Mandolin Resuscitation

This inexpensive el Degas mandolin has a neck that's loose.

[@Jackofallthetrades]

"I'm not much of a mandolin player..." (proceeds to play good enough that I want to now burn my mandolin)

[@trym2121]

You know any decent guitar player after playing around with mandolin can do what he did, right?

[@Jackofallthetrades]

@@trym2121 , it was a joke...

[@Zane_Doe]

Every instrument deserves love, regardless of how modest or select.

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

Some of the most wonderful guitars I have played has been cheap knock offs. Some times even the cheapest instrument can be surprisingly good. Some times. :)

[@perihelion7798]

Absolutely true. Don't work on any instrument that you disdain.

[@briansimpson8116]

YES!!

[@powbobs]

Suicide Van Have you tried a 15 series Martin? They have that fundamental, less overtone, sound and play amazingly.

[@robinfawcett7973]

"Let the excellence of your craftsmanship be your protest" - I love that you bother..!

[@WoodesosGuitarMods]

That Diresta Troll voice was HILARIOUS.

[@RedHeadGuitar]

Kinda like Glenn Fricker's viewer's comments videos. ...Or even better "Stupid musician texts". I love that dude.

[@samaker4]

Diresta's baby voice fixing a mandolin!

[@Cpt_Adama]

LOL, 50 years ago someone who was drunk set the neck of a new mandolin so that the tailpiece had to be offset of center. No quality control at this company to pull this out of production, so it's sent out for retail purchase and lives a sad life. Prior to being thrown in the garbage heap, Luthier come into possession of sad instrument and resets neck and tailpiece to give instrument the life it should've had in the first place. The mandolin is now so happy and joyously sings new and beautiful songs. Moral of the story, it's never to late to be reborn.

[@csnelling4]

A great sound for someone who doesn’t play mandolin , loved watching this restoration 👏👏👏👏👏👍🇬🇧

[@DonaldVanHall]

You are the gold standard by which I judge all other luthier channels. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@kevindaly5093]

You come across a bit casual for someone who has just resurrected a nice old instrument that might otherwise been thrown in the bin. This very instrument may someday inspire a new musician to greatness. We celebrate you sir. I truly enjoyed that, and learned a great deal along the way. Thank you.

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

👍👍

[@RylanStorm]

"I'm not a mandolin player" Proceeds to play mandolin better than I play guitar.

[@jbann23]

Trolls only attack the good guys: and you're definitely one of the good guys. One of the best. Thanks for your efforts.

[@Incandescentiron]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I bought a souvenir quality ukulele from Goodwill, hoping to make it playable. Getting into it I realized it would need the neck reset and decided it wasn't worth it, I'd donate it back to Goodwill. But you inspired me to give it a shot. I might as well use it as practice. I can't make it any worse than it is. Thanks for posting!

[@Goomer]

No need to mention the trolls, let them start their own channel and deal with their own trolls. I love your work, attitude and ethic.

[@mhaight]

I'm glad I am not alone in thinking he made very good mandolin sounds.

[@one1gretsch]

"You can see the theory behind this", the heel sanding, and yes - for the first time I got the whole idea. Thank's a lot, from Norway.

[@falcongunner33]

The biggest thing that I've learned from watching your videos is that there is not necessarily one right way to do a job. You've encouraged me to think outside the box when it comes to guitars. It helped me with my first acoustic build and for that I thank you!

[@twoodfrd]

There are so many ways to do the job! You just need to find the one that works best in your situation.

[@jimkif4110]

What an excellent video on neck resets...Explaining in detail, why you choose to do something a certain way, really helps those of us attempting these repairs for the first time. Thank you...

[@rogerlawson4516]

An old trick where you put the foam, they used to use felt cloth on mandolins and bass guitars. Great restoration. I like seeing old instruments brought back to life.

[@pschroeter1]

I've thought of musical instruments as living beings, so you just saved a life.

[@robertshorthill4153]

Ted, that little "gem" has a nice warm and woody sound. Perfect for a beginner or someone who wants a slightly different flavor to add to a fiddle or guitar. Great job. Thanks for the effort of making this stray dog into a decent "pooch".

[@blackbirdpie217]

Laminated tops actually have many advantages, and like this one can actually sound very good.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Thank you Ted, great video. Love watching and look forward to every post.

[@wv838]

Always a real pleasure to watch your work. Thank you.

[@bldallas]

Screw the trolls! I absolutely love every one of your videos, that I’ve watched so far. As I’ve said before, your craftsmanship is superb, as is your narration. Thank you!

[@joelbernstein7563]

I've listened to and watched many of your videos. It has taught me so much about repair and the love of instruments. Thank you for sharing.

[@perihelion7798]

That mandolin has a very mellow, attractive voice, IMO. Jerry Rosa would approve this video. You learn by doing, and you learn a lot faster by screwing up...please don't ask me about that.

[@robertjohnson1681]

as a guitar player I've always wished I had big hands. Jerry Rosa has really big hands and what does he do? He plays the mandolin. Doh! Love Jerry though he's the real deal like twoodfrd. He knows his sht.

[@powbobs]

Robert Johnson Most of the great mandolin players have large hands. There are some serious stretches required on mandolin.

[@perihelion7798]

@@powbobs hehe...I have rather small hands, so I use 'cheater' chords as often as possible. A lot use just two strings.

[@powbobs]

Perihelion77 Lucky for me I wear XXL gloves. I still had to work up to some stretches.

[@JC-11111]

Hilariously, everybody always wants Ted to fix their guitars but they haven't a clue about Rosa String Works, a place which would do just as good of work and it's not in Canadia. And he's on KZbin so you can see examples of his stellar work.

[@gregleak5134]

I keep on enjoying the detail of your work.

[@11LowDown11]

Although these instructional vids are awesome, and we sometimes show a viewers appreciation in the comments, it gives the ‘nay-sayer’ a voice too. A wise man said that you never graduate from learning. Thanks for your time and keep the video’s coming!

[@randybecker6103]

After seeing you work, I sometimes wish I lived in Canada so I could have you keep my guitars in shape. Always a pleasure watching and learning. Thank you for sharing your craftsmanship.

[@normandmadeleine6038]

All repair and instrument makers say they can't play... And still you amaze me every time.

[@davidrountree8507]

I've just subscribed after viewing this video and also the one on you refretting the Gibson Jnr. Thanks for confirming with your videos that I'm on the right track; Now I feel confident enough to do my 3rd refret (this time on my 1928 Gibson A0).

[@216trixie]

This was great thank you! I'm learning lutherie and this was a good one. We jammed on an el Degas ES-335 copy back in the seventies. It was a great guitar.

[@SilentHouseStudios]

Your videos are so freaking cool. I love watching you work!

[@BB49]

That sounds awesome, projects very well, and resonates deeply!!!! Thank you!!!

[@ErikBongers]

As always, a very informative no-nonsense repair.

[@iiWNMii]

Great instructional material. Much appreciated.

[@miaoupha2370]

One excellent video,seeing the entire process was awesome.

[@dalgguitars]

I'm a new guitar tech. I can't thank you enough for all of your video. Thank you , thank you , thank you!!!!!

[@markdalton293]

Why the hell would anyone say this is not worth working on it's a beautiful mandolin and I would proud to own it .

[@matthewbartolone7036]

Wonderful work once again, probably destined for the landfill, now a usable player.. Love the effort and really like the sound, Thank you

[@stephenmctaggart8400]

Excellent work. Good to see you working on a mandolin in this price range.

[@LukeA1223]

Might not be worth Mr. Whiner's time (or yours), all the same, thanks... you've been a great help and inspiration for the repairs, restorations and modifications I'm plorking (play-working) at with my two experiments : 1) a 1985 vantage that needed help with the 1/4" belly problem happening with it, fret planing, nut, tailpiece and bridge replacement/ invention made from some of the antler I've had laying around. 2) a 1992 Ovation celebrity that has the same belly swell problem that seems to me to be inherent in the string pinned to the bridge situation creating a shear stress on the thickness of the 1/8" (~) top and whatever reinforcing (soundboard ?) underneath that can't be compensated for without using the Bridge Dr. you used in your 1972 Epiphone video. My learning experience will be changing that stress from shear (causing the tilting bridge syndrome we all love and adore) to lift (which requires less pounds per square inch of upward pressure and no lateral tension) through the addition of an elk ivory tailpiece dovetailing with my undying love of carving and polishing... stuff (all of which may result in the culminating scene of Casablanca, either replacing Bogart with myself and Claud Rains with my guitars walking casually off into the foggy, yet inevitable sunrise proclaiming the possibility of a new and beautiful friendship or getting on the plane with Ilsa for the dual purpose of having sex on the beach in Lisbon while experimenting with vodka and peach schnapps in the casino/ bar I start up there... I wonder how they say "the American" in Portuguese?). Either way I'll be wearing a Fedora and a pin stripped suit. Both of which keep me from experimenting on my off the shelf Gretsch G5222 which grabbed hold of my leg and wouldn't let me leave the store without it (it seems to change colors from blood red to black depending on it's mood), though it's had issues with the three way switch since a ceramic Betty Boop mug committed suicide by jumping off a high shelf careening off it on her way to the floor. Since I'm only just learning how to play I'm procrastinating fixing it as I haven't found reason switch to the bridge pickup yet. And there's those other 200,000 unrelated projects I'm working on. As I said... Thanks!

[@allanonderick8369]

Nice I've been digging you're videos. You have a great approach to problem solving.

[@madduck692002]

Amazing craftsmanship, I learned something on each video. Thank you sir

[@gsxerwhite]

Don’t even bother with trolls, man. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s comfy as hell watching you do your craft.

[@lukenns7856]

LOL. you and Jimmy are two of my favs. Thanks for your content.

[@timlilly]

Nice one! Well done it seems in this day and age we throw everything away and you have fixed it and it sounds really good.

[@MarkMcCluney]

That was very enjoyable and instructive, thanks so much.

[@finaljesus]

i have learned so much about Mandolin’s acoustic guitars for somone like me that didn’t care too much about acoustic guitar i now have a new found respect for them thanks to this master craftsman God bless you always

[@okayestguitar66]

Great stuff... You had me chuckling at the common sense quips you were making throughout. Thanks.

[@ecalzo]

You're humble and you're a terrific luthier ... Sir .. don't mind to what Jimmy said ..

[@RonDylewski]

It's a crazy ass time. Please keep the videos coming! They give me, and I assume others, great solace! Stay well!

[@twoodfrd]

Thanks Ron, I'm doing my best to keep them coming. Next week I might have a daily marathon if everything goes right.

[@RonDylewski]

@@twoodfrd Thanks! Please don't sacrifice your great work to entertain us! But whatever you do is much appreciated.

[@hackerguitar]

Nice work, great demo! I learn a lot from your vids, thank you!

[@maandalen]

I think that mandolin has a very nice tone. Great video!

[@leafamania1]

In '81 I had a black El Degas P-Bass copy , came with dimarzio pickups ... wish I still had it

[@barberelectronics5672]

Another great episode, thank you!

[@hobbyshopguitarrasyaccesor9891]

Espectacular maestro!!!

[@michaelstruggl5181]

I love your videos. I think every instrument is worth to repair. Music makes you happy. There is no price for. Thank you (Y)

[@kylemoran4343]

Where's that confounded bridge ?... Oh it collapsed on the TROLL when the levee broke ! :-) Love your channel

[@johnnyh293]

"This is not really my" WHAT? You sound better than me. Always.

[@peterjames2580]

I have an old beater about that vintage, looking forward to fix it! Thanks for the lesson!

[@believer936]

Enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[@texasfossilguy]

Sounded great! I learned so much from this. Really makes me want to go rehav those poor pawn shop instruments. I got a handmade biolin the other day for 60 dollars that would sell for 500 because the shop I went to didnt know about serial numbers! So I'm learning to fix the pegs on that one.

[@cybersectech3171]

Enjoyed watching this thank you!

[@Sungodv]

Excellent work as always..

[@GordiansKnotHere]

I thought this was really cool... This is actually getting me interested in mandolins.

[@jonathanmartin3375]

Great work, and a good sounding little instrument.

[@larsfrandsen2501]

Thanks for making these videos. I can watch them for hours. Worry not about the trolls. They are measly and envious little arm chair generals.

[@DunsysGuitarWorld]

Fantastic work as ever. Super helpful for us total amateurs!

[@jipes]

Glad that you don't let down modest instruments, great fix and very decent sounding mandoline

[@BessieBopOrBach]

El Degas! A Canadian institution! My first guitar, a hand-me-down from my cousin, was an '80s El Degas superstrat, made in Korea. Same headstock logo. It served me well for several years, but the body was made of particle board! I can't get the truss rod cover off (it may not even have a truss rod) and the fingerboard is so shredded that I've donated it to my spouse to be an art project.

[@robnic52]

It was well worth doing. Lovely rich tone the deeper body has worked out nicely.

[@scaira60]

Awesome video I always learn so much from you***** My #1 takeaway was putting packing tape on the sandpaper for doing the neck pulling I was driving myself crazy trying too figure out how too keep my paper from tearing. Thank you & God Bless

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Also gluing the sandpaper for shaping the bottom of the bridge to painters tape. Priceless!

[@stainless641]

Really enjoyed this. Keep up the good work.

[@ChrisWaigl]

FYI, KZbin is serving up ads for vegetable shredders before the vid. Another kind of mandolin. (Love your channel. Stunning work made understandable.)

[@muddymike10]

Very good episode/tone...

[@Tetsaraku]

'I'm not a mandolin player'. Yeah, right.

[@johnkennedy6690]

Since Ted isn’t doing a video this week, shout out to this wonderful classic.🗣️

[@henryhunter5026]

Nice job! Some of those old 70s Japanese guitars and mandolins built with laminated wood sound quite good. Back in the day I owned a couple of 70s Yamaha acoustic guitars with laminated bodies and they sounded pretty good.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Plus they make great camp/festival instruments, able to withstand the heat and humidity for days in a tent.

[@jeffbrooks7246]

You are too modest dude, that is a nice piece of work.

[@mikecurtin9831]

Your videos are usually excellent. This one was better than that. Many useful tips for my bag of tricks. Thanks much and thumbs up to crush a troll.

[@jonahguitarguy]

Very good reset video. I have made a few reset videos and never really feel like I’ve got it across well.

[@Adam-wl8wn]

Personally, I don't care what brand of instrument you work on, it doesn't make it any less interesting. Keep it up mate.

[@SawDustLiveMusic]

Nice throaty tone. Enjoy your videos. I do this as a sideline. Nice technique!!!

[@margaretanncarno4014]

The mandolin sounded beautiful

[@grene1955]

You sir, are a magician!

[@nicktrousers]

Lovely !! Trust me i wish i had it in my hands just to play it for a while. Waiting for the next video now.

[@PolaOpposite]

You have mad skills!

[@podfuk]

My first fret leveling job and nut replacement was on my $4000 PRS guitar ;) It ended not so bad. But I made few mistakes. After few months and few guitar repair videos later, I did it again. This time with much better result.

[@humminglake]

I LOVE your videos. I have learned and rec'd so much enjoyment in your process, both thinking and working. I only wished you had shown neck removal. I have a mando I'd love to tackle, and, of course, the neck body area is different from a guitar (I know, not much). Not a downside, still completely enjoy the education you give!!

[@twoodfrd]

The neck was off when it arrived, which was kind of made it worthwhile. I should have another neck removal to do in the next few weeks.

[@cyb3r3vil30]

Some great Tips Good job it sounds pretty darn good Thanks for sharing You just earned a new Subscriber Thanks

[@headphonejack9479]

Nice fix. The mandoline sounds pretty good actually.

[@Epiphone100]

Great lttle mandolin. I have a Harmony bought new in 1980 that looks almost identical, same body width too.

[@johnletourneau3688]

I always learn so much from your videos. Whether the instrument is worth thousands or a potential “throw away” you still give it the attention it deserves. Impressive!

[@stellingbanjodude]

That was a nice sounding Celtic jig

[@MichaelSeanHarrell]

exactly !

[@greggilmour7671]

Thanks, I enjoyed watching that.

[@stevesstrings5243]

Thanks for the pointers!

[@terencehealy5110]

In watching and learning I get the impression you like that mandolin

[@drno2141]

amazing work..thanks for sharing`

[@user-zr2eb4rn8j]

A nice bit of TLC. Lucky little Mandolin.

[@glennselwitz1377]

Pretty fancy celtic pulloffs for a guy who doesn't play mandolin..you've been holding out on us... what's next a banjo concerto lol.....nice click on the neck fitting into place...it sounds great to me loud and clear....