A New Moustache for an 125 Year Old Italian Parlor Guitar (antique restoration & repair)

I got too good a deal on this antique eBay guitar...only $200 Canadian for a c1900 Italian made Brazilian Rosewood parlour guitar. The box was suspiciously just a hair over 3lbs, less than most modern guitars weigh by themselves and the mailman let me know that I could refuse delivery if I wanted. After giving the box a few shakes and shimmies it became apparent that SOMETHING was in there.
Once I opened the box I was overjoyed to see a beautiful, if somewhat decrepit Mario Casella Parlour Guitar made in Catania, Italy around the year 1900. The bridge was falling off and cracked in half, a chunk of the fretboard was missing and there were a plethora of cracks on the rosewood back. follow along as I tackle these issues...and possibly create some issues of my own!
#notaluthier #guitar #restoration #antique #parlorguitar #vintageguitar #catania #woodworking #acousticguitar #classicalguitar #ebay #ebayscam #scam

[@Notaluthier]

If you want to watch another acoustic guitar restoration check out this one --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZqyiYBveZdrsKssi=eZW5AppQZIDavNJD

[@BaBaBaBenny]

You know, for someone who's not a luthier you sure are good at restoring and repairing stringed instruments.

[@Notaluthier]

Shhhh! You’ll ruin my reputation! 😂

[@bigtguitars7312]

Not a luthier but fast becoming my favourite luthier from someone that spends far too much time watching KZbin luthiers

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks a lot!

[@nicolaquaranta8444]

Made in Catania (sicily) by Mario Casella Factory. As italian I can read it but dunno much more! Great vid and such a nice guitar

[@JonManProductions]

Someone needs to send this man suction cups!

[@victorparis7189]

Love the channel....and the nails!

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks! My daughter will be glad you like her handiwork!

[@angelortega8276]

The guitar turned out great considering how it was when you started, also your daughter's nail work is amazing! 👍

[@Notaluthier]

Thank you so much!

[@davidledford3522]

One of those guitars you want to play all day 😂

[@GuttlinGuitars]

What a cool guitar, excellent work!

[@tezhr]

This is becoming one of my favorite channels lol

[@Notaluthier]

👍

[@jacquikerr-bell7850]

Balls! 😂❤ Radical! That was a bridge just far enough! Thanks for pushing those boundaries.

[@Nomadboatbuilding]

Oh my god Levon, I can't believe that arrived in one piece packed like that!

[@Notaluthier]

Yeah! But It’s not the worst I’ve received by far!

[@tanet]

Casella brothers were luthiers from Catania, Sicily in the late XIXth century. They mostly made mandolins...

[@zacktaylor3441]

Enjoyed this video a lot. Good job bringing this guitar back to playing condition. Dont take any grief for opening up the soundhole- i would have done the same. Im hoping you find something that needs some involved spline crack repair as I struggle making those repairs look good. Thank you for your time making the video so watchable as well.

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@laurencehastings7473]

Thank you. The best thing about watching your channel is to see that you don't really need really expensive tools and equipment to do most guitar repairs. Granted you need practice and patience but to get there you can buy a cheap guitar with potential and give it a try, increasing your expenditure as your skills and results improve. Regarding the instrument, you mentioned a spline insert on the largest crack in the back of the guitar but you obviously thought that wasn't necessary so I assume you just glued it and added cleats. You also mentioned some issues with the tuners which you apparently didn't address. The soundhole mod. was necessary under the circumstance (intentional pun!) and doesn't detract from the appearance. The finished guitar sounds and looks great. Sustain is phenomenal, probably because it is built so lightly. I'm looking forward to your next project.

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks! I have mixed feeling about the rosette mod. The final product is great, but it’s definitely offset with a little bit of guilt. I did indeed end up gluing the widest crack and cleating it but failed to get footage or address that. The spline would’ve had to been less than paper thin, tapering down to nothing on the sides. Doable, yes, but the results can be unpredictable as the cleat and glue can sometimes buckle the crack causing as much of an eyesore as the crack itself. I’m sure I’ll cover splines in a future video though.

[@sohosteveuk]

What a beautiful way to distract me from my brutal Guinness and Mescal hangover.. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Notaluthier]

Edited during a hangover of gin and sour beers

[@whittaboi]

Crazy amount of work went in to that. Satisfying to watch. Buggy update greatly appreciated!

[@harmlesscreationsofthegree1248]

Ah the 62% boosts, so familiar and useful. I had no idea they could be used for lutherie however. I have learned, and I have been entertained once again. Beautiful restoration and vid 🙂

[@Notaluthier]

Hahaha idk if it was useful, but I throw them in the cases when I get them.

[@guitfidle]

Man, I have had the postal delivery people not deliver stuff even though I was home. They just left a slip on the door instead of bothering to ring the doorbell. Then I have to take time out of my Saturday to go to the post office to pick it up. Guitars, pedals, stuffed animals, etc. Just happened again last week. Thanks.... Anyway, beautiful guitar!! Too bad we don't know who made it 🤣 I have my daughter help me with instruments where the soundhole is too small for my hands. The crack repair really turned out quite nicely! I have a couple guitars in need of this kind of repair, I'll get to them eventually. Oh, and I like the saddle slot cutting jig, I might have to steal that idea.

[@Notaluthier]

Yes! My daughter is an aspiring luthier, I should’ve thought of that. The jig is a very simple build!

[@guitfidle]

@@Notaluthier yeah I really like the simplicity of the jig, I've seen others that had all kinds of moving parts, adjustable this and that. You are only using it to cut a straight line.... it really doesn't need to be overly complicated. Especially for someone like me, I mostly work on electrics, so I wouldn't need it all that often.

[@SixSixthSix]

That thing has got some punch to it!

[@swbusby]

I gasped when you tore out the inner ring of the sound hole, but then I got used to it and it was fine and quite nice looking. It is a very beautiful guitar.

[@Notaluthier]

Yeah, I didn’t like doing it! but it was very likely to fall out when I continued working inside the guitar. mixed feelings for sure.

[@simonzowie]

Great video and beautiful sounding guitar. Well done.

[@Notaluthier]

Thank you kindly!

[@WeirdandWired]

An enjoyable watch! Great work on the bridge and the soundhole 😎🎸

[@Notaluthier]

Thank you kindly!

[@chrisva4268]

Another great resuscitation Levon! I'm glad you take the time to bring these old and often rejected pieces back to life, they're made from materials that doesn't exist anymore. I bet there's no microplastics in that lignen! Bet you can't say the same for trees growing today.

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks Chris! Microplastic everywhere 🙃🙃

[@JohnSmith-ym4sl]

Great work! What a beautiful old guitar love the channel!

[@Notaluthier]

Thank you kindly!

[@heliarche]

Thank you for the mellow.

[@Notaluthier]

Thank you!

[@zimtage1744]

Your videos make me happy 😊

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks! ☺️

[@chazstewart4865]

Feet up.... Laptop on lap.. and another entertaining half hour from the big beardie fella.... Next!

[@Notaluthier]

Big beardie appreciates it!

[@bengordon2330]

Thank you. I'm really enjoying the background music.

[@davidgissiner9677]

I love your nails and love your videos!

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks a lot!

[@tom5112]

Nice work on the 'Arnold' bridge ✌!

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks a lot!

[@PeteZolli]

Feral Ted Woodford does it again! 😉❤ Seems like a fascinating collection of guitars you have. A video featuring it would be enjoyable.

[@Notaluthier]

Duly noted 🤙

[@victorparis7189]

Awesome Repair! You and Twoford are top notch guitar repair entertainment for me.....and I'm a drummer

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks a lot!

[@wulfman15]

This video was just happy. :)

[@betterl8thannvr]

I'm beginning to question the accuracy of your username. That bridge is a work of art, the guitar looks and sound amazing

[@Notaluthier]

Hahahah yeah, gotta set the expectations LOW. Thanks very much!

[@Kuya_Chino]

Nice work! Especially on those cracks in the back.

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks!

[@garypannone7755]

I like the glue pot Great Idea.

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks! I’m sure it can be simplified even more

[@RuneCarverLLC]

@18:13 🤔🤞 Thank you for NOT calling it "California glue" or "Canada glue"... omg! 👍👍👍 For some reason people never read the darn bottle which tells you what it is. 🙈 Thank you for another excellent video, you have such a wonderful channel, and I eagerly look forward to seeing your next repair!

[@Notaluthier]

Yeah, I find terms like “CA glue”to be a bit gate-keepery. I’m sure I use some terms that non-looths might not know, but I try to avoid it.

[@RuneCarverLLC]

@@Notaluthier Tbh it was a few years ago when I first heard the term CA and was told to get some "... and it will fix that crack." So I drove all over town spending the weekend trying to find "CA", turns out no one in Los Angeles had any... wtf? I got on line and started asking the hipster wood workers... " wtf is CA?" "bru... it's just a fancy name for super glue (something about ester of cyanide)". Turns out I have four large bottles of it on the shelf and use it all the time! 🤣💁🙈

[@gabriellongworth4697]

Thanks for the fun video! I might be a little high too…

[@Notaluthier]

✌️ 😂

[@WindsEternal]

Cute Buggy! Nice work, mister. I love watching your videos whilst I work on my own stuff. Here is a color-matching heart to go with your nails. =)

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks!💅🏻

[@RUBBERTANK_3]

Looks great I want it.

[@peterjames2580]

Nice repair!!!!

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks 👍

[@JuneIsFinallyHere]

Another not a luthier video!!!! Yeeaah!!!!

[@Notaluthier]

Thanks for watching!

[@MatthewRMacKinnon]

I learned stuff!

[@elbowache]

The bridge looks like a pugilistic manta ray.

[@Notaluthier]

Hahahah, finally giving manta rays an edge!

[@shipyardskates]

Rosewood Powder.... #legend

[@Notaluthier]

💪

[@r0flgal0re]

Man, your videos make my morning coffee even sweeter. Quick question is you don't mind: with what would you refinish a stripped maple fretboard? Tung, PU, something else?

[@Notaluthier]

If you don’t want to spray poly or lacquer, I would use a neutral oil (I use 4:1 mineral oil mixed with beeswax). shellac might work too, but would be difficult to apply well with the frets installed. I’ve heard Tung is acceptable too, but finding actual tung oil seems exceedingly difficult (at least here in Canada)

[@r0flgal0re]

Man, ur the best!

[@moontheloon1969]

The italians have strange ideas, my 69eko ranger the bridge is pop- reveted on, lovely job b.t.w

[@Notaluthier]

Hahah that’s hilarious. The 60s/70s were not a great era for Italian luthiery

[@moontheloon1969]

@@Notaluthier , it hasnt failed me yet, it was given too me , the great friend used too travel with it , 3 screw removable neck,zero -fret, adjustable bridge,he flew around europe with it, and it never goes out of tune....

[@blodpudding]

Hey! I just ordered an empty box and got an 125 year old Italian guitar! What the hell!? I GOT SCAMMED!!

[@Notaluthier]

Brutal! I have actually been scammed on eBay before and will perhaps make a short vid about it some time.

[@bengordon2330]

Thanks!

[@Notaluthier]

First super thanks! So SUPER thanks to you! Very generous!

[@kuglepen64]

The Pimp My Ride music 😂

[@timothyiorlano1996]

Please make a new channel for Buggy!!!

[@BeastOfSoda]

Since you asked for honest feedback, I'll go against the grain here by obliging. This guitar was much nicer than your usual fare, so I think it would have been worthwhile to try for a restoration more true to the original (essentially replicating the original bridge design, adding some backing to the rosette and trying your best to do an invisible repair, because you clearly have the skills for it).

[@Notaluthier]

I don’t disagree! As for the bridge, I think the original is a product of mass production and laziness. This style would previously at least have had disjointed balls glued to the soundboard. The rosette was a bit of a blunder. To be perfectly honest, I think the (self imposed) pressure of trying to release a KZbin video of the guitar probably made me a little hastier than I should’ve been. I appreciate the honesty.

[@Notaluthier]

Not to belabour the point, but the rosette would probably have had to have been back filled with glue…similar to the somewhat half-assed original application, and my OCD just couldn’t let me add more ugliness of this variety. Also just so you know, The bridge is fully reversible, as I didn’t increase or modify the original footprint.

[@BeastOfSoda]

Quite true. Doing the rosette properly would have required plenty of prep work, especially if you didn't want to slather the back with epoxy... I'm thinking that it needed to come out anyway to do a proper job, as at some point it would have required the back surface to be flattened in order to fit a support. Not to mention that clamping such a goofy shape would have been a bit of a nightmare. I can see why you didn't go for it, as fixing it would have probably required just as much time as the rest of the guitar.

[@marvinjones3776]

have an 88 proco RAT for sale with some character. uncle gave ity to me about 20 years ago. he got this pedal in the 90s from Dexter Romweber of the Flat Duo Jets in Carboro NC near Chapel Hill. One of Jack Whites major influencers.

[@Notaluthier]

Uhhhh. Okay

[@Scodiddly]

Pretty guitar - needless to say you'd be paying quite a lot for that wood these days.

[@Notaluthier]

Very true!

[@austenj4539]

Yet another enjoyable and educational KZbin uploaded by a 'global minority' person. Don't know why this is the case, but it is clearly true.

[@psiklops71]

i found 1 on reverb they want 500 for it

[@Jean-Chri.Brixhe]

Nice video as usual! Could you tell me what's the bit of song you play at the very end of the video? It's lovely!!

[@Notaluthier]

That’s something I wrote 24,000,000 years ago. Hymm.bandcamp.com

[@Notaluthier]

And thanks!

[@averyweissman4093]

Amazing work. Do you usually keep the guitars you restore or sell them? Sorry if I missed if it was said in the video.

[@Notaluthier]

I keep an absurd amount of these instruments. A few end up on reverb or passing hands through social media.

[@cyanidelizards]

7:30 survey says most likely it’s sacrilegious in terms of antiques

[@Notaluthier]

From what I gather from other luthiers who also specialize in older restorations, fretboard replacement is generally acceptable. I, of course, retain all original parts with the instrument and pass them on to the new owner if I sell. The rosette mod is definitely less acceptable, but I felt like my two options were 1: removal or 2: an ugly repair…(holding together a crumbling and gap filled motif with more glue and patches) and that might’ve been slightly harder for me to swallow. Again. I retained the pieces, but IMO starting anew and redoing the entire inner rosette like the original might be a better option anyway. And it is indeed still an option down the line.

[@karlramberg]

19:05 Bored butter?

[@Notaluthier]

Hahaha it’s mineral oil and beeswax. It incredibly boring

[@darrylmurray2261]

You need to wear a mask when sanding/cutting mother of pearl. You don't want that stuff in your lungs.

[@Notaluthier]

This is true…I recently got a full face respirator…just need to get better at putting it on.

[@Matt_tenny92]

Pure clickbate

[@Notaluthier]

Yep!