Guitar Repair takes a Left Turn

[@Ukedc259]

When we needed it most he restored Harmony in our lives.

[@ileutur6863]

I still can't get over how good that restored harmony sounded

[@GianmarioScotti]

The choice of woods for the fretboard, bridge and neck make this an extraordinarily pretty and unique guitar.

[@MichaelLloyd]

My ear heard 46 and my eye was seeing 48 :) Very enjoyable to watch as always

[@swbusby]

The Honduran mohogany on this one is remarkably beautiful.

[@BudgetRC_Channel]

Man, after your description of how it sounded, I wasn't expecting to hear what I did. That sounded beautiful.

[@sickb2200]

I like the fact that the customer wanted this old Harmony to be done right even though it doesn't make sense given the dollar value of the guitar. That's called loving your guitar. People do it with cars and such all the time.

[@kevinsnyder4425]

I agree - every guitar has it's own unique personality, even the cheaper ones like Harmony.! I have 2 ,and they are loved and cared for ,just like my more expensive ones !

[@vayabroder729]

The thing is, as he said earlier in the video, this guitar might’ve been an economy model back in the day but the wood that it’s made from is now a luxury. Which is why I try to keep my older instruments. Many of the fingerboards are Brazilian rosewood.

[@paullarnce2167]

Keith Richards toured and recorded the Stones first two albums with Harmony guitars. The first album was recorded with a 6- string/ the second with a 12 string. Yes- these are cheap guitars for their time, but very sought after by guitarists.

[@vayabroder729]

@@paullarnce2167 Pete Townshend I believe, also used them.

[@Abravenewfear]

Adam Savage referenced you on one of his one day builds. It was the refurbish of some type of mini piano.

[@Mat_1000]

Yes, exactly here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYarhJuuaZh9jLc (It's at the time he references him, but you have to go back a little in the video to see what he's talking about ; ) ).

[@Abravenewfear]

@@Mat_1000 Cool thanks

[@The_Fat_Turtle]

He's done it before as well, in regards to using superglue to strengthen wood. I can't remember which video it was but it was earlier in the year.

[@ian-c.01]

Seeing Mr Savage butchering a toy piano and attempting to cobble together something that can make sounds from bits and pieces he has laying around and being happy with the end result even though it looks like it was made by a one armed chimpanzee with a hatchet and sounds like a beer crate half filled with broken springs is so far removed from what Todd does that I'm surprised he thought of Todd while making that video !

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@ian-c.01 I think his name is Ted.

[@jimhibert]

“Don’t ask for dimensions - get a guitar and figure it out for yourself” - love it!

[@whansandceros]

"Do the work"

[@juffurey]

@@whansandceros or do the research, I contacted Fender for the full specs on my 15 year old MIM strat, and they had everything down to the neck finish.

[@micahgoodreau]

yet gives the dimensions for everything else. lol

[@johngardner545]

Your content is not solely for guitar repairs, for me it's therapy, a money can't buy experience. I wish you the best in everything you need. Cheers from the land Down Under !

[@richardalanprow283]

Love the old Harmonys! Nice work!!

[@hydorah]

Great to see you go into so much detail about that bridge routing jig of yours. I'm fixing up a 1972 Aria, clearly inspired by the Gibson Hummingbird. I'm using your bent B string method to intonate the new saddle. just quietly watching your vids has given me loads of lutiery and repair tips and I'm very grateful for that - and for the entertainment

[@brianpateman2666]

That "weird little modal thing" sounds just lovely! I enjoy listening to these old Harmony guitars - they have their own distinctive sound.

[@kostaskritsilas2681]

Ladder bracing of the top is part of it. So is the all mahogany wood choice. The rest is execution.

[@haliaeetus8221]

Very Jethro Tullish to my ears

[@eddyj3862]

Fantastic!!!! what a unusual looking but beautiful sounding guitar!!! twoodfrd you are genius!!!!

[@feilgrep]

The fact that you happened to have a piece of perfect match sap-/heart wood ebony lying around made me smile. Thanks for another great video!

[@telecasterbear]

People need to understand that this is your job. We viewers see entertainment. You are working. Indeed, the casket shop I worked at, shut down for everyone's vacation at the same time.

[@stevesoldwedel]

Did people take a vacation from dying? I'll see myself out ...

[@IrisGalaxis]

Nice Tele.

[@HartelozeKlootzak]

Oh hey there gang

[@michaelinglis8516]

I think the date stamp says "S48" not "S46" but you might already know that and accidentally said 46. Or it really is a 46 and it looks like 48. Excellent video btw as always!

[@ursafan40]

Yeah that's an 8

[@allfields]

Among Canadian tradesmen "figure it out" is a sign you're asking too many questions

[@moonchild4806]

That two tone bridge is gorgeous. I thought it was broken when the video started.

[@bills6093]

Me too. I had to look twice when I saw it from the other angle and it wasn't broken at all.

[@luiscuixara4622]

Ain't it odd that a thing can go from hideous to beautiful that quickly; off-perception to recognition of the true. That shit can be dangerous. . .

[@bigtoelittlefinger6133]

Class

[@jackiet4575]

That guitar sounds as lovely as it looks! That mahogany is beautiful 😍. Someone has taken very special care with it all these years and could not have given it to a better luthier for repairs and changes! Loved this video ❤️❤️

[@pjm329]

"Don't ask for dimensions. Get a guitar and figure it out for yourself. Do the work." Best quote I've heard in a while. That is a cool jig though. I love learning about and working on my guitars. But I don't think I would want that to be my job. Thank you for the work that you do and for sharing some of it with us.

[@kindabluejazz]

That reminds me of Chef John when people ask how much salt or sugar or butter he used and his response is "make it to your liking - that's just you cooking". "That's just you luthiering."

[@grene1955]

I have to say...I grew up as a carpenters kid, but I didn't know how to use a chisel until I saw your vids. As usual, awesome work!

[@demantoid418]

Sweet. I do like that fret board. thanks for showing

[@ponyman56]

Love your, "I'm not going to show every ______ job" thing. Personally I don't set my alarm for the latest vid from you, I simply am pleased with seeing a new one available. Stick to your guns. Great work.

[@TheRumbles13]

Cool fretboard and bridge matching! Harmony are underrated guitars in my opinion

[@wyattsdad8561]

Man, I love watching these videos. I’m a self employed carpenter but I wish I did this for a living. There’s a big difference between carpentry and luthier work. Even tho we both work with wood. I do finish carpentry as well but this is a different animal. I typically do my own guitar work and have even done some refinish work on my guitars but good luthier work is something I view with a very deep appreciation. Thanks for sharing your great work.

[@petedazer3381]

I really appreciate your insights into things. Your videos are informative and very pleasant to watch. Thanks for the stupendous effort!

[@MouldyGuitars]

I found when using very long thin drill bits (2 or 3mm), it helps to slide a brass or ally tube up the drill bit. This helps stop it bending and can also protect nearby body material from the spinning drill bit.

[@GianmarioScotti]

Thanks for this useful advice.

[@ian-c.01]

Very unusual having sapwood and heartwood running along the fingerboard like that and also on the bridge, that makes it a pretty unique instrument ! Finding a piece of rosewood in your stash with similar colours so you can make a matching insert for the bridge is astonishing and shows what kind of a craftsman you really are ! It really blew me away to see the matching insert fitted in the bridge, if you didn't know that it had been done you'd never notice it !

[@wyattsdad8561]

Always a pleasure watching your vids. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@fredschaves]

Ahhh, here we are again. What a treat.

[@MrFlint51]

I have a self-built 12string from 1967. The neck is mahogany with an integral fingerboard. The wood was chosen with a slight back-bow and when strung up it is virtually flat without any reinforcement

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

A Half Sapwood Half Heartwood Fretboard & Bridge, that's quite a neat design.

[@billknudson7895]

Thanks, Ted, for the detailed explanation of your saddle routing jig. That gives me enough info to “do the work” and make my own. FYI-I always get a little sentimental whenever you work on a Harmony guitar. A guy in my very first band started building his chops on a Harmony Bobcat played through a Montgomery Ward Airline amp. Great times.

[@dwebster50]

You got to smile , when everyone starts correcting you for what they think is a mistake you make…From the opening music to the end test play , That’s what puts a smile on my face. You don’t see this kind of repair of guitars …anywhere but here.! Further more, I have yet to see a bad video.🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦💌😊

[@jipes]

Actually seems to sound very deep and nice. great fix as usual love the way you try to keep the bi-color of the bridge it looks nice

[@kostaskritsilas2681]

Thanks for the part about first and second part of the year. I have been having this debate with people for a long time. I have a later H165 (1958). Guitar materials are the same, but it bottom bout on mine is flatter on the end, and it has the “Steel Reinforced Neck”. As cheap as these guitars were new, they have some interesting material choices, like the once piece sound boards and backs (not book-matched like today’s guitars, or other guitars of the same era).

[@paulhendershott667]

A Nun (sister Mary Theresa) taught me play guitar during my summer CCD catholic instruction when I was 10 years old in 1970. She had this same guitar, so I pleaded with my dad to get me the same guitar, which he did! Over the years it developed the highest action known to mankind! Even though it was barely playable, I LOVED it and took it everywhere with me for the next 12 years until someone stole it at the Jersey shore during a college break in 1982... Lots of awesome memories!

[@paulhendershott667]

In an act of Nostalgia, I purchased a Martin 000-15M in 2019 after searching for the guitar that most reminded me of this tried and true all Mahogany Harmony!

[@donaldholman9070]

beautiful old guitar. Thank you for the great video.

[@picksalot1]

I like the simple beauty of the guitar. I saw a video of someone polishing frets with a small buffing pad on a Dremel - Smart. 😎

[@johndrippert3289]

Really like the sound on the bass end of the scale with this one.

[@ReverendSoupbone]

I think it sounds excellent!! You’ve got me keeping my eyes peeled (ouch) for an old harmony or Stella in recoverable shape. Just as a project bed not to strike vintage fortune!

[@riproaring3140]

I love the sound of good mahogany. Beautiful.

[@adobedoug2564]

Thanks Ted. I really appreciate you playing them for us.

[@Joe___R]

Honduran mahogany and even cuban mahogany is still somewhat available today. But are getting quite expensive especially the old growth verity. When you get your hands on some it is obvious why our ancestors loved it so much.

[@beatleme2]

Really nice work as always and playing a strung left-handed guitar right-handed sounding beautiful at the end

[@JoshuaC923]

What a beautiful guitar, great work

[@timadams9119]

...6:47 - "Had a boo-boo" It's 1957 again ! I love this guy.

[@teterouge1472]

Craftsmen are so underappriciated these days.... In all walks of life.... Have a Gold star sir.... 🙂

[@rmcfee]

Awesome work as always!!

[@ravingcyclist624]

Wonderful opening music! Now all that's needed is a Stéphane Grappelli accompaniment.

[@paulmachamer5575]

He will never read this, but thank you for explaining the core elements of what I need to do to fix my classical guitar that has crappy intonation! Will I ever do it? Not sure, but now I know how to build the jig!

[@timothy4664]

I always look forward to late Saturday afternoons.

[@timearll266]

My Saturday night by the radio. Thank you!

[@drummerhammar]

Fantastic once again. great skills!

[@sergejk]

Wood wizard, thanks for teaching us! Keep up the great work!

[@Obscurity202]

Would love to hear more about the g string intonation trick in a future video! Thanks!

[@yazidbakar1485]

Great sound after you repair..love this lerthanded guitar because i'm a lefty too..

[@xcalibre222]

WOW, Made 2 years before I was born and seems to be holding up a lot better then I am. :) Thanks for the Vids!

[@ianrose5505]

Thank you really great information as always

[@marctamtonthat]

I'm fond of your videos. Very interesting and also it seems that being a craftsman lifts spirit. Very good philosophy in life from my point of you. Thanks for everything.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Ah, yeah. Got that Harmony jingle jangle! You have the best recording microphone (at least it sounds that way on my tiny tab speakers!).

[@wombatspatulafreek]

i like the two color fingerboard... it DOES sound "bluesy"... nicely done!

[@beytone]

Love the sound! Great job once again, lucky owner!

[@abloke8834]

Thank God for that. I've just got in from work and a new video pops up. Cheers

[@aaronriedel1985]

that is a great sounding guitar!

[@thebutton7932]

thank you for the detailed explanations, much appreciated

[@jamesdahl6949]

As always, an unbelievable job that leaves me in awe! Don't know if I spelled that right but you're pretty amazing and I love watching your videos! I think you're much better than you really realize!

[@mikewithrow2271]

Sometimes I get a really good dose of why did I even do that... Coming from the memories of all the various Harmony and Silvertone guitars I've passed over or just wasn't educated enough on their history. Had some pretty nice Kay's before I probably should have kept and just played when the mood hit.

[@D.Guitar]

Great Video. I love how You just have odd scraps of woods that can pretty much cover most jobs

[@nicolen.9642]

It's a beauty 🎶🎶🎶

[@stephendixon8575]

Well, don’t care what anyone says, I reckon that’s $800 CAD well spent if you end up with a guitar with as much charm as that sounding so lovely 🙌

[@michaelmcclain5091]

Have a harmony with a similar fretboard. It's used as a barbeque guitar. Traded a bucket of used horseshoes for it. Had to fix some cracks and reset the neck.

[@robostyle9773]

Your upside down playing is exceptional

[@hoponthebusgus1446]

I use yellow food coloring and a que-tip to mimic aged binding. works pretty well.

[@briansimpson8116]

Another fine lesson

[@richsackett3423]

I was just going out to spray clear nitro on a mid-60s Harmony archtop I've had for decades. It had been sitting outside and I bought it for like $35. Now I'm older and smarter (than when I took a run at it the first time), I think I stand a fair chance of turning it into something fun and playable. It has a steel-reinforced poplar neck with a lovely little backbow to it. I think it'll be fine.

[@0091stefan]

I love watching you work! I am a guitarist, i had my framus panthera at a luthier for a refret and a new nut, but he just glued a piece of wood under the old nut (frets are higher) and it was sloppy, brought it to another luthier for a new nut, spacing was all over the place, can i send you my guitar from austria? :D

[@kenthephotoguy]

I look forward all week for your broadcast.

[@Aux1Dub]

I thought that podcast was abandoned, so glad there’s new episodes!

[@danielzubov]

Excellent work man! Thanks!!!

[@chefkdowg]

Guitar sounds great

[@MakarovFox]

nice to see the conversion i am left user in a lot of thing and is nice t osee a proper way to convert

[@donald-parker]

Great as always! Questions on cutting a new saddle slot (possibly fodder for a future video): It looks like you are doing it parallel to a flat edge of the bridge. But I would think it is common to need to slant the saddle a bit for better intonation. So my 2 part question is a) how to set up your jig for a slant and b) how to determine the proper slant (or even if you need one) before you cut? I've even seen some acoustics where the saddle is split so there are 2 (or more) saddle slots to accommodate even more intonation control. As an added bonus .... why on earth has no one invented a saddle/bridge system for acoustics that allow accurate intonation adjustments (like electrics)?

[@twoodfrd]

It was cut with a slant, but I angled the take off points to the very front edge for the treble and the very back for the bass so it's not slanted as much, so I didn't run out of bridge for the treble. The bridge might also have been glued on a bit crooked as well. There have been several adjustable saddles developed for acoustics over the years. They usually get pulled out and plugged because they sound awful.

[@chriscutress1702]

i used to use Honduran Mahogany to build bookcases and furniture in high school almost 50 years ago. A beautiful wood to work with and I still have one bookcase and two pieces of furniture I built out of that wood. All finished with 'Deft' which I understand was responsible for the loss of a few brain cells along the way. Who knew ???

[@treelineresearch3387]

On a short term scale dumping $800 worth of maintenance into a vintage low end guitar doesn't make sense when you can buy a new more finely made modern guitar for less, but really over the lifetime of the instrument it's not a lot to ask to keep it functional. Old cheap guitars will just keep getting rarer as people decide it's too costly to repair them too, so I doubt the value will go anywhere but up over the long run. On a tone level, I think that thing sounds great, got a real dark southern rock vibe inherent to it.

[@kennogawa6638]

Those older guitars just sound sweeter.

[@kenlesko7559]

Love your channel! Do you advise customers that the cost of repairs may exceed the value of the instrument? Sentimental value, of course, is priceless.

[@lugster3634]

I have the same pen, Tom. Good show!

[@g.gorrell2088]

How in the heck? You kinda' sound like John Redbourn on that lefty! These are the best documentaries on You-Tube.

[@rududuu]

dude. watch your titles! i was in suspense all the time waiting for something to go wrong :D nice work!

[@icedog75]

I know your a fan of fish glue and I recently used it on a refret that has been hanging around (I'm very amateur and this is for my own use) and I was a bit surprised to see a clamping time of 12 hours...is that the norm for fish glue? Do you rely on the fret tang to provide the clamping when you use it on frets? I used my fretboard radius block light clamped in place overnight-seemed to work fine. Your vids got me going on some projects that hung up....enjoy watching you work.

[@twoodfrd]

I do rely on the tang to hold frets in place. The glue is just to fill gaps and make a more solid attachment.

[@icedog75]

@@twoodfrd Tks.

[@mickvictor]

Sounded pretty good to me.

[@highdesertjustin]

Cocaine and rhinestones is really good. Season 2 was absolutely worth the wait.

[@jeffkay2011]

Harmony Central!

[@hokehinson5987]

Grat sound! Way better than the 1k & under stuff being sold today as quality Frankenstein guitars.

[@shane1472]

Love your videos

[@hrxy1]

outstanding vid outstanding explanation, ty

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

Just going to put this out there: who is giving a Woodford video a thumbs down? It makes no sense.

[@garywhitt98]

The answer to “How much time do you spend looking at the far side of your neck?” is the same for me as for my guitar. None. I spend no time looking at the far side of the neck. I have wasted much of my life. But as Ted said, “You can’t expect too much from them.” Thank you Ted.