Inside a rare 1840's Martin Guitar

Emma Rush plays Delores De Goñi : • Emma Rush plays Dolore...
Hats, Shirts and Stickers: woodford-instr...

[@Pheonixco]

Wild to think that this guitar was already 50+ years old when they repaired it in 1900.

[@macbeth2354]

"careful with that, it's old!"

[@johntilson2535]

Even wilder to think that in 20 years (or less) that guitar will be 200 years old!!

[@willemkossen]

And that the man who made it probably died before my grandfather was born, and i am already 50yo….

[@Ekoldr]

And 100 years old during WWII

[@haikat4]

I would love to see what people were playing on it back when it was built. This guitar has decades of mysterious history we will never know.

[@privateer0561]

The guitar sounds great! Looked into Martin guitar repairman J.J. (John Jacob) Knecht and found a few things: Born 26 Sept 1872 in Northampton County, PA and was living with his wife Bertha (1873-1914; married 30 Oct 1895) in her family's residence in Nazareth in 1900, where he was listed in the census as a "guitar maker". By 1910, Knecht was working as a pattern maker in a foundry, by 1918 was a Teamster, probably never worked as a guitar maker again. Died in 1946, New Jersey. Didn't seem to be a "senior craftsman", or if he was, it appears other work paid more or was more satisfying for a married man with a growing family. He also descended from a long line of native born Knechts going back until at least the 1700's.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

A pleasure to watch you work on such a wonderful instrument, thank you.

[@markrup6369]

I could watch both you guys all day!

[@mattomon1045]

hi ben he is good

[@jefferywarburton2116]

You do you and have a treat some time guys.

[@jimthethirdprobably]

i have been a fan of your guitars since the scorpion guitar days, great work.

[@gregoryguitars6291]

The guy is a wizard. Even without the flame job on his skull

[@perihelion7798]

Quite a privilege to work on that antique Martin!. But it's still a player, as it was meant to be. As usual, thanks for the mini history lesson. They are much appreciated and enjoyed.

[@braderrick]

Yeah I can just imagine that guy doing the repair work in 1900. “Let’s try and preserve some of this guitar’s history and originality, heck it’s 60 years old!” Lol I wonder if he had any inclination that guitar would still be making music an additional 122 years later and still going strong!

[@kennogawa6638]

That is the best nylon string guitar sound I have ever heard.

[@alfgwahigain5544]

I've never heard before of a "birds mouth" joint, or that the headstocks used to be grafted onto the neck. Pretty interesting. And what an amazing thing to see a guitar that old and in that kind of shape. What a cool thing to see. And I've said this before, but I really love your guitar playing, Ted.

[@J.C...]

Look 8t up. There's a forum where someone posted pics of a luthier rebuilding that joint. It's WAYYYYYY more involved than even I suspected. One side, the neck side, looks like a literal birds beak and the other, the bottom of the headstock, has receiver holes/grooves for those beaks to slide into.

[@J.C...]

Actually, it's at the Frets website. Just add the usual ending, com, to frets. I can't or my comment will be deleted

[@willykanos1044]

Interesting because house carpenters call the V-cut in rafters where they sit on support walls a 'Birds-Mouth cut'. There must be a connection.

[@coolfouad74]

I thought that this time you missed the drill.. "Polishing, polishing, polishing", but it turned out that there's another cool one, "Radiusing, radiusing, radiusing". It's always a joy watching your videos nonmatter what the job, the story, or the drill is :) with love from Lebanon :)

[@Rotary_Phone]

It's good to see that this guitar survived for so long. It's one of those things where it was very well built, but also very fragile to the elements. It reminds me of all the Strad violins that survived, and also makes you wonder how many were destroyed over the years from house fires, wars, being improperly kept, etc. Right now as I am typing this, I wonder how many original Les Paul '58-'60 bursts are sitting in damp basements, or super hot, and humid attics just inches away from being unsalvageable...Or any other prized vintage guitar for that matter.

[@CellZealot]

My old partner has a 1968 L5 that he put in a closet after moving and the pickguard disintegrated and off gassed and corroded the pickups and a few higher frets. This was about 25 years ago. It has been sitting in that condition ever since and every time I think about it I want to cry. It could be easily fixed up and made perfect again by almost any decent luthier for a few hundred dollars. It's easily worth $20,000 now...such is life...

[@jonahguitarguy]

What a great piece of Marten history. Thank you Ted for walking us through the inside of this one. Great sound sound two.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

This Guitar has been strung w/ Nylon Strings when it came to you, & that's a success because these old Acoustic Guitars were originally designed for Gut Strings (what would now be Nylon).

[@goodun2974]

I like the look of that reinforcing volute where the neck meets the back of the headstock. Perhaps if Gibson did something like this they wouldn't have so many broken headstocks.

[@dale436]

I'm a competent hobbyist mechanic, poor guitar player, and appreciator of craftsmanship. I stumbled upon your channel just recently and watched several of your videos. I must say, you have to have a huge amount of patience as well as nerves of steel to do this type of work. For most of us watching, it's not hard to imagine each step going horribly wrong and leaving an eye sore, or worse yet a ruined instrument. It's good to see this level of craftsmanship still persevering in our country today, Cheers to you my friend

[@alext8828]

He's Canadian, you know.

[@mattd6085]

@@alext8828 Maybe he's Canadian too? Do you assume everyone is a yank by default?

[@alext8828]

@@mattd6085 That's a line from a movie, I think. It's more or less a joke. Pompus Americans (of the US kind) even think American means US American. They don't think of Canada as really America. I basically dislike US Americans even though I reside there (here). I rather have more respect for Canadians even though, as a young man, on a trip to Canada, I and my wife were not treated well by anyone there. It's okay. A young punk in a wonderful country. Seems to make sense. I don't see any videos of USs doing the wonderful things that Ted does. Too much swagger and pomposity. Like all the wisecrackers in the old movies. Sorry I offended you.

[@edsautter51]

Enjoyed your walk through on this guitar. I worked for Martin guitar in the same shop that this guitar would have been built. Fascinating to see such an old guitar still operational after all these years. It brings me back to the attic of that plant where the "old parts" were stored. There were tops, backs and sides from guitars, mandolin's and ukes up there from all kinds of era's. The bridge on this guitar you question looks to have been replaced in my opinion. A true pyramid bridge would have had very defined points. I've seen a bunch of them over the years at Martin and I've never seen one like this bridge. The saddle in some would have had the dog ears but that was dropped early on over the straight slot. Also like the idea of the knot on the strings in place of a ball end. We would however use a stopper knot or barrel knot over what you tied as those knots wouldn't slip like the overhand knot you tied. Again great video and a walk through time. Oh and it does get dry in the winter at the Martin plant. However in the basement their runs a small stream year round. Maybe that was to add moisture to the plant. I always thought it odd it being there and planned as it was built into the concrete floor to be channeled through the basement for some distance before it exited. Just thought of that when you talked about being dry.

[@agcacustoms2852]

Wow, what an amazing guitar. To think it’s almost 200 years old and looks that good and even been fixed over 50 years after being built by Martin is incredible history. What is the name of the song you were playing at the end? It sounded so beautiful.

[@jeffsquires6620]

Absolutely beautiful and incredible instrument. An honor to work on it for sure. It tells much of your skills and character.

[@Sci-Que]

You repair guitars so well it makes me jealous. Your grasp of the history of guitars is awe-inspiring. The only thing missing is seeing you build an acoustic guitar from scratch. I feel as though it would be perfect. I also feel as though it would make an amazing video series.

[@terrybanks5063]

im not sure he has time for it with all his repair work he has but it would be great to see a build video, agreed!

[@ivanbudruev8820]

Could be interesting to make just one and auction it for charity

[@ashermil]

“A really diminutive little heel” is now my new favorite insult.

[@carlmontney7916]

A surprising amount of bass coming out of that little guitar. It just sounds deep and full. The treble strings have a very unique sound. Bright and they really cut through but they do not overpower the overall tone of the guitar. Just amazing.

[@michaelweiss6730]

Having been lucky enough to spend a few years working (in sales) at “Mandolin Brothers “ in Staten Island, New York I did have the opportunity to see and play some antique Martins. What always struck me was that , despite their age, size and string type, you could close yours eyes and immediately identify the “Martin Sound”! They also had a top rated repair shop in the basement and I spent lots of time watching their talented staff repairing and restoring- which makes me really appreciate your skills and knowledge of fretted instruments. I’m totally addicted!

[@johnsonguitarstudio]

I wasn't expecting that shoutout to Emma! She's a great player and a wonderful person.

[@dwahnaslowdown8887]

And it sounds wonderful.

[@DJ-pj6gr]

I was worried when I didn't hear polishing, polishing. But was relieved at the radiusing, radiusing.

[@tasteapiana]

I appreciate your sense of awe. Many workmen have lost that. Very few instruments I would consider ancient, or approaching ancient, have ever made me think ''Daily Player''. That little guitar is definitely a daily player - alone, in a padded room with 4 deadbolts, after a manicure and dipping my hands in degreaser then washing them 4 times, of course.

[@stephenhenion8304]

There you go... CF Martin himself had his hands, eyes and soul on this guitar as it came together. What's better than that! Love my D28 Custom.... great video. Thanks

[@jefflevy3557]

I've taken the Martin factory tour twice (my son attended university near Nazareth) and they were fun and informative . . . but I've learned far more about their history and guitars from watching Ted's videos. Thank you, sir. You are a font of information and an excellent presenter (and your guitar repair work ain't half bad, either).

[@stoutlager6325]

That guitar sounds beautiful. Upon cursory research regarding the phrase 'turn of the century', it can be used both ways. It just means period shortly before, during and/or after the 100 year tick over.

[@travishemming3783]

As I recall, I've only ever hearing reference to "turn of the 20th century" referring to circa 1900. But while doing some research myself, I found the same definitions as you, as well as "the turn of" referring to the entirety of any particular cemtury. Makes sense all three ways, I suppose. It is indeed a beautiful sounding instrument.

[@leftienigeblank4320]

good 'un Trouble is , it would cost $5 in time and wood . Which means they'd have to put the price up by $1500 .

[@GordiansKnotHere]

This is turning out to be my favorite channel on youtube. I've been binging all of the videos here. This episode is a great one. That Martin is awesome... Thanks!

[@ray.shoesmith]

Sticking a candle in the sound hole was frowned upon Hendrix: Hold my lighter fluid

[@timothy4664]

Wow. You must have felt so honored holding that instrument let alone repairing it. Way to go Ted!

[@hpblack1953]

This beautiful Martin is almost as old as I. Your videos have provided tips that I have transferred to furniture repair, wood bed frames, and ‘budget’ out of the box entertainment centers for TVs and the like. Those pieces should never become loose and wobbly. Thanks for all you do.

[@RedRose4711]

This video was fabulous.

[@Brandon-so9fp]

My god that sound is incredible

[@nicolen.9642]

This is a treat. This parlor is a gem! This old lady (1840) is in great shape. I like the tool used for the saddle 11:42, ingenious! Thank you Ted for the tip for the strings (knot)!

[@corporalrich]

You are an incredible luthier! Its truly wonderful to see someone in their element, giving their take, and the research. Toby Kieth gave my wife a guitar back in the early 90's. I had the bridge reset in the early 2000's by a respected local luthier. He used hide glue and didn't score away the finish under the bridge. It lifted again after about two weeks. I reset it Wednesday and will string it up tomorrow.

[@colbynealy946]

Fantastic! Thanks for letting us hear the old gal sing

[@claudecat]

One of my favorite episodes yet! The guitar and your info is fascinating of course, and I especially loved the little history lesson highlighting the importance of women as guitar players in that era and of Delores de Goñi. I love learning new stuff like this! Further evidence that there was more going on in American music than the minstrel realm, not that that didn't produce some valuable music that in turn led to other things...

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

I think I figured out why I like your channel so much even though I can't play any instruments or sing. your channel appeals to me because of the forensic nature you examine the guitars in question. Also, the information that you provide is very entertaining.

[@chrisoakmountain2387]

"Sticking a candle in the sound hole was frowned upon" 🤣Priceless

[@chopsddy3]

Oh man! This is huge! Thanks so much.The historical value of this instrument is immense. I had no idea that X bracing went back this far. This is guitar Genesis.

[@RedHeadGuitar]

Wow, what a piece of history! A video to enjoy a glass of good, woody red wine to. Cheers.

[@sweettoof9002]

That fretboard is stunning. What a cool instrument!

[@KristopherCraig]

That guitar really has a beautiful tone! What a gem!

[@muffntheB]

this thing just blew my mind, what an amazing guitar, a piece of history

[@ponyman56]

Best yet! I could spend hours watching a tour through this guitar like this. Great job!

[@oh_rhythm]

natural reverb....great soothing sound

[@wildeman1253]

Stunning guitar, thanks for showing it.

[@knedy]

It's good to check the ingredient label on the tung oil, it's common to see tung oils that have a mix of different oils and other stuff in it rather than 100% pure tung oil, even though they can still call both "tung oil".

[@twoodfrd]

They're not as tasty. Nothing beats pure tung.

[@Richie90090]

I can't believe that guitar is 180 years old!!

[@seanj3667]

I just finished watching Adam Savage play with an aluminum foil ball that was cut in half, and in the time I was watching that, this video was posted. Awesome timing!

[@arthurcrime]

Gorgeous guitar, beautiful work, I always feel rested after watching Ted's videos. It is like a form of meditation.

[@limpindug]

That's a smashin wee guitar thanks for your diligence bud, can't help but wonder what it sounded like before all the repairs. 👍🥃Respect to you mate

[@matthewbartolone7036]

Amazed at the X brace design and appreciate the extra step after the Martin CO repair. Probably would have missed some without your narrative Thank you

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

What a tremendous piece of Martin history. The sound is over the top.

[@jthonn]

What a beauty! I love it, and you are the only person I would trust to work on it. Great job!

[@roytofilovski9530]

The sound out of that tiny old Martin is amazing.

[@chriswareham]

The history lesson - on both guitar makers and players - was fascinating.

[@spaert]

What a wonderful piece of history! And the tone - wow! Absolutely gorgeous. As great sounding as anything I've heard. Thanks for sharing.

[@dakotathacker3821]

im glad you clarified the tongue-oil thing bc i totally assumed that was a euphemism for 'spit' lol

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Thanks for the video! Very interesting, indeed. Regarding polishing a guitar, I've found that a damp cloth is all I need to care for mine. This, of course, is used on the body and rear of the neck, only.

[@Euphman06]

Yay! Love your channel, thanks! Live a few miles from Martin guitar so I love seeing these old Martins in your videos

[@jeffterrell3325]

Great workmanship yesterday and today. Historical, functional and musical. A great combination.

[@georgemckenzie2525]

Thank you for what brings you joy.

[@bassclefdude]

“Sticking a candle in the sound hole was frowned upon” 🤣🤣🤣

[@joeb2405]

You are the Bob Ross of guitar repair. Your videos are so relaxing in a very stressful time!

[@larryatha3221]

Thanks for showing/sharing this one. I hadn’t seen this style rosette on a Martin before. This is a pattern that is relatively easy to make from veneer. I might make one for the 1-21ish guitar I am building now. Thanks!

[@f1s2hg3]

Incredible guitar! Ted you must be very very famous now because you are working on the best!

[@Mrjrich37055]

Beautiful instrument, sounds amazing!!

[@Curbudog01]

I handled a very similar 1849 Martin at Rosewood in Seattle a couple of months ago. It had the original neck with the birds mouth headstock and the original, and oh-so-charming, ice cream cone neck heel. That guitar is tuned down a full step and has a couple of tender spots that require gentle handling. Your repair certainly sounds better. It's such a privilege to play these historical beauties.

[@bldallas]

Oh my lord, that guitar is beautiful.

[@beytone]

Great shape for the age and it sounds fantastic too! Thank you for your videos Ted!!

[@misternobody4786]

turn of the century is both but specifically the first years of a new century. Amazing. The reverence for their own work at this early date is mind blowing, what a bunch of ballers.

[@michaelhager4270]

I'm the custodian of a 1860s Martin that was bought new by my great, great grandfather. Sadly over the years it got lent out to someone who replaced the bridge with a D style and put steel strings on it. After it was returned virtually un playable, it sat in it's little coffin case for close to 50 years, before I inherited it. I had it's neck re set and a small bridge put on, although not a pyramid. One of the really interesting things about it is that the inside of the guitar is laminated with what looks like spruce. Thanks for the video, it has brought back lots of memories

[@gfurstnsu]

Martin called that a double back. It was usually spruce on the inside and Brazilian Rosewood on the outside. The grain of both usually went in the same direction or slightly diagonal to the other grain so it is totally different than plywood. They were prone to cracks as the two woods have a different reaction to moisture. This double back was common on early martins but later in the century it was very rare and only done on special order. You guitar was a late example.

[@timallen6025]

Lovely fascinating too when you can read the woods history marks

[@jtfritchie]

Really love your forensic observations regarding previous repairs. I learn so much.

[@brandyarney1170]

I really appreciated your reflected hand movements in the back. Pretty cool

[@ZitherBeast]

How cool is that. It looks great, when you plucked it, it sounded great.. Man, I'd love to own something that old and that amazing. Great video no doubt.

[@mikewithrow2271]

Lol I love your channel I really do. I remember the day a former boss of mine busted out what was his father's guitar from the early 1940s. I said Ken you do know I don't play country or blue grass right? He was like just play the thing Mike so... Metallica it was and no way I could not resist to play some of my favorite tunes on that Martin especially it being so old.

[@terrybanks5063]

i can always tell when you really like a guitar- your playing at the end speaks volumes! nice work and thanks for sharing this old gem with us twoody.

[@Ericejazz]

Great video. Thanks for the info on Emma Rush and Madame De Goni as well.

[@DTGuitarTech]

Great playing demo at the end too.

[@giovanni4070]

I have watched many many many of your tutorials and I feel that each one is a master class, so I am going to refer to you as "Perfesser" Woodford from now on. Thanks Prof !

[@Three_Eyed_Willy]

I think I've seen nearly every one of your videos. I'll never cease to be amazed at your knowledge of guitar history and the meticulous, precise way you do your repairs. This shows your great love for the guitar, itself.

[@alveydoug]

Dang, some of your BEST playing at the end. (My third viewing of this one and there will likely be more. Great history and a difficult repair done with great sensitivity.)

[@Badhands55]

Remarkable sounding little guitar

[@Richard_Lush]

Wow. History in your hands. Beautiful. Funny how long things can last if we take care of them.

[@dentes1185]

Luthier is an art You know your way into it Thank you for sharing Great sound, love it Another piece of history

[@DanLeeRoth]

Hi Ted. Shortly after COVID started, I was diagnosed with the big C. I was lucky and am now in complete remission but even now my body is still healing (I still have good days and bad days). Earlier on, I was having far more bad days and stumbled upon your KZbin channel. I have no experience in guitar repair or luthiery, but like many others, I found your videos to be therapeutic from watching you masterfully bring these old gems back to life combined with your particular brand of humor. I’ve binged most of your videos already but lately, I am having far fewer bad days. Thank you for everything you’ve done and for continuing to put out new videos for when I do have those occasional bad days.

[@badscrew4023]

Wow , unexpectedly rich basses with those strings!

[@manonbassguitar]

God I love that nylon sound. Willie would approve!🤘🏼

[@TheGuitologist]

Cool stuff, dude! Thanks for showing it.

[@jeffreybuckingham3782]

Outstanding Video as always. The little tune at the end was amazing!

[@JoshuaC923]

What a treat! Always amazing to see you work

[@RutherfordRyan1]

Hey Ted, your ghost was reflected in the beautiful back gloss ! Nice effect and camera work. Great instrument in the right hands...

[@markdalton293]

Tom did you ever hear the story about the Martin that was on loan to the movie set of Quinton Tarantino's hateful eight when kurt Russell accidentally smashed the guitar that was only insured for 40.000 dollars but was probably worth alot more. When he grabbed it and broke it the actress that was playing knew it was the wrong guitar to break and you can tell she was trying to stop kurt .

[@rockstopsthetraffic]

He's Ted not Tom lol.

[@travishemming3783]

I have indeed read that story a few times. They were supposed to switch to a replica for the big smash. I hope the splintered Marrtin went to a luthier with a lot of patience, perhaps someone who builds toothpick models on the side.

[@picksalot1]

Fascinating video and history. Your mention of Madame Dolores Narvaez de Goni lead me to a wonderful video on the history of other women in the early history of Classical Guitar. Thanks

[@bradleyrm]

I’m fortunate to own an 1891 Martin 2-17 with the same Adirondack top and Brazilian back and sides, the same model Mark Twain played. It’s never had any major repairs or neck reset and is very lightly fan braced. I use 10-47 gauge steel strings drop tuned a full step and it sounds amazing. So I’m sure this X braced Martin could handle steel strings as well.

[@normalwhiteguy1555]

“STICKING A CANDLE ON THE SOUND HOLE WAS FROWNED UPON.” 🤣 😂

[@AmpasaurusWrecks]

Great video, I knew very little of the Martin history. I love classicals😀

[@inperf3ct]

What a wonderful video, thanks for posting!