Restoring a Vintage Gibson found in Horrific Condition

Well, that was a lot of work for that sound. What do you think?
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[@Aceroxx02]

That pickup is the perfect blend of a Tele bridge pickup and a P90! Keep it!

[@deransadventures]

Man please don't change the pickup. That sounded incredible! And great playing, as always.

[@darrenwells2277]

Agreed... it sounds great!

[@davidpepper442]

I agree...if something sounds that good you should just let it be what it is!

[@rasher009]

I agree. OK it may not be ideal as a live guitar, but a Melody Maker maybe isn't intended as a live guitar anyway? It sounds so sweet, I'd hate to see that originality taken away. Just use it for writing and day-to-day stuff. I'd also pot the original knobs back on, maybe glue a piece of skirt from another to fill in the missing part.

[@solarismoon3046]

@@darrenwells2277 Don't change that pickup. I agree 100% and it may not be a killer humbucker sound but this kills in of itself just the way that it is. You can play everything on this from country to Christmas music and it will rock!!

[@MatthewScottmusic]

It seems the people have spoken!

[@shawnhulke7385]

Matt such a beautiful and sweet sounding old git fiddle. Has great sustain. Great playing.

[@CC-te5zf]

I like the minimalist, care-taker approach you take with your restorations. It's like you coax them back to health to pick up where they left off and they can still recognize themselves in a mirror. It sounds amazing. Thanks for giving this old guitar some new life!

[@MontyTheMothman]

Perfectly said. Pickin it up, dustin it off, giving it a pat on the back, and sending it back on its journey.

[@samcooper3507]

That was a bar haha

[@Caddynars]

The feedback really gives it a unique tone. It’s the kind of guitar that just says, “I’m a rebel, and I’ll decide the tone.”

[@MatthewScottmusic]

It's fun to ride the feedback!

[@gabrieloforti]

The feedback gives the volume, isn`t it? He is playing it loud.

[@DeeKeyLP]

​@@gabrielofortithe more volume and distortion you have, the less likely you are to catch it

[@johnDingoFoxVelocity]

Nice job nice subtle restore without destroying the petina

[@dougsnova1]

Here's the deal , your words said one thing but your face while playing told a totally different story . That expressed your true feelings of the guitar. You stopped and held a note while it touched your soul . That guitar has earned it's stripes,rock it as it is.

[@stephenheidelberger616]

Very well said

[@brentstewart59]

Yep absolutely Ted Nugent would probably keep this it really does the thing

[@kennethluebberke8216]

I seen that baby sing to you a bit.....leave her alone, please!

[@meeno_the_man]

I second the notion that you’ve revived the soul of that machine and that it’s purring very, very nicely.

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Thank you Doug, this comment explained it perfectly! ✌🏻

[@jr0706]

Please leave that pickup in there! That sounds amazing! Maybe it’s for a special purpose, a quieter set…but it sounds glorious.

[@tracyc7813]

Finish the nut and make it play the best it can play but leave the rest alone. It has a very unique character both in sound and how it looks tells its story.

[@amaxxio]

Please don't change anything. It is a melody maker as it should be. Great restauration work. It looks awesome and I like the sound very much.

[@StevenCarinci]

Weren't the P90s a bit microphonic and unstable...why they were sought after? Check out the feedback on Tull's Aqualung. Sounds good to me.

[@normanlongthorp8763]

@@StevenCarincii love how Martin Barre plays with the line between distorting/feeding back and not. especially in “Aqualung” - how he *leans into* almost feeding back but pulls away

[@Pete103170]

Nice job on getting it right again without going overboard. My two cents: you already have a P 90 mahogany body guitar. Keep it as it is, and use it for recording to add color and texture. Like on all of those Led Zep records that have odd guitar tones that sound fantastic collectively. Also, it has made it this far in it's life without being hacked up and clearly has served someone very well. I mean, look at it, someone played the snot out of it for a long time. You don't do that with a guitar that is a dud. It may take a while to grow into what it has to offer. Anyway, I've seen lots of Melody Makers converted to P 90 for relatively cheap, I'd leave it alone and love it for what it is.

[@farangkinok]

Well said, agree 100%

[@timnewman1172]

Me too... it's a Melody Maker, not a Junior!

[@MandolinJack]

I totally agree; a really nice respectful restoration. I think it would be slightly sacrilegious to change that pick-up, I thought it sounded really sweet. And as other people have commented, there are lots of guitars out there with P90s. Keep this poor old beaten-up thing as original as possible. One day it might be JUST the tone you (or someone else) would be looking for ...

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Don't change the tone of the guitar.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

What year was the guitar made?

[@robpetoletti826]

Thank you for sharing that restore. Incredibly fun to watch. Instead of routing out that old pocket I would look for a custom or maybe a nos pickup with better output 👍👍👍

[@shytweedabone2663]

I found it remarkable that the feedback kept trying to get loose, the way you held it right on the edge was stunning! The way you had to alter your playing to get the best out of that guitar was so interesting and unique. Keep it as close to the way it is as possible.

[@J.C...]

That ain't Nothin. Go to a concert and listen while somebody like KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD plays on the ragged edge of feedback. Then you'll understand. There's a vid from thr concert I went to where the feedback peeks through like that. Called Heat of the Sun from Feb 2022.

[@davidpepper442]

Hey Matthew, what you do is truly a service. These guitars in terrible condition would be lost to time. You see their beauty and preserve them for the future. You recognize them for what they are...pieces of history. Cheers man

[@ukebox00oftheworld63]

It's still in terrible condition, zero work done to the fingerboard which is in horrible condition. Looks awful.

[@justinmark3358]

@@ukebox00oftheworld63 He's obviously trying to maintain as much of the original character as possible. If he wanted he could've leveled it out or replaced it. Get over yourself!!!

[@skullPUMP]

If pure gold had a sound...this sent tingles of sheer glory down through my spine and it in turn reverberated throughout the very center of my being. Thank you so very much for this my brother.

[@bingskiddd]

YES, exactly how I feel. weird huh......

[@NorthernBandit1]

Aye, right you are...I used to have a 63 double cutaway with a bright sunburst finish. Two pick up model. Never really got to enjoy the guitar, brought in back from Traverse City Michigan in 1981...Leslie West was my inspiration for having mine. Miss it to this day.

[@DTGuitarTech]

Wow! Very sensitive restoration. I agree with your approach at not levelling the fretboard. A guitar that age needs to show it’s heritage. And my goodness, at 10 minutes and 48 seconds, it was like the guitar was crying tears of joy that someone had taken the time to restore it. Amazing tone. Worth the microphonics in my opinion. Great job. 👏

[@maurocasanova9929]

Your way of playing is really intense ! No effect, a bit of crunch, much dinamics in your hands. So beautiful

[@zenmaestro04]

Huge respect for not only playing the crap out of these guitars but also basically doing al your own restoration work. That's true love and dedication!

[@suzannecoholic1467]

OMG. I have one of these. It's my 'birthyear guitar'. Mine has 'Melody Maker' in white on the pick guard at the fret board end. My local luthier told me the neck has a 'twist' that was not able to be repaired even though he tried to 'reheat' it. So the intonation is bad as a result. But the guitar SINGS! I was so happy to find this video. Thank you!

[@mark-dietz]

I hope you find a thousand more old relics like this. I really enjoy your restoration videos. Best on the net Matthew!

[@lloydluokkala4274]

I have one of those 1959 MMs. I changed the pup for a Seymore Duncan hot stack, the old kind with a removeable cover I took off exposing the copper wire on the coil. Leave it original if you can. It sounds good don't change it. I like unpotted pickups. Early '60s mini humbuckers are best. The p90s on my 1967 es125cd is my favorite right now. You did a wonderful job restoring the frets and the screws. Honor the history and leave the electronics original whenever you can.

[@matchress3832]

Oh man. I don't think I've ever heard a guitar that gave me that sort of reaction before. So unique and really just touched the right part of my brain. Wow. Please do not change the pickup

[@GJSolo]

Exactly. My wife is in my house pissed at me because I'm not coming inside but I don't care because I need to hear this lol

[@TheRealChetManley]

Thats one of the coolest looking and best sounding old guitar I’ve ever seen. Old LPs and Strats are seemingly everywhere. You don’t see too many of these. And something like this is what an old working bluesman would have played.

[@bingskiddd]

Oh man Mr Scott, I'm not a guitar player, I just love guitar and the people that play them(I'm amazed at the dedication to the craft)I have fallen in LOVE with the sound of this guitar. It kinda took hold and carried me away for a bit. I'm sure it has something to do with your amazing skills of course. great channel brother, keep at it. and please play this guitar more for us.....

[@Mati05jp]

leave it as it is! Amazing work and playing! Thanks for the lovely video.

[@jltrem]

Glad that all these beautiful old things are coming into your possession, Matthew. You give them new life.

[@B-leafer]

Good job. Sounds beautiful. I think Willie Nelson might like to play that one!

[@rasher009]

Such a cool looking beat Melody Maker. I hope it doesn’t end up looking too clean. Great vid

[@michaelcollingsworth6751]

for myself, i liked the sound you had coming from the amps, with the slide was awesome. keep up the good work.

[@mikemaffei9750]

10:47 and 12:03 those unbelievable notes damn near made me cry.. that beautiful guitar, so abused and neglected and now singing beautifully again as she should.. Thank you so much for this Matthew, this was truly special!

[@gb5uq]

You are sooo right.

[@willtato8778]

I love the look of the physical dips of the fretboard wear. Glad you kept it.

[@alanblott4559]

What a mellow and beautiful sound. It may not be ideal for stage work, but for sensitive studio work, you've got a winner. Be well my friend.

[@michaelreitz3992]

Great resto! Like that you didn't mess with the patina and fretboard wear. Exactly what makes a vintage guitar cool.

[@philbert006]

That's just amazing. It's hard to believe how compliant and receptive to repairs that guitar was considering it's age and condition. What a jewel. I certainly found immense satisfaction in seeing how little effort it took to bring it back. Also, it's surely a testament to your skill and attention to detail, but no amount of that can overcome a really defiant instrument. Just fantastic in all aspects.

[@hpblack1953]

Perhaps the best video you have released. The pickup is great as is. The magic is in the player’s soul and fingers. Great job all around.

[@MotoLen51]

It sounds great. The way the notes sustain and bloom is really nice.

[@motorcyclemark2889]

Beautiful job putting this relic back in service that's all it needed

[@henryimmler8329]

That's a lot of work for sure but what a beautifully sounding guitar! I heard the microphonics but it adds to the character of that vintage instrument!

[@byronlapage227]

You are doing an awesome job with what you have to work with.

[@52gerg]

Fantastic job honoring the soul of this guitar! As you said in the video, “it’s really a unique sound”, and a glorious sound it is. Felt like I was front row at the Fillmore East.

[@brianwilke592]

I like the sound just the way it is, especially when you use the slide. Gibson did that one right back in the day.

[@tommc49]

A Melody Maker was the first electric guitar I ever played back in the 60's. Belonged to a friend who played way more than the three chords I knew at the time.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

People forget about the Gibson Melody Maker and don't know how to appreciate it. Was it a lightweight guitar?

[@tommc49]

@@toneyisaiah3556 They are very light because the body is quite thin. Definitely a beginner guitar.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

It's a good guitar because it's not heavy at all.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

you are not being weighed down. You can move freely.

[@MissingMars]

It's perfect just the way it is! Awesome job on the restore!

[@jcburger733]

I think the guitar sounds incredible. You did a great job of resurrecting it!!

[@gtrklem]

Man, to restore this guitar, then play it like you made it......respect

[@stewartmuir]

Love all your videos, but the repair / restoration ones are always an extra special treat, and so inspirational. Great stuff!

[@daniilbondar7895]

Was a pleasure to see that. Great job and guitar

[@tmuellerbodenheim]

Love the way it looks and sounds. Congrats Scott!

[@sl3102]

I would leave it exactly as it is and use it for the right things. Sounds beautiful!

[@IsabellaCatherine19XX]

I think you did amazing work. That guitar sounds magical.

[@walterlacayo6503]

Bought a reissue 1957 Les Paul Custom . "The original black beauty" , built by the Murphy Lab and I love it. A well spent investment.

[@lonesomelenny7606]

You have the patience of Job & the skill of an artisan. That guitar sustains so long with sweet harmonic overtones. Thank you for the video. Keep em coming!

[@strandbj]

Beautiful minimalist restoration. If that guitar could talk I sure it would say, THANK YOU!

[@zeejonesy]

I for one really enjoy the form factor of these videos, Matthew! A day in the life of a vintage guitar owner and repairer is a small escape from my run-of-the-mill workhorse instruments I own. 😂 Don't get me wrong, my instruments are my babies, but a guy's gotta have some aspirations!

[@jambarreturns9060]

So nice to see a craftsman at work, all done with love and care. Thank you for allowing us to watch,,

[@Regularguy509]

Great guitar, I really enjoyed watching the work done, thanks!

[@tjsound1258]

After hearing it, I can see WHY there's so much fret wear and fingerboard wear. This guitar has been played! And by all indicators, it will CONTINUE to be played. Thanks!! Great video!! Please don't change the p/up!

[@arottie4097]

I totally enjoy what you do on this channel! Thank you for sharing these beautiful old guitar's with us. It's amazing how each & every one has it's own unique personality. It's magical!

[@genekloszewski5484]

That sounds Super, great job on re-fit also...

[@WindRider1]

Wow! The sustain that Melody Maker has is incredible. A beautiful sounding piece of music history. Where do you find these gems?

[@WindRider1]

You sold me. I bought my own Melody Maker. Mine is a 1964 Double Cut. Single pickup, and full scale. It came with the original Alligator case. It has hardly been played . I think I got a good deal. I paid $1600. It has surpassed my LP and Strat for my favorite to play. It is so light. Thank you for the video and review.

[@nelsonmarcotte7101]

We got remember the age of this beauty and get the time she as played by !!!! Realy good job man !!!!! Story teller!!!

[@Furtheronmusic]

I predict melody makers will soon be rising in value. That sounds fabulous

[@Funkybassuk]

Never even considered them before Mr Scott got his one. Sounds superb!

[@RoyMoretz]

If that old Gibson could talk it would tell a good story.Sounds awsome man.

[@freebird1292]

Bro that thing sounds great but 99% of that is YOUR excellent ability to make it sing. Great job!

[@garythecrow3935]

Awesome !! ... the old gal speaks with a great deal of wisdom

[@vasilisarris6717]

*You got a gift my boy. In playing the guitar and in restoration. Plus nothing beats the sound of a Gibson.*

[@no-brainertv4169]

Very nice done,-- if I `d had an old guitar like this,-- you where my first choice to take care in that sensitive way. Greetings from Germany.

[@czwij]

ka-rist that sounds like something in the winds over wide open spaces. what a great sound.

[@Jim-ro5sl]

I've got one of those. Really love it a lot. I'm sure this thing is already done. But I just thought I would mention for anybody else that has one. Lollar sells a complete pickguard with electronics and custom P90 pickup. Just unscrew old setup and screw on the new one. All you have to do is solder the ground wire to one of the pots and you're done. No routing required. Sounds just like my vintage les paul jr. You will love it.

[@ElieserLima]

One of the most beatifull tone that I ever heard! Such sustain!

[@planetsab]

lovely done, lovely playing, lovely sound

[@group447]

You are a magician who plies his trade with unbelievable skill and playing is as close to legendary as possible. Love it.

[@boringgearreviews]

So rad. Really great to see your work on it. I love my 1960 Melody Maker D. Lollar makes a drop in P90 pickup and pickguard for Melody Makers. No routing necessary. All you have to solder is the bridge ground wire. I'm doing that to mine in a few weeks.

[@cataclysmicconverter]

I love the preservation approach over restoration any day. Bravo!

[@literallyshaking8019]

That thing sounds amazing. I love how microphonic that old pickup is. Lots of accidental magic coming out of it.

[@LiterallyJesusChrist]

There is nothing like the sound of that old wood. Simply beautiful.

[@VitalityMassage]

If you take a pencil and sand it in half lengthwise (and get the tip sharp) then you can lay it flat on the frets and mark the curvature onto the nut so you can see it when you cut the slots.

[@nathanmclauchlan5148]

Great video, and amazing playing, sounds great

[@RollandMatthewWeber]

Heyo, Matthew! It does the heart good to see these rescue videos. Thanks to your interest and time there is one more Melody Maker back into the world, before your efforts there was one less. Great video, Thank You for sharing!

[@johnwillard6198]

😊Taaaaaasty licks I knew you’d love this one 😊the sustain is super, tone to die for imho.

[@michaeld.mcclish]

I love the worn patina, don't change any of that! Maybe a Lindy Fralin p90 would be good. If you use a soapbar type, maybe you can use the same pickguard with a little trimming. Otherwise, keep the whole original pickguard, wiring, and orig pu as is, and do a whole new setup so you can just switch them out when you want to sell it. I did that with a new Epi Melody Maker, got a new pickguard, wiring, and 2 matched Lindy Fralin pickups, and just swapped it out as is. Wish I could send you a pick of the final product, it's real nice. Great job of saving it!

[@lukastorstensson8219]

Have the pickup re-wound and maybe change the magnet to keep the sound, and getting rid of the microphonic antics. Then just keep it as is! What a badass piece of guitar! I'd say play it, learn it, love it for what it is. :)

[@BrianRomero-wb8lj]

For many years now, i have done what you are doing and it is very rewarding. make them play as good as they can and no one can say you did not do what you knew needed doing ,Your quest for tone has led you to the best place you could possibly discover. The magical years of Gibson and Fender guitars is simply magical in many ways. The magic of what you have discovered should last for at least another 500 years or more then they will become legend of the future beyond our lifetime .Most that truly understand know these instruments are legendary now.

[@ExcellentSunset]

I didn’t know you were so skilled in repair work! Not only an excellent player!

[@jambertin54]

That thing sustains like crazy and that feedback is excellent. Leave the pickup. It sounds killer

[@ludukhan5778]

RIGHT DERAN . THE GUITAR SOUNDED REALLY FANTASTIC SOFT AND MELODIOUS . SO IT SHOULD BE USED FOR SOME VERY SWEET, SOFT & MELODIOUS TONE . THE PICKUP ON THIS GUITAR SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED. GIBSON CERTAINLY HAD THIS IN MIND WHILE ADDING THIS PICKUP TO THIS GUITAR. AND BOY, DID YOU MARK THE WEAR IN THE ORIGINIAL FRETS. THE GUY WHO PLAYED THIS GUITAR MUST HAVE PLAYED IT EVERY DAY FOR MANY YESRS . ONLY REASON FOR THIS IS THAT , HE LIKED THE SOUND AND THE PICKUP. AND THE PICKUP IS THE IS THE REAL GEM IN THIS GUITAR .

[@DavidHBurkart]

"If you're looking for treble, you came to the right place"... P90s are tempting indeed. I would only go that route if you don't have to rout. Drilling a hole is one thing, routing out wood would make it a deal-breaker for me. Love it as it is too.

[@JJGuccione]

Matt, you asked for feedback - I would leave that pickup alone. Microphonic yes but given the correct circumstance, it could be eureka on a recording down the line in your life. There are plenty of P90's around. Great VDO. Thanks

[@liecht]

The true magic of that M.M. compliments quite well your excellent playing.That resonant mahogany is amazing,very prone to feedback,kind of a natural,organic octaver.I'd give a ten to your new addition.Grat vid

[@417DrumBob]

You had great tone with that Melody Maker pickup. Don't change it!

[@kenl2585]

I love watching you work. I'm a Bass player. I do a little work on my gear. Nothing to complicated, I leave that to the professionals. Thank you. God bless.

[@mikeellis9720]

Thanks for showing the step by step process and the demo, it shows that both you and that guitar are aging very well. I think it sounds fine, call it done and be proud of your work. That's my opinion.

[@Luisito6119]

You must love The Allman brothers a lot, love your playing

[@09rosette1]

I say leave the pick ups. Unique tone. Great video as always.

[@justinmark3358]

Fantastic job Matt. Always a pleasure to watch you play and restore your equipment! The care you take and the respect to history you show is incredible.

[@LukeBlase]

This is a good example of why I love your KZbin content. This was such a relaxing video to watch. And as always, your guitar playing is top-notch.

[@georgejasper8794]

Just makes me miss the Melody Maker I had stolen around 1971 even more!

[@johnskerlec9663]

Nice sound Matthew. I love how the sustains bring a sweet ring, yet the soft attack sound just right. Great work.

[@gyrogeek]

Great tone. That Gibson isn’t ready to retire.