Patching a Big Hole in a ’53 Telecaster

www.stewmac.com/
This is an original 1953 Telecaster that someone routed holes in. It looks like it was modified to hold a Bigsby vibrato. Dan Erlewine replaces the missing wood with a darned good match so this guitar can go back on the vintage market.
About the guitar in this guitar repair video: This Tele body is from 1953. In order to sell the guitar, the owner wants to restore it to nearly-original condition.
Swamp Ash Body Blank
www.stewmac.com/0368.html
Clear Pickguard Material
www.stewmac.com/3419.html
Behlen Ground Hide Glue
www.stewmac.com/0669.html
ColorTone Shellac
www.stewmac.com/6181.html
Behlen Behkol Solvent
www.stewmac.com/0774.html
ColorTone Blonde Lacquer
www.stewmac.com/5884.html

[@Dobermanator]

For the relic, you should have drilled into the top and made a big black cavity in the shape of a bigsby.

[@ssurfcity]

Hahahahaha

[@johnsmith-sp6yl]

best comment i've ever read

[@bassfingers]

😆😆 That’s brilliant 😆😆

[@400_billion_suns]

Hahahaaaaaaa, my sides, I wish I could give this five thumbs up!

[@RyanMonty]

I'm glad I watched this video for a second time just to read this comment lmao

[@SeraphimKnight]

8:25 "I've got a bit of a hangover here..." totally misunderstood what he meant at first lol

[@italianguitargarage708]

He meant to say hoverang lol

[@MichaelD8393]

Especially considering Dan *sounded* like he had a few drinks before the camera starting rolling huh 😂

[@DrVink86]

Same here, especially because it comes back right after he says he's going to leave it overnight haha

[@Expedient_Mensch]

and his eyes look red. What an odd thing to say.

[@crazydavec3861]

@@Expedient_Mensch Maybe he went out and got "Relicked" the night before! 😂

[@MarkMiller-zm2th]

The repair was brilliant, the beating and scraping I can do without.

[@TheEchelon]

He did it so the body would match the rest of the parts, which are old and beaten up.

[@Fountain_Angel]

The Echelon I understand that but it just doesn’t seem right 👀

[@carltonnewsome2589]

To do such nice work and then destruction weird.

[@Ironworthstriking]

This is a great scenario where a relic makes sense. It's an old guitar that he did a lot of work to, why would you want it to look like a modern Fender? He did a tasteful job in making it look its age.

[@Fire_Marshall_Bill]

I mean the value on this body was already shot. I wouldn't have personally but a little dent after a repair like this doesn't hurt my soul as much as knowing that some idiot routed for a tremelo previously.

[@manfredpseudowengorz]

"...until it looks like a 53 telecaster that got in a few bar fights." The Electric guitar - Your weapon of choice since 1932.

[@alidan]

you know a guitar is a keeper when you use it like a mace and it stays in tune.

[@MonkyMonk729]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqeUk4BmpdWSpZY

[@alidan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sITEo5Zqp7plhNU

[@AntonioFardella]

That's why electric guitar's nickname is "the ax"...

[@sport2481]

Save the guitar...give them the drummer.

[@mspguitars6740]

I don't know why, but I've watched this video several times. I think I just love the fact that it was repaired so well.

[@brandonthompson8413]

Dan is a master.

[@ArmanBaig]

@@brandonthompson8413 he really is, i often come back to watch his mastery and learn something new every time.

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

And then deliberately ruined :(

[@101Volts]

@@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888 No. It's fine. If he set it on fire and let it burn to ashes, _then_ it's ruined. Dan did it to match the neck, so it still looks as worn as the neck. Otherwise, the owner's open to people who think he has a 1 year old body with a 60+ year old neck.

[@Waveluth]

Been a luthier for 42 years and I always learn something new when I watch you work. Your work is top notch!!👍🏻 ✌🏻

[@JENDALL714]

What kind of rock, do you use to relic?

[@Waveluth]

@@JENDALL714 I don’t know if your kidding or what but my answer is this: I wouldn’t use a rock or rocks to do any relic work on my jobs. Dan has his own way of doing things as do I. Everyone does. I enjoy his videos. I don’t always agree with his methods but you can’t deny how well his work turns out. He is an awesome Luthier. It’s the best job in the world if you enjoy it. And I do !!✌🏻🇺🇸

[@kingvkelly2313]

@@Waveluth see i want to be in that kind of work i did a carpentry course and i didn't pass but i still want to do it how did you start out any advice for this 18 year old haha

[@blakestone1432]

I watch a lot of woodworkers on KZbin, and this is my first time seeing this guy. Anyone can teach you how to use a router but this guy had countless tricks he suggested throughout the video, that could only come with true wisdom and experience. Those are some real trade techniques, no fluff.

[@steamy7860]

Doesn’t everyone take there 53 telecaster outside and scrape it on rocks 😂

[@zenobardot]

Only in months with 31 days, personally.

[@bilcarter]

I actually screamed when I saw him do that.

[@davecostello560]

No I only do that to 12 string Rickenbackers.

[@peterbadore1338]

Jeez, why not just have Pete Townshend work on it?

[@ernie325]

The owner likes his guitars like he does his whiskey: on the rocks!

[@estuardomaldonado1990]

watching dan relicing that beatiful guitar made me cry

[@jchavins]

me too...I don't get it

[@chiefmachine24]

I literally said "Oh!" in displeasure when he scratched it up against that rock haha

[@ewm335]

Snouter Agreed. We haven't seen the neck, but hopefully it was in better shape than the body. I'd guess the relicing makes the overall look consistent.

[@Iazzaboyce]

I'm OK with a bit of light sanding back the finish on the edges, but that stone thing was just plain wrong. For me artificial ageing should look like artificial ageing, so the guitar looks good, but honest.

[@noi5emaker]

I'm pretty sure it lost its value the minute someone routed it for a Bigsby. It's a player's guitar so I wouldn't worry about it. As long as the customer is happy, it's all good.

[@knedy]

I wish it was that easy to cure my hang overs.

[@MagnusKlo]

Just trim it of with a flush cut router bit, that has the ball bearing on the bottom!

[@alext9067]

Did that shoot over Magnus' head?

[@Fredwitrave]

I guess so :-)

[@MagnusKlo]

Now I'm confused - What ?

[@alext9067]

Magnus Kloppenborg I think what Jim Stewart Cohen is referring to is the term "hangover". It also means how you feel the next morning after drinking too much.

[@bpabustan]

You have to admit it: Dan Erlewine is a genius!

[@corneliuscrewe677]

I’ve learned a lot from him over the years.

[@draic890]

Relicing used to be so outlandish to me, but the job you did helped me see the beauty of it

[@Dylan-vk5uv]

10:53 without context this makes me laugh so much.

[@brettduffin8412]

Even with context. Idiocy.

[@juliansedor7101]

@@brettduffin8412 Not idiocy, it's art. You may not like it but a lot of people do. It's not stupid, it doesn't danger people or break anything. It's just a visual style. It's a 1953 guitar and he wants it to look like one.

[@brettduffin8412]

@@juliansedor7101 fakery

[@aranciata1723]

I laughed at how he said ash wood. Clearly I misheard him lol

[@SDPickups]

The cure for hangovers is don't drink the hide glue in the first place, stick to lacquer. Great video, thanks!

[@TheHuizenre]

I liked the patched and after the perfect paintjob I had to look away.

[@deanallen9660]

That is some really excellent work. Dan's a master. The quick glimpse of the bare wood was beautiful, too bad the customer didn't want a clear finish, especially with that patch done so well - SO impressive. And I so do not like relicing, I think it's cheesy. But what the customer wants, the customer must get. Great one, Dan!

[@krimpoo]

agreed....i simply don't understand why a person wouldn't want a beautiful finish on a great old guitar...just makes no sense. The owner already knows Dan made that magnificent patch so why not honour it with a great paint scheme?

[@captmcneil]

@@krimpoo I agree, I guess that's the difference between people who like old stuff just for being vintage, and people who enjoy keeping care of it and see how long you can make something last. If you're the first, there's no point in having an old guitar that looks brand spanking new. If you're the latter, you'd see the refinish as a good service and let it age on its own from there on. I guess for me, relicing a guitar will always feel the same as scratching the paint on a restored Mustang or 300SL.

[@Thoracius]

That patch would have been super obvious with a clear finish...

[@castleanthrax1833]

I think this is the first relic job I've seen where I didn't think "that's so disappointing, to ruin a beautiful guitar like that".

[@gimpdoctor8362]

"you know what? My paint guy is world class, but since you did a great job restoring the body I'll let you do the painting" "I'm gonna use spray cans and then beat the guitar with rocks and knives" "what have I done"

[@starluxstudio619]

Haha best comment

[@user-sz5xs7dm4u]

IF I WAS YOU , I WOULD BE AUTHENIC , USE THE SISTER SLEDGE HAMMER AN SAVE MONEY AN SPIT ON THE BITCH AN RUB IT IN WITH YOUR DIRTY HANDS

[@rosswheatley8329]

literally lol'ed.

[@Adam-wl8wn]

Aaahhahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!! Spot on!!!!

[@j_freed]

It came back to him looking like a 2012 Bill Nash, with a big semi circle of fake wear.

[@ncc74656m]

The relicing work makes me want to cry.

[@rickjasonis9716]

Your misery has my company.

[@JojoJack]

Yeah... that part was really sad...

[@fortj3]

If it were mine, I'd want it to look brand new, after the repair. I wouldn't want him to relic it. Such a beautiful repair. Why beat it up?

[@ijosef]

I'm not a fan of "relicing" either, but as a guitar repairman (or a master luthier in Dan's case), it's about what the customer wants. Sometimes these guys find themselves doing modifications or repairs in ways that they wouldn't do if it was their own personal instrument.

[@seanwarren9357]

Glad im not the only one.

[@dharmapada]

Great work. Would have been fun to see a final photo with it all put back together.

[@dxcman1]

i worked with a couple of guys when i was a young man that were wood carvers and were really skilled at their craft. Watching this makes me smile. This is a true art and skill to do this kind of work.

[@brucew.5177]

Ditto, I've never understood the "Relic" thing. I think you should have left the guitar alone and beat up the owner...lol

[@dyer2cycle]

..yeah, I don't care for that much, either...then again, I don't care for the "patina" thing on old vehicles, leaving them rusty and clearcoating rust and old paint...faking patina on old furniture, "antiquing", etc. ,either.....

[@silddx]

LOLz

[@nicparker3809]

Put a rock here and smash! WTF?

[@fmilton20]

LUL

[@Seventysongs]

hahahahaha is it.

[@ess2586]

Dan is an absolute artist! I cannot see the patch at all.

[@vintageguitarz1]

I've been a full time Luthier since 1980 (and I stopped being a regular studio musician) building, and repairing / restoring vintage instruments. I have to say this Stewart McDonald Luthier is the Albert Einstein of the Vintage Guitar world. A glass raised to 3 cheers to your craft!!

[@camilo1455]

Dan Erlewine, right? Austin guru back in the 80s, brings back memories...haven't watched video, already afraid to watch the relic-ing part. Probly do like you guys and shut it off early

[@ryanrepresenetinjsc]

8:26 “I’ve got a bit of a hangover here,” says most people AFTER they’ve scratched their guitar with a rock, not before.

[@Emanater]

I got a bit of a hangover here... hahahha Great work on the guitar

[@lucasshaffer3324]

That stuck out to me haha.

[@tylerl2503]

Had a laugh lol

[@PowerThirteen]

Glad I'm not the only one. "Oh, nice of him to be honest about it, but...oh wait no, he means the wood, oops." :D

[@j_freed]

Aaron Dyson - the important thing is he got his wood back.

[@Bigrignohio]

So do I . . . then he runs that router!

[@joeljezequel]

the relic on the outdoor stone made laugh! Nice work as always

[@carlmeany8072]

That wasn't a stone. it was 1 grit sand paper.

[@RickP654]

carl meany No, there wasn't any paper involved. It was a hammer mill.

[@wilfcarlton8571]

djorll torkadreuz H

[@Cronposh]

@@carlmeany8072 lmfao

[@jimschiltz5343]

I bought your book a few years ago and I learned so much about luthier work...it really made a difference! Glad to see your KZbin channel...a real treat!

[@pattistilwell7424]

HiJim how are you doing today 😊

[@reallyyouthful]

Was the stone he grated the guitar on outside a 'Stewmac' stone?

[@starluxstudio619]

Yup. It cost $900

[@evanparker]

@@starluxstudio619 always good stuff! they make you pay through the nose sometimes though :( half the time i just make my own tool.

[@javito810]

And the poncho camera too..

[@user-sz5xs7dm4u]

AS A MATTER OF FACT , IT WAS "ROCK" COCAINE

[@StratMatt777]

You can get that $900 Stewmac stone on amazon for 3 dollars... Oh, wait! No way!!! I just found one outside FOR FREE!!!! Seriously though, I think it would be SUPER interesting to do a scientific study to determine the maximum IQ of a person who wants their new guitar relic'ed.

[@ClassicalQuack]

That was nice, then it turned into a horror movie.

[@rifftipton7709]

I CRINGED. Just don't get the relic shit. Dan is a master though.

[@jackalguitars]

ClassicalQuack I miss my bandsaw!

[@stoojinator]

I don't understand why people like their guitars beat up. I have one which I've dropped countless times and it makes me sad because it's so beat up. Still plays like the day I got it, but it just looks unloved. Which is kind of what I see when I see a guitar that's had the relic treatment done to it,

[@nictoriacole]

I thought the same thing. Lol

[@TheCypher93]

I understand where you're coming from but it's just lacquer after all. If the owner ever wanted it to look mint he could just sand it and paint it again. You could do it ten times if you wanted.

[@Michael-hp2pe]

Didn't even realize a repair like this was possible. I am thoroughly impressed pops, I love this channel so much.

[@ChickenParmaSean]

This man is a true master of his craft

[@yourdrummer2034]

One of my favorite repair videos. Dan is a master and artist to say the least. Really clever with the sticky back mylar!

[@robwalton7749]

Great job Dan. There's a reason that you're legendary in this field. Love to have seen it back together. Thanks for posting.

[@pattistilwell7424]

Hi how are you doing today 😊

[@wk3818]

"I've got a bit of a hangover here" just found my long lost older brother.

[@MetalOfAllOwns]

I actually laughed way more than I needed to when he said that haha. I was like, that a boy Stew!

[@JL-jj1oj]

He was talking about the guitar...

[@npc2071]

@@JL-jj1oj you understand double entendres, now. Great.

[@260woodman]

That was funny.....he looked a little rough when he said that, I thought he was serious for a moment 🙈

[@notbraindead7298]

I couldn't imagine why he would say that, until the camera aimed at the repair.😊

[@LCMSM]

I have watched this about 15 times and may watch it 15 more! Always enjoy watching his work.

[@sequoia1171]

I really appreciate how detailed your explanations are and the process of how you were doing this. Very cool

[@LWilliamsYoutube]

Amazing work! The plug is nearly invisible even with a semi-transparent finish. This is a super power!

[@pattistilwell7424]

Hi how are you doing today 😊

[@thoth8663]

@@pattistilwell7424 doing fairly well, all things considered. You, on the other hand, seem to have the edge considering the unusual number of subscribers in spite of a total lack of content.....fare well.

[@Rastapapulus]

I stopped at the middle of the video just to say this before watching the rest , THIS IS NOT ABOUT MUSIC OR WOOD OR ANYTHING ELSE, THIS ABOUT LOVE AND ART, AND THIS MAN IS ARTIST.

[@ilpatongi]

@Patrick Ancona Ok boomer

[@michaelandmelanieasby4378]

Mr. Dan....you are the man....I could watch you do this art all day long.

[@jetcitysinatra7300]

WOW nice job. My Dad bought a guitar when you was a teenager. It was a Gibson Hollow Body Electric/Acoustic and he played that for ever. Then he switched to a Martin guitar. I had an old Kaye Acoustic guitar that my Dad bought me at an auction. I only had 3 strings on it and it was beet up but man I loved that guitar.

[@DS-yg4qs]

You are such a great guy and master builder... I could watch your videos for hours.

[@fearbabyriffs]

The Bob Ross of guitar repair. Love him.

[@derekstocker6661]

Just love the skill and basically artwork produced here, a great tutorial for the viewer and this ability to match wood and repair is great for so many trades to learn from. Wonderful video.Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@theRandy712]

Just beautiful work. I love watching a master do their thing

[@OtaconNachos]

I actually enjoyed that relic tutorial. I laughed out loud when he started to grind it against a giant boulder outside. Makes for great unintentional comedy.

[@lucasthomas781]

OtaconNachos I'm glad I wasnt the only one to enjoy that.

[@rickallen6378]

I laugh at this fucker only because he is a fucking clown.

[@gbot3377]

Like a Mad TV skit!

[@BOOSETO]

I turned it off at that point

[@spacejamgoliath]

@@rickallen6378 lets see your luthier skills

[@diddymies]

Your craftmanship with guitars is one of a kind art. I love your videos and your knowledge of almost everything of guitars. I really wish I could be a guitar woodworker but Im really allergic to dust. I hope you have teached someone everything you know for us later generations. Best of everything to you.

[@chrisjohnson4165]

One of a kind?!!! You must be joking.

[@johnpierson8398]

There are so many amazing things in this video! Dan is one of the best luthiers ever.

[@LandonsGrampa]

Having to be honest, I have no clue how to make a single chord on a guitar. That said, I have watched so many of these videos, simply because of the craftsmanship and attention to detail you guys have. You keep making these and I will keep watching these.

[@FLAMENCO961]

You are incredible sir!! You make an awsome job! Thanks for these videos

[@elephantricity]

I feel bad for that 53, scraped against a rock.

Elephantricity me too

[@j_freed]

Just the finish, the wood isn't being abused I think.

[@j_freed]

Alexander - it's people throwing them around roughly and being in a hurry that does a shitty relic job, and the very good ones are hard to tell from real wear. I think that this finishing detail deserves more respect than something like my Nash T52 light relic I got for 1300, Bill Nash is making a great sounding comfortable guitar to just play, not a historical treatment like this 53.

[@BackToTheBlues]

Technically, he just bashed a hole into the non-53 bit, but I'd still rather he hadn't.

[@davidglabais4919]

Amazing Craftsmanship and a pure talent for KZbin vids. Well done sir!

[@khaley37781]

That was so much fun to watch and so instructive! Thank you, Mr. Erlewine!

[@donaven58]

"Swamp Ash." I know I'm not the only one that heard something else lol

[@cposey]

Dat swamp ass body lol

[@sabrinabritcher439]

Me too 😂

[@rudya4970]

I love vintage guitars, but I could never in my life understand "relicing."

[@banacek60chord43]

Quite right: it's fake, as are most of its fans.

[@MonkyMonk729]

That's only because it makes no god damn sense.

[@101Volts]

@@MonkyMonk729 It makes perfect sense when you have a *Vintage* guitar that you *want* to match with *its own parts.* You want someone to be confused and ask why you matched up a 53 Tele neck with a Squier body, even though it's not a Squier?

[@e.l.norton]

Because most mint-looking guitars are pretty boring looking. The ageing gives it some character. It's a much more interesting look. And, most players aren't dragging their guitars all over the world for decades playing bars, theaters and arenas where that happens naturally. I have a few guitars I've had for 20 years that look like new. But, as I've built or bought newer ones, I always go for the relic. It's no more "fake" than buying a re-issue guitar because no way in Hell can you afford an original.

[@natetheguitarkid]

@G. V. Q Going out of your way to destroy your guitar is odd. But to each their own xD I play my guitar enough to where i accidentally "relic" them. Sounds like some OCD thing, i dont think having old and new parts would bother me.

[@ononoma]

There's nothing like watching a true Craftsman work! I think in almost all professions that's coming to an end because everybody goes to digital instructions. This man is a body work. And as older Generations retire and leave us I'm concerned that real art will leave us as well. Well done!

[@npc2071]

I got an eye twitch when he started relic-ing after that sweet paint job.

[@moonchild4806]

I'd put money on the fact that It's one of the bodies he sells that he rattle canned. I doubt it's the 53 tele body.

[@haveguitar]

Fantastic job on that tele! 👍 It would be seriously nice to have a guitar like that one... 😍

[@tommybyrne8092]

The Relec'ing of the guitar aside, that was a very good video. Clever way to find a similar grain pattern ! Thanks !

[@banacek60chord43]

Didn't check the end grain but after seeing what happened to it who gives a s#!t ?

[@anonymousanonymous3073]

Fantastic work. I love watching your magic hands work. Such a great repair.

[@rdint]

I think this is one of my favorite episodes, thanks Dan.

[@davecheney8501]

The man's an artist 🤘🤘🤘

[@coffeecomics3583]

I have learned by watching a master. Today is a good day.

[@dba4292]

Can’t believe what I just saw. Talent doesn’t even begin to describe him.

[@Mooseboy08]

06:10 Hahahaa! I did the same thing with my raincoat when I was doing an outdoor shoot and needed to cover my new $4000 camcorder. Dan, I love watching you work… I could never get anywhere close to what you do, but it's a joy to watch somebody who can.

[@mikeridesbikesplaces]

I'm such an idiot. I've always stopped at the painting stage. I never knew I had to scrape it off of a rock afterwards!

[@MrNonaste]

The man is an artist and a surgeon but that "relic" abuse on that masterful and beautiful craftsmanship just makes my stomach turn. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

[@400_billion_suns]

That perfectly refinished body would've looked weird and totally out of place with the original worn neck and hardware. A good repair is an undetectable repair. A perfect looking body with a worn neck is not an undetectable repair.

[@TheShop.]

I've watched this video 2 or three times over the years and I still think how amazing it is.

[@rayjones3212]

Very interesting. I would never have known how to go about doing a repair like that. Thanks for sharing your talents with us and showing us how to do a proper repair! Cheers from the Midwest (USA)

[@reno145]

I think the ultimate relic look would have been to leave the patched body all natural. Seal it up and twang away! Show the scars with pride.

[@alexanders562]

Exactly! Let's not fix it all up and then put fake wear on it. It had REAL wear and scars, duh.

[@WarrenPostma]

yeah. route it out and just hit it with one coat of shellac, and call it done.

[@Requiredfields2]

Right I made that point as well then saw yours.

[@michaelfarrell4824]

It's like people who spend $200 on a pair of jeans that look all ragged and stained

[@itzed]

Just replace it with a Squire body. No one will ever know.

[@dougfunny2347]

Ed Mathews dude that's evil lol.

[@rkgaustin9043]

Brilliant. The only tool you need then is a pencil to write "1953" in the neck pocket. Oh, and a rock.

[@Fredwitrave]

Maybe that"s exactly what Steward did at the end: you can't tell from the video ;-)

[@denverwalker9078]

I have a squier body with a Fender neck and Good Pickups and I bet no one could ever tell its from a squier hahaha

[@1959buddyh]

A Squire body is basswood which is a very soft (cheap) wood! This 53' Tele body is ash! Very BIG difference and anyone who knows guitars and woods would be able to SEE the difference!

[@mboyer68]

Putting the bearing below the cutter...I never would've thought of that. Brilliant! That guy is quite the craftsman!

[@400_billion_suns]

I'm willing to pay the premium for StewMac products just because they give us this absolutely priceless knowledge and education from Dan & company.

[@JohnBarrow1961]

Bloody fabulous job.

[@joesimon2018]

Nice work up until that relic business. I would have left that out.

[@jcsk8]

You don´t got the point. The neck is old, the hardware probably also. A shinning new body with an old neck would look stupid. So that relic job was done, so the guitar seems what she really are. A 53 telecaster.

[@joesimon2018]

João Carlos Still a bad idea. It always looks fake. Just play it a few years and be a man about it and it will look fine

[@jcsk8]

I would not be fine with a guitar with an old neck into a shiny new body.

[@joesimon2018]

João Carlos You're supposed to play it, not look at it. Relic is just stupid. always will be. Just for posers who want to look like professionals

[@jcsk8]

That's your point of view, and I respect it. But I still think that a guitar should look properly as a whole thing.

[@jason_x_90]

I don't even like teles really...but this video hurt my soul. What madman does that to a vintage guitar? This guy is clearly a master to have fixed that

[@slammerband2009]

You are the best Dan! I have learned so much from watching you videos and your book.

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

lol, he's a funny guy. I enjoyed this video and his sense of humor. UPDATE: Just came to revisit this classic video. Well, at least I think it's one of those videos that we can watch forever and ever.

[@ClarenceHW]

Great video Dan, this is one of the best ones yet. I used to relic unfinished violins imported from Germany. Take 'em outside, lean them up against the side of the building and toss a few handfuls of gravel at 'em, use a palette knife to add a few nicks and stain the indentations with either black or brown stain then varnish. First time doing it was difficult... kind of goes against the repairman/luthier's code of adding no further damage to an instrument.

[@jimclip2012]

Mad skills. Great work on a classic piece.

[@eddisonbuenano5282]

This was my first video that introduced me to you guys. Thanks for posting

[@isaacnewton6930]

loved everything(even the relicing), well done.

[@ebeep]

Wish they would have showed us the finished product!

[@user-sz5xs7dm4u]

IT IS A SAGA , DON'T GET SO PUSHY , WATCH FOR THE NEXT SHOW

[@TomGlander]

Always learn something new every time I watch Dan's videos.

[@SludgeFuZZ]

Had a similar job (not the relic part) and your solution was 1 to 1 applicable. Thanks, it saved me some time problem solving.

[@assymcgee1]

Loved the video, I especially enjoyed your relic process, it really shows how a bit of creative tool improvisation can go a long way and have stunning results! I’m not a fan of relic-ed NEW guitars, but people need to remember that this is a 53’ tele and in my opinion, as a result, the relic process is NECESSARY for it to look right. If I had one or was going to buy one, I would NOT want my 53’ tele to look like a new reissue, it’s simply not natural to me.

[@areligaming6263]

The “relicing” part made me cry a little

[@253abd]

The fact that i see your videos in place of usual ads is awsome! Much appreciation for sharing your skill and knowledge

[@vettemaniac2237]

Beautiful and skilled repair ... and then ... I CRY for the ol Tele ...

[@nitetrane98]

Kind of like the guy who owns his great, great, great grandfather's muzzle loader. "Well, we replaced the barrel, stock, side plates and lockwork, but the trigger is original."

[@somebloke13]

Took me a while to realise he was saying "Swamp ash". I heard "Swamp ass"!

[@johnroberts838]

I Love watching a Master Craftsman/Luthier at work👍👍👍. Thank you, Take care. Melbourne, Australia.

[@RedRose4711]

My favourite StewMac video.

[@Deebz270]

I really dislike the idea of 'relicing' guitars, mostly because it is so blatantly dishonest and ego driven. However, if there is one reason that relicising a guitar is acceptable, it is restoring an obviously vintage/veteran instrument. Great restore. Masterclass.

[@ileutur6863]

Worn in instruments feel better and collector boomers have already bought out all the vintage stuff. There, those are your reasons

[@TsiratiugZ]

I remain hopeful that relicing is a passing fad and will eventually become a thing of the past.

[@therideneverends1697]

The way i see it, just buy one used if you want one that looks beat up!

[@ghosthead2008]

TsiratiugZ This "fad" has been around since the late-'70s-early-'80s. So, good luck with that.

[@j_freed]

Becoming a thing of the past is the whole point of it being a relic.

[@robertallen3031]

I could not agree with you more. You relic by playing it. Otherwise your a poser. If it's a famous restoration from water damage ok I guess. Just play it and beat it up.

[@tonymctony4551]

Its kinda poser-ish I guess . If the guitar could talk as your beating it up on purpose it would say "wtf is your problem? " .

[@thegusk520]

The relicing was the icing on the cake. Good job.

[@brianoreilly2911]

Crazy old relic good job on the restoration

[@MrGiova-ep7kj]

1) Wow! This guy is a genius 2) what a nice job 3) why? 4) why? 5) why? 6) noooooooooooooooo

[@VirtuelleWeltenMitKhan]

so true

[@alexanderpalmer6067]

I like that after expanding your comment it gives me the option to Show Less... wish that was an option when watching the video

[@williambickham2042]

I would have kept it looking like a new 53 tele. It will look old soon enough!

[@zakmoranmusic]

Love watching these videos! this man really really knows his stuff! love from Ireland!

[@johnypitman2368]

Jimmy would be proud of your distressing work.