A Les Paul Acoustic? What the heck is THAT?

It's rare. It's weird. It's funny lookin'.

[@rockin_john6282]

Stumbled across one of these Gibson LP Jumbo guitars in a little local pawnshop 15+ years ago. Made a bank run to get cash immediately because I was aware of it's rarity due to it's mention in my first big guitar book purchased for me as a gift in the early 80s (American Guitars: An Illustrated History - Tom Wheeler) Though I'd already owned several Fender and Gibson guitars, this was the first guitar of any kind I'd ever paid over 500$ for. This gentleman's assessment of the instrument is the same opinion I arrived at many years ago with almost the same comment of "It's like a big hollow body jazz guitar disguised as an acoustic" And also correct that the unplugged acoustic tone is muffled by both the internal construction, and an incredibly thick coat of lacquer clear coat. (All cracked glass on the top and gator cracked on the back and sides in the case of my example.) They can be set up with almost electric guitar like action which is nice. Nice to finally see the electronics exposed on one. Not as complicated as I feared.

[@joshuataft5541]

Awsome story...thanx for sharing...so cool

[@jakecasebolt8612]

All. Pp. Pvvp

[@jakecasebolt8612]

P

[@andywildsnake7714]

Nice story John. Thanks!

[@keithwindow4435]

The impedance matcher is basically a Shure A95U rebranded. I have been trying to find a LP Jumbo to examine for 45 years. Now I don’t need to.

[@Scodiddly]

Seems like the pickup and electronics are still high impedance, with that adapter to provide the low impedance output. Would be really curious to see a schematic for the Decade control.

[@keithwindow4435]

@@Scodiddly The pickup is less than 10 ohms and can be plugged directly into low impedance mic inputs on mixer desks. The a95u impedance matcher on the lead matches low impedance output to a high impedance amp/desk input. Technically the decade control only makes a difference if it's plugged directly into a low impedance desk input without the impedance matcher.

[@mushroomsamba82]

Sir, there seems to be a car door ashtray installed in your guitar.

[@Slab_City_or_Bust]

Now that's practical, esp. if it's complete with working lighter!

[@daddymidwest4111]

But does it Djent? 🤔

[@J.C...]

Hotwire Foam Factory upgraded those things for luthiery work. So they now sell some that are made specifically for guitar work. That's the kind of response you want to see from a company. It seems like most companies would have frowned on us for using their products in unintended ways.

[@adrianwarner8686]

Sit back and let Ted take you to a magical kingdom with his skill and wit.

[@petedazer3381]

Ted, you are a natural educator sir, thanks!

[@norbertoquintanar2608]

You may not know it, but you are the de facto BEST luthier on KZbin! I have learned more from you in a year and I thank you sir. Thank you!!!

[@joebush1663]

Ted takes us to the "magical kingdom" of guitar repair!

[@erikpeterson4343]

You're not my real dad!

[@markdoyle9642]

Holy Frobisher Bay-man!!! I have a '69 Paul Professional, a 1970 L-5s, a 1971 LP Recording, and a retro fitted Byrdland with Low impedance Pickups. Since Tom's sale of Les Paul # 1 and Black Beauty, with the humbucking coils tucked into all sorts of hidden cavities, I have been searching You Tube Luthiers for a broader perspective of low Impedance evolution , AND TED BRINGS OUT THE RAREST GIBSON OF THE LOT!! STUNNED VOICE... I have been asking about reinstating the Doyle's Coils Low impedance Tru-Tone line. Thank You Ted. Amazing!

[@Lu_Woods]

I love my Doyle SuperToms. Epic sound.

[@markdoyle9642]

@@Lu_Woods RESPECT!!!

[@snazz2]

Hard to believe professional people put that less than ordinary thing together.

[@216trixie]

???

[@donnieellis9305]

I actually just stumbled on to one of your repair vids and you have me hooked from "Hello Gang!" Your work is Extraordinary and you unlike so many others pay attention to the little things that you repair just because. I love your videos and I myself have learned a lot just from watching! Keep up the awesome work! A New Fan from Tennessee!

[@TheOdditee]

Awesome, as usual. Commenting as a nod to the algorithm. You deserve it. One of my favorite channels.

[@HBSuccess]

Been playing and fixing Gibsons for almost 50 years and never knew this model existed, although I’m not surprised. They made a bunch of weirdo duds over the years and I’d put this in that bucket. Great reset as always Ted, you’ve mastered a white-knuckle (for me) task and make it look like no big deal. Mad skills.

[@joelhill4107]

You are such a patient and talented Man! You basically repaired and set this beautiful looking guitar better than new! I would like to hear you play more on this one of a kind guitar! That guitar must be worth a fortune! Especially after you fixing the factory glitches. Thanks for sharing a lot of your knowledge! You are amazing, One of a kind of guy!

[@donaldfisher8556]

Ted a fabulous video. Thank you for sharing. This is guitar history that most wouldn't know about; now I do. Thank you

[@OGSontar]

That was a fascinating instrument, to be sure. I'd never seen nor even heard of a guitar like that! Thank you for sharing such an interesting piece of musical history.

[@johnc8516]

Those hot wires have got to be the best thing I've seen so far for removing necks. very precise and clean. Thanks for another helpful vid, and the info on this unusual Guitar.

[@bldallas]

That’s so weird looking it’s cool as hell!!! Another great job, Ted, thank you.

[@Sungodv]

Man, has this channel grown in the last couple of years. Good for you, TWoody!

[@stephenellis7351]

Beautiful Gibson Ted! You do fantastic work and that's for sure.You're attention to detail and the tips.tricks and knowledge you impart are an inspiration. i bet the owner was in tears first time playing that lovely old guitar after it's visit to Dr Woodfrd's surgery ...... All love from the UK

[@MoxieCom]

Probably the best channel on KZbin. Thx. :)

[@StreetMedic3598]

We get another great video!!!!!! I know your working hard but I always seem to be waiting for the next video! This one is a cool one! Thanks for the great content!

[@georgeporter5256]

Great video! Hard to believe that this many people commented on such a rare beast! I've been collecting Gibson Low Impedance guitars for years, (somebody had to do it!). There really isn't much interest in Les's favorite guitars. The Les Paul Jumbo was one of the most difficult examples to acquire. It was designed just before Ovation came out with their more accepted design. The previous owner of mine had to get the neck reset. He claimed that all of these, due to the cutaway would need a neck reset as the neck leans towards the cutaway. I have only seen two in person. There is one on display at a Les Paul exhibit in what I believe was a Discovery Zone in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Les Paul Museum in Wakesha Wisconsin didn't even have one. You did a great job in preserving one of our lesser-known guitar examples!

[@arthurkurtz2448]

There is something very special about this exquisitely rare oddball. It sits there, on your repair table, appreciated by almost no one, while you deftly make it shine. Lovely work, Ted, as always.

[@briansimpson8116]

Excellent video again Ted.

[@Maxi_Me]

Thanks for your wonderful videos!

[@heihodojo]

What a weird/quirky/cool discovery. Loved the history lesson and being part of the operation. Thanks for the content!

[@Tscaperock]

I have built and repaired my personal guitars for many years now. What I have learned watching you over time is, there is many things I am not qualified to do. You are the Rock N Roll star of Luthiers.

[@irrationallynegative]

Another fantastic video, thank you! I always wanted one of these, I guess this is the closest I’ll ever get to seeing one.

[@dasi66]

Really enjoying your videos- skills, content, philosophy, attitude.. Many Thanks

[@flapjack413]

That thing is wild. Kind of reminds me of a Martin D18-E, but with a cutaway. Great work as always, sir.

[@johnstrand7456]

I love the sound of those low impedance pickups - so very clean - I have the les paul recording and the matching bass - I am very impressed with your extreme patience while working - and of course because of your patience the results are phenomenal- my hats off to you, sir!!

[@contrabandjoe7974]

Unbelievable! I've been playing since I was 12 years old (since 1976) and have NEVER seen nor HEARD of this model...

[@daviddowler1047]

Interesting. I started playing at 12 yrs. old in 1976 as well.

[@j.p.roofer3407]

I, too, started playing in 1976. Weirdly enough, I turned 12 that year.

[@jamesha175]

wow me too - what are the odds

[@jeffking887]

I was 16 and had been playing three years. YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN😉🤪

[@contrabandjoe7974]

@@jeffking887 LOL. Yep, you were the cool older neighborhood kid that reluctantly taught us young twerps how to play Cat Scratch Fever & Stairway to Heaven....

[@raystargazer]

I found this very informative and entertaining. Nice job! Thanks!

[@realjumper]

What a strange instrument. Thank you for the history of it and although it doesn't sound that great, it would be nice to have in the collection, even just as a conversation piece. Nice work, as usual.

[@f1s2hg3]

My sons hated the Dad talk about BB Guns but it saved them from grief and many other things I prayed about. Your show is cool and your explanatory advise is taken by many people hopefully stupid is watching

[@GordiansKnotHere]

The Les Paul is my absolute favorite guitar. I have a 78 Deluxe (Black Beauty) that is getting worked on right now as we speak. That acoustic is just absolutely gorgeous...

[@xxx-jigsaw-xxx213]

The magical kingdom hot knife joke made me laugh harder than I have in a while. Thanks for that XD

[@cageliner]

I had forgotten all about this model, but as soon as I saw this video, I remembered seeing one when they came out. Never wanted one, though... I have one of those Shure adapters; it came with a goofy early '80s low impedance Shure PE5EQ mic that I still have. It has a 4 band EQ (primarily used for feedback control) built into the housing.

[@TeleCaster66]

I don't go for overly quirky guitars but for some reason really like this thing. After listening to how it sounds at the end, I take my previous statement back. Lol

[@danielweinbaum]

WONDERFUL WORK AS ALWAYS ! I THOUGHT I HEARD A BIT OF " NIGHT BIRD " AT THE VERY END OF YOUR JAM ? NICE ! THUMB OVER THE TOP !

[@bronzesnake7004]

Hot knives have been taking "rock stars" to a magical kingdom for decades!! BUMPADUMP TSHHHHH!! Hey, thanks for comin out, I'm here all week folks, tell your friend! Two bad joke opportunities in the same video? Awesome! Jack ~'()'~

[@adobedoug2564]

Thanks for playing them for us Ted.

[@McFly-guitars-n-stuff]

Fascinating.....really enjoy your commentary.

[@pawnmack]

I have never seen one of these. Thanks, and I have shared this with many of my geetar play'n friends.

[@jeffbeck6501]

Man that sounds really good. I love that thing.

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

That's the 1st I've ever heard of one of those.... interesting.. I could see where it may appeal to a Gypsy Jazz or Swing/Jazz style player... it was better sounding than I was expecting... it has it's own special brand of "Cool Factor" to it...

[@orvilfarley7861]

Definitely an oddball. I had no Idea they ever made such a critter.

[@markjohnson9485]

I've always liked this guitar, would love to have one. Very cool piece 😎

[@f1s2hg3]

Unbiased opinions of technical procedures that a master Luither uses is the tricks of the trade and you know what needs to be done ✅

[@fredflintstone505]

I have a Les Paul Jumbo. My dad bought it new when we lived in Michigan around 1970. There were 49 made. It has a low impedance pickup for studio recording requiring a preamp which was supplied in a special inline cable.

[@dannykiernan]

What a crazy little guitar! Thought I'd seen them all.

[@CesarAllGuitar]

Always learn something from you. Bravo.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

I know next to nothing about instruments, but I know I really enjoy watching this channel.

[@zaliman]

Amazing work

[@nicolen.9642]

Original and different a sort of UFO...very interesting. Thanks Ted 🎶🎶🎶

[@coffeeguitars6906]

A rare bird indeed. I worked on one myself once and love to see them out in the wild.

[@pdaguytom]

I believe I have the rosewood back and side set that went with the piece you cut to saddle filler from! Very “WTF did I step in!” kinda aromatic. Didn’t know rosewood could smell like that. Enjoy your content and you teach me a luthier’s patience.

[@thomastommy1192]

Great video thanks for sharing it. ( I have never seen a Gibson like that. Very educational video.)

[@garymcaleer6112]

Beautiful experiment, much like the American experiment. Happy holidays, bro.

[@VirginiaWolf88]

Neat guitar. I like the colors of the wood. Nice Job!!!

[@d.georgememory4745]

Keep up the amazing videos.

[@Commander_Grub]

This is actually a great sounding acoustic! I love the bass!

[@ads2978]

The real magical kingdom is the friends we make along the way Love your work man, would be more than happy to buy you a beer if u got a Patreon going

[@jackiet4575]

Sounds jangly like a sixty’s song! Very cool and different!! Still awestruck by Ted’s vast amount of knowledge regarding these instruments!! 😀

[@tomsheft4223]

Oooooh... I've wanted one of those for decades...

[@donmack5422]

There is a foam knife on Amazon with a thermostat. This guy is the best luthier on youtube. Thanks twoodfrd!

[@mikemclenison8200]

Your bridge is gorgeous!

[@Mark-ee8be]

Exquisite master..like always

[@dalgguitars]

Thank you so much for your videos.

[@AllTheTimeWasted]

Man, you're good!

[@Cubsfan3493]

Watching these videos is just like watching Bob Ross or a fish tank, so relaxing.

[@jamesivy7879]

Killer! Wish ya would do a danelectro U2 or an old mustang love your channel

[@lwilton]

Just FYI (if you don't already know), those small orange drops are tantalum capacitors. Many people don't like them for audio use, but here they were an original part of the sound. Much more importantly, they are known for going shorted after 20 or 30 years. So it's possible that some of the lack of effect on that decade control was that one or more of the caps have shorted (or gone low resistance at least) and it isn't doing what it was intended to do. (The big orange cap is _not_ tantalum.)

[@fletcherchambers7175]

Yay! A featured guitar that inspires ZERO guitar envy! ;)

[@Coventry_Kiers_1984]

It’s a long video..YES!

[@bigmac51290]

"It doesn't really do either of those things well." So it's the big brother to the Telecoustic.

[@goodun2974]

At 17:30, all hail the mighty "Phil". Looking a little gray around the edges, but he's just putty in Ted's capable hands!

[@planespeaking]

Lovely woodworking. I do believe you're getting better by the video; you were pretty good on the first too.

[@rcjoe406]

Grabbing my acoustic and heading for the work shop I got this

[@Deebz270]

I'm a sucker for quirky Gibson guitars. Recognised the low impedance 'Recording' pickup straight-off. It does appear to have more acoustic tonality than an ES or Gretch semi-style, but as a cut-away Jumbo, a tad attenuated - somewhat like the latest Fender 'Solid Acoustics' (?) I could see the instrument being played by an avant garde jazz-folk-new age muso, at home in the either a marquee at a small festival or, sitting on a beer-stained stage in a smoky jazz club... (Do they still exist even?). . Another highly soothing and enjoyable repair vid, by one of KZbin's undisputed master luthiers.

[@codelicious6590]

Beautiful headstock wood!

[@MrCheesywaffles]

Beyond cool!

[@mightyV444]

Schaller is pronounced "shuller", by the way 😉 New subscriber here, after this channel was suggested to me a couple of days ago, and I've been enjoying the videos a lot so far. Thank you! 😀

[@timhallas4275]

I have done electric mods on acoustic guitars a few times. I never do anything that will be detrimental to the acoustic resonance of the the top. Pickups can be mounted to a bracket that is attached to the inner neck block, and "floated" in the hole through the top. This isolates the pickup from the vibrations in the top wood to cut down on the potential for howling under high gain and high volume. It also allows full resonant performance of the wood. as for the controls, as long as they are located very close to the edge, they will not disturb resonance. No reinforcing needed.

[@sunnysideup5826]

How do you think will this type of guitar perform in the context of it being used as an acoustic guitar? Will it be at least comparable to most dread nought when unplugged?

[@P_Ezi]

Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they *could*, they didn’t stop to think if they *should*.

[@gregmize01]

😂😂😂😂

[@bigbasil1908]

Hi, my name is Basil and I'm a twoodfrd addict. I'm glad to be part of your twoodfrd addiction group

[@EddieVanAidan]

That photo of the inside of the body actually looks really cool haha. Kinda architecture-esque with the lighting

[@ronnie5129]

Thanks for the video, this Guitar is a Freak, I thought i have seen them all , until now,

[@ChristianYeager69]

Thanks for sharing the guitar. I had one and traded for a strat because they guitar soundboard constantly cracked due to poor bracing design and intonation was janky. Great conversation piece though and I miss it a lot.

[@jeffersonbritton5518]

you really do nice work

[@robmarmaduke]

Well that's something you don't see everyday

[@randallmarks6365]

I really appreciate your videos and the time and detail you put in to all your work. I was wondering if you ever make mistakes and how do you fix them. Perhaps you might make a video on that some time down the road. Thank you!

[@bash5995]

There is something about the term “sonic revolutionary” that made me smile.

[@vox1962]

Really doesn’t sound too bad actually, I’d play it

[@literallyshaking8019]

That back is stunning

[@glennc1328]

Yeah but who doesn't want to be taken to a magical Kingdom by a hot pen! What a fascinating Guitar.

[@JJblevins]

Well this video took me to a magical kingdom

[@eliotmccann2589]

The week's most expensive firewood? Right here, folks.

[@lumpyguitar5169]

🖐🏽😎🎸👍🏽🇺🇸 Once Again, my appreciation is offered.