Martin 0-18K from 1926

[@gfurstnsu]

I also have a 1935 Martin 0-18K and am amazed at the tone of this Koa guitar. What it arrived I brought it to my luthier in Seoul and he was amazed at the tone. So much so that he mapped the internal bracing because he thought that there must be something special there. After mapping the bracing, he found that it was the standard bracing of the era. He decided the wonderful tone had to be due to the age of the Koa wood and the hide glue construction. These are truly amazing guitars!

[@georgemckenzie2525]

This guitar sounds great. I feel lucky to have this much time with it Thanks again

[@imannonymous7707]

I cant imagine just how intimidating it must be to repair heirlooms , literally pieces of history. And you do it with poise and confidence. Really cool watching you work

[@aixpert291]

Watching you do this work has really enlightened me. I used to fear doing this kind of work. Now I wouldn’t think twice (about sending you the guitar).

[@jbondy6587]

I had a similar problem with the fretboard extension on a 45 yr old Japanese Martin d-35 lookalike & took it to a well known repair tech that told me it couldn’t be straightened and to leave it alone. Being frustrated as hell I brought it home and did almost exactly what you did on this one, not as clean of a job but it worked and returned a 45 year old fretboard extension to perfection. After seeing this video I’m really wanting to do it again like your repair but on another guitar someday. Great video really enjoyed it!

[@glenkersul8536]

There are many out there, but Sir, you may be one of the best. Every video teaches me something. Thanks!!!!!

[@michaelmurray6119]

Beautiful repair! I was especially impressed with how invisible the shims under the end of the fingerboard were. Very nice work indeed.

[@allanpage]

I have no intention of ever repairing a guitar. I just enjoy watching you work. I do play guitar a little but I would never try anything you do. Just like seeing you repair these beautiful instruments.

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Once again, just simply enthralling to see a real artisan work out his method of repair !

[@velvetunderpants44]

He's a total master. Pleasure to watch him work.

[@MrFiddleFixer]

Thank you so much for making these videos. Your process is so well thought out. You are also very honest, with no false pretenses. I am a Violin luthier who plays guitar. I am beginning to venture into guitar repair. At least my own guitars. Your observations are so similar to that used in violin work. There are many variables that have to be accounted for and different approaches used to resolve problems. All of that is influenced by the “do no harm” creed.

[@HBSuccess]

Another fearless repair perfectly executed. The provenance was also amazing.

[@texasfossilguy]

What a wonderful guitar. That sound was amazing. Its been cared for so well and taken to good luthiers. The trick of the alcohol was amazing too. I am learning so much from your channel!

[@RobMods]

Another excellent video. I love your honest, pragmatic approach. It's also great that this instrument is being played, not just on a wall or in a case, kept as an investment.

[@rustyaxelrod]

I was a little surprised at the tone, it sounds much bigger and fuller than I expected. I’m watching the video on an iPad with some amplified JBL speakers and it really sounded nice. Very impressed with the repairs as well. I have some experience but that fingerboard extension would have been too stressful for me on such a historic instrument. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, the alcohol on the finish ghosting seemed to work very well and it’s nice to understand when to use it.

[@petedazer3381]

I just press thumbs up even before one of your excellent videos starts, and I have never, ever regretted the decision! Thanks again Ted!

[@braderrick]

You are very very good at what you do. Repairmen that are true craftsmen like yourself are becoming more and more rare in the guitar world it seems. Thanks for posting!

[@henryhunter5026]

Amazing old guitar. What incredible skills you have, your quality of work and attention to detail is second to none.

[@MrDblStop]

The sound of that guitar made me smile. That's a beautiful thing.

[@detonator55]

I've picked up a few tricks of the trade from you, so here's one of mine: for delicate/smaller fretboards (mandolins, plastic pickguards that extend up), I use a ski-wax iron directly on the frets, and shop towel on the guitar body with a sheet of aluminum foil over the towel for heat dispersion. The ski wax iron has a smaller and narrower surface area and even at full rip it isn't as hot as a a clothing iron.

[@hakanaxlund7951]

Hi there! I appreciate your work and your humble attitude. Thank you for a great channel. This particular guitar reminds me of a Levin 1917 that I have in my poss ession.

[@kennymartin3416]

Now you are the one I would trust with my old guitar...very nice

[@emersonsrandomvideos248]

You did an amazing job with that wedge and wood nut. You're truly one of a kind luthier we can rely on. Good day, sir!

[@DJBuglip]

Man, that ebony nut meeting that ebony fretboard is so pretty.

[@MegaTubescreamer]

thats some fine skill and applied craftmanship right there, resulting in a fine sounding and playing instrument, cool!

[@boogierandy7547]

You're an excellent craftsman. I love your pride of workmanship.

[@kevinmorris7722]

Superb work. Love the sound of it. And the denatured alcohol is quite clever. I'll learn the technique on old cured scrap first, but very nice to hear.

[@richardfoskett8903]

Hi Tom! I just wanted to say I LOVE your work, and this channel. I’m a subscriber to another luthiery channel that concentrates mainly on building, and electric guitars (Crimson Guitars, if you’re interested!), but watching what you do, coupled with the clear explanations you give for WHY you do what you do gives me the confidence to have a go at my own repairs/adjustments. Obviously, I won’t be starting on anything too valuable…! Keep up the fantastic work, and thank you!

[@davidbaines7330]

Beautiful work. Sounds incredible.

[@abelincoln95]

I always appreciate the tips & learning!!!

[@rodneycaupp5962]

Amazing sound. All I knew about the Martin 18, was a faded memory from playing one in the 60s, and it was of an incomparable sound. This one's even better.

[@tomduffy7157]

Excellent videos, great narration straight forward with no nonsense. Your work reflects why you get to work on great guitars.

[@edminer3755]

Cool guitar and creative repair,especially the fretboard wedge. Well done

[@patienthands]

Hi Ted, I'm a new subscriber, and I'd just like to say that I absolutely love your channel. The commentary is excellent, and I love the little tidbits of industry knowledge. Thank you for sharing :)

[@6412mars]

Top notch luthier who knows every trick in the book..well done again sir

[@miaoupha2370]

Now I upvote your videos even before watching them... Was not disappointed.

[@vsmicer]

Beautiful old Martin, beautiful job...from one luthier to another - excellent work!

[@kendavis8046]

I had the very great pleasure (though it was also bittersweet, as my family was attending a memorial service for my wife's uncle) of visiting the Martin factory in Nazareth. I highly recommend that free tour if you are in the area. On the other hand, the trip ended up costing me more than $3,000, because I decided then that I needed an American-made Martin. So I saved for a couple of years and am now the proud owner of a Martin HD-28. I also had at that time a Mexican-made Martin that I used for several years when I used to do bar gigs. I never took the HD-28 to a gig, because it is a whole lot more palatable if an imbiber stumbles into a guitar stand while the band is on break and damages your $450 instrument than one that is 5-6 times that expensive. Great repair job, by the way!

[@TomSramekJr]

A remarkable instrument in remarkable condition under the care of a remarkable luthier!

[@charltonwang]

Wow. Nice job on the repair. The tone of that little guy sounds quite remarkable!

[@TheVectorious]

I was shocked at the sound for such a little guitar. It's great!

[@richardsisk1770]

Great! I need this.done on my 31 year old Taylor 710. I enjoyed watching an real expert at work!

[@davespears2241]

Fantastic job beautiful guitar

[@sea-ferring]

What a beautiful sound!

[@terryeaster1]

That is absolutely beautiful work

[@kevisp77]

I've built a dozen or so "garage build" thin body acoustic electric nylon strung guitars (think Gibson Chet Atkins models). Almost all of mine have had a maple or ebony nut, saddle, or both at one point in time. Switching to bone really does bring out a sharpness that at times isn't what I was going after in the first place. Too bright - to the extent it gives it an overly brittle tone. There's something to be said about a wooden nut/saddle and the warmth it can bring out of your guitar. Thank you for showing this amazing work, sharing your ideas and helping the rest of us do a little better on our own things!

[@michaellyons8712]

Thank you for taking the time to share you experience and skills. What a great voice it has.

[@timothycormier3494]

That ebony nut looks great! Rounded smooth and shiny. Another fine job!

[@bluegrassbarry]

Man you really know your guitars! I like to think I know a lot about guitars. When I watch your videos, I don't feel that way so much! The O-18k is spectacular!

[@todds6048]

What an incredible job you did on that. Fine craftsmanship. The guitar sounds fantastic as well. Wow!

[@jeteye97]

That thing looks and sounds fantastic! Very nice work.

[@robn71]

Wow once again a great job, nicely done sir its really nice to watch a true craftsman at work.

[@Kennyc313313]

Cool video !! I couldn’t stop watching that video if I wanted to. Plz keep making them!!

[@donaldholman9070]

Absolutely great video. Perfect editing. Thank you. Such a fantastic instrument .

[@one1gretsch]

A great repair and everything very well explained. Even some mm conversions. Thank you, from Norway.

[@DavidMFChapman]

I have a 1927 O-18K. It’s had a few repairs and a refinish. I fell in love with the tone the first time I heard it. It’s surprisingly loud. The koa is thin and susceptible to impacts. My impression is that they were originally manufactured as acoustic lap steels.

[@jfredknobloch]

It is so obvious watching your videos just how much you love these instruments. You show a lot of respect For the instrument and also for the music that will come out of it. Wonderful stuff!

[@SkunkBearTK]

love the simple narration....

[@400_billion_suns]

Really enjoy your videos. Thanks much for taking the time to make them.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

20:49 This Guitar is tuned down a step to D Standard cause it's from the age of Gut & you'd have to use the lightest gauge of strings for E Standard Tuning (10s or thinner).

[@brutongaster859]

History, music, incredible craftsmanship-your channel is wonderful

[@andrewwolfe2071]

Once again...great work. Repair and history! Happy holidays!

[@garywhitt98]

Another great video! Thanks for playing at the end so we could hear that sweet sound.

[@exmachinema]

Wow, a fascinating look at your craft -- thanks for sharing.

[@Daydreaminginmono]

The sound from that is wonderful

[@davidparker886]

Thank you. Your words of wisdom are invaluable !

[@alandust2188]

Just more good stuff....THANKS! I'm never disappointed watching your videos.

[@MisterCreative]

It sounds incredible and what a craftsman you are bravo!!! I wish we could see a reaction video to the artist playing their instrument fixed for the first time!!!

[@adamhester8751]

You are a rare breed. Excellent work.

[@kingrobert1st]

I'm sure this gem of a guitar has a few stories to tell! Amazing job! Well done!

[@robertrosenfield405]

You are a great teacher and Luthier

[@taotuhao5969]

Yes, a new video from my favorite channel! What a gorgeous Guitar!

[@LloydAlexander58]

Beautiful work

[@ronaldhenry9824]

Extremely well thought out plan of attack! Just the few little things you did significantly improved the looks and playability. Bravo Zulu!

[@SixSixthSix]

Great result! Above and beyond. Cheers from The Netherlands

[@EnzoFerenczyo]

That nut in the original ebony is gorgeous, the owner was quite right to want it redone. You did a real nice job of it, looks beautifully contoured. I have friends that are lefties and would dabble in their upside down world, it's not easy. You play well for a luthier! LOL

[@jonahguitarguy]

Always a pleasure to watch you work!

[@spxyx]

Wow! Great work. Removing that ghosting was awesome.

[@twoowls5570]

Very nice presentation, I learned a great deal. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Regards, Jimp

[@martindanburen1994]

Wow! That is one fine sounding single O ax. Good video. Thanks!

[@MrJoeydano]

Always enjoy your quality work and how you explain it! 👍 thanks

[@mr.j1400]

Excellent you are very gifted man,You are doing something and I wish I could’ve done my whole life

[@markschwarz2137]

Subscribed a while ago, but I just clicked the "bell", so hopefully I won't miss any of your uploads. You know what you're doing, mate, and you make a good video.

[@themannydanny]

Hauntingly beautiful sound!

[@grahamlangfield6805]

Really interesting video, thank you. Love that guitar, it sounds fabulous.

[@BeareTube]

Great job. The guitar *and* the video.

[@MrRsg99]

What a beauty! Thank you for sharing your talent and skills.

[@harlanbarnhart4656]

Always a treat to see a video from you pop up...

[@jamesroyal1739]

A lefty,I at first thought the saddle was running the wrong direction, but i see now ,thanks for the video, one must be good to be allowed to touch this guitar for repair

[@TenWilder0]

Man that guitar sounds positively gorgeous...

[@davidbeyers7674]

I have learned so much by watching your videos I felt confident enough to fix the action on a vintage acoustic I purchased some time ago. I was able to identify the root causes of the problems and correct most of them. I am still working on the bridge, but am confident it will come out as good as the other work I have done on the nut and bracing. You are a skilled craftsman, teacher and dare I say a true genius and the only one I know with a doctorate in guitarology. Brilliant!

[@michaelmixon2479]

I recently came across your site and subscribed immediately! Great job!

[@thomasbarker7735]

Fantastic work again and that is such a beautiful sounding guitar

[@bobconnell8492]

Great information, Thanks Bob

[@Bloodray19]

I am building a Fender Mustang copy right now. This will be my first ever guitar build. You inspired me to do it, I've watched every single video of yours at least 3 times :D Wish me good luck, i'm not an experienced woodworker

[@magicspiral]

I love how your thumbnails look like complete amateur hacks, but you actually do pro work.

[@frankcerovsky2662]

Love the sound of that one

[@smittenthekitteninmittens2679]

As a lefty this is almost pornagraphic to me!!....what a beautiful instrument

[@icedog75]

I have a 1941 B-18 fitted with an ebony nut. It recently had a refret and the discussion with my luthier led to shimming the nut rather than replacing. It's only original once.

[@sundown798]

A model plane iron has adjustable heat range. Also check out one for carpet seams. Happy holidays!

[@mikecurtin9831]

Thanks very much for that tip! I have a model plane iron and it never occurred to me to use it for this...

[@scottlawless8854]

Was thinking the same. Used for shrinking doped fabric on full size aircraft restorations and for monokote on radio controlled aircraft. Best one I've used is available at Aircraft Spruce: www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/aviationart09-04837.php

[@ibji]

When a friend of mine won an Emmy award (she actually won the following year also), she called me over to help assemble it. When you win the award, it has a blank base. The engraved base comes later in the mail. The only way to remove and install the base is to take a razor blade to cut a small hole in the felt underneath so that you can get a tool through the felt base to remove the nut holding the base in place. When I told her "I have to take a razor blade to your Emmy award" she understood, but I could tell was a little freaked about it. Seeing you take an iron to this guitar kinda reminded me of that. It's all good.

[@mikecurtin9831]

All's well that ends well, eh?

[@michaelgarrow3239]

I get that a lot helping friends reassemble Emmies… 😎

[@richardalanprow283]

Very nicely done!!