You Won't Believe This 1968 Tele Restoration

[@kerindajean]

As the former owner's wife, thank you for this video. The guitar was really hard to part with as it was a really big part of my husband's life and history, but knowing it has a new home where it can be played and enjoyed for many years to come makes parting with it that much easier. I loved the vintage look it had, but the fixes and new coat of paint (blue is my fav colour btw) brought it back to life where it can now be part of your story and can be part of new memories. Hearing you play it brought tears to my eyes. I'm sure Andy it smiling down seeing you enjoy it as much as he did. Don't shelve it, play on!! Thanks again!!!

[@Ali-uj9qi]

Love you! Thank you so much!

[@clouseaux]

Pin it!

[@aliensporebomb]

They did a terrific job - the guitar is beautiful now - your hubby would have been thrilled. Now in the hands of SG it will be played and wow, what a sound.

[@JK.Fraser]

I've never actually had a comment on a KZbin video comment cause me to tear up until now. What a great perspective.

[@joshuataft5541]

Awsome❤

[@pete8671]

Thank you for restoring my cousins guitar, AG would be very proud. A lovely sound. His energy lives on. Pete UK.

[@rogergeoffrion3723]

As someone that is now old enough to see my guitars become vintage I must say that is a beautiful tele (I am older than that tele). Loved your ending jam!

[@flanman2084]

didnt u say the same shit about a guitar on tyler larsons channel

[@rogergeoffrion3723]

@@flanman2084 Yes, the benefits of being old, although there are many drawbacks as well.

[@joefamliyguy1551]

What a cool guy

[@acdclexu6296]

im 22 and im kinda addicted i play since 8 years old and have allmost 30 guitars i sold and traded guitars in my time and some i really miss 😅 i gifted my old transformers when i was 12 years old i regretted also some would worth 3000 dollars. i wanna say to the people if you trade guitars and other cool stuff be sure if you really want to get rid off

[@rogergeoffrion3723]

@@acdclexu6296 Some very good advice! I have heard those same words from players I know.

[@LuckynworkLuckyDog21]

Samurai, as a professional tech, the thing you “should” do to your guitar is whatever makes you happy. If you’re happy with it then that’s what’s important

[@jb8544]

I hate to admit it but when I saw the Tele refinished I cried a little inside. Then I remembered the covid project pedulla Mvp guitar I refinished and now I don't know how I feel about what I did to a vintage guitar. Otherwise it's beautiful and your playing as always is quite nice too. Keep it up Sammi!!

[@jasonnewman4152]

I liked the color with which it came to you, but your obvious joy at every piece of the restoration means you did exactly what the guitar needed. Enjoy, good sir!

[@tomanderton2173]

I would've gone for a translucent red to see the wood grain- either way, looks brilliant. Amazing video as always x

[@kevindean1327]

Yes, seeing the grain is what I like too!!!

[@SirSneakerPimp]

I was really hoping that Samurai was going to let the grain be the star. Even a blue fade or stain, would have given him the same stylistic feel. But I’m also glad he gave the guitar a great home.

[@Sticknub]

I would have gotten a translucent white and kept the black pickguard look

[@samuraiguitarist]

@@SirSneakerPimp I actually asked the guys about this, and I don't remember the details as to why it wasn't feasible but I think it required staining the wood or something in which case the nitro lake placid blue finish wasn't going to work.

[@jhguitarfreak2172]

Oh man. I would have done the opposite with the finishing. Kept it like it was but clean up the body and seal it as a tribute to the previous owner. It looked pretty darn neat all worn down like that.

[@rickbrown2154]

Ditto

[@Mikeychance]

Whenever I see that primer coat go on a restoration, my heart breaks.

[@123uzuz]

I agree….refinishing is such a fail 😢

[@thefatfella]

I love when an old instrument is given new life and this one really sings in your hands! Beautiful guitar!

[@NicStage]

What I love about vintage gear and restoring it like this is that this very thing is something that someone (probably multiple people) used. They picked it up and made sound with it and what they heard excited them enough to keep playing it and learning and getting better. It was a primary vehicle for someone's creative growth. The more you leave the things you can (like rewinding the pickups instead of just replacing them, etc), the more that original thing is still there. I'm not super spiritual or invested in the concept of "energy" like that, but there is something to objects like this. Maybe it's completely in the subconscious of the current person using it, but regardless it has an effect. It's really special.

[@DevinJuularValentine]

What you have done is, I think, what most instruments would want if they could have desires. It had been played to the bone, now it gets another lifetime of use. The only thing I hope is that somewhere there's a little evidence of the old paint - in a cavity somewhere so that part of the story isn't lost forever. Imagine 80 years down the line, passed along to a new owner who discovers it originally had a butterscotch finish, now the blue is all worn and the frets are nubs again, gets it sprayed back to that original colour. May it live on forever :)

[@regiramanathan6245]

I appreciate that you used every position of the pickup selector switch in your demo! I was waiting to hear that bridge, but I agree with highlighting that beautiful neck sound!

[@samimakesmusic]

I didn’t think I needed another reason to watch this channel, but now I’ll be coming back for this guitar. What a beauty. A true masterpiece. One of a kind. I’m jealous.

[@superscatman4236]

Some amazing camera work in this video.

[@sagittated]

Reservoir Dogs shot from the trunk. 🎬

[@undeadgamer2347]

I personally would've gone with a natural finish to get that sweet wood grain, but I also love full restorations of vintage guitars like these especially with customizations you could've got from the factory. Very beautiful guitar, the color works beautifully with that pickguard.

[@ItsRyan265]

Likewise. Let the age shine through.

[@jamesharris6805]

It’s a great video, and the guitar ends up sounding very wonderful in the end. Definitely all very well done. I think it’s heartbreaking that all that history was covered up by the new paint job though. It started off looking absolutely wonderful before the new paint. It’s sad to lose all the history and stories behind all the marks, scratches, dings, etc. ( still a very well done and great sounding video though )

[@briankehew579]

I agree. It looked like an old guitar, and now it looks like a Guitar Center guitar. My preference is that old cars, guitars, furniture, people (!) etc look appropriate to their age. But it sounds great. The 1968 models have a maple fingerboard added to a maple neck, and it makes them sound especially sweet.

[@bstoner1300]

Props for the de-relic job, looks great

[@JackAllum]

Can't believe you didn't keep the natural wood, I thought it looked killer like that. Still a beautiful guitar though, and sounds great.

[@R1GAMBLER]

same. ...but at least that guitar found a good home & will be played for years to come! Most of our wives are going to put our treasure hoard in the dumpster when we slip this mortal coil. 🎸🗑️

[@pindopurba]

Love the wood before the restoration

[@DavidPerry-ui2qz]

Great guitar, great decision, great color, great playing. Happy New Year Sammy!!!! 🤘🎸🤘

[@MashaT22]

Love it! Enjoy it for many years to come. I hope you’ll let us hear with a slide soon. Happy 2023, SammyG and family!

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

Looks and sounds great! And good choice on that color!

[@VanNowe]

sami! your country sound is coming along so beautifully! these boys did a beautiful job, I hope it becomes one of your main plays. may his legacy live on threw your playing :)

[@Varmint260]

Beautiful. Nice to see an old instrument get some love. I recently inherited my great-grandmother's 3/4" size acoustic (parlour style, perhaps?). It had a cracked bridge, some missing hardware, and a few cracks along the top, right through the hand-painted flower design. I brought it to a local luthier who replaced the missing hardware, repaired the cracks in the bridge and top, cleaned the frets and fretboard, re-strung it, and while I intend to keep it as an heirloom and showpiece, I did play it a bit. According to older family members, I am likely the first to play some chords on it in almost 80 years.

[@BadvisionStudios]

Sitting on my porch, catching up on your vids. @6:22 As soon as those first few notes were struck, I screamed out "YESSSS!" so loud my neighbours heard me. What a gem! Congrats, Sammy!

[@eduardoprisbrey9157]

Vintage guitars with a personality > collectors vintage guitar

[@oOderTypOo]

i personally do not like the looks of it.. but you know what? it does not matter! its your guitar and if you like it then thats what is important. never let someone tell you otherwhise! i hate when people put those things on display/storage never to be played again. love that you made it yours and you actually make it sing

[@TheRockinDonkey]

Personally, I like when guitars look new. It’s really a shame that improving the quality and playability of a “vintage” instrument is seen as devaluing the instrument, but it is what it is.

[@UselessOpinionz]

The sentimental value will do, the ups and downs in this guitars life and all the things its been through to be played again after so many years. I like an interesting story in the things I own and if I were him it wouldn't be on my mind to sell it anyway😄😄

[@kevindean1327]

The word "stock" is a money word for a good reason!!!

[@FlockofSmeagles]

In this case. Where it was played so heavily. It's really cool to see it given life again. However, say, an old D-15 or something obscure like a teisco. You really shouldn't.

[@TheRockinDonkey]

@@kevindean1327 And that's why I'd never buy someone's overpriced used junk.

[@TheRusk123]

@@kevindean1327 who wants a vintage guitar that wasnt played for years ? if its not played, who knows if its any good

[@lesainte2101]

When you said you were going to do a refinish, I was slightly disappointed. It has worn in a gorgeous way. Then you pulled it out of the case. Wow! Now that's a beautiful job. I can't wait to see this blue beauty in future videos.

[@samuraiguitarist]

Get any course 50% off or any bundle 2 courses for the price of 1 with promo code "HOLIDAY22" over at www.samuraiguitartheory.com

[@hkguitar1984]

Congrats on your new guitar. Remember, be nice to others, just don't forget to be nice to yourself. Your choice of an era correct colo rurned out wonderfully, again, congrats.

[@47ravenlord]

Amazing restoration and i am so happy you decided to go that route. That guitar has a brand new life ahead of it instead of being crusty and grimy for the sake of perceived value. Great video!!!!

[@Jerry_Fried]

My friend Kevin and I went to Manny's Music in NYC together in 1966 when we were fifteen for Kevin to buy a Tele. It's a blonde white-guard. Kevin was a professional musician and he gigged on that guitar non-stop until he died in 2008. The guitar is now mine, including the original case and even the ashtray.. During the time he had it, Kevin had it refretted, had the 3-way switch replaced and had the bridge pickup rewound, all the work done by the renowned New Jersey luthier Phil Petillo. That's the condition it's in now. Kevin was a player and the Tele was his primary tool. Keeping it in working order was his priority, not keeping it in some theoretical collector condition, which in 1966 would have been impossible even to imagine. The guitar needs work now: a new fret job and a rewind or replacement of the bridge pickup. I'll have that work done, because Kevin would have and because it's a musical instrument, not a museum piece. I want to play it and for other people to hear it. That's its purpose. Players play and collectors collect. There's a place for both categories of people, but there's no reason to keep an unplayable guitar unplayable just because it's old.

[@Quante1123]

Working in a guitar store, I’ve discovered that if someone comes in with a vintage Guitar that’s beat to heck, its probably a good one. Pristine examples may give you a beter price, but they won’t sound anywhere close. That tele had a vibe when it was beat up, but nice to see it get some new clothes.

[@shadowxzyy8017]

Putting the amazing guitar to the side, the editing of the video is great!

[@ShaunCollege]

I always love to see a vintage that has been much played - envisioning the musical trip it might have taken over the years.

[@thomashalley7258]

White pearl pick guard looks awesome with lake placid blue.

[@raoulduke8382]

Tortoise-shell would be my choice.

[@bmav007]

That classic Tele tone is absolutely unbeatable. What a beauty!

[@kevinwinter7050]

Had this been mine, I'd have left the body as is, love all the patina and woodgrain, but it's yours, do what you want!

[@davidleinweber]

Lake Placid Blue is an awesome color. It was kind of off my radar screen till I bought a 70th Anniversary Esquire, which is simply a superb guitar. I really love the 7.25 neck radius for old -school rock and country. Your 68 Telecaster reminds me of my guitar, which is awesome

[@solarismoon3046]

That upper bout on the bass side looks like it was sprayed with clear coat but it had a reaction while being painted. That should be solid and match the rest of the finish. Otherwise it looks like they did a great job. And at 8:58 it looks just like the neck pickup - not the bridge pickup featured. I'm just glad that you're happy with it no matter what. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@insederec]

When I get an older instrument I like to keep it looking original if it has this much wear, to remind me of its history. But if it's newer or in better shape I like to keep it looking brand new. And in either case playability is most important and has to be maintained at all costs

[@allrededc]

Personally, I would have chosen a finish that preserves more of the vintage character, but I can't deny that the guitar looks and sounds amazing.

[@jeffs.3533]

Teles rock and your new finish looks awesome.

[@BeejayMorgan]

Wow, that thing is beautiful! And it sounds incredible.

[@macsarcule]

I LOVE the finish and love that you gave it a fresh coat and not some kind of relic. LOVE HOW THIS TURNED OUT. ✌️😌🎸

[@lexzbuddy]

The smile on your face when you were playing it says it's all. Brilliant :)

[@ChokyoDK]

Haven't watched your videos for a couple of years but I'm happy that you're still going.

[@dolansnek]

Congrats on this awesome guitar, I especially love it since I was gifted a Lake Placid Blue Tele for Christmas as well ☺️ (mine's just a Squier Affinity, though 🤣) I really hope the guitar will be featured in lots of your future videos 😍🥰

[@HarryStoneDotCom]

Love what you did. A tasteful and perfect restoration. As you said, nothing really remained of the original finish, and it wasn’t an improvement, so well done in the sympathetic way you chose to go. It’s a stunning Tele, I hope you keep it always.

[@zelw5330]

Awesome to see such a beauty get enjoyed like that! The man who owned it before loved it and now it’ll entertain and sing to more people than he could’ve ever dreamed of.

[@davevernon4993]

Beautiful guitar before and after, nearly spot on. Very floaty metallic in the finish around the top horn, apart from that it looks great ( sorry, as 53 year old autobody repair/painter of nearly 37yrs I notice these things), it needed a bit more what we call "drop coat" on the base colour before clearcoat, or the base wasn't dry enough before they applied the clear. I am picking knits now obviously, but I have the perfectionist gene, hey blame my late Father. Great vid either way. X

[@Jay-nu1bk]

Wow, that tele looks and sounds awesome, realy cool to see it in its different stages.

[@Ogsonofgroo]

What a stunning job on that Strat! I get a feeling the original owner is out 'there' somewhere with a huge smile from the center of his soul :)

[@ernieb3626]

Man that looks AWSOME. what a perfect opportunity to refinish an old guitar guilt free ! I love butterscotch when its done right but you nailed it.

[@YaMi-cn9mr]

What a beautiful guitar! Came out fantastic, can’t wait to see it on your channel more. :)

[@johnm3946]

Stoked for you! People repaint vintage cars all the time and cars are expensive! Happy New year!

[@tangible_audio1060]

I actually quite liked the sanded and worn look and probably would just have a protective topcoat added. But if I was going to choose a colour it would be Lake Placid Blue.

[@biggienorm420]

I could only hope when i go one of my favorite guitars ends up with someone like you... its just too awesome to imagine somone having one of my guitars redone like this.

[@HAMMERHEAD-g3h]

So cool. Thank about this for a second. This dude bought the guitar and played it his entire life. Looks like he really enjoyed it which is what guitars are made for.

[@metalinyourhead3604]

Duuuuude the guitar came out beautifully. It looks brand new. Also gotta be honest I may have nearly shed a tear hearing the story of this guitar and it’s original owner. So wholesome.

[@Nate_P]

Gorgeous Refin. 100 percent the right call to give the instrument a new life in this way.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I love guitar stories like that, some are amazing, like Jared James Nichols "hurricane rescue" 1952 Les Paul which named itself "Dorothy" (Wizard of Oz?). Your telecaster came out beautiful, a deep ocean "tide pool?" blue, not unlike the ice blue metallic the Jazzmaster Vintera 60's I just bought second-hand. Late 1960's Telecaster pickups seem to have bite and cut through. Nice vintage score!

[@daveherz998]

Lake Placid Blue is an amazing color. I've got a few guitars in LPB and there's just something about it that seems to get them into heavier rotation. Great choice, sweet axe!

[@MarcCoteMusic]

What a beautiful instrument this has become - and it sounds wonderful. Congrats to you, SammyG, and I wish you many great years with it.

[@jrmyg1621]

Excellent guitar, excellent restoration, excellent playing! Awesome!!

[@kylehill9653]

im gonna be honest I think the blue looks amazing. cool guitar!

[@rinseyvessel6523]

Me too.

[@puppyy780]

I was hoping for like a fiesta red, but man that blue is beautiful. What a magical instrument. Congratulations on the absolute score, my guy!

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

I was a little afraid it was gonna be red. I’m not crazy about the blue either. But it’s not my guitar and Sammy G is a good guy, and it sounds great.

[@lysistheory]

Wow! Amazing guitar, amazing tone and amazing restoration job! If I had to choose a color, I was going for Sherwood green... but everyone has different taste 🙂

[@arz131]

no joke dude, right when you opened the case we both exclaimed wow at how beautiful the guitar turned out. Lake placid blue is my favorite fender color hands down. I have a 60s classic vibe strat in the same color 😂

[@Ad_Hoc124]

What a killer sounding guitar- they did a fantastic job getting that beauty up and running. Congrats Sammy G- here’s to many more decades with this tele

[@SomeGuy-em1pn]

Hey, your money, your guitar your choice....fully support the functional repairs, rewinding the original pickup (as opposed to just swapping it out) re-fret etc. I have nothing against lake placid blue, it's a fine colour, but what I saw originally was an instrument that had been played and loved and worn....you can't fake that, that's patina, not "heavy relic-ing". Those dents, and wear patches, and imperfections, they earned their place through half a century of use. The end product you had there, beautiful guitar yes, but it looked like one straight off the wall. All the stories that go with half a century of being a played instrument...gone. Totally respect your choice, I just hope you don't look back one day and say oops, what have I done? because you can't un-ring that bell.

[@oldmanzen6682]

Congrats. What a stunning refin on a gorgeous guitar.

[@jessecollier2628]

lovely guitar and just throwing this out there, wonderful camera work!

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Looks great, sounds great - you did the right thing.

[@davidgirst5399]

Awesome to see Beardsell guitars make an appearance. I want a custom guitar from them in the worst way. Looks like they did an amazing job.

[@MarkArandjus]

Man, one day we're gonna have 100 year old guitars, crazy to think.

[@oliverbowen17]

We already have 100 year old guitars

[@johnt.mickevich2772]

OMG - I was hoping you'd go blue! I was thinking "I haven't seen nearly enough blue telecasters" just as you opened it. Looks great!

[@brianseneca3546]

Congratulations! I came into a 1955 Les Paul Junior in late 2020. Totally striped actually had a strat contour cut into. I got it for a RIDICULOUS price as the condition it was pretty bad. My good friend fixed the contour sprayed it TV yellow and aged it. It is one of my favorite guitar! ENJOY

[@dariop.248]

I loved this video. Some restoration videos should be awesome, but your happiness is shown and that does it.

[@Chris-th4im]

Thats sooo cool! Congratulations! I love my telecasters! Absolutely loved this video! Cant wait to see more of this guitar. 🤘😎🎸

[@tophatgaming3856]

What a good video, I love all the different camera angles and overall feeling of excitement

[@picksalot1]

The guitar looks and sounds great. I like that blue. What a great way to end the year and start a new one. Congrats!

[@DarrynDavis]

That is absolutely beautiful, and sounds amazing!!!!!!! If I was only able to have 1 guitar, that would be a Tele.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

amazing color, butterscotch teles are a dime a dozen so I'm glad you chose something beautiful. happy new guitar day!

[@BaconFire]

Beautiful guitar. Thanks for bringing it back to life. I'm sure everyone here has their prefences on what they would have done, but the blue and white was a solid choice. Very classy and retained its vintage mojo. The safe bet would have been leaving it natural or not even touching the finish at all and just redoing the frets and electronics and setup, but you took a risk and I think most of us applaud the risk. Now, your job is to play the ever loving crap out of that tele and put YOUR mojo into it. Happy New year :)

[@Brotelho]

My wife surprised me with a Players Plus Tele in Lake Placid for Christmas. lol Love the guitar. Both yours and mine.

[@rodrigobertoluci]

I KNEW it was going to be blue. Such beauty! Congrats on another amazing guitar

[@NicholsonStudios]

Looks amazing and sound wonderful! I’m glad it kept its charm and true feel while getting updated :)

[@jerrymcdaniel4539]

Love it. It looks great. I prefer the classic Butterscotch but you already have one so this finish is a good alternative. The guitar sounds great.

[@Shiznitt_]

Looks like a brand new guitar! It's ready to make another 50 years of music

[@FlockofSmeagles]

To echo your part about the mojo of the guitar. I've always assumed that a vintage guitar that's seen a lot of love feels and plays so damn good. Because the wood and body, and pickups are worn in like an old pitchers mitt. The guitarists hand wears the neck down by centimeters over the years. causing a hand fit and finish that tools just can't achieve. The electric that's flowed through the coils for all of that time have essentially cooked the pickup wire which could give it a deeper tone, possibly. Not to mention that electronics made back in those days were of a much higher quality than they are today. Combine that with the history behind the guitar. It creates this novel experience that is individually unique to to the instrument. God I love guitars.

[@tomandaj1]

Sam … ! Never change those pickups they are amazing!!!

[@BlueJayWaters]

Congrats on a beautiful vintage buy Sammy G. If there's ever a guitar youtuber who deserved one, it's you broham!

[@BradWolfe113]

Lake Placid blue is so beautiful and that tone is incredible!

[@RealRiffRaf]

I am the proud owner of a sparkling pink telecaster XD. Amazon video, thanks for sharing your thought process when choosing the color!

[@fox_4740]

That wasn’t the color I was expecting but it was a very welcome surprise! I absolutely love it!

[@Maldunn]

I love it! Congratulations on the new (old) guitar!

[@ANTHONYFERNANDO]

I love the colour. Oh man that is nice. Congratulations on what is likely an incredible instrument

[@guitaring1]

not a placebo effect, that guitar has serious mojo! and I love the color! Great choice!

[@rubenpv]

Killer!, sounds amazing! Congrats