This one gets dirty...

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[@JohnSmith-ym4sl]

Lol the reaction of you cleaning that fingerboard is priceless 😂😂😂

[@dannoall8427]

Yeah, I let out a hefty belly laugh at the first "Yueeauuuu-uh-uh...". I was a tech for a local seller and t o t a l l y get it.

[@kevisp77]

And that folks, is why you wash your hands regularly before playing your guitar!!

[@pitchforkcustom]

grunge grooves 😂

[@beenaplumber8379]

I have a friend who was a hearing aid test engineer. This reminded me of what he had to say about the condition of some of the customer hearing aids that he got back for service - how caked up with earwax they were. Also, I remember the day I cleaned my Silvertone (Harmony) Bobkat's fingerboard the first time. There was a point when I reached wood, and I actually wondered if I'd wrecked some kind of finish it was meant to have! It was about 20 years old at the time (2 years in my possession). The years of grime actually had a kind of smoothing effect as I played, and I missed it once it was gone. The rosewood underneath was indeed rough. I think the previous owner ate KFC each time before playing it. (I wasn't any better - as a teenager I tried lubricating the tuning gears with corn oil. It's oil, right? I don't know if I ever got all of that gunk out. I didn't take college chemistry until ~8 years later, and one day in lecture I actually had a light bulb go off in my head about the old Silvertone tuners!)

[@monday6524]

It was priceless! Learn some luthier tricks and laugh at the same time!

[@ChrisWaigl]

I laughed out loud when you showed that tuner. And that dirt! Ted - I have you in part to thank that I got an open seam on my cello reglued all by myself. The nearest violin instrument luthier is 500 km away, and even the local guitar guys have the tendency to be loose canons (after two older techs retired) so there's no one I would trust not to reach for the Titebond if something goes sideways. So I bought clamps and a pallet knife at StewMac, and my cello luthier gave me step-by-step instructions by email. Having watched you glue so many things I was reasonably confident I could do it. By the light of the day, it's a pretty messy glue job, and I'll go at it with hot water and paper towels again, but the difference to the sound is enormous and I'm glad I've got it stabilized.

[@A_Stereotypical_Heretic]

And that's why you always keep a stash of spray applicator straws. Don't throw them away lol keep at least four or five spares

[@billyrocca9029]

Nice job on this pretty charming old timer. Cheap doesn't mean crappy, and you proved it again.

[@mrthunder8190]

I've got a '67 just like that. Made it into a bit more reliable working guitar by putting on Grover tuners, a modified ABR-1 bridge with re-grooved saddles which allows for real intonation adjustment. The bridge pickup was not functional, so I shoe-horned a Duncan mini humbucker into the bridge pickup housing - it fit nearly perfectly. The guitar rocks hard, always inspirational. It has mega-mojo, maybe due to the fact it was built on Valentines Day of '67. Love watching these repair vids, Ted - you are a wealth of information!

[@keestoft250]

Ted I very much enjoyed this repair, not least for the laughter, which seemed to have a tinge of maniacal fatigue underneath it, and possibly a solvent element too. Hope you're OK.

[@murfbass]

Oh man!! I loved that colour on a guitar until now. Thanks Ted. I'll never be able to enjoy that shade of guitar tint without a brutal craving for grilled cheese to boot.

[@CameronCrowleyMusic]

nothing wrong with tomato soup! it's a badge of honor

[@frankdion2174]

Your show is informative and relaxing after a hard day. Thanks.

[@blakewilliams3702]

Very enjoyable watching and listening to you bring that old beast back to life. Thank you for sharing your craft with us.

[@mattrogers1946]

I have a '66 Rocket, this is definitely late 60s. The pickup surrounds came after 1966. Awesome video!

[@Sammywhat]

And now I have Elton John caterwauling in my head. I wish these vids were longer. It's always a pleasure to hear your wit and banter while you work your mad skills. Cheers, Ted!!

[@CaliforniaKid44]

My Harmony Rocket also has those weird crossgrain scratches on the fingerboard. I always assumed it was due to some ham fisted previous owner trying to sand off some clearcoat or something. I'm glad to hear that was standard factory workmanship.

[@td7426]

For a minute there I thought you were going to launch into the Faces Stay With Me at the end.

[@markknoepfle3913]

Just for documentation - Richard Raffan is the person mentioned. Excellent KZbin channel.

[@mrz80]

From here on out, that color will forever be known as a tomato soup burst :D

[@ringsystemmusic]

Damned if he ain’t right. The pickguard even looks like the blob of heavy cream they put on at the fancy places!

[@joshtucker5135]

vintage Harmonys are seriously underrated ,i got 2 in my collection a 59 Hollywood and 67 H941 ,I LOVE that one ... fantastic job as always keeping these vintage beauts playing :D

[@theothertonydutch]

6:18 I've cleaned toilets at high schools. I remain unfazed. This stuff is satisfying to watch.

[@telecasterbear]

Mmmm, cupcake knobs. "It's a glamourous profession." had me dying over here.

[@PJBonoVox]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought they looked edible.

[@douglasholstock8400]

Jeebits, that goddamned fretboard! Hey thanks for these vids, I've just found them and have been watching almost nothing else for the last couple of days.

[@abloke8834]

I really enjoyed this. Especially the Def Leppard impression. That guitar sounded fab at the end. Reminds me of The Faces 'Stay With Me''

[@beenaplumber8379]

Yeah, that had a nice crunch tone! I wanted to hear the clean neck pickup though, but he didn't play it :-(

[@jeffsquires6620]

Your laughter kills me. Thanks for the video.

[@kennogawa6638]

Amazing how oxidized the jack became that you had to sand it.

[@jasonpitre1249]

Hey Ted, I just wanted to say that I owe you a debt of gratitude. I am a guitar tech out of Windsor Ontario, and your videos have given me the confidence to take in cosmetic and structural repairs. I am now performing repairs for resale on high end instruments. It is tedious work, but the margins are improving as my skills improve. Your calm demeanor and your patience is inspiring. Thank you so much for your contribution to the craft! Best wishes, Jason P.

[@socdologer]

For projects that you record, a copy of the video file on a flash-drive ought to live in that instrument's case for perpetuity. It would be a magnificent addition to the history/provenance for future owners.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Ted you never disappoint. Thank you.

[@pr5810]

What a hoot! Thanks. Love the old guitars. Lots of character.

[@kevisp77]

I purchased an old '69 Martin awhile back, and can tell that half of it's life was spent in it's case - the finish has reacted with the case lining where it rests by the compartment box. The other half of the time it must have been sitting in the living room next to a chain smoker. While the guitar itself doesn't have a smell, it was so gummy and sticky that you'd leave fingerprints everywhere you touched it and my hands were black from playing for a few minutes. Several washrags and a bottle of Windex later I also was gagging!! Didn't use a solvent because the finish was so beautifully checked I didn't want to change that... but I did end up tossing the rags!!

[@mikecurtin9831]

That was one funky instrument. I very much appreciate the histories, and especially all the tips and tricks to watch for from the different manufacturers. Thanks very much.

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Massive aesthetic improvement on the guitar that came on to your workbench to the same guitar that left it. Well done Ted.

[@boblester738]

One of your most entertaining vids yet. I really enjoy your workand your sense of humor. Thanks!

[@george-st-george]

this was great! thanks! the mustache pickups are date stamped on the bottom....that's most likely a late 60's or a 70!!!!

[@drummerhammar]

Once again, beautiful work!

[@gabrielrotger7989]

You are a phenomenal artist, I follow all your videos, I love to see how those ancient jewels that are part of our history are recovered, thanks for sharing -

[@stevesoldwedel]

A coffee stirrer in the US is the exact same red plastic tube as the one that comes with those cans.

[@kbjerke]

Really nice refreshment of a classic! Thank you!

[@horseshoejerry]

In 1965, it was my first electric guitar at 14 years old. A Harmony Rocket by Heathkit. Had to solder all the wiring and poke it through the f holes. Installed the tuners, pickguard, tail piece and neck. I bought it for $120 and sold it a few years later for $25 because I wanted a 12 string guitar. Days of folk music you know. I have regretted selling it since.

[@Guitarwolfluke]

That explains some of the super crazy wiring I've seen in these guitars over the years. Did not know they were offered in kit form.,

[@rabonour]

What a great restoration. I'm absolutely seeing Harmonies and other vintage budget guitars go for big money in my market. Like I've said on other videos, I appreciate seeing these saved even though they are not high-end instruments.

[@rodnyg7952]

I have a '61 Harmony Master. No adjustable truss rod. Did a neck reset, & corrected a slight upward bow with pressure clamps and heat lamp, replaced & dressed a few frets here and there, repaired two cracks near f-holes with cleats, glue, & lacquer. Then I replaced crummy machine heads with original 50's Gib J-45 deluxe (perfect fit. Strung it with nylon core acoustic, and keep it mostly in open G ... and Bobs your uncle. Doesn't have any domestic dispute damage anymore either

[@jean-lucpicard2418]

I am in awe of your craftsmanship!

[@beatleme2]

Thank you for sharing your craft with us.

[@pygmychimp]

That's a lifetime of DNA on that fretboard! 😝

[@contrabandjoe7974]

I think the finish is gorgeous. Nicely done

[@activese]

Hi, hilarious "Def Leppard Style, Let's get the rock out of here", lol "which often ages to a kind of tomato soup looking". Take care.🤣

[@WMACPT]

Oh dang!! There’s some things you just can’t unsee!! You’re brave dude! Great work as always. Enjoy your videos always

[@HayesTech]

You have to love how and who KZbin suggests. I've found so many good people/channels that way. You are a way better editor and producer than I am and I absolutely love your videos.

[@tomkirk6942]

Another great vid/repair. Craftsmanship/narration/comedy all great! Cheers Ted/viewers.

[@alanpecherer5705]

"For some reason, the neck feels slimmer now". That one got me. Yeah, after removing 1/4 lb of grunge, it should, LOL.

[@gregorylazorchak9388]

I enjoy having something to look forward to. These videos are that. Thanks

[@Dave-nt3kz]

Thanks for posting these videos!

[@HunterJE]

Thanks for the recommendation on Raffan, always looking for video content where a good-natured craftsperson who is very good at a thing does the thing they're good at and talks about what they're doing and why.

[@chuckhollands7528]

I think that color has aged well, I like it. Of course I'm a huge fan of tomato soup also

[@rexroman5211]

Always entertaining to watch….thanks!

[@deepwater2652]

Got her up and rocking! Great job!

[@wmlye1]

In addition to the gloves, did you use a respirator?

[@jamesleaver6652]

Nice to see you drop screws too. That's redeeming. Love your skill and dry wit. Keep on truckin'!

[@paulellis5594]

I shall sweep my workshop floor immediately!

[@beytone]

Definitely worth saving, very nice little guitar!

[@matthewbartolone7036]

nice work and its a fine thing that you made a wall hanger and playable guitar, Thank you for sharing,

[@Deebz270]

Beautful job as always.

[@nickparnell6574]

Thanks for another great vid, you’re the best Ted!

[@markcarson8566]

Totally awesome thank you for sharing

[@IrisGalaxis]

I have the same grime on my fretboard and it's only a 1980... Wow that Harmony sounds great with some overdrive.

[@bertrodriguez3087]

"A little inconsistent" lol.

[@mightyV444]

LOL! Thank you for adding to my ongoing Elton John / 'Rocketman' synchronicity! 😄👍

[@robertoclemente449]

GREAT VIDEO ( and AUDIO ) !!! Greetings from Europe , Estonia.

[@DavidLHolzer]

Great video. Love these old harmony rockets. You made that axe into a Phoenix.

[@GianmarioScotti]

The Harmony Rocket H59 he mentions at the beginning has a row of 6 pickups at the bottom edge of the guitar, which does look... striking. It also has a 4-way selectro switch, marked with "1 2 3 ALL".

[@farmduck2762]

Eastwood does a re-make H59 now with a black top and cream cup cake 6 knobs. Looks even more "striking." They call it an Airline H59

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

Nice work. I like to call these “Affordable Vintage” and they do have their own sound with the DeArmond’s

[@seanj3667]

I love seeing these instruments given a second life. Great job,

[@BigSlimMoody.247]

My 1st electric guitar was a 1970 Harmony Rocket. I found the date underneath the neck pickup.

[@TheTrashologist]

Legend has it those are directions to a secret stash of the the finest LSD ever made.

[@jts3339]

I’m partial to the Harmony Bobkats and the Silhouettes with the Hagstrom-style tailpieces. I’ve noticed at recent shows that the prices are trending WAY UP for guitars that were undesirable just a few years ago. I saw Scott Sharrard backing Gregg Allman in Cincinnati shortly before Gregg passed away playing a Harmony Bobkat set up for slide. He said that he purchased it for less than $200, but the prices shot up as soon as people saw him playing it. Eventually all of the cheap guitars of our youth are going to become overpriced “vintage” models. Grab ‘em while you can!

[@robotsongs]

St Vincent has been playing a bobcat for years and I believe she is way more responsible for the price rise.

[@jts3339]

@@robotsongs I’m sure you are correct, but the only St. Vincent I follow is St. Vincent de Paul. There will probably be others who favor this great little guitar and contribute to the increasing prices.

[@canadablake]

Anyone else take a screenshot of the note to try to read the words Ted dares not speak?

[@raymari7658]

I have one that was taken from a trash can. Huge split in the bottom gusset that went from the bottom of each sound hole. Glued by my friend who built wood framed air planes. $50 to get the electronics working. It plays great. I need to find the cup cake nobs and a pickguard. Can't seem to find one with the Harmony logo present. It is the single cutaway 2 pickup version. 1972 on the back of the pups.

[@michaellupu2080]

Great as always, Ted!

[@BigIronTexas]

that looks like one heck of a fun guitar to play and the pickups are cool. yeah, I think guitars like that one are definitely becoming more collectible.

[@raymondparks4108]

Wow! Nice job. First you made it look great. Then you made it sound great. Very cool video.

[@BenState]

Sounds amazing.

[@alburnham3637]

I found the brass brush tip used to clean 22 caliber rifles to be excellent for cleaning ¼" jacks. Canadian Tire rifle cleaning dept.

[@robertnewell5057]

Comedy time with Ted Woodford! A great video by any standard, but so funny in parts/ Thanks

[@kevinharnan8378]

Expert craftsmanship & dry northern wit. What's not to like!

[@petedazer3381]

Thanks Ted, great video!

[@jswear2077]

I recently acquired a mandolin from a smoker, and I used tips from your videos to clean it up. It is odor free and getting regular use now. Thank you!

[@mrwilson7363]

Hi, I am interested in what you did to clean the mandolin, a acquired an old tenor banjo that is toxic ! Cheers

[@nicolen.9642]

Priceless intro...😅. Harmony guitar look sharp👌. Thanks Ted for the historical info. 🎶🎶🎶

[@Redspeciality]

CRC electromotive spray is another good electronics cleaner. As a bonus, the stuff is good for killing roaches! Seriously, you spray them with it and they instantly convulse and die.

[@greylocke100]

I used to have a H-53/1 with a single humbucker. I worked my tail off back in the 70's to buy that from my neighbor. Then About 2 months after I finished paying it off, I got into a fight with my older brother and he smashed it and my amp. I haven't really touched a guitar until recently and I bought a Tele clone about a month ago and I'm trying to relearn how to play after 40+ years. I still miss that old Rocket though. My dad had taken it and had the humbucker replaced with a Gibson PAF and the pots to match with it. It sounded real sweet.

[@kevinmorris7722]

That guitar just looked like some old thing that was only cool due to age. When you got done it looked like something you'd want to play and be proud of.

[@mcneilno]

A friend of mine had one of these and I would borrow it for gigs, I loved that guitar. Oh to be 16 again in the late sixties.

[@TheKantarella]

That's one beautiful guitar

[@stephenhenion8304]

Dont forget...we all play used guitars!! I have 2 Kay guitars. More for the "Look"!.. great video Tom🇺🇸🎩🇺🇸

[@aadammarshall5709]

It clean up nicely.

[@ShannonFerguson]

Thank you! Looks like a fun guitar to play. The pickguard looked a little loose when you were playing it.

[@audiomurphy]

It's a beauty and to me, sounds fantastic. Seriously, who doesn't like tomato soup !

[@In_MT]

I had this exact model guitar in the late 60's. It was my first "good" guitar after my first Sears Silvertone guitar.

[@andrewmiller2868]

As always a very interesting video 👍.

[@michaeld.mcclish]

a few years back I got an H22 bass for $650, the guy had pulled the truss rod out and broken the nut. I got the truss rod working and put it back in, put a Goldtone Zero fret nut on it, took off the neck and suspended it over heat while clamped to an angle iron strip, fixed a few scratches, and now it's working great, all electronics are good, neck straight, about 99% all original(Goldtone Zero fret is new, but better, gives it more sound on open strings), now worth about $2000.

[@Thomasdgolden]

Omg when you were scraping the fret board. Oh man, I see some bad boards as well. I do jobs for some pawn shops. The shit I see.

[@thenaturalmidsouth9536]

For me, this is the most therapeutic channel on KZbin.

[@JohnKorvell]

I can hear the appraisers at the "Antiques Roadshow" screaming about the loss of "patina" now! ;-)

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Very cool Harmony... nice job bringing it back from "The Land of Not"... Rock On :)

[@gemweems2873]

As usual another amazing video. Honestly you could take still shots and narrate I would still watch due the wealth of knowledge. BTW ordered a shirt and wear it proudly here in Texas.

[@beenaplumber8379]

But with the still shots you'd never get that super-satisfying slicing sound when he works his chisels and that Swedish knife. Not in this video, but it's an oddly satisfying features on a lot of his videos. He really knows how to keep his tools sharp.