Fixing Albert Lee’s crumbling tuner knobs

In this video, Dan shows how to easily replace the crumbling tuner buttons on Albert Lee's electric mandolin. This is a simple job that often needs to be done on vintage instruments with celluloid tuner buttons.
Albert Lee photo at 00:06 used with permission from Getty Images.
Items used in this video:
StewMac Precision Fret Puller
www.stewmac.com/item/1636
Dremel
www.stewmac.com/item/0358
Vintage-style Tuner Knobs
www.stewmac.com/item/0113
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[@BillyMuir]

I've genuinely missed seeing Dan. Had it in my head the unthinkable had happened during COVID. Happy to see he's up and healthy doing what he does best!

[@johnnypk1963]

Absolutely

[@breaux2806]

I travelled through there in October and met him, just as kind in person as he is in the videos. He was refinishing a top he replaced on a friend’s little guitar. If you guys get the chance go check out his signature guitar over at Iris guitars

[@ramencurry6672]

Protect him at all costs. He deserves the fullest attention

[@danebeisheim9793]

I am by no means a musician, but I do love watching people - like Dan - who are masters of their craft, doing what they do best. Dan is truly a treasure!

[@stewmac]

Thanks!

[@danielweeks3723]

People been telling me that for years and still I keep these guitars around.

[@elneutrino90]

Few people have had such a great impact in my life as Dan Erlewine, he has shown me that there are things in this life valuable enough to fix no matter the damage, that you can be sentimental while being pragmatic and if you are careful and pay attention to detail you can learn about an era and their zeitgheist just by the aesthetics construction methods and the materials they used.

[@xbmpr]

He’s pretty much the only reason I’m even becoming a luthier.

[@stewmac]

That is 100% spot on about the zeitgeist. It's very interesting when you peel the onion back on the "why" behind a lot of these choices.

[@marmelaki]

Had the exact same problem with my 1947 Martin - the knobs were extremely brittle and snapped right off. I reached out to Martin for era-correct replacements and they told me to get the StewMac ones. They fit like a glove and the look is as authentic as it gets! :)

[@Aeronaut1975]

I have a Baja Telecaster sat 2 metres away from me right now that Albert signed for me after one of his shows. He's super humble, a proper Gentleman, he even had a play on it after he'd signed it!

[@JackGladstoneHolroyde]

Dan! Lovely to see you again.

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Dan is such a pleasant guy. I could listen to and watch him fix things for hours and hours.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Thank you so much for these videos. I enjoy them while learning so many amazing techniques. Happy new year. Best regards Dimitris from Greece.

[@stewmac]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[@anastasiskalogirou5171]

Geia sou re Dimitri!!!

[@nikok8329]

Fellow Greek Yasou!

[@mikes062]

I replaced some of these a few years ago on an old lap steel, at first I bought cheap tips on eBay which sucked and then I went to Elderly Instruments and got the correct ones and they actually fit and looked like the originals would have, still working great!

[@ctman1933]

Dan is a gift to the Luthier/Instrument world. Absolute hands down incomparable in my book to any others. Thanks Dan for all the years of knowledge and wisdom you've provided us. May you continue to bless us with your works of magic that's displayed through stewmac!

[@Joe_Hunt_Music]

Albert is a total class act. Dan is as well. Such a smart man. I’ve learned so much from both of these gents.

[@jamesmoore9271]

I love listening to Dan. He reminds me of my late father in law. Very calm, collected, and an underlying coolness to his craft. Blessings from the East Coast.

[@stevedimebag]

Danta has delivered a lovely late Xmas present with this one!

[@invay69]

It is always a pleasure watching Dan at work!

[@bassclefjeftermin6960]

Good to see you back Dan!

[@Barry101er]

Good to see a recent Dan video 😻

[@mest1589]

We need more Dan!

[@fretfix1]

Needed to see Dan The Man do it the right way. Thanks!

[@lucasfrancamarchezam5439]

You're the best, Dan!!!! We miss you on the youtube videos!!!!

[@Achase4u]

Love watching Dan. I have fond memories of being around 19 years old and learning about guitar repair from my old Erlewine book.

[@Rolbell]

4:51 “Here goes. Hope it works.” The humility from someone with Dan’s genius should be taught in every school.

[@Raven-ep6pq]

Dan and Frank Ford have always been my go to guys for any guitar repair or tool making that I needed to know over the last 25 years. These 2 guys have always been ready to share their knowledge with others. Dan you are the the best teacher for many thank you very much for sharing with all that is interested in guitar repair.

[@iamthecodofhalo1]

Great seeing you Dan! Looking good!

[@U_ever]

Dan is truly the Elder Statesman of the Guitar World. Thank you.

[@DavidHBurkart]

I can watch Dan's work and advice for hours without any sort of boredom

[@TheReacTT]

Yay!!! A video from Dan! Thank you very much for this :)

[@adamturnbull7826]

A new Stewmac video from Dan is one of the best things I’ve had this christmas period, keep these coming Stewmac and may Dan keep making them for a long long time

[@araenae]

It's so cool to see Dan back at it! Thank you for uploading this 😁

[@straight8ight]

Another job well done. Yes Dan makes everything look easy. Thanks Dan

[@bristolfashion4421]

StewMac videos are better than transcendental meditation in my humble view - enlightening, calming and fulfilling, all at once! Oh Yes.

[@mrcurator4207]

Dan, your smooth, unpretentious presentation is so great!!! I love watching and listening to your videos. You make average folks think they can do what you do. Sometimes we can.

[@danjohnston3422]

I'm not a luthier. I can't play guitar. But man, do I appreciate clever, careful work. It's a pleasure to watch what you do, Dan. Have a great 2022.

[@twatmunro]

Big Erlewine fan here but I don't expect to see him working on Moogs (my axe of choice) any time soon.

[@markjohnson8352]

Thank you, Dan. Love from the south coast of the UK ❤ Albert is lucky to know you!

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

Yes! Love seeing Dan videos

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

Great to see you again, Dan!

[@bradleyberdahl6148]

DAN IS THE MAN!!!... ive learned so much from him...when my guitar buddies ask me "where did you see this?" and i always seem to say... DAN ERLYWINE!🎸

[@BigChieff93]

I enjoy these videos so much! Thank you and Happy New Year!

[@NiceLittleLeprechaun]

Why, oh why isn't my grandpa American and working for StewMac?. These videos always makes me feel good and that i am learning something. Thank You.

[@timeverhartofficial]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone. I love watching these videos and learning from your years of experience.

[@mattliebenau9083]

Thanks Dan. I’ve seen the pictorial version of this a couple of times in your columns over the years but it’s nice to see a video.

[@mtguitar5150]

It feels like Dan has literally been there from the beginning of the guitar until now. It was years ago I bough the guitar repair book and he looks the same today as then!

[@iamdamo]

So good to see Dan back. Fanstastic as always!

[@JonathanTBryant]

So glad these Dan videos are back!!!!

[@BluegillGreg]

Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@paroblynn]

Love seeing new Dan videos on the channel. Hope you’re well Dan! Take care and have a wonderful new year!

[@fretted]

I've learned so much from this man. Thank you DAN!

[@SlickWilly79]

“I hope it works.” I love working around old timers, they’ve gone through every phase of craft mastery and achieve ultimate enlightenment- understanding that hubris is folly

[@maxsalasr]

Same here, missed Dan the man! Thanks for the video

[@lancehardy42]

Great to see Dan back! Hope you guys have a happy New Year!

[@BillLowenburg]

Great demonstration, thanks! Dremel is a great tool, so many uses!

[@barrywebber100]

Great history lesson. Thanks for posting.

[@CaevanOShite]

Dan, you're just the nicest guy! And very knowledgeable and experienced.

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

So glad to see a new video from Dan. He is, without a doubt, one of the best Luthiers around ! (And a decent guy ).

[@The-11]

I like learning from Dan, clear and easy to understand. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge !

[@ia5662]

This was so satisfying!

[@izzynutz2000]

Awesome stuff Dan

[@allendean9807]

We love you, Dan!!

[@michaelpthompson]

Genius, Dan Erlewine! I have that exact problem. Now I know what to do.

[@TetraShot]

I love this man. What entertaining videos!

[@tatethompson1234]

It’s good seeing Dan’o again

[@corycardenas767]

Thanks Dan! You rock bud! 👊

[@foxyleo8910]

Awesome! I love it

[@Andy_Goodwin]

Yay! Keep the new videos coming !!

[@oldgiapetto]

Excellent video Dan. Wish I'd seen it back when I was in business.

[@bainhartguitars269]

I love Dan and have learnt so much from him that I use every day in my repairs. Only thing that freaked me out what the way he uses the band saw so close to his fingers.

[@DrewT92377]

What an amazingly talented humble young man. Thank you for the tutorial sir. I will take real world experienced instruction anyday. I have a '51 Gibson ES125 that the tuners are in the same condition. Considered purchasing new tuners but definitely won't be now if I can restore the orginal equipment. Thank you again.

[@rcs0296]

you are a gem sir, thank you for your education

[@terencepine2178]

The return of the legend 🎸👍‼️

[@LeonRHarvey]

Damn, Dan's the Man!

[@seishisaegusa]

ALOHA & MAHALO! Thank you very much for your video!

[@jamiemorris3995]

Loving these videos hope youve all had a safe and happy christmas and will have a safe and happy new year👍

[@nicandknacksandseans]

"I hope it works" like he hasn't done this about a million times! Love ya Dan!

[@ramencurry6672]

He probably doesn’t do it that often but probably enough times to know.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Thanks for the top tip!

[@chrisanderson2368]

The legend returns

[@david25876]

Thank you Dan!!!

[@Ndlanding]

Wish I'd seen this back when I had to replace a full set on my '68 Les Paul.

[@MrDanbecker]

Great Job .And welcome back. Happy new year 🙂👍🎸

[@stewmac]

Thanks! You too!

[@DeadKoby]

I had a job like this to do on a 40's lap steel. I hadn't seen this video, but I thought up virtually the same process. Worked out well.

[@philluck1956]

The king of Luthiers!!! love Dans videos!

[@bubbles3161]

I wore my knob down to nub. Doctor said I can't replace it so I was happy to find this channel.

[@dougreed9843]

I didn't know Stew Mac had a video channel glad I found you all.. heard about the company never had the pleasure of doing business with you guys.

[@stewmac]

Welcome Doug!

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Nice video! And I'm not surprise at all Albert Lee was so gracious. You both seem like stand-up guys. Best wishes!

[@WalterGalindo]

Dan is a national treasure

[@skyviewdesign]

Did this exact thing on an a very early Kalamazoo lap steel guitar. Used a flat tip soldering iron. Definitely was a lot slower than a torch, but still worked like a charm!

[@chrisgreenland8746]

Love the shout out to Dan's 335! Little did he know he was going to be reunited with it

[@AndrewStottisTheIndiWerWlf]

This man is a treasure and in my mind he's my grandpa he just doesn't know it

[@onion69420]

I have no idea how i got here from how to tune your guitar but I'm staying

[@ianrose5505]

Thank you happy new year

[@stewmac]

Same to you!

[@leomilani_gtr]

This my channel is my go to when I need to know anything about guitars.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Nice!

[@xvxuwu6109]

Old guitar players are the best i love them the knowledge

[@Robnrollmusic]

more of this please

[@Captain-Nostromo]

That's my cup of tea 😀

[@svbarr]

Dan love your videos. Did you ever see or hear about DOC KAUFFMAN'S "torture device" for avoiding a full re fret? Doc was a problem solver and an Industrial guy. When he developed the device I'm about to describe "vintage" guitars were pretty much just seen as being used and, as such - they were tools.The device was a brass fret "gouge" that ran along the frets and lifted up a small amount fingerboard with each pass. You ran the thing along the fret and depending on how many passes you made or how hard you pushed down you took more or less fingerboard off. This made the fret 'higher' by a tiny bit and this saved the repair guy from having to remove frets -- it was kind of a mini "quickie" fret job. This could be done 2 maybe 3 times - depending on how deep the frets were set in the neck. I know this because I wanted to be an apprentice of sorts and he gave me one of these devices. (My patience was not up to doing your work -- some of us are not meant to work with our hands..lol).I also have a 1959 Cherry Les Paul Junior that he "gouged" in this fashion - and it actually plays great. I have no doubt Doc would not design this device if he were alive today - since vintage instruments are worth so much. Fun true story though...

[@eighthgate1420]

I soldered pennies to mine. It looks great!

[@g4Giggin]

Hey Dan, you are a wealth of passion and knowledge….but….as a Shop teacher, I almost fell off my stool when you let your fingers enter the throat plate area of the Band Saw. Time for a new Jig. Keep doing what your doing.

[@brianjainese5290]

Mr. Ernestine is a true treasure.

[@RobMods]

Another great video. The only thing I would add is that celluloid is very flammable, so if you have a vintage axe with these old style buttons, put your cigarette in an ashtray, not under the strings on the headstock... ;)

[@tysonrinker5958]

Dan the man

[@guitarhome3929]

love it