Refret and Restoration of a vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster

Stuff I recommend at Sweetwater (affiliate link): imp.i114863.net/P1KkY
Watch how this guitar compares to a reissue in a blind test: • Vintage VS. New - Can ...
this is a sponsored video
Also a big thanks to Lars and the owner of the guitar. You can find Lars here: www.gitarmakerdalin.com
Lars' KZbin channel: / @larsdalin
/ gitarmakerdalin
Patreon: / livingroomgeardemos
Merch store: teespring.com/stores/living-r...
Come join my Facebook group: / lrgdlounge
Affiliate links:
Lav mic: bit.ly/sennlav
Two Notes Torpedo Live: bit.ly/torpedolivetho
Guitar: reverb.grsm.io/fanopx67683
Amp: Hamstead Artist 60
Cables: Sinasoid Pro Audio Couture - www.sinasoid.com/
Patch cables: Mulder Audio - www.mulderaudio.com/
Amazon affiliate links:
🎥EVERYTHING I USE FOR FILMING and RECORDING:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/livingr...
Contact: [e-mail]
/ livingroomgear
/ livingroomgear
/ livingroomgeardemos

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Stuff I recommend at Sweetwater (affiliate link): imp.i114863.net/P1KkY

[@SurvivalShowcase]

Living Room Gear Demos sounded great‼️

[@lalboimanlun1230]

Is that darker slap of wood on the fret different parts of wood or is it just darken?

[@waynepayne864]

ooh i saw the sponsored video disclaimer and i was like wut? what was i supposed to buy

[@benks464]

this is exactly what I imagined a guy who restores vintage guitars would look like

[@LarsDalin]

it took a while to develop the look

[@soultheory8441]

Lars Dalin looks cool

[@micsunday14]

Cept 30years younger

[@micsunday14]

Anyone else panic for a moment when he started sanding off 55 years of life in the fretboard surface. I know he had to do it but man. 🥵

[@LarsDalin]

@@micsunday14 I didn't

[@chacecampbell2697]

This kind of thing would make an incredible Netflix series.

[@1_benjy_1]

seriously😂 it would be great

[@sporketernal5479]

Let’s petition them

[@LucasGonzalezTube]

Add a brief interview with the owner about the history of the guitar and the performance of one or two songs and you have a hit.

[@pocholovillacorta7650]

For sure!!!!

[@CChops]

exactly what i was thinking

[@TheSaniwaa]

I want this luthier to start a KZbin channel, this is awesome

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

He has one! Link in description. There’s an awesome restoration video of an old Martin there.

[@keehin]

@@LivingroomGearDemos I hope this luthier will post more regularly on his KZbin channel ;)

[@travelseast]

@@LivingroomGearDemos he does have one - but there's only ONE video on it! please ask him for more!

[@brennan3425]

i could seriously watch this stuff all day

[@letsgofishing5238]

@@travelseast check out his insta

[@danejurus69]

This is like ASMR for guitarists.

[@awangkuaiman]

dude for real i fell asleep while watching

[@rasyeemsaputra6104]

yo fr its like asmr

[@andrewdahl6320]

i was just thinking that

[@giggs102]

the leather apron is the most scandanavian thing ive ever seen

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

haha

[@SuperDrumwolf]

I NEED that apron! link?

[@Speedking762]

And the sweater didn't make it less Scandinavian either haha

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@Speedking762 It's the most perfect look for someone from Scandinavia who looks and sounds like they do.

[@Speedking762]

Zidders Roofurry haha this is tru

[@hjelpinternet]

24:48 that tablescreech is an F-sharp, for those who wondered.

[@lukedeehan2011]

JACOB COLLIER WANTS TO KNOW YOUR LOCATION

[@wanderin1898]

Luke Deehan yes

[@star100796]

I really was! jajaja thank you.

[@edalyn_owl]

It sounded like an old boat horn

[@uselessvideos4553]

Perfect pitch flex

[@nickrivett1010]

So often videos on this type of thing are long and boring to watch but this was just so beautifully shot and edited, an absolute joy to watch. Almost felt like a meditation for guitarists to sit and watch in its entirety.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Nick, that was what we were trying to accomplish :)

[@reececamptenmyers6063]

@@prbspickles no, let it be quiet as can be.

[@glockedie]

I didn't even realise it's 26 minutes long

[@nicholaschavira1743]

@@LivingroomGearDemos I saw this when it first came out couple years ago. Please make more of these. I keep coming back A. Because it’s super relaxing. B. Very informative C. You get a rad treat at the end of very tasteful playing. This is fantastic art.

[@ThatMattGoodMusic]

This is like that bit in Toy Story 2 where the guy makes Woody all new again - so satisfying

[@ralphk.j7809]

I was thinking that too

[@1_benjy_1]

same

[@larsjacobs2341]

You cant rush art

[@LD-bv1pm]

Here's me thinking I'm the only person who can watch that bit over and over :)

[@nathanjmartin19]

It's for display - ONLY.

[@cpickell1987]

Everything about this video - the camera work, the music, the craftsmanship - is so hauntingly beautiful. I'm obsessed.

[@joaquinlavin5877]

This isn’t a gear demo, and it definitely wasn’t recorded in a living room...yet, me digs it 😳

[@EvanNagao]

The amount of dedication to his craft sincerely made me emotional. Very beautiful to watch.

[@iamsittingaroom]

emotional? are you going thru menopause?

[@liamtahaney713]

Damn he's a good player too damnit Lars you're too talented..

[@edyue1]

You almost have to be a great player to know what a guitar needs and what it should sound like after your done I'm guessing.

[@ibrahimhussain9214]

@@edyue1 Leo Fender didn't even play guitar, so no

[@BassOutcast]

"Lars you're too talented" - something you never hear in a Metallica fan chat

[@SpaceDisco1]

You guys should seriously consider teaming up and doing stuff like this more regularly. This is incredibly informative from Lars side, well-made video from your side and entertaining from both of you. Like seriously, ask him if he would like to collaborate on some other stuff that he deems interesting. Maybe old acoustics, semi-hollows, maybe a neckbreak... stuff like that. I honestly think you have quite the potential to go beyond the whole "gear" channel thing and become more focused on everything around guitars.

[@KyleTogrul]

I second this!!

[@ffdtsfsfgdfasdgsyhg]

Definitely!!

[@jas_bataille]

I've worked in hi-fi for Totem Acoustic in the assembly line, AKA "the trench", and I'm not quite sure people understand the level of carefulness and skills it takes to use a soldering iron to heat up the frets *without* protecting the fretboard. This man is a living legend of soldering :O Also I'm a cameraman and I would say there are TWO masters at work here...!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Jas!

[@wookyoftheyear]

I wonder what the solder wire is for if he's heating up the fret? Does it even out the heat distribution? Or is it otherwise not good to put the iron directly on the fret?

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

@@wookyoftheyear The solder helps transfer the heat. A dry soldering iron doesn't transfer its heat very well, so heating the solder up helps transfer and spread it.

[@Wolf_K]

Duncan Taylor Exactly.

[@dougleydorite]

Sometimes these guys that are good at the skilled hand-work can’t play for shite but this guy can play so well..

[@portratratra]

He said in a podcast once that he is super into gypsy jazz, so I wasnt surprised

[@Vichedges]

Leo Fender himself couldn't play.

[@Vichedges]

@@portratratra He comes across as a guy that would be into "gypsy jazz".

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

@@Vichedges Exactly! What difference doe's it make? I want a fret job, not entertainment. :)

[@HarryAndAGuitar]

I heard the ‘customer’ said he wanted to give that guitar to me, so please let the luthier know! ;)

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I think you’re misunderstanding something here, Harry. The guitar was promised to me as thanks for the video.

[@mo-draws]

As the both of you don’t seem to come to an agreement, you might be happy to hear that I was given the guitar already. 💪🏻😜

[@HarryAndAGuitar]

Mo Draws YOU WISH MO ;)

[@mo-draws]

HarryAndAGuitar Too obvious? :D

[@TSFAHTPS]

We all know that the best place to keep an old guitar is in a country where its really hot and humid...so just send it to me!!!

[@canaanlawrence7351]

I could seriously watch this all day. It’s therapeutic.

[@truevintageguitar]

Excellent video and great repair work! I remember buying this exact 1960 Fender Jazzmaster from the family of the original owner. The original owner, Don, had passed away and his son and daughter in law were downsizing and decided to sell. It took two months for us to come together on it. We were both happy with the deal. I'm glad to see it's in the hands of a new owner who will play it and a great luthier for a refret. Cheers!

[@eirikj4229]

True Vintage Guitar amazing:). It is now in my care, I got a picture of what I assume is Don playing it on a wagon in a field somewhere in the US. The JM is fantastic, and Lars really did his best (which is pretty much as good as it gets) on her.

[@truevintageguitar]

@@eirikj4229 Hey Eirik, yes! That's Don playing a church gathering on the wagon. There is a goldtop in the back of that picture that I unsuccessfully tried to track down. Enjoy that Jazzmaster! Cheers!

[@eirikj4229]

True Vintage Guitar really cool:). I have a `54 Goldtop, would have been fantastic if it were that guitar👌🏻

[@truevintageguitar]

@@eirikj4229 That would be unreal! Enjoy them in good health!

[@comand0Metalero1]

That folder with different kinds of sandpaper made my day

[@thecaveofthedead]

This is actually super-useful. Jazzmasters seem like a standard Fender guitar. But they are actually very mysterious in their setups - the neck shimming being the most obvious example and the tremlock being another. By going into why he made a full cavity shim, Lars is helping us Jazzmaster players avoid making foolish mistakes or giving up when our guitar don't play right.

[@rebeccabailey527]

They aren't mysterious. You have to use a little bit of very basic physics, and understand that in 1958, when the jazzmaster came out the lightest strings you could find was 12's with a wound G. The low break angle at the bridge didn't matter at all, and there were no problems. Thicker strings create more tension pushing down on the bridge, that tension keeps the bridge stable, and the strings will not pop out of the saddles, meaning shims are not necessary. You can use 11-50's, and no shim, like I do and never experience any of the reported problems. Those problems like the bridge tilting on its own, bridge buzzing, strings popping out of the saddle grooves all started in the late 60s when 10's 9's and 8s became available. People would get a jazzmaster, slap some thin strings on it and have all manner of problems, and always blaming the guitar, when in fact it was user error. Setting the bridge is quite different than what most are used to. You don't set the string height with the saddles. What i tend to do is set the outer 2 saddles as low as possible (same height on both) then raise or lower the bridge based on the 2 e strings action then set the other strings to match the radius of the fretboard. If you set the saddles too high the intonation screw will make contact with the strings, turning your guitar into a sitar. Also since the bridge tilts, it's not a bad idea to get the bridge as level and centered as possible, and make a bit of wood that fits between the bridge and bridge pickup so you can quickly level and center the bridge and keep it from tilting forward when adjusting intonation. The trem is a but finicky too, to set them up correctly (there is a right way and tons of wrong ways, it's not a personal preference thing) What you do is, tune up, and press the bar down, and slide the lock button all the way back. Then tune again. Now, you adjust the spring screw and keep retuning over and over until the button slides back and forth without contacting anything, but also when engaged, you won't be able to pull up on the trem bar at all. If you don't set the trem up correctly, the bridge has a tendency to not return to center after using the trem, but set up right, it should always return to center as long as the strings aren't binding at the nut or string tree. Now its important to note the jazzmaster has a lot of sympathetic vibrations, if you play a g on the high e string, you'll get loads of overtones of that note from all the other strings. Sounds kind of like reverb. A lot of people don't like that, but I do. Makes the guitar sound a lot bigger. Also, proper jazzmaster pickups are very noisy, due to the coil being a bit over 1/8 tall and extend nearly all the way to the pickup covers. Old jazzmasters actually had brass tubs in all the cavities soldered together and grounded, and the first year of them also had aluminum pickguards. From 59 and on, they used an aluminum shield under the pickguard. These days it's aluminum tape and conductive paint, which doesn't always work. My vintera jazzmaster has conductive paint but it wasn't done well, so I lined all the cavities with aluminum tape, and grounded it all, but since the pickguard isn't totally shielded with aluminum, (and I ran out of tape,) it's still a bit noisy when not playing.

[@redkingeye]

@@rebeccabailey527 you know your Jazzmasters! Great information thank you.

[@markm668]

These Luthiers have the patience of a saint, so studious and careful. I couldn't do their job, I would rip the frets out with brute force and a pair of pliers, if it took more then 5 mins I would start smashing things!!! Thank goodness we are all different! These guys get my respect. Interesting upload, appreciated👍

[@thestuffmikedoes2309]

SAME

[@Vichedges]

Yeah, I've had jobs the required speed and more or less brute force to get things done and I've worked with really slow, meticulous, anal guys like this guy and it was no fun. But if I tried to do his job I'm sure he'd feel the same way about me. I love watching these guys work but I don't have the patience or mind to do their jobs.

[@bluesyjazzcat31]

20:03 the most beautiful fret ends I’ve ever seen

[@GalleryBones]

100% agree on this

[@LarsDalin]

@@GalleryBones me too!

[@calebmills2345]

Dude, seriously, incredible job making this. The tone and the feel is spot on. You really capture the beauty and care that Lars puts into his work. Thanks for creating content like this.

[@MatthewScottmusic]

What a legendary video..

[@RJRonquillo]

Fascinating. Great footage and interview!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

✌🏻

[@mikethoreau704]

Lars Dalin is a truly gifted craftsman imo. Anyone would be so lucky to have this man work on their instrument. Great video.

[@Vichedges]

That's what I said, I have some stuff I need worked on and I wish I knew of someone local who cared as much as he does and put as much attention to detail as he does. My guitars aren't vintage or particularly valuable but I get the feeling he would take just as much care while working on them.

[@alexandercukier8414]

Absolutely beautifully done. Would love to see more of these.

[@torben4339]

Would really love some more of these videos!

[@arnulfsterdal7254]

Very well made video - calming! The detail Lars puts in to this is just superb!

[@saddestchord7622]

I love watching people work on guitars, and this little documentary was so well made. Thank you.

[@noahguffin441]

I really appreciate the way this is shot! So informative and well styled!

[@pedroo255]

so relaxing and informative at the same time. Beautiful to watch.

[@PooNinja]

Great info it reminds me I do not have the patience for this kind of work & really appreciate those who do.

[@whiteguard56]

The first thing i did when I bought my '63 JM was to put in new frets. I kept the divots, too. To me, refusing to refret a vintage guitar is akin to keeping old, worn tires on a vintage car.

[@seekeyk]

Watching the master at work is such a great pleasure!

[@1mimali]

always nice to see a craftsman doing his thing

[@ZachWish]

This was a joy to watch. Incredible stuff Eirik!

[@studiovandenberg]

Great video, almost meditative to watch. :) The background music was amazing too!

[@maxmunzert9725]

He’s so precise it’s really beautiful to see this craftsmanship done by hand

[@albery1472]

What an excellent and informative vid! Best lutherie vid I've seen.

[@sunlounger29]

This is quality content! Thanks!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks for checking out!

[@zeejonesy]

We need to preserve fields of work such as these. Such craftsmanship. I can imagine it's quite refining for the character of the people practicing it, and in turn refines others. Well done, Lars.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Beautifully filmed and what a fantastic job. Amazing care and attention to detail.

[@boco1951]

I really like how you approach these repairs! Nice!

[@plmr127]

Start a playlist of maintenance tutorial, part caster assembly..... This is your best video yet !

[@TheChadPad]

Seriously though, what a great amp! I love the sound of it. Perfect match with that Jazzmaster

[@tiboeuf]

This video is stunningly beautiful and informative! Well done!

[@MrBladle]

Beautiful video and great interview man, it was a real treat, I hope you'll get to make more of these in the future!

[@Sasasala386]

Honestly....the guy is amazing, but the question asked are PERFECT!

[@Hehehehhehehehehehehehhe78]

It looks like you're shooting on film! It looks amazing

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks! I was trying to aim for a 16mm look :)

[@simonandthelyricalpoets]

A great informative video - liked and subscribed! All the best, Simon

[@wrongname3636]

I love everything about ther art of lutherie! Ty for making this video, good quality, good information and a good Luthier!

[@AtomicTitan]

if someone did a tutorial on what he was playing in the end... that would be amazing

[@akirathiara3053]

@@Goose-de3hd its Tears / Django Reinhardt :)

[@Andy_Yates]

Love how you used the music you made for your Mood video. I still go back to that one from time to time. What a fun and interesting departure from your normal content. Really enjoyed this while I ate lunch at work. It has a calming effect, and I love seeing the luthier work here. Did you get to play his conversion amp there? Looks like a vintage PA of phone amp :)

[@2nmingo]

looking at these videos makes me appreciate and care for my guitars more

[@joselopez-xr5ld]

Excellent work. Your contents are gold. Keep doing it. Thank you for sharing your art.

[@TheSkipjack95]

This collector's thing of "don't refret it it'll lose value" is completely moronic. They're instruments, they're meant to be played. If you just want to look at something expensive, start collecting oil paintings.

[@beemelonhead1]

Good job. You have an opinion. I'm proud of you man.

[@rey-ns7kc]

o

[@luizspindola]

So true, dude! I'm thankful to some collectors because they allow us to see some rare stuff in mint condition, but if I'm buying vintage, you can bet I'm playing until there's no finish left on that neck

[@SpicyTrifongo]

This dude messed up pulling the frets out.

[@LarsDalin]

R. Slater McLaughlin thanks. Cool contribution. Do you do consulting? Need someone to call next time I’m pulling frets

[@andresgaron]

You are an artist man. I really enjoy watch you work on this guitar. Thanks

[@markaochoa2017]

A really great video. Would be cool to see more of this content.

[@anthonytye2591]

The 'R' indicates RETURN these early slab boards where often returned for warranty the neck twisted because Fender never seasoned the boards that's is why they went to venereal boards to over come the incompatibility you can see the slab is thinner than usual before the re fret and leveling .... re-fretted at the factory then resold or returned

[@stevesoldwedel]

The headstock also didn't lie flat upon the table.

[@hook0076]

My guess was "Rosewood" if the neck was made by one person and the fret board installed by another person

[@thenewmedic]

Ummm, not "venereal" boards LOL

[@stevesoldwedel]

@@thenewmedic Give them some penicillin. 😂

[@leejohnson7301]

Hey dumb asses, r u serious, it means it’s right handed

[@Ki113dbysw0rd]

Not sure why this was in my recommended feed, but I'm not mad.

[@88grinder]

Probably your best video ever. Thank you both for the great work.

[@curcapsicum]

I come back to this video every now and then hoping there is more from this guy.

[@bjarte4071]

Wow. 26 minutes gone in a flash👌

[@rogerploch1251]

Actually, those were the factory shims. Those grey shins are actually pretty common for a 1960. My early 59 (neck date of 12/58 and body date 1/59) had the same shims in it :). I hope Eric (I think that’s the living room demo dudes name) invests in an instrument like this. The vintage stuff, if good, is pretty amazing. I’ll also say there’s nothing wrong with the squire JMs, and if upgraded with components, can almost be as good. The vintage stuff just has that extra 10%. Whether it’s caused by age, or the wood back then, or even the craftsman ship, I have no clue. Just trying to impart some information to people. Hopefully I won’t get too many negative comments for posting this.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Hi Roger! Thanks for chiming in. Eric is pretty close! My name is Eirik. I'm absolutely intrigued by the vintage stuff, but not sure if I have the money or the will to invest right now :) I don't think you'll get negative comments, I think it's pretty accepted in the community that there's something about vintage instruments. I would love to dig deeper and understand what it is though, because I don't really understand why.

[@Vichedges]

@@LivingroomGearDemos I think most of the time the "extra 10%" comes from people's perceptions of the instruments and who is playing them. Most newbies or regular players can't afford vintage stuff. Most vintage stuff is either owned by vintage collectors or pros. And it they're pros they're probably going to sound good. I think if you gave Eric Clapton a 1960 Jazzmaster or a 2020 Squire they'd both sound pretty good. If you gave his tech the Squier and his tech upgraded it I have zero doubt it would sound as good as the 1960 when played by Clapton. It's just like Stradivarius violins, they've done tests, both using the human ear and computers and modern violins sound just as good or better. But people still are drawn to the old stuff because of the auras, patinas, history, etc. People are basically trained to assume the instrument being old is why it soundds so good.

[@Vichedges]

@@LivingroomGearDemos Great video though, I watched the whole thing. The questions asked kept it interesting too. That guy is a real craftsman. I wish I knew someone like him locally, someone that just cared that much because I have some stuff I need worked on.

[@carloluis174]

@@Vichedges dude, nobody asked lol

[@blaaazer441]

@@Vichedges You're totally right

[@Mark_Ocain]

Such a pleasure to watch a luthier that has such mastery of the craft.

[@zengirl43]

A wonderful video. An artist at work, what a special treat this was for me. Thank you.

[@sheaiek]

16:08 what made in Mexico strat fret edges feel like.

[@xjonasxonexpiece]

what is the name of the song he played in the end?

[@TheRobotKiddo]

Tears / Django Reinhardt

[@julioguzman1342]

Pleasing and informative. A master at his own craft.

[@ozmassb2594]

The Jazzy looks and sounds like a warm summer morning, I need one like right now.

[@markusfol99]

What is the name of the tune Lars plays at the end when he demos the guitar?

[@thomasheys902]

Tears by the great Django Reinhardt

[@karlanicole2717]

does anyone know the song he played at the end? sheeeeeesh, it was like honey

[@greeeenchee]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYa6fZ6weNCji7M

[@leelossi1257]

You are very talented! Thanks for showing us the job and how it plays.....awesome

[@themadhatter7232]

What was that amp he had?!

[@augustecouture3440]

what's the song he plays at the end ?

[@13z]

I want to know this too

[@raduluigi1994]

"Tears" by Django Reinhardt

[@JAugust]

Great video. So well shot and tastefully done. It's amazing watching a skilled craftsman at work.

[@rudemooddudehamburg]

Hands down this is the most relaxing video on YT.

[@kevinburman5094]

Anybody know what song he is playing at the end there? Its beautiful and I want to learn it. any info would be much appreciated.

[@LarsDalin]

Kevin Burman it’s Tears by Django Reinhardt

[@lassana3826]

Anyone know the song he played at the end ? Trying to find it

[@metabaron90]

F

[@kuleebaba7911]

Tears by Django

[@lassana3826]

@@kuleebaba7911 I thought I recognised it, thanks a ton!

[@FlameFlickers]

That was so therapeutic, really enjoyed it. And the Jazzmaster is beautiful.

[@materialistadialectico4884]

You can feel the love for the wood in his hand. What a craftman.

[@CowboysFanJosh]

"R" is right handed

[@nuttylaurel312]

josh benedict lol you would guess that straight away but...

[@WTT1978]

That's it, I'm buying a sunburst Jazz!

[@gased7317]

Thanks for making my guitar sound great again

[@mattvgyo]

So cool. Relaxing to watch. Thanks Lars, you are a true craftsman. Thanks Eirik for featuring this on your channel!

[@rams6702]

i love how a shoegaze sound plays behind all throughout the video, and then he actually plays jazz in the end

[@elblopex]

This should be mandatory for mental health purposes

[@ofosuhene7061]

Watching u play at the end brought so much carlmness and serendipityto my life..really enjoyed ur sound ...great work.. keep it up brada..

[@fulltiltgonzales]

This is some of the best work I have ever seen done. I'm totally blown away.

[@bmicona]

That man is an artist, for sure. Very cool video, well shot and I love how your content is evolving.

[@roywilliams4688]

Love the editing of this video. Very cinematic and lovely to watch. You've got a sub from me!

[@brunoberthier8872]

Beautiful. Beautiful man and beautiful job

[@JoelyPera]

I come back to this video fairly often because of how therapeutic it is. Puts me in the right vibe. Thank you.

[@rasheduldeepon8733]

A beautiful expression of craftsmanship both in Lars's work and the documentary.

[@seanzinger]

I can count on one hand how many videos I’ve watched all the way through in the past few years. This was one of them.

[@timothy5974]

I loved this video, such great care in his work and liked the fact that he appreciated the age and look of the instrument.

[@hafiidzazhan]

The sheer amount of passion and effort,definitely ill trust my instrument to get him setup period!

[@YamaKinoko]

Thanks for sharing your skills and way of being with the world! Cheers!