I Restored an Abandoned Acoustic Guitar| Parlor 1930s

[@joe-downs]

I didnt expect the fretboard to look like that! Good looking!!

[@mr.k1t]

Me too, I was surprised when I saw it

[@hanovergreen4091]

@@mr.k1t Was that fretboard or just gunk that came off? Fantastic job Sir and Thank You! Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@ozmobozo]

It's not surprising to see some sort of paint on fretboards in this kind of guitars. Most cheap Korean guitars still use this method. And since this is a Soviet era guitar that's probably what inspired it.

[@EbonyPope]

@@mr.k1t Why didn't you tape off the bridge section? That way you wouldn't have had to scrape off all that lacquer again.

[@DoNaSbaR]

Nice work but, I think, you should keep that brass plate (19:16) to identify the guitar. Thank you for the video.

[@Mike-Olds-1]

I give you credit and respect. I feel most people would have simply threw that guitar in the trash. With a amazing display of dedication and skill you have restored that guitar into a beautiful instrument that will be enjoyed for many more years. 👍

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you!

[@stevemercure902]

Just beautiful. I'm not a luthier but enjoy watching them at work. Your resurection of this instrument is just fantastic. Your work on the neck and fretboard was especially joyful to watch. Nice job!

[@mikefusco9248]

Amazing refinish. I woulda probably left tuners/headstock as-is, and put the time back into the cracks on the top. Can’t get over how incredible the fingerboard came out 🤯 great job

[@ernestolynch1926]

I was originally going to congratulate the restorer on his excellent job restoring an interesting guitar, but after seeing what was done, I changed my mind. This is certainly not a restoration. The guitar was originally seven-string. By removing one string, the “restorer” destroyed the historical value of the instrument. Great job.

[@e.h.5849]

Not only that but he took way too many liberties and really heavy-handed, pragmatic approach as if there were no rules what should and what shouldn't be done. Total disregard to the original instrument..

[@UCkI6pPBQ1IaNlicrwsnR5_w]

Agreed. That was no 'restoration'. He converted an interesting historical instrument into an awful guitar.

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

It's a pretty job. But he should have kept the 7th string, kept the bridge looking like the old one and left the fretboard black! He could have refinished the body with a light stain like the original. And steel strings on a guitar that old is a big NO, nylon would be so much better.

[@ernestolynch1926]

@@Popcorn_Kernel I do agree with almost everything you said. I also prefer nylon strings. However, this type of guitars were made for steel strings. The earlier models, however were made to be used with gut strings. I did try gut strings on the 7 string guitar. The feeling was... different, but pleasant and interesting.

[@colonelfustercluck486]

it was f**ked before the the restoration, upgrade, refurbish, conversion or whatever. And he owns it and is charge of that process. And it played nice musical sounds afterwards. Thats a success.

[@russgibbard680]

Why didn't you keep the 7th string? Now it's just another guitar.

[@woutmoerman711]

That's exactly what I thought! I wonder how the tuning was. I'm building a 7 string lute guitar myself, with an extra low D string.

[@mr.k1t]

I have an old 7 string guitar and I don't play it, I wanted to make a guitar that I would want to play

[@woutmoerman711]

@@mr.k1t Ok, that's a very good reason. Thanks for answering!

[@saiteninstrumente-and-music]

@@woutmoerman711 Hello, that`s a 7string guitar, built in russia. The low seventh string was mostly tuned in low B (H). You can see it at the tuners of cheap thin metal and the top, made of three pieces. I`ve repaired two of this Guitars and I can`t understand, why not put on 7 strings and play it with them. It`s a very interesting task. I play them as Blues-Guitars. Best wishes!

[@woutmoerman711]

@@saiteninstrumente-and-music thanks for your reply! Low B, interesting.

[@chrissandford7705]

Totally wonderful! I'm now about to watch all your o

[@barefootdesigns]

He does what I love to do, bring new life to fine old parlor guitars. I salute you.

[@Gentile108]

I’ve been playing guitar for over 40 years and I can say I have purchased a handful of new guitars. But my favorite instruments are the ones I found at good will or were given to me by friends that just never learned to play. So much character in the older instruments. All that was needed was a little love, tuning and new strings.. great restoration project sir

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you!

[@752brickie]

You are 100% correct ! The old ones are the finest! They really have a great quality

[@festushaggen2563]

Agree. I've had quite a few acoustics over the years. Big names and expensive. My favorites by far are a 50 year old Yamaha steel string and a nearly 50 year old Japanese Classical guitar. You can't buy that look, feel and sound new off the store wall.

[@garthreynolds1437]

Just beautiful! Maple neck ? Mahogany back and sides? Perfect for the front porch swing or an evening on a sofa.

[@ЕвГЕНИЙПонасенков-е3ы]

Wow, I was watching with my grandpa on 0.25 to not miss anything❤

[@Douwesiegersma]

What a beauty! Well done sir.

[@stevencochrane115]

That's a proper job now! extremely satisfying to watch, excellent outcome.

[@kerryburns6041]

That was a lucky old guitar, beautiful job and a joy to watch. Thank you from Spain..

[@Fra.NoisesSounds]

I think they put the hornbeam veneer to cover the joint line you can see on the third fret.

[@P.B.andJam]

Ive found a few $8000 100+ yo instruments this way that sounded incredible after restoring. Repairing and setting up playability is not rocket science, its easy and fun

[@mr.k1t]

there are certain problems with reliability in such guitars. they should be taken care of

[@WinstonTexas829]

@@mr.k1tmostly keep them away from modern heating.

[@hanswurst495]

Provided you know your skills and have the right tools!

[@charlesmontgomery7002]

Very nice work, thanks for sharing. I was wondering why you didn't save the nameplate on the headstock.

[@StanleyBouchard]

Bravo! Et merci vôtre travail magnifique continuer j'aime voir ramener à la vie de si beau instruments de musique !!!!😊

[@mr.k1t]

Merci beaucoup! 😊

[@bastardo377]

great video, didnt feel it a lot like a restoration, it truly has a beautiful and unique sound but I would have loved to see the final 7 strings, greetings from chile

[@ernestolynch1926]

“The Restorer” responded to a similar comment by saying (to quote a response translated by Google): “it will happen to everyone.” It is very sad to see how the brain of an undoubtedly gifted person is clogged with such intolerance towards everything Russian (assuming that this 7-string guitar was a Russian guitar). Hatred cannot create, only destroy.

[@tiramusi]

​@@ernestolynch1926Didn't he say that he don't play 7 string guitar and had to make sure that what he restore can be played by him? I think that's a fair reason. Why would you restore an instrument if it'll only be a decoration on your wall?

[@ernestolynch1926]

Are you brain-damaged? Just read comments. @@tiramusi

[@gredyukha]

Master, please tell me. after gluing the frets, what kind of product do you apply to remove the excess?)

[@mr.k1t]

Acetone

[@gredyukha]

@@mr.k1t thanks!!!

[@hanswurst495]

And do the frets have to be glued to the fretboard? I could imagine they stay in place without glue.

[@gredyukha]

@@hanswurst495 обязательно надо приклеивать, а то будет гулять чутка в дереве при нажатии

[@cjm3122]

I liked everything except the sanding. I would have dusted it, used turpentine to remove any old wax, used warm soapy water followed by immediate towel drying, then amalgamated the original finish with alcohol or whatever solvent works. Anyway, it sure does look great. Bravo.

[@user23594_]

странная какая-то реставрация, переднюю деку шпаклевать не стали, было 7 струн, сделали 6... ну ладно, я не эксперт.

[@tobitsdogcasenerd]

I’m glad you put your own stamp on it. I enjoyed watching your process and progress.

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@tobitsdogcasenerd]

@@mr.k1t you’re welcome!

[@alexvened5534]

Этот инструмент был сделан в моей стране почти сто лет назад !!! Мне приятно, что столь талантливые руки взялись за восстановление этого инструмента !!! Результат шикарный ! Ещё было интересно увидеть некоторые технологические детали на самом инструменте...никогда раньше не знал, что у нас в период раннего СССР был крепеж струны на пинах. После 1945 года стали применять другую систему. Благодарю Вас

[@Mihail_Duymin]

Это не восстановление, он переделал

[@Pipityty4Kapralov]

какое востановление была семиструнка, стала шести и она не звучит

[@vctrsknt]

What is the wood stain product you are using at 6:13 ? And what colour is it? Looks nice.

[@mr.k1t]

This is an aniline dye for fabrics, the color is brown, but I advise you to buy several and select the color on a test board

[@ErnestoRodriguez-fn1sh]

Una buena restauración, ha quedado nueva. Un 10👌👍🇪🇸🌿

[@หมวกฟาง-ฅ3ฦ]

What do you mix to put on top?

[@FISHERPACO]

Siempre dispendioso y complejo, pero es una maravilla esta reparación, excelente trabajo,quedo como nueva.

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

When I saw the name plate with the Cyrillic Alphabet I knew this was a Russian 7-String Guitar. Would have been interesting to have heard it once restored to its original config.

[@bldallas]

Very well done. Awesome restoration.

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@GuitarQuackery]

Just curious, how many hours did you put into this repair?

[@mr.k1t]

I started doing it in the summer

[@GuitarQuackery]

@@mr.k1t I'm really enjoying your videos. In fact, you and Tanya Shpachuk are the two Ukrainian luthiers I've been following, lately. Great work.

[@MrCarlos1335]

EXCELLENT, GOOD JOB, WELL DONE

[@IainHC1]

Absolutely loved watching this 🙂 Really nice job 🙂

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@oldbonesbushcraftrodjackso474]

Beautiful job very pleasant video .

[@josephthunderhorse8793]

The brass plate was probably not a great ldea to leave off...but it is sans other original stuff ie bridge...tuners and the weird copper frets which were probably replacements anyway....in restoration to maintain value its an all or nothing case scenario...as l said someone will love it

[@rickgriffin3962]

Excellent save in that guitar!

[@PAUL.72]

amazing work, I enjoyed the video, well done, master

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@DavidBeede]

The "guitar painting" at 6:10 - what are you mixing there? It looks like instant coffee? I've got a parlor waiting for me in my shop so I'm collecting tips. Thanks. Great video!

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you this is an aniline dye

[@DavidBeede]

@@mr.k1t Thanks!

[@2011Noud]

Some tips: Please do not use a chisel to remove the bridge even after its' been heated by an iron. Careful workin from a gap spot and maybe several spots work as close as possible against the surface of a sound- board. Often use sharp cutters for it. This varnish becomes brittle and was in a bad condition. It can be easily removed with a block with sandpaper around it, only moving in the grain direction. Watch what comes off. When the yellowish dust changes into real wood stop immediately and work this way over the whole surface of the soundboard. The varnish and some spots really were bad but sometimes you can "fresh up" soundboards like this with 95 % alcohol. The lighter traces will vanish after the alcohol treatment. Glance the soundboard afterwards with Nikco, a great polishing compound that freshes up dull surfaces and is cleaning it. Repair the cracks that still close with a sucker cup and work in the glue with that. If possible BEFORE the lacquer has been removed. That will avoid ugly glue traces on the rest of the soundboard. But you did a job I simply like because otherwise the guitar would have ended in the garbage bag. I'm also working for years with these kind of "lost treasures" with sometimes remarkable results! Compliments!

[@jellybingus416]

That looks great. The fretboard is especially beautiful, I've never seen one quite like that before.

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@emanuelelabarbera9283]

You have done amazing work!! Compliments

[@aitorgarozgarcia8623]

Hello. Excellent work. It's wonderful how you left the instrument. One question.....what liquid do you use to remove excess cyanoacrylate from the frets? thank you

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks! I used acetone

[@harleyhexxe9806]

This is the first time I've ever seen a 7-string acoustic guitar, let alone one that was made in 1930. Those folks must have been into some wild music back then. Very nice work, and the result is an unexpected beauty of a guitar! I've also read the comments already posted, and I see several negative ones. I disagree with those comments for only one reason; a guitar is only a valuable one if it makes you keep wanting to play it. Be safe there in Ukraine, and thank you for sharing.

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you!

[@robohippy]

I am not any kind of guitar player, except for myself..... I was curious about the 7 string guitar as well. I had always thought it was more modern. I would have tried to have kept it that way. Interesting...

[@jacob-thegoat]

Excellent work. Amazing. Blessings

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks

[@ositoCastro]

Nice job. Did you give it shellac as polish?

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you I wanted to but ended up using nitro

[@maeron9858]

Great job. Congratulations!

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@balladeerbuzz3688]

Nice job, but like some others, I could not miss that is started with 7 strings and finished with 6. Nice job on changing base side 4 tuners to 3. Challenging job attractively accomplished.

[@pasteye1671]

A light score either side of the frets with a scalpel prevents so much tear-out when removing frets.

[@mr.k1t]

of course, if the fretboard wasn’t destroyed by time

[@andreasholmqvist7021]

Hi, I wonder why you use the soldering iron when removing the fretz? I have seen several who only use the pliers. Andreas.

[@mr.k1t]

the fret heats up faster and I can remove it with less damage to the fretboard

[@Bohdan94]

Класний проект. На одному подиху. Цікаво було б мабуть бачити скільки часу займає той чи інший процес.

[@mr.k1t]

Дякую, почав займатись цією гітарою ще влітку)

[@elusivelens1744]

Cool old Russian Parlor piece. Terrific work!

[@activese]

Awesome work, beautiful guitar, that fretboard looks amazing great colour choice with the dot markers, negative fretboard, questions, finish product and tuners brand? Cheers.

[@PGrizzy91]

Great work!

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@matteinos90]

Great work ! I have one question . Can these old parlors hold a standard tuning (light steel strings) without modifying braces ? Thanks

[@LuisBorba]

Incredible work!

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you!

[@merlijntjetovenaar1004]

what song did you play on 17:54 want to learn that kind of ganre zo bad

[@mikethunda9506]

This is a great restoration but why did you turn it into a 6 string? Why not carve that neck joint to lower the action and why did you color in the "pickguard" area?

[@mr.k1t]

I adjusted the height and now 1 string is 1.3mm and the sixth is 1.7mm The rest of the decisions came along the way, I just arranged for myself a kind of Luthier jam session

[@mikethunda9506]

​@@mr.k1tfair enough. It looks incredible. Roughly how many hours would you say it took to complete?

[@ernestolynch1926]

Let's be honest, by definition this cannot be called “restoration”. Also, you asked, "why did you turn it into a 6 string?" “The Restorer” responded to a similar comment by saying (to quote a response translated by Google): “it will happen to everyone.” It is very sad to see how the brain of an undoubtedly gifted person is clogged with such intolerance towards everything Russian (assuming that this 7-string guitar was a Russian guitar). Hatred cannot create, only destroy.

[@davelips]

Well done. Looks beautiful. Your joy in playing it will be that much greater. I wonder if nylon strings might be the way to go with this little guitar though. God bless.

[@AlejandroGuerreroLaverde]

Muy buen trabajo. Una curiosidad: ¿qué decía la placa que le quitó?

[@JokaRed3]

What clear coat did you use for the top?

[@williamfry7085]

What’s the brand name on the head stock? You peeled it off

[@artinmayur]

Can you please list of things you used for finishing the wood? helpful if you list all the equipments also, I am looking forward to buy those..

[@carllocarlos1]

Why did you not return the manufacturer plate in headstock ?

[@mr.k1t]

you can check my location, see what is written on the plate and you will understand everything😉🤫

[@danschmehl7824]

Amazing refinish! What is it originally meant for metal or nylon strings?

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks! Metal

[@boriszaitsev3211]

It is a soviet 7string guitar (from Moscow, between 1920-1940)

[@EvgeniyKondratyev]

Привет, Борис. Гитару сделали в Москве не позднее 1926 г. После этого артель "ТОМП" делала только украшенные и "люксовые" гитары. С уважением, Евгений.

[@CainTheProfessor]

Brilliant that's a tough work.

[@mojomojo-zn2iw]

i think that guitar was meant to have nylon strings on it, but i'm not sure. if it has a truss rod inside the neck it might support steel strings too. you could check to see if it has a truss rod using a strong magnet and bring it to the back of the neck, if you feel an atraction then it has a truss rod. Cheers.

[@rammyrainny14]

hi, what kind of tools are you using to glue the bridge?

[@aldomanganaro6007]

Un lavoro meraviglioso...il sogno della mia vita.un suono di chitarra unico.lavoro fatto con amore.non c'è prezzo per il risultato

[@richfolkes]

While I admire the splendid job you did and the attention to detail you went into restoring this fine instrument, I need to point out that it is a traditional Russian seven string guitar. In my honest opinion I believe you ruined it, rather than restored it. Nonetheless kudos to you for all the effort you put into making that train wreck into a Train Grand Vitesse. The tone of it is impressive to say the least. If only you kept it as a seven string.

[@colonelfustercluck486]

he was reviving it.... it now looks good and makes a nice noise. That's a success story. I'm sure that if someone arrived at his door with a 7 string guitar and a bag of money and wanted it 'restored' to the original condition, he could.

[@ikaisoha2700]

Wow great job and well played ❤👍👌🙌🏿 nice nice very enjoyable video 🙏

[@amseag]

Very Gold!!!

[@stavrosa8772]

what model is your Stanley vice?

[@ronaldhogue9673]

Good work. Thanks for sharing.

[@Nour01]

Nice work ❤what did you use to darken the soundboard?

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks Black ink

[@don_pavlov]

18:30 what is this song called. I need to know.

[@slacker42uk]

Stunning job.

[@poloquiles8626]

Why didn't you keep it a 7 string guitar, like it was originally?

[@mr.k1t]

I have a 7 string guitar and I don't play it, I wanted an old guitar that I would enjoy playing.

[@ernestolynch1926]

“The Restorer” responded to a similar comment by saying (to quote a response translated by Google): “it will happen to everyone.” It is very sad to see how the brain of an undoubtedly gifted person is clogged with such intolerance towards everything Russian (assuming that this 7-string guitar was a Russian guitar). Hatred cannot create, only destroy.

[@colonelfustercluck486]

@@ernestolynch1926 what the fk are you talking about? FFS.

[@HevertonSilva7]

Ótimo trabalho de restauração, apesar não manter as características das 7 cordas como era.👍🏾

[@browill9]

Good job. Thanks for sharing. GBU

[@MrLordofwar23]

Great job sir.. U saved her.... nice..

[@loiclebrun6519]

Nice job !!

[@mr.k1t]

Thanks!

[@MasterFailureOfficialChannel]

Words can't even describe how awesome this repair was! This guitar looks amazing now! And the "real" fretboard was a wonderful surprise. This is just crazy to think that this guitar is almost 100 years old... Did you find it yourself, or is it a customer who brought it to you? If that was a customer, I'm sure he was stunned by the final result!

[@mr.k1t]

Thank you! I was very surprised when I saw this veneer cover. This guitar was given to me by a friend, it was found in an old house in the village

[@jamesadams1064]

Beautiful work. Nice sounding little guitar

[@YorticusTV]

So many negative comments…. No one was going to restore it …. Not in 100 years - if it can’t be played what’s the point? I think you did an amazing job bro

[@Baeretta]

You made a stunning instrument out of it! I guess, it had been a romantic guitar before with seven strings to play Schubert on it for example.

[@sukunahikonatokoyokami5200]

Good sound ? Favorite sound !！

[@fisherguitar9071]

Amazing work ! so will this guitar be sold in the region of 5 digit? :)

[@moxmaniaco]

Me gustan estos videos de restauraciones. Lo que si, me hubiera gustado verla terminada con 7 cuerdas, tal como se demostraba con los clavijeros.

[@ernestolynch1926]

Estoy de acuerdo con usted. Destruyó el valor histórico del instrumento.

[@williamjames9515]

Better than new!

[@susanroycroft89]

What a fascinating video, please tell me, what did you spray on the 2 cracks on the top soundboard Just before you Glued them?😮😮😊

[@trevordoty3889]

F ing amazing! Beautiful work!

[@mikesingleton2997]

That was a very cool transformation...

[@ghendric]

What's the purpose of putting solder on the frets before taking them off?

[@colonelfustercluck486]

molten solder conducts heat to the original copper frets very well. Quick and effective heat was wanted, and that is how to do it

[@elianu7027]

At 2:48 you use the soldering iron to melt iron wire on the frets, I've seen doing that on other videos. Why is it done like that?

[@mr.k1t]

to get the fret easier and without unnecessary chipping

[@biscutsdad]

I saw many 7-string guitars like this when l toured the Soviet Union in 1974. No one ever used the 7th string. Seldom was there ever a seventh string even on those guitars.

[@dariuszkozak8970]

Super job !!!

[@chadbain559]

Sounds good

[@ВалерийБеликов-щ1н]

Bravo....😊😊😊

[@petemetcalfe4385]

Fantastic job. Congrats!!!

[@duanetrivett750]

I enjoy watching a Expert work. I really like the job you did on the neck it's great looking. What was the name on the tag you took off ? Thanks for the video.