The "vintage" sound of modern folk guitar (for super cheap)

[@RhettShull]

This is one of the best guitar videos Ive seen on KZbin in quite a long time.

[@JonMeyer]

Imagine how good it could have been if I played guitar like Rhett Shull!

[@mcerruti77]

absolutely

[@erickmo1188]

I agree.

[@JB_Eckl]

Well said Rhett. The vibes are strong!

[@awalk56]

Hear, Hear...

[@dustingregory9295]

"but what are we doing for dinner?" my mans asking the real questions around here!

[@zafieronline4884]

No one seems to really be mentioning it, but I love how much your family is apart of your videos. The little sounds and interruptions in the background just makes it so comfortable to watch.

[@vickielawson3114]

A part, not apart. They’re together.

[@sixstringgypsy1]

As a daddy I agree :)

[@jjptech]

It makes it feel soooo real

[@viscid09]

As not dad I also agree it’s so peaceful the noises, lights, smooth guitar… it gives me peace I need this days

[@GoblinArmyInYourWalls]

​@@vickielawson3114pedantic semantics is unnecessary.

[@valley_robot]

For the Johnny cash sound put paper through the strings , the man in black used a dollar bill, put a big wooden spoon under the strings for a sitar effect , and finally sandpaper a bic pen so it’s rough and you have a violin bow for your guitar, I’ve been messing with deadening the strings since the 80s

[@Sylkis89]

Weaving a nylon string through strings of an electric guitar gives a guzheng-like sound coming though the pickups :) ofc use clean with a smidge if a delay/reverb and so on.

[@BillLumbergh4you]

,

[@rickwilliams967]

Why though?

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@rickwilliams967 Why? Music is about experimenting if anything.

[@LoftyAssertions]

This is far too professional and entertaining for free content. Mate, this was absolutely fantastic, really appreciate your effort, it brightened my day.

[@JonMeyer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Chicken_Soup890]

​@@JonMeyerwhat kind of Camera are you using, I'm not kidding.. I thought I was watching a movie the first 5 seconds! You just earned a faithful subscriber due to your tech skills.

[@tomfoolery342]

I'm dead!! The kid said "What's for dinner" and he rightfully asked "Did you see my new guitar?".🤣

[@AluinKali]

I‘m a bassist and all my instruments are very modern sounding 5strings. For the few occasions when I need a old school warm and muted sound I put on some flat wounds and put either a sock or a piece of foam under the strings close to the saddle similar to what you did. It’s pretty amazing how you can totally transform the tone of your instrument with some minor modifications. I‘d encourage anyone to just play around with stuff like that. Sometimes it can really spark your creativity to alter your sound just a little bit.

[@JonMeyer]

Absolutely!

[@FedericoMatarazzo]

I think this is the first time I see the rabbit hole musicians climb into portrayed as clearly as it is humanly possible. Nerds be nerds❤

[@pilsonguitars]

This is a great video! Love the quality and storytelling. As a luthier, this rubber bridge "thing" is maddening. We spend so much time in the intricacies of resonance and tone. To then have it all killed with rubber, man, that's tough. That said, you did a great job of demonstrating the unique uses for the tones it creates. I enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheGotoGeek]

In the violin world we sometimes do this intentionally.

[@dmanstarr]

We appreciate your efforts to make the magical tone of a well made instrument. That one great tone isn’t the only game in town.

[@sapphicquartz]

the original fender p basses and jazzbasses came with foam mutes built in aswell as the fender jaguar guitar having a togglable mute, its so sad mutes disapeared and have only come back recently, its such a great effect to mellow up your sound both giving it a softer attack, round mellow tone aswell as a more thumpy oumph

[@_Alex_Sander]

Old (early 1960s?) Gibson/Epiphone basses such as the EB2/Rivoli had felt mutes also

[@andrewcullen7671]

I love how completely different it sounds and then you play it for someone who doesn't play guitar and they're like "yeah? sounds like a guitar." I've tried to demonstrate for my mom the difference between my strat and my LP, and she doesn't get it, either.

[@cmcapps1963]

I feel ya. What's even worse is trying to explain to my wife, when it's time to buy a new one, what it can do that the others can't.

[@EclipseAtDusk]

@@cmcapps1963this all makes me so glad my wife Gets it - she even understood why, when I bought a guitar with a Floyd, I had to get a second one if I ever wanted to play them live

[@rich1051414]

Yeah, but let her listen to someone covering her favorite song and she will be able to tell that something is different, even if they play it exactly the same, because the tone isn't the same. Everyone can hear the tonal differences in different guitars if they know what to listen for, but most people's ears aren't tuned into the right station unless they get into guitars. Heck, many people can't even pick out the different instruments on a track without first going through the motions of forcing themselves to try until they finally hear them as separate instruments, and that may not even be possible without knowing what each instrument sounds like on it's own.

[@Maschine_Elf]

My girl can tell the difference between my tubescreamer, klon, dod250, and KoT in a blindtest.

[@andrewlyon8924]

The sound reminds me a lot of some cheap classicals with nylon strings that I've played. The advantage this has over those, however, is that you can use a magnetic pickup with it, which is pretty sweet 👍

[@danielyoung42]

Just discovering your channel. Love your lighting, camerawork, editing and OF COURSE the guitar playing and actual content. Super excited to be following along!

[@fishbrownconnect7927]

You can get this simmilar effect by finger picking on a classical guitar using silk and steel strings with a soundhole mute and aspri clip on spring reverb and a kitchen sponge stufed under strings by bridge. Super specific but it just has an old timey folk guitar sound.

[@Gene_Cali]

I love my Jim Dandy! I paid the same price and bought the $9. warranty. I ride 2 miles on bike with my guitar in a backpack type case everyday to jam with friends. two years and the guitar is still solid thanks to it's chunky neck. I accidently dinged the corner of the guitar, and used the warranty. They gave me my money back, and let me keep the guitar. Win-win. It's great for delta blues, slide, finger picking styles. Thanks for this video, Play on!

[@oscarmireles8283]

The guitar creates a beautiful melancholic sound. You, Sir, are amazing.

[@PeppaPew]

Most guitar videos drag for a really long time and you have to skip around to see when the action happens but you know exactly what we’re here for. Thank you sir❤️ And I just ordered a Jim dandy and I’m definitely gonna try this out

[@MatiasPerezHdz]

Just by the quality of editing, tone correction and overall story telling you've got a new subscriber and some one that is very happy of watching your vid!

[@Doit4mojo]

this channel is single-handedly gonna get me into modding guitars to sound the way i want

[@StephenTallamyMusic]

You are now ready to score the next “This is Us” style show

[@MisaAcim]

Just need to add some Indian insturments and vibes

[@dankeaziz]

I like how you deliver the story in this video!

[@mottmatt7844]

I've had a jim dandy for about 8 years. I think I might breathe some new life into it. Thanks a lot.

[@sellsy05]

wow im in love with that tone especially strummed

[@MatthewStClair-uy9sm]

Very interesting and I love your humor. I was just looking for info on adding a pick up to one of my acoustic guitars.The sound reminds me of the cigar box guitars I make.

[@ItsFinished]

I've been doing this with bass guitar for years. I use dense foam door/ window insulation.

[@ChorusHunter]

"Yes, daddy, cool but I'm hungry!" "Don't you see I'm with my new project now? You'll eat later, OLDER PROJECT."

[@jamesmackay4529]

I don’t think I’ve ever got to the end of a KZbin video and wanted to watch it again… until now

[@erickmorales3682]

This video is pure gold and joy. Beautiful visual, edit, æstethics, coloring, storytelling, sound… hands down best video Ive seen so far in this year.

[@yvetterodriguez2550]

Very cool. It reminds me of this indie/alternative sound from the late 90's to early 2000's. I'm feeling the vibes of Jose Gonzalez "Heartbeats", Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter" and "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band. You could also try playing the instrumental song "Non Sei Mai Lontano" by Italian rock pop artist Nek. Again, this was awesome. I liked the sound of that guitar. Maybe you can play these songs on your down time or on a cold, rainy day lol. Keep on rocking dude ✌😎

[@officialWWM]

I did this to my Fender Acoustasonic. It sounds great with the single coil pickup.

[@jeromerice3448]

Cody I recently got a orangewood Dana,I followed your instructions and I have found the sound that I Rembrandt from my youth! (I’m 76 yrs. Old). Thanks a bunch!

[@jasonashcraft4299]

that's the coolest sounding acoustic I've heard in a while

[@jtfritchie]

I love that you’re winging this for us. It’s a rare thing to see. It’s like I’m not watching an expert; I’m watching myself do this. Don’t know if that makes sense. Regardless, thanks!

[@loveisrag3]

i love how cozy it sounds, might need to get myself one

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Dude, you nail these instrument build videos, and it's so cool to see this one get the traction it deserves. The Taylor Swift bit in the beginning was smooth haha. I've become a massive fan in the last 3 months and feel the same way about it.

[@magnus7439]

"I think it works because when I pick it up I wanna write music with it" - that was almost exactly my thought when I heard how it sounds, it seems like a great tool for songwriting. I might need to pick up an inexpensive guitar and mod it with a rubber bridge and a pickup.

[@onegirlproduction25]

thank you for this video!! getting nifty with my old guitar as I type this

[@BushidoPhoto]

I did this, but used the Gretsch acoustic pickup. Works great and has good note separation with no distortion.

[@jimthethirdprobably]

Those gretsch pickups are great.

[@unknowuser1843]

As someone who has been making cigar box guitars for years, I really do love this. Love seeing people just experiment with their instruments.

[@RByrne]

Perfect timing! I got a Jim Dandy the same day you posted this video. They had a used one at a shop near me, and it was fun as hell to play, and cheap! Wanted to get the rubber sound. Got some flatwounds today too. Going to experiment a bit with it.

[@leesparey]

Great to see you smiling as you discover new tones you've created. Really like the sounds you're coming up with there :-)

[@chloescat]

I've an oxblood Jim Dandy and love it to bits. A great couch guitar!

[@Matahalii]

I did this as a kid with a spontex sponge cloth in 1992 with my nylon classic giutar and it soundes inerestingly amazing.

[@cheeseburgerbae5272]

GODDAMN. my algorithm is SO GOOD. But this video is EVEN BETTER. Thank the gods. You’re doing the lords work sir.

[@David..]

That was a very slick plug for your business in the video.

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

This is the first time I've come across your KZbin Channel and I really enjoyed it. I've got a bunch of old unamplified acoustic guitars laying around... I'm going to have to try this 😊👍. Thank you for doing this uniquely very interesting topic !!

[@tommydeamon7657]

Teaching you're self new skills or just new approaches to old things is still a self betterment thing and that's awsome

[@MyFanaticHeart]

I'm going to echo a few others here and say I am so glad I stumbled upon your channel. It's like you articulated how I feel about playing music.

[@camerenabila4407]

I’ve been considering doing this to an old Harmony guitar I got from my grandpa years ago. I have a bunch of really nice acoustic guitars so it would give me a real reason to pick it up and play it.

[@domino4565]

A very detailed technical description of how to get old.

[@outerbanks854]

love Love LOVE...flatwound strings... My knuckles don't ache like they used to ...after playing 4 hours

[@BarklyMitford]

Really!!!! Never had a problem with my Jim Dandy, but then again I can play guitar.

[@livefromstudioa8245]

This is the most compelling, absorbing, and entertaining video I have ever seen on a guitar subject I have absolutely zero interest in. SUBSCRIBED.

[@cameronmcgee7113]

I just went through school learning from really experienced luthiers- you got the right idea of sanding the saddle how you did. The only thing is to make sure the front side of the saddle is sanded evenly with the backside (basically, make sure it’s still flat)

[@damianmaynard2592]

Sounds very similarto Shakey Graves/ Bin Iver sound. I love my Jim Dandy guitar, I tuned it for slide but have noticed that its started cracking and lifting the saddle up.

[@GrievousAngelo]

My dad used to put a bandanna under his strings for certain songs.

Very cool!! The sound reminds me of an old Greek harp also; it's "mythological".

[@eulman09]

I sense a new sample library will arrive soon. Kudos!

[@jonathanbchamp]

This channel rocks dude. You are going places.

[@Virtual-Media]

What are we doing for dinner? See my new guitar? I've used that line a few times..

[@TwdlD]

I learned to play on my mother's old travel guitar. It was super cheap and the strings had never been changed. It got lost along the way of life. It was perfect for my small hands.

[@bveracka]

1:07 Flat wound strings are just awesome - so punchy, so warm, yet still clear enough for many applications. Rhythm players couldn't ask for better strings. Another huge boon is no scratching noise, which even the best players can't eliminate entirely. There's a good reason why the jazz greats have used them for decades; if you're after a mellow sound, flats are where it's at. Question: The GHS flats I use are $25 a pair, but those D'Addario Chromes are $20; how have they been holding up? Never hurt to save a buck. Anyways, cool video. It's always fun following tone trends, and funny how the sound of yesteryear's "worse" equipment and guitars is all the rage.

[@bluehole6019]

I don’t know of another craft/business that relies so heavily on outdated design practices and superstition as music and music production does. Almost ALL new gear on the pro-audio side of things is trying to replicate or put a new spin on an old technology. They definitely got it right the first time.

[@bveracka]

​@@bluehole6019 You're absolutely right. I gotta be honest too; I never thought about it that way. You definitely don't see the guys at GMC or Ford going over a 1960's muscle car with a loupe saying, "how can we replicate this?" 🤣👍

[@davecsizi]

Hi Jon, first time viewing your stuff, I loved the cinematography and the flow of your video, great, clean and informative content. Also, it's quite tasteful how you include your family without actually showing them. Their presence adds to the video, yet their privacy feels respected. Looking forward to your next video, cheers!

[@jarelbert]

exactly why I came down in the comment section

[@real_anxst]

The Gretsch Gin Rickey has the pickup and wiring already done for you on this, you'd just need the bridge rubber. I have one, might give this a go. Cool vid!

[@annmarie3573]

I came here to say this. 😄

[@-Pol-]

The Gin Rickey's Deltoluxe pickup doesn't have the volume and tone wiring however. I put a DeArmond Tone Boss in my Jim Dandy; it has a little volume wheel built in that's pretty easy to adjust with a flick of the ring finger. It also has adjustable pole pieces that enable you to balance the individual string volumes a bit better. For instance, to quieten a strident B string,

[@oneminuteknowhow]

min 5:02 That sound texture is gold.

[@thejasontlewis]

Garsh darn it. Now I have to do this. Thanks, Jon!

[@MemeKing44]

brilliant and refreshing video, not only in quality and production, but also in originality, in which you, did something unique most people are not willing to do, and then made it easy to watch. thank you.

[@daviddenoncourt757]

Love it, please just swap your knobs for vintage white ones to match the yellowed parts of the guitar and it will look perfect!

[@JonMeyer]

planning on it

[@sky-hakala]

I love when you get this like super rad new tone and your so stoked and show your family and they said “it sounds like a normal guitar” haha so relatable! Great video btw 🔥

[@jakegracia2874]

Jokingly picked one up 5 years ago. Still haven't put it down. Best $150 I ever spent.

[@JKFlaker]

I’ve got one of those Jim Dandy guitars. I bought it about 6 years ago for campfires, camping, just having handy around the house etc. Actually brought it to the beach today to pass the time. It’s easy to travel with. I found a cheap gig bag for it. I take it on airplanes and it generally fits in the overhead bin. It’s good enough quality to play but not so expensive that if something happens to it I’m out a lot of $. And yeah I shaved down my saddle (a bit too much though 😮)- something I wouldn’t try on my other guitars.

[@elmelmon]

I'm not a guitar player but I hear in my head a story telling song like a child and his/her momma, maybe a violin or fiddle. Wow I really like it.

[@albikes8484]

Thank You. Im about to drill into my Jim Dandy. The action on mine also came high. Both nut and Saddle. Once i set it up. I love it.I love the look. And the Parlor Size works for me. I use foam on my Bass. Ive never thought about using mutes on my guitars. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@SaccoBelmonte]

I have one of these Jim and Dandy which proven itself very useful to do Lute + flute + small drum taberrn music for a videogame.

[@TomHenry-gl5fm]

Really cool. The whole point of getting a guitar is to make music with it. I started ruining them right out of the gate.....now, I wanna ruin another one. This was a great video. Thanks!

[@adamsappel]

Nice to see that Gretsch Americana Sundown Serenade at 4:50! I just missed out on them when they were getting clearanced at Target for $80.

[@aravindvinayakan]

This is incredible! A small price to pay for such a sonically interesting piece of kit!

[@H_Oscarsson]

There's a Gretsch in the same style as the Jim Dandy that already has a pickup. The Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey. Costs about $100 more than the Jim Dandy. Worth checking out.

[@codpug]

neat, i did almost identical thing to this exact guitar 6 years ago. still use it today. awesome stuff

[@muimuhadresh3986]

That sound reminds my so much of the sound from a Ben Howard album 'Every Kingdom'. I just love that sound.

[@djabroni_brochacho4644]

I'm no luthier but I've filed down my saddle for my flamenco guitar. And being an electrician I didn't have sandpaper, but a metal file for reaming conduit. Very effective 😂

[@garrystubbs4891]

I’m rediscovering my acoustic playing after ignoring it for many years. I’ve recently even bought a couple of quality, but beaten up acoustic guitars from pawn shops (Cash Converters here in the U.K.) to experiment with for recording purposes. Your video here is just what I needed to provide some new ideas (on old sounds !) Fabulous content, and well worth my subscribe. Thanks !

[@CharleySuede]

I lost my Jim Dandy in a house fire. I really miss that thing; it brought a lot of songs out of me.

[@kmcg101]

thanks for answering a question I've had since I saw Wilco about 10 years ago. I asked a huge Wilco fan friend why Jeff T's guitar sound was so small and he didn't know. The unanswered question has been lurking in the back of my mind since then and this answers it! It's a folk guitar thing.

[@callum3651]

Mate every aspect of this video was amazing, content, production, sound. Definitely will be coming back to watch your videos again

[@chasvox2]

Terrific! Sample that for sure! It will be a hit library for you.....

[@nickkttucker]

The production value of this video was much higher than it needed to be and I love you for it.

[@kevdoom2]

I’m definitely going to need to “make” one of these. Just listening to you play gave me a hundred ideas.

[@nateshaw3911]

Great video! I'd like to add another inexpensive and non destructive option into the conversation: Blu-tack or a kneaded eraser, stretched over and placed on top of the strings at the bridge will accomplish this sound as well. No cuts and easily installed/removed. That said, Mr. Meyer's solution is both practical and more elegant. Best wishes.

[@jimsanger]

One of your best videos yet Jon. My favourite guitar is a cheap squier tele, I fitted all new wiring, pickups and tuning heads and it sounds great. Like you I wouldn't normally dare touch my nice acoustics. The sound from that gretsch is lovely, I'll be experimenting with pieces of rubber.

[@JonMeyer]

Thanks, Jim! I love vintage, expensive guitars from name brands, but the level of quality in modern, cheap guitars has never been better.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Easily my favorite music channel on KZbin

[@BradTaylor-f1d]

I just picked one up for $149 plus tax. After watching this vid, I had to give it a shot! I’m planning on trying something similar to this build with it. Nice work, John!

[@sstorholm]

Try a bit of foam under strings like bass players do, it sounds a little bit more open and thus a bit more natural.

[@mikaso]

6:08 That scary music during the soldering was brilliant 😅

[@OokisMcFlookis]

Always makes me think of Phoebe Bridgers, love the sound

[@ev1324]

"When I pick up, I want to write music with it" How inspiring this is for me, love it.

[@cdbrown30]

“But what are we having for dinner?” it fit into the context of buying a new guitar so well lol

[@Carterwray1]

This is perfect. Ive wanted that old parlor guitar sound for blues. My playing level does not warrant owning a 3rd guitar, but my acoustic is perfect for this.

[@rangzx5762]

Sound very cool and very warm at the same time

[@zach_ofalltrades2414]

I’ve passed by these guitars thinking they look cool a hundred times. Now I think I’m buying one.