A Bridge Doctor "copy" needs resuscitation

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[@chrispatrick5715]

This is the only TEDTalk that I catch. I learn about guitar repair, history and human behaviour from a calming intelligent gentleman.

[@michaelinglis567]

My older brother (closest in age to me but still 18 years older) used to come home for holidays with his family in the 90s when I was a kid. And he always brought his black Takamine with him. Watching him sing and play guitar was one of the main reasons I picked up guitar. I have very fond memories of him teaching me how to work out songs by ear etc with that guitar. Anyways I'm 34 now and he is about 52 and he still not only owns that Takamine but regularly plays it. I have a home movie on VHS (if it still plays) of my brother in the mid 90s playing "Patience" by Guns and Roses on that Takamine while the whole family sat around and watched. Anyways I couldn't help but share after seeing that guitar lol. I could go on forever if I don't stop myself.

[@robwalker8530]

It would be nice to see a tour of the shop.

[@joesantamaria5874]

It’s about the size of a walk in closet.

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

​@@joesantamaria5874 A very slow pan, then...

[@halcooper3070]

There is a video he does just that. Looking....

[@Stratguy83]

“Holy Sakashita” is now my new favorite replacement curse word. Thank you Ted.

[@stu-j]

My EN-10C was my favourite acoustic guitar that was stolen from a gig in 1998! Was absolutely devastated and my insurance woudnt pay out! Was also a great recording guitar... that night a strat and a fender p bass was stolen from the stage as we were in the dressing room! And nobody seen a thing! The glory days of playing in really rough north east England pubs! Still haven't got over that night

[@laurencehastings7473]

There are, unfortunately, criminals everywhere. Their only consideration is their own personal gain and have no regard for the fact that their actions could ruin others lives and prospects of further income.

[@kkupsky6321]

🥲

[@stu-j]

@laurencehastings7473 they were probably sold for the next fix unfortunately and after this I never used my expensive guitars for live gigs. I used to bring my 73 telecaster and my 78 les paul custom so I bought a cheap tele and a Epiphone SG ( can't remember the make of the tele but I think it was a Legend ) I know quite a few gigging musicians who have had gear stolen from cars when packing up!

[@gpetheri]

Hi Ted, I've mentioned before that I made my own... For the thread, I used one of those screw in metal furniture inserts.

[@Sammywhat]

Big Sound! Nice work, Ted!! Brother, take as much time for yourself as you need. We will all be here waiting for the next vid to drop! Cheers!!

[@giovanni5063]

Thank you Dr. W. Due, in part, to your seminars, I have resuscitated a 1971 Epiphone F150. This was a gift of love from my young wife and it was crap. It resided in the case for 20+ years and upon opening the coffin she sprang up and broke a bunch of stuff. She has endured many repairs and is now my every day go-to. Makes me so pleased while playing for my wife of 53 years.

[@garnethubbard6098]

Anything that you can upload I will watch.

[@BRAZOZ]

Timing is everything, Last night I came very close to ordering the Fake Junk Copy . It was Late at Night so I relented. I have put in a lot of the JLD version and I love them , but they have went up about 10 bucks so the Fake was tempting . I was getting ready to decide and then I got the notification of this Video. So The Taylor that I’m working on gets the real Deal Thanks . I have put them in several of my Personal Guitars mainly to prevent the Belly from happening. Have a Blessed Evening.🎸

[@markbernier8434]

My condolences on the basement leakage. I still remember the inventive cursing when it happened in my childhood home many years ago.

[@PapaRich3165]

Always a pleasure, Ted! Take care of your homestead. Be here whenever you're available!

[@scottishgentlemen6038]

Aaaand you've just described why the bridge doctor didn't get the result I was hoping for in my old 12 string. Looks like it's in for a neck reset after all!

[@nicolen.9642]

If there's no video next week, I'll miss it. Always look forward to see you fix guitars. And learn. Sorry to hear about your basement. Your statement about the vacation is very true (and funny!). See you soon.

[@NorthBayRepublic]

Waiting on that "Ted goes to Tim Horton's and searches for Shop-Vac filters" video.

[@frankwebster9110]

Polishing,polishing

[@archloy]

... polishing It's missing, indeed x)

[@adiohead]

polishing

[@FraustByte]

If I were a Canadian musician I would hope to have access to a luthier like ted. His work and care is top notch. And this person that's owns this takaminie definitely appreciates their guitar with pro active maintenance

[@dudeanderson2401]

My guild needs a set up and I've been thinking about getting a bridge doctor. I live on the east coast of Canada.

[@TheZippoLover1]

No video next week? No problem I love watching your back catalog anyhow. Keep it up Ted, this is my favorite guitar related channel and I’m just a player with no intent to repair my own instruments. I can’t explain it but your videos scratch the itch I didn’t even know I had.

[@johndrippert3289]

Those do sound nice. Not surprised they are a working guitarist's go to.

[@bobross5580]

Great video and as always great explanation of the why's and how's🙂

[@pyrielrising4338]

Hello Ted...I don't know if you would consider this for a future video but I'll ask just the same. I would very much enjoy a video of you walking around your shop and showing the various woodworking machinery that you find are "must haves" for a successful Luthier.

[@chuckq54]

Gorgeous sounding acoustic ❤️

[@markdalton6662]

I have learned how to repair and even create a couple of guitar's from watching your videos , so thank you for the great work you do .

[@dale1956ties]

Ted: "I can help you with that hump." Takamine: "What hump?"

[@telequacker-9529]

My hump my hump. My lovely lady lump. Check it out!

[@Sammywhat]

Classic line!! 😂

[@dale1956ties]

@@Sammywhat Gotta love Marty Feldman

[@kevinrenfro2254]

Just what the doctor ordered another episode of twoodfrd!

[@PetraKann]

Excellent work. My Takamine steel string acoustic dates back to about 1984/85. Still use it today - the bridge piezo pick up still works fine. The need for a 9V battery is a little annoying these days

[@robertbull6895]

A pleasant early surprise this week. ☺️ Interesting manufacturer history and great guidance as always 🙏

[@Three_Eyed_Willy]

Sorry to hear about the flooding in your neck of the woods. We had a similar thing down here in Texas. The main difference is that in our neck of the woods, basements are kind of unusual due to the frequency of flooding. Take care -- I never miss your programs.

[@harmlesscreationsofthegree1248]

Sounds gorgeous! Nice repair, good to know not all imitations are up to the task

[@David-xv6ye]

I have a Dreadnought acoustic from a company called "Lark", it has a Rosewood top and it was a noticeably darker sounding instrument. It needed a bridge doctor and I was not prepared to spend such a high price for a block of wood and a dowel rod. I machined mine out of a block of aluminum and pleasantly it made the guitar sound brighter.

[@williambrady7718]

The problem with the bridge doctor , when the bridge starts to roll forward, raising behind the bridge and lowering in front of the bridge , the whole face of the guitar is giving way and bulging out from the string tension. When you install the bridge dr. You flatten the bridge and get rid of the roll forward but it does nothing to get rid of the arching that the front of the guitar is doing. It does not flatten the top of the guitar. It does not take the arch out of the top which is what's required to lower the action. It has very little positive effect. Not worth the money. They need to figure out how to flatten the top. If you looked across the face of the damaged guitar perpendicular to the strings, you would see the highest point is the saddle as the top of the guitar arches away from the back you need to take the arch out and bring the bridge closer to the back of the guitar. The bridge dr doesnothing for that.

[@chrispatrick5715]

@williambrady7718 I wonder if the old fashioned neck reset by "slipping" the back still has merit, in order to fix the collapsing effect of string tension.

[@elmo7sharp9]

That's been my experience, too. In fairness, the Bridge Doctor doesn't CLAIM to lower action...

[@robertshorthill6836]

I had bought a Tak while stationed in Okinawa in '67- '68. Sold it to a buddy before I left in June '69. A fine guitar. Sounded great, easy to play.

[@fulci6734]

Thank you Ted 👍👍👍🎥🎬🎸❤‍🔥

[@TommySG1]

Best of luck regarding the flooding control and thanks for sharing your outstanding videos Ted.

[@Kafrifelle]

Every time I Watch your videos, I am impressed by your skills and teaching qualities if it is even a word. Thx for the weekly entertainment

[@markdalton6662]

You know Ted I am a bit of a amateur luthier myself from watching people like you and a couple others , I even bought a mounted luthier table and I will never work on guitars in my basement because it's just too damp down there .

[@tomscheira]

Your videos are always interesting, informative, and relaxing. I appreciate the care and time you give to all instruments.

[@Halfaloaf599]

Another excellent video, thank you!

[@SeeMick1]

Sounds like someone heard your pleas re: Canadian pricing. Stewmac sells the JLD ones with a 'Special for Canada' price.

[@DerekHerbst747]

Hey Ted. I'm waiting for that highly elusive "Takamine neck reset" video 😂😂. Mine is now in need of it 😢

[@cbayardelle]

Great work as always, in NC it flooded, it was extremely dry earlier

[@steelhead197]

Love the Tak videos! Thank you sir! I thought it sounded great! Cheers 🇨🇦👍🏻

[@Satchmoeddie]

I had a hot water PEX tube pop apart inside of a wall, so my home and shop got very nicely flooded, and two weeks later struck by lightning. Thankfully the lightning strike was an back feed up-strike. Yes, that ground rod, or ground plate, or UFER or ground ring can actually work in reverse. If lightning can shoot 470 miles across the sky, it's going to go where ever it darn well pleases, and if that is back up out of the ground, so be it. It still beats a flaming hole in your roof. The lightning was an easier fix than the flooding.

[@rogertinker1813]

I really enjoyed this video thank you Ted

[@2009numan]

what a beautiful sounding guitar

[@sentforth5]

I still have and play a 90s Jasmine version! Great guitar.

[@alexcorona]

They’re insanely popular here in California at the moment. About half of all the 12 strings that come through my shop for repair are Takamines. Mostly the young kids own them.

[@garrettraylor4947]

The imbalance or gap between the wood and the Dow is important it allows for leverage.

[@jeromestevenfaigin6059]

I own a Breedlove bought in 2010. It came home brand new from Guitar Center a J-250 a jumbo spruce top hi grand nice, sides and back maple, like nice patterns of movement in the wood. They (at Breedlove) told me that it was laminate, but I can't tell, it's a loud guitar and the tone is wide. Lots of Abalone, green and pretty.

[@kevinrenfro2254]

The “subtle stuff” is so good!😂

[@Maddogxi]

I make these. I try to make it so that there's only wood and two drywall screws that don't interact with the guitar directly, but indirectly through making the bridge doctor-like-device into a sound post with a tee intersection. I've only made about three of them. They're sometimes the right fix.

[@TheKruizr]

I can see why they went with Takamine instead of Sackashita.. 😁👍

[@noeyedeer4655]

Thank you for the awesome job, Ted! Plays so much better

[@thebreakfastmenu]

I've got a Takamine from the late 90s that's still chugging along. I love it. The bridge is starting to lift, but only the wings of it. It's a great guitar. Cheap. But great. Records well, sounds good plugged in, and overall just... cheap and great!

[@garrettraylor4947]

I talked with the inventor some years ago and he suggested to place the screw on the other side of the bridge. Front of the Sound-hole. You could have achieved better results.

[@garrettraylor4947]

@twoodfrd

[@BRAZOZ]

I have often thought about that and wondered. I talked with him also about 6 or so years ago as I had a small thin Parlor I was restoring and it needed one but the standard one was too big so I gave Him my measurements and he made me one and sent it to me . I have some of those Belly Up Gibson’s J 45 and CF 100 with zero room behind the Bridge Pins . I have thought of going between the saddle and Pins . But did not want to take a Chance with them

[@garrettraylor4947]

On some guitars a big problem lies when hand cannot get past the sound hole. It is also very helpful if the guitar maker already has a centered hole to locate the dowel. Leverage and geometry is thought provoking. ✌🏼

[@BRAZOZ]

@@garrettraylor4947 Fortunately My hands are kinda Slender but there are some like my 1917 Gibson L 1 with a Bulbous small round Sound Hole that is off limits

[@johnswoodenware]

i think my giannini craviola 12 string needs a bridge doctor, part of me hates the idea of it but I think that design more then anything needs it lol

[@bitfenix90]

I'd played Ovations but really disliked their sound. The ultimate betrayal though was seeing Jim Croce and Maury Muelheisen trading in their Martin D-35s for Ovations. It was for the dixie-cup pickups - that's what everyone focused on - "At least it's built in - I don't have to carry extra mic stands, cables, spent time in sound-checks, balances, etc. And it gives me freedom of motion." sigh... I still cough when I see an Ovation in use.

[@nevarmaor]

I remember trying out an Ovation when they were all the rage. The damn thing kept sliding off my lap. So I bought a Takamine instead, the Martin copy model they made.

[@user-zr2eb4rn8j]

I never liked Ovations either, didn't feel right, didn't sound good.

[@jefferywarburton2116]

The roller derby program said she was build like a fridgerator with a head, yup gonna go do that.

[@tanet]

I love the neck though

[@bitfenix90]

@@nevarmaor Yes, that blasted bowl-back. I once had a decorative gourd-belly mandolin. I learned chords and strumming, but a flat-back was needed to hold the thing steady for note picking - and really, for finger-board 'runs'. Ovations reminded me of that. Do we know how many trees were saved by using fossil fuels and petrochemicals to make plastic backs instead of cutting down trees. Trees, after all, do not grow on trees. Er... well, that's what someone told me.

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting Ted. You do good work.

[@waynepatton689]

These videos are not only fun to watch but really informative. Great explanation on the structural design of an acoustic guitar!!

[@bldallas]

Thanks for the early post this weekend, Ted. ***Paused after you showed us the Bridge Dr knockoff, too add a quick comment **** Not trying to be a pessimist here. But with 39 years of professional civil engineering experience, including 6 years of timber design and 5 years as a field engineer for a structural anchoring and fastening manufacturer (Hilti), I’ve developed a very solid ability to accurately “sniff test.” A term used for bring able to look at a structural design and quickly get a feel for whether it will work or not. Assuming I recall the installation configuration correctly, those soft wood “threads” will ultimately be fighting to resist the tension of the strings B in order to prevent the bridge from twisting forward. Even if it all goes in correctly, and you augment the final configuration with a rigid adhesive, I feel like over time, there’s just not enough shear strength in that soft wood and they will eventually fail (“strip out.”) So while I get the interest in finding a more affordable solution, sometimes an “almost the same,” design doesn’t factor in fine details that can make a big difference in its ultimate performance. To create a stronger mechanical connection, can you drill a small pilot hole in the block and perpendicular to the dowel? Then you could partially install a small wood screw, and after the dowel is in position, advance that “set screw” into the side of the dowel. They would create a solid mechanical connection with the screw taking the majority of the stress applied down the length of the dowel. Just a thought. But hey, I could easily be over thinking things here. I’ll be interested to now watch the rest of your video to see how the install goes. Knowing your vast experience and master luthier skills, I’m sure it will at least go by in flawlessly.

[@goodun2974]

I was thinking that the setscrew mechanism should be upgraded by installing one of those plug-like threaded inserts that has threads on both the outside and inside, and gluing it into the wood block, so that it provides metal threads for the setscrew...

[@bldallas]

@@goodun2974 that could work, too, but the piece of wood is very thin. He would need to find the perfect insert to fit and not split that piece of wood.

[@spencerd3696]

The singer for my dad’s old country band played a Tak for years before picking up a Gibson to replace it… but the Tak still gets played about 90% of the time

[@randybecker7339]

Great video as always. Good luck with your clean-up and foundation repairs. Hopefully you won't find any nasty surprises. Take care.

[@stevengordon-carroll442]

Excuse my correction, it’s Takamin eh! According to my Japanese friend. Note accent over the e. Now about “solder” or “dodder”😂😂😂 Love your vids? You da man.

[@bassmanrlw90]

Hey JLD, step up and send Ted some product. Let's go.

[@awesomexistence]

I installed a bridge dr copy that appeared as your example, no where near the quality of the original. Same issues you point out. Wood is too soft as well as the dowel rod which bowed due to the clearance issue with the sleeve and being too soft. The guitar being repaired could not be corrected with the “copy”. I ended up making a replacement from hardwoods to complete the project.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

I have played many Takimine fiddles. They have this voice and as soon as you strummed it , it all came rushi g back. They have their own thing going on and it's a good one. Alvarez Yairi have a simar vibe. Now we all know about fake me out bridge Dr's and the do's and dont's. Thanks for that.

[@picksalot1]

The guitar sounds good with the adjustments.

[@zacharykim295]

And here I was, thinking of watching a twoodfrd video

[@MichaelLloyd]

That's a nice sounding guitar.

[@mavision6525]

Sounded fantastic.

[@sickb2200]

My old Yamaha needs this.

[@dwahnaslowdown8887]

Wow. Sounds darn good.

[@user-yd4mr8jr6o]

I have a takamine made in 1982 but the electronics quit working it has low action and I love it but I would like it to work with a amp great videos 👍🏻🤘🏻

[@ianrose5505]

Fantastic thank you

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

I fitted a BD once, and while it _may_ have helped to combat the string pull, the effect was slight, and I thought it affected the guitar's tone adversely. It would have been better to have had the neck reset.

[@Plataani]

Shop video would be really nice 👍

[@steby123]

Your pronunciation is correct on the large island in Japan .

[@bengordon2330]

Thank you.

[@gabriellongworth]

Recent “greedflation”

[@ElliotCole333]

Well Hey there gang! Polishing Polishing.

[@BDHO73]

*cringe*

[@dalgguitars]

great video as always, thank you!

[@aserta]

7:53 if you superglue a stainless steel bolt with the same thread pitch and diameter, leave it be, then use a hair of heat on the bolt and unscrew it, you'll have superior threads in that piece of wood (and at that, any wood). I've been using this method for RC airplanes for years. My servos are tapped directly into the balsa frame, because i like to play with light characteristics (cutting holes, removing excess materials etc). As you know, balsa is like cotton candy gone hard in terms of strength, so if it works on that, it will work excellent on any other piece of wood.

[@jeromestevenfaigin6059]

That is the first Takamine it a 6-string I liked it! Good tone. The only thing I didn't like was the paint. Wood should be seen, I think?

[@laurencehastings7473]

Thanks Ted. I understand your frustration with added expenses associated with importing goods. This only disadvantages the actual manufacturer and encourages people elsewhere to profit from someone else's ingenuity I therefore find it reasonable for people to make their own version of the product. I'm sure, having observed your ability to adapt and improvise, that you would be able to produce a product that even exceeds the original at a fraction of the cost. I also know that you're an advocate for fair play but unfortunately even you can't change government policies. Takamine sounds good to me.

[@yobentley7274]

Threaded insert for the screw maybe??

[@LeftyPem]

Fun fact: Roadies for Spinal Tap invented the Bulge Indicator. Wasn’t initial designed for guitars. That was just a happy accident.

[@stevengordon-carroll442]

Er, scuse me “sodder”😳

[@tds3681-d3q]

Have a great workcation Ted! 😁

[@firecrackerheart]

wow, you are just sooo amazing .. .

[@GeorgeSharp-rv6ez]

You can't say much for that bridge doctor copy. Loved the intonation on the Takamine. Sounded like everything played in tune. So hard to get that on an acoustic. Must be the split saddles?

[@JonManProductions]

A shop cleanup video / shop tour 2024 would be a great vidya for us nerds. :D

[@calzwill]

Lots of quality here

[@yobentley7274]

Looks good.

[@rickpuhl805]

Take care. That git sound dope Thank you-

[@michaelpacinus242]

6:47 *the familiar holes* 😻😻😻

[@user-sk5ws3nf1l]

Thanks Ted, See you in two.

[@ishgumi44]

This Tak actually sounds great!

[@mightyluv]

Yeah, my little workshop looks like a bomb went off at a rummage sale. Clean up time as soon as the visitors are gone (family invasion). That bridge doctor? More like the “Bridge Naturopath”. The real mfr is probably breathing a sigh of relief after seeing this.

[@Sharpened_Spoon]

As I understand there’s a program being brought in for businesses to register for importing products themselves, avoiding the extortionate brokerage fees. Just tell the courier you’ll declare it yourself. At least that’s what I saw on an invoice from FedEx the other day.

[@bmedicky]

You're right, but the flip side of this is that you may then need to pick up your parcel from the local port of entry into Canada in order to process the paperwork, which often enough is the airport. Not sure Ted is so keen on driving to Toronto each time he gets a courier shipment.

[@kelleywhite5761]

Yeah I use Bridge Dr's regularly and they are a bit pricey so I bought a couple of these off Amazon, they were total rubbish! Had the same issues as you did plus the top screw was pulling out under pressure as well. Back to the JLD's