You Won't Believe This 1968 Tele Restoration

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#guitar #vintage #restoration
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[@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.

[@JoshuaFraserK]

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

[@TheLowest]

As much as I love lake placid blue it still feels like a shame to have 60 years of aging in the wood hidden, i loved how you literally could see the hand print left by the first owner around the bridge

[@justinguitarcia]

I think its fine when its for an end user. It now has another 50 years to take on its own new patina

[@sean_mccadden]

Yeah personally I would've left the finish as it was because it had so much character. But I don't blame him for wanting to get it re-finished

[@mk_rexx]

That's just our opinion. With that said, I agree. I don't like relics but I really like naturally worn ones especially on natural wood. With what he did, I might as well just buy a new guitar.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

He uck't right up!🤦‍♂️ I can't believe it, tbh..!

[@MichaelHattem]

I would’ve left the finish too or at the most had a clear coat of nitro put over it.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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!

[@bstoner1300]

Props for the de-relic job, looks great

[@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.

[@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!

[@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. 🎸🗑️

[@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 :)

[@DavidPerry-ui2qz]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@lueyteledeluxe7457]

Everyone saying that they agree that its a right shame that he covered up all that honest wear, but stuff it, it's Sammy's guitar now - he can add his own wear.. → you don't get vintage guitars. They are FINITE. There are only so many. You dont "own" a vintage guitar like you do a brand new one - you are merely a custodian of it. It is thus your duty to preserve it as much as possible. You owe it to future custodians. Now it looks like any new fender spat off the line at Corona or Mexico... ...frankly, I am thoroughly SHOCKED that Sammy G did this to it ! With his jazzy bluesy, clean style and his Dad's Steam Punk amp building style, I would have been sure he would be one to value the wear and rustic look of it above just about all else ... I got nothing but love for ya. Sammy - really, you're a chill dude.... 😞😖😣😫 ...but you uck't this up something ROYAL!! ..there's no getting around it...🙆‍♂️

[@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.

[@YaMi-cn9mr]

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

[@eduardoprisbrey9157]

Vintage guitars with a personality > collectors vintage guitar

[@thomashalley7258]

White pearl pick guard looks awesome with lake placid blue.

[@raoulduke8382]

Tortoise-shell would be my choice.

[@shadowxzyy8017]

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

[@pindopurba]

Love the wood before the restoration

[@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.

[@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.

[@ChokyoDK]

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

[@BeejayMorgan]

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

[@Chris-th4im]

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

[@jessecollier2628]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@davishernandez197]

absolutely loved this video! keep up the great content.

[@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!!!!

[@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!

[@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

[@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. ✌️😌🎸

[@bmav007]

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

[@jrmyg1621]

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

[@Jay-nu1bk]

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

[@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.

[@ShaunCollege]

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

[@tophatgaming3856]

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

[@Maldunn]

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

[@NicholsonStudios]

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

[@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

[@randydean23]

Lovely, truly great tone! Looks great!!

[@DarthBastard]

It's beautiful. I look forward to seeing you play it in many more videos in the future.

[@GuitarBeard]

Super classy looking and it sounds great! Nice find with a cool story

[@Jeff.mp3]

So sick dude! Happy for you

[@oldmanzen6682]

Congrats. What a stunning refin on a gorgeous guitar.

[@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.

[@Nate_P]

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

[@lexzbuddy]

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

[@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!

[@dariop.248]

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

[@emmiejo1]

Beautiful guitar Sammy :) Diggin' your chops also.

[@RandomEye1131]

Sounds so majestic, I love the sound. Looks dang good too.

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

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

[@nellayema2455]

That's a beauty, and sounds fantastic!

[@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 :)

[@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

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

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

[@Sake11880]

Love this style of video from you.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

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

[@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.

[@elbass0]

What an absolute stunner. Beautiful.

[@ROKZLEON]

Congrats man!!! Even your fingers look happy playing it!!! 🖐🏻

[@scottcarpenter701]

looks good. carry it forward!

[@han36solo]

WOW! Congrats Sami!

[@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.

[@raytorvalds3699]

Wow, the guitar sounds amazing!

[@backlom]

Congratulations on a beautiful new old instrument!!

[@MarkWirly]

That turned out beautiful!!! Nice jam brother!!❤️☮️🎸

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@reno145]

I started the video as “Don’t do a thing to it” and just went “Hell yeah!” Lake Placid Blue is the best.

[@user-zm6yh3ux7l]

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.

[@paullatta]

Absolutely beautiful, both in looks and tone.

[@fox_4740]

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

[@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 😍🥰

[@kylehill9653]

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

[@rinseyvessel6523]

Me too.

[@Cota0514]

Worth the wait!!

[@rodrigobertoluci]

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

[@lukespread]

Good to see you're happy with the result, Sam.

[@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.

[@David.S.]

Ah, you're in the Peg. Had a few guitars worked on by the Beardsell guys as well, they do good work.

[@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.

[@johnm3946]

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

[@orlanbro]

Sounds amazing 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@jeffs.3533]

Teles rock and your new finish looks awesome.

[@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.

[@DJBuglip]

Very clever camera work, man. Good job. The guitar is gorgeous congratulations.