Go Guitar: Some Tricky Upgrades and Embellishment

This travel guitar is nicely made but its small size presents some unique challenges.

[@MaximilianBocek]

I think I've commented on it before, but I love now un-snobby you are about the guitars you work on. Expensive or cheap, you seem to treat every instrument with respect. Plus mind-blowing work on the rosette ... jeez!

[@smittenthekitteninmittens2679]

i second that...there was a video where he worked on 2 junk shop guitars (i actually loved the tele clone with th f hole...i'd love to acquire a similar instrument but alas i'm a lefty..)and he prefered to show us those instead .. saying the $50,000 Martin he was working on...and i quote " is boring...."...i think he get's a bit of stick for it too it seems...but people like us can just appreciate a master at work

[@p_mouse8676]

Not only that, but he also has an excellent way of explaining. Most other (known) guitar luthiers on YT, just basically only say that this is the method they used for years. Nothing wrong with that either it's just less informative.

[@the_failed_states]

I think that's a sign of a professional. I took my beat up cheap Ibanez to a local well known luthier and apologised for the lack of quality. He assured me that he's happy to take anyones money.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

@@the_failed_states I hope you packed up and took your business elsewhere to someone like Todd who puts the instrument first, and sees each guitar that comes thru his door as unique and worthy of care Taking your money and excelling at their craft are entirely two differnt things... as well as having a "bedside manner" and being a dikk

[@xdoctorblindx]

@@tommypetraglia4688 It was a joke, my dude. Also, who's Todd?

[@jasonwells5415]

Watching the ends of the rosette go together was super satisfying.

[@adamrohn4718]

Jason Wells I agree, he did a great job

[@damiendyda8608]

Yes. That fit was perfect!

[@richardmcfalls8393]

Yeah. I laughed out loud when that happened. Just another day at the office of Woodford Instruments.

[@humnpwr]

This has become my favourite luthier channel on KZbin. The camera is focused on his brilliant workmanship rather than himself. 👍🏻

[@robertnewell5057]

'Hey Gang' is the most comforting signal for some high level KZbin! 'As always, it's none of their concern as they don't own it and they're not paying for it!' Perfect. You go!

[@scotth1000]

Yes, exactly.

[@davidbrady1250]

"What you celebrities must understand is that we own you" -- Homer Simpson :D Seriously though, I love how much respect you have for the love between a player and their guitar. We can tell this by how calm you stay when you see well-intentioned amateur work that you have to rip completely out... and how frustrated you get when you see work done that hurts the player's enjoyment. Cosmetic enhancements to a well-made but economical instrument fits perfectly in your wheelhouse of improving player satisfaction.

[@alexaguado4854]

Whoa! This guy is the Norm Abram of stringed instruments.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

Exquisite. Your care and diligence is only outmatched by your dexterity from the way you handle tools and the little bits, to the soft hand with which you play. I always look forward to the outro when all is complete. We're still waiting on that music video.

[@monday6524]

I think it looks VERY good! I also appreciate the safety announcements for those of us who are novices.

[@tagosto321]

Yeah, let’s just raise that arm up a little bit, shall we? 😂

[@totbenru]

This is my 3rd time watching this. I'm not a guitar maker but the techniques used here can be applied to any craft. Excellent work.

[@roberthaslup9556]

All I know is that this man is a genius and it’s so relaxing watching him do his craft he’s absolutely amazing I wait for his videos to watch and learn

[@randybecker7339]

Ted Woodford is a steely-eyed missile man! Man, that is some fine detail work on that rosette!

[@RafaelYamaga]

Not bragging, I swear. But these days, I'm 45 y/o. And it's a joy and very inspiring seeing someone who thinks and works as I always tried to. In my early days, I knew that all this care and meticulous job put me away from mass profits and also miles away from other luthier's incomes. I charged badly. Too cheap. But I digress. Kudos for the care and respect for all the instruments and their owners, @twoodfrd.

[@firecrackerheart]

man, ted-that was gutsy on the rosette purfling. wonderful, fantastic, amazing craftmanship!

[@robertturner5138]

This one was just over the top. Some of the things you tackle, and how you go about it, blow my mind.

[@josephbrewer7026]

I enjoy all of your videos, but this one was exceptionally pleasing. I think that it being more of an esthetic project than a repair allowed me to watch and enjoy the technique and results. Well done and thanks for posting.

[@ReverendSoupbone]

Liked this one! The practicality of the mods be damned!! It’s so much nicer looking now, and the owner wanted it done. I love the work-arounds you came up with, especially the rosette router! I think luthiers/repair people are akin to old school farmers, need to do something that there isn’t a tool for? First make the tool!! Pretty good sounding little traveler! Great project! Thanks!!

[@joebikeguy6669]

Wow! I have owned two of these Go travel guitars, The first one suffered a fatal accident and I actually spoke by phone with the owner/luthier Sam Radding (I think he has retired) when I bought the second one. Both of mine came standard with enclosed mini tuners. However, binding was not an option. After a number of years I had to lower the bridge and saddle, and I did just what you did to improve access to the truss rod nut. I still have the guitar, and play it often when I am relaxing on the couch!

[@markbernier8434]

Just curious, did you ever just try a simple box end wrench? Hard to judge by eye but I would have thought a snap on 12 point would have fit in there.

[@joebikeguy6669]

​@@markbernier8434 I think the walls of a box wrench would be too thick to fit in the access slot, but I don't know for sure. I have a pocket wrench which is quite small and thin walled, but the access route to the truss rod nut still needed to be made a bit larger

[@paulwomack5866]

@@joebikeguy6669 I wonder what (checks post) Sam Radding used to turn the truss rod nut...

[@joebikeguy6669]

@@paulwomack5866 I don't know. I bought the pocket wrench myself. Perhaps Sam R. had a pocket wrench with smaller outside dimensions?

[@roadshowautosports]

“Nobody looks at a flying cutter and say it’s a calm, safe, reassuring device, let’s raise that arm shall we?” You’re too funny brother! Your sense of humor sounds a bit like mine, always watching things that can go really wrong and make comments that will throw everybody off! Thank you for sharing!

[@OneRoundDown]

I saw a co-worker slice his thumb right up the middle on a bandsaw and he actually said "Ohh I do believe I fucked up!"

[@lpblewis]

Those spiny cutting things are what scare me away from woodworking. I admire the craft and I dream of building a guitar from scratch, but the risk of not having enough fingers to play the guitar once I'm done is one I am not willing to take. Can't know what you shouldn't do without experience and can't get experience without making mistakes... Maybe one day I'll try with only chisels, files and sandpaper but in the meantime I am glad there's people like you who figured how to do it safely!

[@nfijef]

Now it's a personal, special , one of a kind! Nice work!

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

Good one. I hope all the beginners are listening. Open shapers are really scary and dangerous. Worse than band saws, because they are less predictable.

[@rick_.]

Yep. Bandsaw won't drag your fingers into the blade...

[@gartone]

He said "polishing the bone'!

[@mankindapparel]

excellent journey peppered with many many experience nuggets throughout. some almost unnoticed, but could make the difference between a hurried sloppy job vs the slow steady assured quality work exhibited here. wow.

[@davidbrady1250]

I love your ethos of caring about who is going to see the hidden parts of your work. Like warning viewers about the router being more dangerous than it looks, or the fly cutter being every bit as terrifying as it appears. Early on in this video you had to decide between making a fiddly weird truss rod tool or cutting a bit of relief into the headstock and I thought "he's going to make it easier for the next luthier".

[@falcon8553]

That was some awesome work on the rosette

[@galerae947]

Technu works great for poison oak and ivy. My son usually breaks out horribly, but this last episode he used the Technu wash and gel. He was better by the end of the day and mostly healed within a few days

[@hungryarch7319]

Duuuuude, that inlay around the sound hole.......Holy sweet little 8 pound 5 ounce baby Jesus

[@joelonsdale]

Another satisfying job with good videography and a great voiceover!

[@messmer777]

Huge respect for that soundhole rosette job, that was badass.

[@v0lkai]

I love this episode. When something just works for you, investing in making it even better is always worth it, despite what others may think.

[@EvilUnderTone]

My friend had his thumb dragged into a router bit the other month. It removed most of his thumb tip and a little bit of bone. It'll be a long time before he is playing guitar again I can tell you. be safe folks.

[@bonniedust3452]

I always hate to come to the end of the video, they're always very informative and enjoyable!

[@johnulrich5572]

Thanks for the video. I learn a new and practical tip from every video. I'm glad you gave the router advice and warning,

[@stainless641]

That was such a cool little guitar and really enjoyed watching the work progress. You make very good repair videos that are informative and entertaining.

[@johnnygeejr500]

Nicely done ! Kudos. From the Snazz !

[@markhansen8078]

I was really surprised at how good this little guitar sounds. Fun little instrument.

[@tomschauman4960]

I was really skeptical at first…but that little guitar sounds good!!

[@Skraeling1]

You are an artist, sir! That mitered rosette join is superb!

[@trappenweisseguy27]

Nice to see that someone found a use for an old cricket bat 🏏.

[@mikaso]

Late to the party but I enjoyed this one very much, an excellent documentary. Thanks so much Ted!

[@michaelinglis8516]

I love the saddle ruller idea! It's like a mini saddle/nut jointer!! Lol, I'm certainly going to use the from now on. May even make a jig with a dollar store wet stone as the abrasive surface. It sure beats filing, checking that its level and at a right angle to the surface it sits on, filing, repeating until correct height. With the jig I can just focus on getting the height correct and keeping pressure even. Again, thanks for sharing!!

[@MarkMcCluney]

The tape hinge idea was exceptionally clever. Thank you Ted, that was very enjoyable.

[@slacker42uk]

Absolutely brilliant work. Stunning in fact.

[@sweettoof9002]

“I’m just polishing the bone here”. Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.

[@podfuk]

One Ted Woodford video every night before sleep, just like doctor ordered :)

[@colinmiller9173]

Yet another great video! Your craftsmanship is admirable!

[@jeffgaskill8577]

what a talented and disciplined craftsman.

[@lsb2623]

7:39 - "just polishing the bone here..."

[@TempoDrift1480]

Dang, that little thing just explodes with sound! I have a triple oh Yamaha that's all plywood and for some reason the thing is just like that in that it will blow my dreadnoughts away. Neat little thingy there.

[@gemweems2873]

Wow an honest to goodness humble guy that is extremely talented and easy to watch and listen to.

[@nickafiedguitarstechandrep9617]

As always....you blow my mind. Fantastic work

[@mikecurtin9831]

A thing of beauty. Thanks for the video and thumbs up to crush a troll.

[@LuNaaaaaR]

Love to watch a craftsman at work

[@Starliner428]

Absolutely excellent!

[@Metalwolf765]

I love this project- do detail work to personalize and improve something is the best.

[@andersf324]

As always, you are not only a master luthier, but a great inventor 😁. Quite surprised at the richness of the sound for the size of the body. Thought it would be more boxy sounding. But good woods and construction, as you pointed out.

[@JC-11111]

Boxy? LOL! I've heard it all now. Woody, boxy, meaty, etc... 🤣🤣🤣

[@sgt.pembry9688]

Mr. Patience and sharp tools. Excellent video as usual.

[@zacharykim295]

Nice work routing out that bit from the sound hole!

[@steby123]

Beautiful joint on the rosette !!!

[@perihelion7798]

I don't usually care for 'travel' guitars, but I do like the style and clean design of that one. Very impressive work on that rosette!. It looks great, as does the pickguard and truss rod adjuster hole cover. That guitar now looks even classier than it did before. The video was a joy to watch.

[@d.d.70]

That rosette work is awesome!!👌🏼😃

[@steveroberts]

Absolutely fabulous work. Thanks

[@gordonkennygordon]

04:32 The crunching of the headstock carving combined with the dissonant ringing of the open strings is a COOL SOUND! Taken out of context it belongs in an Italian horror movie :)

[@scottdore132]

once again I am impressed by your craftsmanship, great video

[@Rtechmobile]

Love your work.

[@gregmyers534]

Very impressive. Probably the best luthier videos on KZbin. No mindless blather

[@damnperrys1]

Absolutely Amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@mikemarin77]

Beautiful work!

[@johngerson7335]

Amazing, excellent work as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@sidneysnottley6414]

Always look forward to a new vid - Excellent work.- Cheers.

[@Byron_Blue]

It turned out very well Ted. Inspiring…

[@ericgilbert7194]

Anytime I am routing small objects like this, I repeat the words, "stay focused" out loud continuously to keep the stray thoughts and songs at bay that try to creep in and steal a percentage of my focus.

[@kerrykrishna]

That 1/8th inch jack is a 'Vintage' jack made for guitarists who do not want to alter their end pin hole on their guitar. These jacks are a bit expensive, but do a proper job for plugging in, and there is no giant hole drilled for the 1/4 inch plug. I have two of these jacks,. They work just fine and are available from K and K. Twoford, the 'two dowel thing here was brilliant too!

[@Jakfilm]

Every week I marvel at your craftsmanship.

[@TKevinBlanc]

That little thing sounds super crisp. Somehow it harkened me back to 1970s "America" music.

[@garywhitt98]

Kevin Blanc “Ain’t it foggy outside...”

[@rayclark9643]

I never fail to be impressed by your work:) !

[@roberthaslup9556]

Beautiful!!!

[@swbusby]

This was an exceptionally satisfying job to watch.

[@rocinblues]

Excellent work !!

[@Brandon-so9fp]

Wood shop 1992 Everett Washington guy named Andy went the wrong way, the table even had an arrow pointing in the proper direction. He just spaced it, about an inch of the middle finger all the way down to the first knuckle on his pinky really heart rending to see.

[@atakdragonfly1675]

Great work all around! That thing is pretty cool!

[@videopeaberry]

That was a tremendous display of a set of exceptional techniques executed with precision and care.

[@rmcfee]

Fantastic work.

[@psyneurb]

I have a guitar with difficult access to the truss rod nut very similar to this one. I found a set of smaller combination wrenches called “ignition wrench “ the 12 point box end is slim enough to fit the tight opening.

[@gsterneman]

You make it all look so easy. Amazing work as always.

[@flourface]

this is one of my favorite episodes

[@homeskateco.538]

Brilliant work, as usual. That rosette was damn flawless

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Always a great pleasure to watch your amazing skill and love when working on instruments.

[@60sfoley]

Amazing work, thanks for the great content.

[@jakemarlow8998]

I've had my Go-Guitar for about 15 years. Love the thing. The neck is perfect.

[@nicodanger13]

That simple way for stick the pickguard perfectly in place in a only precise movement amazed me. Thanks!

[@jjcale2288]

Great work, superb result! 👍

[@MrJoeydano]

He is clearly one of the best luthiers there is ! Like Uncle Doug is to old Amps , I love this channel in fact I’m building up my tools to start doing all my own work on my guitars because of watching this channel 👍

[@pallecla]

Amazing work.

[@josephpedroza632]

fantastic work.... the care and patience you have. Something I don't have sometimes. lol

[@Esn205i]

You do such nice work....and you have great guitar skills!!! love your videos...always relaxing to listen too except for routing the pick guard lol!!!

[@thomasbarker7735]

Never does a boring video always interesting great job again ted

[@andrewturnbull5897]

Beautiful work!you are an artist!

[@donaldholman9070]

Nice honey colour. Such a great video. Thank you.

[@philipthomas8440]

Nice work! I always appreciate your fine craftsmanship regardless of the project.