Great job!

[@activese]

hey hi, that string separator, wood block, over the sound board, great tip, fancy tech, hahaha, take care.

[@milabenysek6540]

Perfect :-) I have the same problem with my Gibson Hummingbird 1977 ..... your tutorial will help to solve the problem ... thank you !!!

[@sulaiman927]

Always wanted a humming bird but they cost a fortune here in singapore ended up getting a martin guitar and they sounds great brighter on the rhythm

[@phillipbingham487]

that backwards bridge really cracks me up

[@jimmiller2270]

I played a 63 hummingbird with maple back and sides about a month ago. It was wonderful in many ways. I only had a few moments with the guitar, but I miss it dearly.

[@toddbishop8351]

Awesome video

[@jockwebb3435]

I've seen a few fairly dull sounding ones, but there is an Australian picker called Mike McLellan who had a beauty that he bought in a hock shop in 1965. It was a stunner.

[@calhounsurf]

As excelent video as always. Thanks for sharing your amazing fixes.

[@geldner]

Love your videos and dry sense of humor. I used to have a Bartolini pickup on my Takamine F360S but mine was the non-destructive soundhole type. Great little pickups. Very balanced tone without being too "electric-y". Sadly both guitar and pickup were stolen decades ago. Today I make do with an oddball Epiphone PR720S with a Dimarzio soundhole pickup.

[@JC-11111]

This is the exact video I needed to see right now. I've got a buzz at the 12th on my Strat and it never occurred to me that 11 *could be* low instead of 12 being high. Thanks, Ted! 🙏

[@musiqueurbaine]

Great job! I have a 60’s that for the longest time I thought was a ‘62 but with the research I’ve done on the web it could be a ‘66? So frustrating to date these. It belonged to my dad which he bought when I was a toddler I was born in ‘62. Mine as a very narrow nut width as well. Maybe it’s a ‘63 like this one? I’ve been hoping to have it fixed and set up by you. I’ve been watching many videos on guitar repairs , set ups etc… you are by far my favorite!!! Thank you and please keep’em coming. You are an amazing luthier and person 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jaythornhill]

Please, I hope someone can help me... I'm looking for a particular video of Mr. Woodford's, where he's looking inside an old acoustic, and realises that a previous repairman missed a soundboard crack with a cleat. That's right, the cleat is glued on, NEXT to the crack! Does this ring a bell with anyone? It's one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen, but i'll be damned if i can find the video!!! Anyway, keep up the good work, Mr. Woodford! Big fan of the channel!!!

[@buffdoc46]

Beautiful sounding instrument

[@eddie_0171]

Great work. thank you for the video!

[@jasonaustin3270]

That's what they call a hummingdove.

[@michaelmcclain5091]

Always considered those adjustable saddles an abomination. Have replaced many over the years.

[@tjmcarthur5376]

It's a beauty! The nut size is the same as the one I bought new in 1974, and its serial reads like a 62. Mine has already seen very nearly its last day out of the case. And I'd love to hear your Ethel Merman!

[@hank27567982]

I have a 1966 Dove with a 1-9/16 nut also.

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

another thing about the fret rockers, even if the frets are perfectly flat, it can still rock because it's not parallel enough with the axis of the strings and it's rocking on the radius of the board.

[@chipsterb4946]

Great presentation. Thanks for posting.

[@mdhebert]

That's a nice sounding guitar at the end. :)

[@izzynutz2000]

some of those Gibson we're built specifically with the narrow neck to put into the hands of female players and if you were somebody and had ordered a hummingbird you could get it "sized"... A friend of mine found a custom hummingbird that was built for a young lady back in the '60s and had a very narrow neck..

[@bolyami1975]

Sir, I LOVE your videos and tips. My question is if you could do a video discussing errors or failures you've had and what lessons were learned? Failures teach as well if not better than successes. Thank you and God Bless

[@MarkGray1970]

That is a beautiful sounding guitar!

[@that_thing_I_do]

Never dissapoints; always something new.

[@zapa1pnt]

Ethel Merman! I'm 69 and that name Seldom comes across my mind, even in relation to the Hollywood song. If Ted had not made the reference, I would not have remembered she sang it. However, I do remember Bugs Bunny (and Jerry Seinfeld) singing "This is It".

[@LosPompadores]

twoodfrd and 'Andy bass & guitar' (from Japan) are by far my favourite guitar channels

[@mellowvids9637]

Very nice.

[@jamesn5595]

Once there was a band from Hamilton (and a bar still maybe) that put out an lp called 'This Ain't Hollywood'. lol.

[@beytone]

Beautiful job, guitar and sound

[@vadenk4433]

Dating 1960’s Hummingbirds is a nightmare. I own either a 66 or 68 or 69 according to various sites and or experts. Oddly mine has a wide nut width when it should be the smaller late 60’s size. Mine also has no sticker but does have a screwed down guard.

[@pwman]

I was am waiting for a follow up remake to the “it’s not cocaine” … “or is it?” 🤦🏼‍♂️😂😂 Great work as always Ted!

[@LindaLooUK]

Thumbs up for the Ethel Merman reference. 😁

[@IrisGalaxis]

I love adjustable saddles. In addition , I own a guitar that has one and is loud and full sounding.

[@Strumbum01]

Great video and information sir! Wish you were in the US cuz I’d try to get my 60’s Hummingbird into your hands for a look.

[@3373-g8z]

I always liked narrow knecks, I think from moving from electric to acoustic for the first time, as a child. Then you get a hold of one of those classicals, and your frettin hand balance is complete!

[@sweettoof9002]

Just a beautiful instrument. My favorite acoustic ever. I have a 70’s Yamaha copy that I love. Not worth what the Gibson is, but it’s mine.

[@stevenedwards4470]

If you have the nerve, I'd want to hear that Merman impression 😜

[@danielr.schafer9504]

The sudltys of guitar repair... one thought on that skinny nut is done with the neck reset for a small hand, a lady or child... very good fix!

[@staleyexplores]

Sir you are definitely a pro, nice work as always on a really neat guitar!

[@hilldwler420]

Güttentag Grüppen!, herr Woodford.

[@elijahmerrill9045]

Can’t imagine what a headache removing those frets would be.

[@BarefootBill]

Yep, it's difficult to get a grip!

[@lowqualityguitarvideos]

Just chiming in to say fretless wonder frets were the thin and low frets not the wide and low frets. They didnt continue into the 70s. Cheers! I dont mind being baited into commenting! Appreciate you.

[@valte1234]

These fretless wonders seems like their made only to piss off repair guys

[@timothy4664]

I love that guitar

[@108ashtangi]

Really super work. And sound.

[@matthewbartolone7036]

Thank you Ted

[@codyjenkins9147]

a very nice sounding and unique guitar

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Thanks for the video.

[@grumpchumps8895]

I’ve seen a few vintage 335’s from 1967 with the 1 9/16 nut, maybe the manufacturer just borrowed necks from the ES line for hummingbirds? Just a thought

[@jetobey5656]

Ted--"just" another one of your examples of engineering followed by execution ! (Now, by the way, I am setting up the Daviln-Ford bridge heating assembly. I watch you using it and it appears in the video that you are using some version of a multi-meter to measure heat. Am I mistaken on that? I bought 2 S-Mc kits but, darn, those need big holes !! ( I have to do a vintage Guild D40---mine) I found what appears to be a $53 dollar adjustable power source (YES, DC) on Amazon. My wire, sleeve material and SS tubes are in my cart. Ian sent me his link; I had already made some guesses and was very close, but I am not too proud to be at a degree of error. It does not seem right to ask for expert advice, and then, ignore it.

[@BarefootBill]

Thanks for your work in recording video of your repairs, you've amassed a pretty good data base! I wish for a video concerning modern USA made CF Martins and loose bindings. Is it the plastics or is it the glue and maybe this would alert CFM that there is an issue. Thanks again, 👣

[@WesleySnyder]

man.. i would love to have you you fix up my old Ventura 12 string ( lifting bridge ) ... maybe if i watch enough of these ill fine the confidence to fix it my self. thanks for the great videos.

[@TN4theWIN]

That is a sweet tone