Lifting Bridges

[@noelgraham4607]

Anything you put out, even if you've done many of them, are still fun to watch

[@jthonn]

I agree with that. Sometimes with his calm voice, he puts me to sleep, but I have learned a lot from him.

[@BiyoyoArte]

This last week Ben Crowe of Crimson Guitars in the UK gave you a mention and a recommendation. He was doing a repair and said that he was neither an expert nor the definitive word on repairs. He said if anyone wanted expert advice to watch your channel or communicate with you. Kudos!

[@coolfouad74]

Can't get enough of your videos :) Once you the Walden's bridge showed up, I said to myself "yesssss, I want to watch another one"! Please don't hesitate publishing a repeated job. For me, watching you working on guitars is one of the things I love. You've done a great job. Thank you :)

[@goofykids]

LOL, I would have stuck around and watched the Walden section. The videos are getting better and informative, I love 'em , keep up the awesome videos.

[@HayesTech]

I actually made a tight fitting insert to get rid of the adjustable saddle on my 1965 Texan. I watched your videos for the inspiration. I absolutely love the sound now and it can go back to stock, if needed.

[@perihelion7798]

I'm one that believes the bridge on that 12-string was warped before it was installed. Really nice work on that Gibson, as usual. Thanks for taking us on these journeys.

[@johnnyd63]

I agree...For a "premium" guitar manufacturer,Gibson kinda sucks.

[@sam127001]

@@johnnyd63 just for clarity's sake , the warped bridge was on the newer chinese Guild , not the Gibson.

[@Sammywhat]

Am I strange that I wanted to see that Walden repaired as well?? Always a pleasure to follow along with you, Ted!!

[@dannyprasetya2496]

Waiting for your videos coming up every week has become embedded in my system. Doesn't even matter what kind of job it is, either electric or acoustic has been done before or not, I am still excited to see your videos. Keep on going Mr. Woodford. Thank you

[@wolfgartom]

Even if you say you do a lot of the bridge or setup or whatever videos, it doesn't matter to me. I love hearing about the individual guitars histories, tidbits about their construction, etc. All the things you talk about in your videos is entertaining and often enlightening. Thank you for posting, no matter what it is!

[@realjumper]

As always....very interesting, no matter that we've seen lifting bridges before. They're all different in one way or another so there is something to learn on each one. Thank you for showing this to us :)

[@goodun2974]

"Happy bridges are all alike; but every unhappy bridge is unhappy in its own particular way". Paraphrasing Tolstoy

[@LitoLevenbach]

Interesting. I once returned a new six string Guild from this same series because the bridge was also separating a bit. Excellent work as always!

[@RandyFricke]

I have an acoustic guitar that did that and all I did was drill a couple of 3/8" holes on the back end of the bridge behind where the strings mount and glued a couple of dowels in, smoothed them down and stained them. Looks fine for my liking and it's a better bridge mount than when it was new.

[@J.C...]

This is what I needed. A palette cleanser. Lovely! Thank you, Ted! Time to binge repair vids! 🙏👌

[@kylevandeusen]

I would have, absolutely, set through another one 😅 you're the best!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

8:01 Alright new strings & it's ready to play again. Keep in mind that for E Standard the Strings need to be a rather light of a gauge (and have a very low tension) to minimize the tension & maximize playability

[@scottreynolds4252]

Watching your bridge repair over again is a real pleasure. I tend to intuit what you will do next and compare, not only from my own experience, but from your previous videos. Which is quite fun to do.

[@soniah4821]

Ted, you could NEVER be boring! Thanks again.

[@Billbobaker]

Nice video thanks for sharing it. What kind of glue did you use under the bridge? It looks like CA glue.

[@edcowles6414]

That Gibson sounds great. It is a flashback sounding guitar. Great job on those.

[@mogasm6091]

this is my therapy to tune the world out for a bit, thank you for doing what you do so others can enjoy

[@TroubadourJuggernaut]

As always, fantastic work ... you care for these guitars like they were your own.

[@JohnKorvell]

Even though some of the repairs may seem repetitive, the side comments, (some you try to slip by) are always new and worth the viewing! Good fun, Ted!!

[@tinman8518]

Nothing like the sound of a vintage Kalamazoo Gibson. Beautiful. Nice work!

[@Sungodv]

love ya, Ted....thanks for giving us yet another glimpse into your stellar work, sir

[@AlexVonCrank]

Wow that 12 string really breathed when you played it. Rich sound! Great work Ted👍🏽

[@brunolavoie]

Great timing! A new video! We don't mind seeing you redo a bridge at all, great work

[@susanroycroft89]

Excellent Workmanship, Iv'e just bought an Ashton with a slight split running through the pin/hole's and you gave me some excellent tips on fixing it, sincere thanks

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

That Gibby tone is right up my alley. I like that sharper attack. What a great fiddle that is.

[@paulewilliam8395]

Thank you for your videos. They’re the highlight of my weekends. I just bought a Silvertone with a lifting bridge. It’s like you know what my latest project is.

[@johnhowe4079]

I was just about to buy a guitar with a bridge completely off.

[@kevinsnyder4425]

@@johnhowe4079 I did too. ! It's a 1935 college pal parlor guitar. In excellent condition, except the bridge is off & some of the seams need to be reglued. And now ,after watching ted, I'm not afraid to try the repair. !

[@russellzauner]

This is very timely - I just got a "professionally fixed bridge" assured by the seller of a used guitar I really wanted. Good thing it came in at a price point that made it still okay that it's even got belly buckle, which I expect might involve removing the bridge. Thanks as usual for kickass content that seems to come pretty often right when I'm refreshing on the same topic. :-)

[@russellzauner]

and yes, the first thing I did was take the tension down and the belly buckle didn't really heal at all but it sort of moved, so I have good hope that it's not too tore up inside being that it's literally a 12 string...they may have done what they do for a 6 string (their "luthier"). With the flame top on a full blonde maple dreadnaught and the camera angles there was no obvious hint but in all honesty, it's better than never finding the guitar in the first place. If I don't have it I can't fix it and, well, I don't have it. ;-)

[@russellzauner]

half step down is where everyone from Thin Lizzy to Alter Bridge lives. I think there are more people actually publishing music a half step down than people at 440-ish standard.

[@vikingbeard]

Thank you for another great video. I ordered a t-shirt a while ago, now ordering two more as they're excellent quality!

[@corporalrich]

You keep fixing them, and I'll keep watching.

[@ranzablevins7593]

Wonderful videos. Something about the sound of Gibson just sooths the bones

[@J.C...]

Thank you for sharing these beautiful instruments with us, Mr Woodford. It is very appreciated! 🙏👍

[@nicolen.9642]

Ted, you're never boring. Learning from you is interesting and fruitful. I particularly like the bridge work. 👍🎶🎶🎶

[@tonybrijeski4912]

Best comment ever - "Being proud that your 1967 Chevelle hasn't had an oil change" - I nearly spit my coffee all over my keyboard.

[@mysterybob]

I have (I think) the same model of Guild 12 string and it also has a lifting bridge. Particularly annoying since it has always been tuned down to C, so has never really experienced full tension.

[@billbones1000]

Ted I'm just arriving back home in the gaspe coast after a weekend trip to Halifax to take delivery of a boat. Hit a Japanese restaurant down by the Halifax Pier. I had on my headstock recapitation T......as did the guy at the table next to us.....lol.....we were both pretty pleased.....our wives were quite confused....."is that a band?"....."a KZbinr?"......"boys".

[@peterbieri888]

Hey, I really like your comments on measurements, you give us not only instructions in imperial also in metric which is really usefull for us Europ watchers. Thank you!

[@mattbridges8908]

This did indeed lift me. Thank you.

[@HJOTech]

This was lovely to listen to/watch!

[@mightyV444]

Synchronicity! I was thinking about my own life being in 'Groundhog Day' mode only this morning and even using that term! 😀

[@axslinger99]

Ted, I don't know if you've ever heard this before but you're are seriously the Bob Ross of lutherie. I stream you to my livingroom TV relax watching your videos. You're good for my health! God Bless!

[@ShannonFerguson]

I would have watched another! Thank you!

[@1555yodude]

so you decided you would lift our spirits with this video as abridged as it were

[@tuskedbeast]

Those both sounded delectable. I wonder if you ever covet the guitars that come through, and what your personal guitars are.

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

Yup, C# Ted. Always done it. Both my current 12s are tuned there - no bridge lifting, absolutely minimal bellying. One is 12-13 years old, the other about 7. 👍 And the bonus? Makes ‘em sound great, like a ‘barrelhouse piano’. Low actions too, and no buzzing - at all!

[@firecrackerheart]

damn fine work, ted. that southern jumbo is real dreamy .. .

[@davidbulanowski1091]

It's funny that you ended with the Walden Natura. I happen to have one that I had the bridge reglued around 2007, that popped again about 2 years ago. The guy who repaired it the first time told me that the wood under the bridge was unusually thin. He's since passed away, and I'll be dealing with it myself this time, but I've been putting it off since there's no real urgency to get it done.

[@markdalton293]

Dude you never cease to amaze me

[@allfields]

Eb is great for classicals too, that's all I play with. Gives a more old worldy feel to things

[@johnmueller6240]

Bridge repair is all the same and yet they are all different. Bob Ross made a fortune out of, "happy little trees." They are all the same but every one is different. I enjoy watching your craftsmanship and I would have happily watched the third bridge repair.

[@roberthickey4826]

Wow … you got a huge shout out on Crimson Guitars!! 👍👍🎸🎸.. he said your repairs were absolutely amazing!!!!

[@ZitherBeast]

Fantastic stuff. Sounded good too.

[@stevecroft5068]

You should have a TV series Ted. Brilliant and informative as always.

[@joekagerer]

I love your videos, nice concise to the point demonstrating to us mere mortals that we don't have the skills necessary to fix our own instruments. My brother is an instrument repair tech with 45 years experience. He has skills I only dream of. You may appreciate this, maybe not... When he first met his Father in law, his response was Wait a minute, you're not EVEN a Musician! You're a musician's mechanic!!! 🤣 Thanks again for hours of education and enjoyment.

[@seanj3667]

I love to videos is things I feel like I could probably do, if I had to (but could not do as well). These have given me the guts to try small traits on my own basses and guitars, most of which came out ok. Great video, as usual.

[@sharg0]

I call it "symptom of cheap". Cheapest furniture, cheapest plumber, cheapest clothes, cheapest tool... And then people complaints when stuff fail. Only things that's allowed to cost are things that really isn't necessary but has a lot of "bragging rights" (like latest top model phone). [End of Rant] Makes me appreciate this channel even more for the sills and care shown.

[@justinbradfield6499]

Thank You Sir for all you our posts !!!!! I have a restored 1927 HGibson L-1 do you have any advice for polish and fret board hydration

[@DerangedTechnologist]

Excellent, as always. Thank you!

[@andrewreynolds2647]

Surely a new bridge is required, i am not an expert but to me this would be the obvious solution, i do know that wood once bent does not like returning to what it was before the twisting took place especially if it has been that way for an extended time period. I do not doubt your skill, but to me this looks like a no brainer. Cost is obviously at play here. Thanks for your great videos, i watch you all the time and you are an excellent luthier. Cheers. Andy. Scotland.

[@Notinserviceij]

You can get it to have a different memory, steam and heat helps that But yeah probably borrowed time

[@kevindonohue8918]

Have you ever done a vid on all the different tools you use? That would be pretty cool

[@AndyTateMEMPHIS]

Excellent my friend..❤

[@mikeguiggey2586]

Great job, like the"road tests" too..🎶

[@limpindug]

Enjoyed thanks for sharing. A motto to live by you'd never know unless you knew. 😂👍🥃Respect to you mate.

[@pjmorley5785]

Am I the only one who checks his feed and yells out, "Yes! Ted posted a new video!"

[@SonofTheMorningStar666]

Absolutely not!

[@that_thing_I_do]

Even though Ted doesn't love us , as much as we love him...YES..I check for his posts about this time every week.

[@robertshorthill6836]

Yeah Ted, I paid $250 for my '64 J-50 w/ a cheap case. After a couple years, before I was shipped to Okinawa, I got a hard shell case, which cost 65 bucks, if I remember. All a lot of money in those days -- money was worth more, huh? Bob

[@caseyk6625]

Adjust for inflation and that $265 in 1967 would be just over $2,000 today.

[@gideonk123]

@twoodfrd Don’t you think that the quantity of bridge dislocation problems indicates a design-flaw, and that perhaps a better design would be to have the strings go all the way to the lower bout like they are in (some) gypsy jazz guitars and banjos?

[@brunojaysutter]

Have exactly the same problem on my guitar very tempted to try it

[@Ujeb08]

Nice job! I enjoy watching a perfectionist type work but also who knows when to "let it go". I can tell that you feel for the instruments you repair - like it was your own. Thanks for sharing. I have a question if you don't mind. I have an acoustic 6 string that I bought when I was 17 around 1973. It has Sterling pearl inlay on the the headstock. Inside was a faded paper label with the word Atlas but I cant make out anything else. It's Brazilian Rosewood sides and back but the back has a tapered mahogany panel the full length of the body. The Binding and the rosette are very "Blingy". The guitar is in very good condition and cost me like $200 in 1973. I wonder if you can tell me anything about where it was made and by who? Does it have value? (It reminds me of like a D45- ish)

[@lorencing]

Nice vid, thanks. Did you use CA glue to fix and fill the "hair on the dogs back" prior to sanding and glueing?

[@jthonn]

The amount of work you put in straightening the bridge on that 12 string, I would have made another bridge or bought one, but that's me. Being bent to start with, even though you straightened it, it could go back. Nice job though, you do enough of them that you know what you are doing, I am in no means knocking you, just my opinion.

[@twoodfrd]

How much do you charge people to make a bridge?

[@jthonn]

@@twoodfrd I see what you mean I guess, It just seemed that you had a lot of time in the straightening of the old one. Ted you know more about guitars than I ever will, just I look into the future too much I guess. I feel that the same thing is going to happen again. I have seen you make beautiful bridges, but if it is not in the budget, maybe keep a couple of standard bridges in stock, as many as you do. I like your channel and you are one of the best that I have seen with your repairs. You know your history and have a calm soothing voice. Kudos and keep on rockin'

[@vadenk4433]

I was doing some research after realizing my 68 hummingbird had a 25.5 scale. I read that Gibson acoustics went to 25.5 in 66? Anybody know for sure?

[@ricklucky9044]

How did you get the glue under the bridge without removing it?

[@1-eye-willy]

it must be humid in your neck of the woods when you have these seasonal-serial bridge lift jobs

[@jrpipik]

I love your channel. It would be nice to see both hands when you play.

[@twoodfrd]

You might steal my technique and use it to become a wealthy superstar.

[@jrpipik]

@@twoodfrd That sounds pretty good! Now I really want to see both your hands when you play.

[@ahhimary3475]

How can you re glue the bridge without removing it?do you squeeze glue underneath it and how?what type of glue you used? thanks

[@Hollcall]

Bought my SJ in 1966. Replaced the tuners about 45 years ago with Grover's. Replaced that horrible adjustable bridge in 1997. Re-fretted around 1995. Guitar , strap & case [ hard shell } in 1966 was $405 CAD. $.

[@stevehead365]

Was the Walden commissioned by B F Skinner? Does it have a rat logo on the headstock? I like the colour of your T shirt. Nice fix on the Gibson, you would have to look really hard to see the crack. As many bridge fixes as you like, they're all a bit different, including the heroic bending of the 12 string bridge.

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

Is it that time of year that you see the results of the winter?

[@dannyrosado2554]

New subscriber to the channel! I have a question about the rosewood dust. I’ve read that wood dust can be toxic, and that rosewood is one of the worst. Do you wear a respirator or anything when you use it? Or is it just such a small amount that it’s not an issue? Thanks!

[@StayClassy635]

When he said "I'm not going to subject you to another one", I was a bit sad :( . I was looking forward to another bridge repair! I find these videos, and all of your videos really, to be extremely informational and enjoyable to watch. Keep up the great work!

[@IvanTheUndertaker]

Would sanding the bridge flat, and then laminating it onto a shim have been another viable option?

[@INDYOSKARS]

Beautiful Gibson (1967). Jerry Rosa always wants to take those screw-bridges off and it may make the guitar sound like a "real" guitar but it will not be the same guitar as you mentioned with the ´click, strum sound´. I got an Eko guitar bought it in 1975 with this kinda set up and strumming it and picking it near the bridge gives it this special sound, l liken it to a harpsichord, shimmering sound. A friend of mine who dabbled in instrument repair put in a whale bone in, it still sounds good but not with that ´click, strum sound´ and l must confess l miss it. Still got the original, so l could put it back in again.

[@anAeijingBuffoon]

What’s wrong with putting a metal plate, just a little wider than the bridge, underneath the bridge inside the guitar, with the strings going through that instead of the wood, to take the pressure off the body and bridge?

[@twoodfrd]

Some people don't like metallic overtones. On your instruments you should go for it!

[@anAeijingBuffoon]

@@twoodfrd Yeah, I though there might be some way you could muffle that, or use a solid piece of wood, that wouldn’t crack under pressure and absorb the sound instead of resonating.

[@tomasskrinskas4482]

How do you decide if the bridge needs to come off entirely and re-glued VS just re-glueing the lifting portions? I have a situation where the wings and say 5mm of the back of the bridge are separating. The separation is not deep enough to get to the pin holes so I'm tempted just to glue it back as is without removing (similar to the second guitar in this vid). Also - what glue did you use in just glueing the wings down (cyanoacrylate)?

[@sotirzvanidjubre4109]

I have one cheap Harley Benton traveler size guitar that was a B stock. But for some reason that guitar looks,feels and sound so good i freaking love it and it makes me play it more than other of my guitars. Thats why i care. It has a bolted on bridge like most traveler guitars, but from behind it has maybe 2 spots under the bridge where you can slip a piece of paper for maybe 2mm. But only couple of spots. Is that a big problem at the moment? Considering it has light strings and its a bolted bridge? One luthier said it maybe came from the factory like that and maybe it can possibly go for 50 years more that way. You know,its almost not visible, its bolted bridge, it has light strings and its cheap. So any opinions?

[@sotirzvanidjubre4109]

This one harleybenton.com/app/uploads/products/13549436_800.jpg

[@stimpsonjcat67]

Walden looked like the top might be a cedar top?

[@zubeystinzen540]

You could do twenty bridge's & I'd still watch because as much as I love your work,it's your playing of the instruments at the end that I look forward to,each instrument is reborn & with your unique playing style well let's just say it floats my boat ⛵😉 by the way, have you ever thought about doing a podcast about all things guitar ie historical, manufacturers ect as your voice is very easy on the ear & your sarcasm is simply the best.

[@timothycormier3494]

Hahahahah what?? Three of’em !! I was all set to learn something else!! But your right!! I have a question. I know that the typical bigger manufacturer. Gibson, Martin.. ect. They probably spray the body with like a…template…something in place of the bridge. If one were to build his own acoustic guitar. Would it be better to glue down the bridge first and then like tape off the bridge real nice like and then spray the guitar??

[@thesaintcroxx203]

oh boy oh boy, 9:11 so he knows how to, the big ol' bluegrass.

[@militant_daisies]

man you are a damn good guitar player.

[@MatuGuitar]

I have repaired many guitars with issues like this. Some guitars were even in worse condition, with the soundboard cracked and needing to be patched up.

[@JackGladstoneHolroyde]

Sat down for Sunday dinner and the perfect watching presents itself. Thanks Ted

[@matrox]

How do you get the pearl screw covers out the bridge?

[@jeffreylazzarinisr7419]

Great vid as always. If I need a guitar repair where are you located? TY

[@MikeGervasi]

I just came back to this as I am going through my acoustics and my Seagull 12 has a bit of bridge lift. I'll loosen the strings and put weight on it for 24 first.

[@elbowache]

Ever think of starting a twitch? Or just streaming here? I'd watch a "slow tv" long form version of this. I think others would too. I'm actually trying to learn this, so I might be biased.

[@cidercreekranch]

Is that phenolic from Lee Valley?

[@locolunch]

Me: I'd love for Ted to work on my stuff. Also me: So glad my gear doesn't need Ted.