Vlog: Luthiery advice and fret ends

Listen while I subject you to my inner workings

[@faunaflage]

Hope your mom made a full and healthy recovery.

[@duckydrummer6331]

In your efforts in saying no advice for guitar repair/building, you actually gave some good advice.

[@francodieguez3834]

I would describe your communication as serene, calming and well articulated. This particular clip was direct and kindly projected within an important message. I'd didn't find your perspective callous as so much as it was kindly thought out and very sincere. I happen to be one of those odd nerd types that finds watching you craft out repairs and restorations fascinating.

[@mikethompson6713]

I ended up as a plumber. It just worked out that way. Its a good life, I’m retired now and doing woodworking and a few side plumbing jobs. Life is never what we expected. Prayers for your Mothers recovery.

[@nicolen.9642]

So true Mike. I'm about to retire as a teacher. It was the only option I had back then. A simple twist of fate...(As Bob Dylan would say). Cheers from France.

[@jean-pierremarinalonzo3204]

Yes Mike, 3 years before retire from Real estate electricity a little plumbing to and so much (i hope) on woodworking and music after. Cheers from France to !! 🤩

[@RobertGraefeMusic]

I really like how you put all that into words. "It is a rewarding life, but not an easy life." I will definitely quote that. :)

[@mrz80]

I think, maybe, the two are mutually exclusive, which is why so many people raised on convenience and instant everything are so messed up.

[@RobertGraefeMusic]

@@mrz80 Good thought.

[@joeferris5086]

@@mrz80 100%. I was going to comment that myself. Nothing thats worth doing is easy

[@paolomartini143]

Man, this is one of the best videos I have seen on the web, very honest

[@peterdalby8019]

'A person who is bound and determined and can say "I don't care", is the one who will succeed'. Word.❤

[@f1s2hg3]

A fret fell out of my Strat on the sixteenth fret so I did what you showed me and the repair is nice! Thanks again for your show.

[@markojur1]

You’re a good man. With great life advice. Spoken with proper, real wisdom. Big respect

[@steviiiii]

I am here thanking you for your energy. Your Mom is in my thoughts and (as I know) that is a blessing. I am continually taking in your lessons. Thank you..!! ...and will pass them on..!! Thank you brother... our Moms are the blessing..!! 🙂❤👍

[@nicolen.9642]

I figured it would be hard to get into luthiery. Like any craft. Nowadays a secure job is precious and scarce. Love is even more scarce. To the point advice Ted. I appreciate your talking with an open heart.

[@justinmaher318]

From a former professional luthier, I very much appreciate the time you take to share your work. Thankyou. You are helping to keep me sane in these troubled times. This video especially made me chuckle. I loved my work.....but after 12yrs I packed up my workshop before I resented it. Life can be so cruel. You have my respect, sir. Long may you thrive....and stay in love with your trade.

[@G-dp7kz]

Hi, Thank for Sharing your thoughts on this. I went to college to study stringed instrument making and repair and one of my lasting memories of that time is what my second year tutor said as his opening remarks to the class; If you pursue a career in this field you will almost certainly be poor and probably die of cancer[due to hardwood dust inhalation, particularly Cedrella!] otherwise just keep making guitars until the money runs out! Thanks for all the guidance and tips you have given here.

[@ernestschultz5065]

I would imagine the ideal way someone becomes a guitar repair man is to have started out as a teenager fixing his own guitar out of necessity and word gets around the neighborhood that this guy can fix guitars and it would grow organically from there. This doesn't seem like something you jump into when you're an adult. A bit of natural ability doesn't hurt either.

[@HectorBadillaOfficial]

That is literally what happened to me. 😅

[@johnwelch2959]

I try to discourage people from stainless frets. I think they require diamond files to save the wear on the tools. Nice work as always. Thx for the videos.

[@johnwelch2959]

Best wishes for your mom.

[@jean-pierremarinalonzo3204]

Hope your mother goes well. Thanks for all the time you share with and for us. .JP. Cheers from France.

[@davehallock3656]

Like others my first thought is for your mom. I know my mom died way to soon and every day she is missed, deeply. I pray your mom made it thru and is doing well now. Also agree with others you told it like it is. I know choosing to live my life as a musician meant I would not be able to do or have many things. But the journey was greatly enlightening and I would not trade it for anything. Even when I developed a hand disease that precluded me from practicing my craft after 50. If you were closer I would definitely bring my guitars to you for your enlightened touch.

[@ousiavazia]

this is one of the best videos i've ever seen on youtube or maybe my whole life. (and i was a curator in my hometown's short movie's festival for many years)

[@Ericthenorse]

So happy to hear you say "Know what you don't know" One of the best things I ever learned from my grandfather.... That, and "Induce a harmonic" Which meant "hit it with a hammer".. :)

[@milkinstruments1162]

I appreciate your commentary on being a Luthier, especially about being self congratulatory. This is something I actually struggle with and it causes me a lot of anxiety which quickly fades when the customer sees my work and is amazingly happy with it, and I realize that I have been too self critical, more than I need to be to keep the quality of my work up to standard. Thank you.

[@brianblair1478]

I've been watching for 2 years. I've never gone back to the beginning and watched the very first videos from how your platform has grown until recently. I rather enjoy this one! We get to know you a little better personally, see you work, while also chatting and sharing your thoughts. It was good. Have you ever thought about the camera just rolling as you work, talking about it or whatever comes to mind, or is going on in your life. No edit, just real and releasing a couple of these between Saturdays, more official releases? No live feeds... that way if you say something randomly you decide not to share, there is a "delete that!" component. HA! Seriously though, you could call it "Weekday Chat" and just be you. Share any thought about the project in front of you and anything else you'd like. That personal connection draws an audience.. Just a thought.

[@macbeth2354]

This would be a great podcast. And the fret grinding noise is kind of soothing. But anyway, you've perfectly summed up everything you're not saying in those email replies. And thank you for the videos, I've been watching a few per day in the last month, month and a half.. sometimes more than one, and so far I've never found it boring or repetitive.

[@JimB802]

After working for 45 years of repairing boiler room and power plant equipment my philosophy is to know your limits on how to repair/operate and not to hesitate to say "I don't know how and ask for help."

[@garywhitt98]

These are so excellent. You make the work and your craft accessible to those of us more likely to break a guitar than repair one. What a gift! In 15 minutes or so something is made whole again and beauty restored. Rare. More needed and more appreciated than you probably imagine. Thank you. Prayers for your mom.

[@mikechallgrenguitars9189]

Thank you, for the down to earth thoughts. It puts perspective in line with reality...

[@markdearborn1828]

Your description of why we do this, and if someone should, is very nicely and succinctly put.

[@alext9067]

I understand and agree with what you said. It is very true of many professions. Hope your mom is doing better.

[@modusceo]

I was a finish carpenter for 10 years, an auto tech for about 3 or 4- and that just barely set me up to have some small experience on working on guitars. Its a surprisingly complex and vast skill

[@littledan0408]

Hi, I thank you for uploading the educational videos. Because I have learned a lot from you. I have been buying, fixing and selling used guitars for 14 years from Japan. Without videos like yours I could not make my living. And you are the best! There are always something new to learn. So looking forward to seeing more videos with nice talks.

[@thephotoyak]

I have no passion for my work. It has it's highs and lows, but I certainly don't love it. It makes me a lot of money, my wife can be a stay at home mom. We can have a comfortable life without a pile of debt or too many worries. Most people are probably like this. I wonder all the time what would have happened if my plans had worked out. (It wasn't music related). It's one of the largest regrets of my life. Too late to go down that path now.

[@robertamato358]

All my best to your Mom. I hope she fully recovers. Keep up the good work as well.

[@kryptichands968]

Most self fulfilling people can tell you the rewards or labors of love come with alot "alot" of hard work and personal sacrifices and a huge learning curve because most of those I know are self taught, I'm an artist because it is a huge zen for me that I need and thrive off of. So I can appreciate any self made person(s) because I can understand what it takes.

[@Donncada1]

Thank you for your most helpful and wonderful advice. Bless you in your work

[@michaeladamcaira9174]

From a fellow Luthier ,you do outstanding work

[@RedLittleBee]

Thank you for your thoughts. And good luck for your mum!

[@mauricerichard3611]

I luv your honesty ! Stay strong !!

[@persbackman3535]

This was a geat clip. Thanks for you words, wise man.

[@rustyaxelrod]

I always appreciate wisdom from people who are living the subject. They have considered their position from the inside out and when they are willing to talk about it they can be blunt because their knowledge bestows authority. This is the kind of talk where you can “hear” the truth in it, particularly valuable truth and I appreciate you sharing it. I hope your mom is well now, my wife and I have both lost parents recently and it is difficult on many levels.

[@velvetunderpants44]

There should be a 'love' option for this video. Hope your mom is ok.

[@bobsegar1242]

You’re absolutely right. It doesn’t make sense But it’s something I can’t get away from I have to do it

[@michaeldorcey9305]

I appreciate the honesty. Thank you

[@boydbc]

Your perspective is a good source of advice. A person with the skills and drive necessary to become a luthier would make far more money in other fields. I applaud the luthiers who followed their passion in spite of more profitable career options.

[@Violaodabossa]

Dear Ted, you are absolutely right. This is exactly what I experienced over the years. Best wishes and keep up >Lutz

[@mrz80]

Going back through some of your older videos I came across this absolute gem. What you say is bang on. I love working on guitars, I love building them, but there is no way on God's green Earth that I could make a living at it. I'm reminded of something Anthony Bourdain wrote about the restaurant business, that my cousin (who owns a restaurant) said was right on the money: To want to own a restaurant can be a strange and terrible affliction. What causes such a destructive urge in so many otherwise sensible people? Why would anyone who has worked hard, saved money and often been successful in other fields want to pump his hard-earned cash down a hole that statistically, at least, will almost purely prove dry? Why venture into an industry with enormous fixed expenses (rent, electricity, gas, water, linen, maintenance, insurance, license fees, trash removal, etc.), with a notoriously transient and unstable workforce and highly perishable inventory of assets? The chances of ever seeing a return on your investment are about one in five. What insidious spongiform bacterium so riddles the brains of men and women that they stand there on the tracks, watching the lights of the oncoming locomotive, knowing full well it will eventually run them over? After all these years in the business, I still don't know. -- Anthony Bourdain - Kitchen Confidential

[@guitarsnguns]

All of what you said is also true for the gunsmithing trade which I have practiced for the past 40 years, many parallels. I enjoy your videos.

[@nickafiedguitarstechandrep9617]

Ted I so enjoyed this one...well said

[@f1s2hg3]

You have to be a jack of all trades master of one that’s selling your workmanship.

[@JEARP]

Thank you. Very best wishes for you and your mother. You make my world a better place.

[@MiikeyLawless]

Best wishes to your mother. And you are absolutely right, I do it as a hobby. There's very little money in the field. Guitar players tend to be irrational with these things. They'd sooner dump the guitar off on someone else and buy another than make it play right by taking it to a luthier.

[@johnpick8336]

Very few people are as meticulously artistic as you. Thank you fo video posting your work.

[@davidparker886]

Very wise comments re Lutherie! I really admire your approach and care when working on instruments. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@briantorney980]

I build and repair golf clubs and have a similar attitude as yours. I think one of the most important things you said was “you have to know what you don’t know”.

[@mikecabral1579]

I’m just happy I ran across your channel. For me personally I’m willing to do some limited work on my own equipment what I learn watching KZbin videos on the subject is the things I have no business doing to my equipment or anyone else’s. I enjoy watching a craftsman work. Hope all goes well with your Mom.

[@thebutton7932]

you're absolutely right.

[@earlelfrink]

I have been doing repair and building since 1980 . Your comments about this business really nailed it. My experience proves all your observations to be right on. Good to hear someone say the things I have thought many times.

[@rgl1958]

You are an amazing guy, I love your videos. Please don't stop.

[@staleyexplores]

interesting to me how this is basically timeless. it will always be relevant.

[@aixpert291]

Sorry about your mom. Hope she’s better now. I liked this video. Thank you. Have you considered patreon and some long form repair videos?

[@ahf5471]

Scott_T this speaks volumes about the reality of universal healthcare

[@f1s2hg3]

Your business is a great venture and you have proven your knowledge and experience of your professional life. Your the Canadian Dream because you live to learn mire and use your abilities to help your American neighbors and I will pray for your mom and you and God will be done in your moms life and mercy for her today please help her and heal her in Jesus Christ of Nazareth name Amen. Thanks God for Jesus!

[@NINEWALKING]

Best life advice fir any skill base trade.

[@EvanLudo]

Interesting and motivating listening to you.

[@Kubooxooki]

Best wishes to you and your mom. It's good to see your face. Really.

[@simonhawker9277]

steel would chew strings up. its nickel silver soft for a reason

[@agoodballet]

Good talk man. Very realistic view on things. It’s a labor of love I’m sure.

[@homeskateco.538]

Very well put, and applicable to anything that is a passion...

[@jrichmang]

Oh my God, you nailed it! I love the luthier life but know I would starve if it was my job. I am content to be a weekend junior wannabe guitar maker. I have sole some and repaired some but I do it for fun

[@donaldwrissler9059]

Thank you for offhandidly stating luthery as Craft instead of Art. So many people like to declare anything aesthetically pleasing or admirable as Art. I'm sure that I am being annoying pedantic about this, but as an Artist(Painter ) and Musician(with repair skills); I find in many people a lack of clarity in what Art is. Craft can be beautiful and moving; and doesn't need to be anything else to have value. Art on the other hand is a creator attempting to communicate something (hopefully interesting) to an individual or group. Sorry for the rant , it was the after effects of another guitar review declaring a PRS 10 top was Art. Thanks again, I am really enjoying your channel.

[@joesegretto6689]

Prayers to your family

[@davidparker886]

Wise words !

[@nalunui6714]

Reminds me of the director who, when asked "Should I be an actor?", always answered "No" (because the person who can make it through all the rejection, uncertainty, and insecurity an actor experiences must have a compulsion to do it anyway.) Another answer for very risky dream jobs; "No, if you can be relatively satisfied doing anything else."

[@DTDAILIES]

Loads of good advice to listen to bud!!

[@telecasterbear]

I love hotdog ends. Thank you, gentle giant.

[@thomasbarker7735]

Ted I totally agree

[@robertstanley3253]

All true...wish I knew 44 years ago.

[@jipes]

Like your honesty, believe it or not in other jobs the same question came to me from students and I found it also very harsh to be honest but I guess that's probably the best we can do, tell the truth. Mynprayers to your Mom, wish her to get better soon

[@charlesbowen1703]

Thank you

[@telecasterbear]

I am back again for one of my favorite Ted talks.

[@Bag-Of-Toys]

This should be titled: "Talking About Why You Shouldn't Become a Luthier While Filing Frets". New Netflix series.

[@joebikeguy6669]

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

[@daveg5183]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@DE-GEN-ART]

if you aren the fence about becoming a luthier, just dont. unless you have the time and the money to waste then go ahead. you will waste money and materials until you gain the skills before you will see any type of return on your investments. so if you can get the cost down as low as possible for tools and materials, you could hone your craft in your spare time until the day you are compitent enough to take on jobs. you can find reclaimed wood for free or next to nothing so thats a good place to start. the tools are going to be the biggest investment aside from your time if you dont already have a workshop full of them or you know somebody who can let you use theirs. pawn shops and second hand tools will be your best bet if you want to keep costs down. and if you are trying to teach yourself, YT and the internet alike is going to be your bestfriend. so unless you are pationate, go work at your local city or township in the utilities department. they have good benifits

[@edwardpetersen4309]

You also need about 10 grand worth of tools and put Dan Erlewine's grand kids through college.

[@bobnancymiller4931]

When I started some 40+ years ago, I had to make most of my own tools. Bill Lewis out in BC carried a few things. Today, you can get everything on line !

[@edwardpetersen4309]

I appreciate Dan Erlewine I have learned a lot from his enjoyable videos. I also appreciate and and am grateful to Stew Mac. Some of those tools have become indispensable.Their prices can be ridiculous though. Consequently, I have made many of my own tools as well . . . I wonder what I've spent on sandpaper throughout the years?

[@karibunn]

Dan Erlewine is the Luthier world’s Jesus Christ as far as I’m concerned. What’s great about his videos is that he will tell you how to make some of the tools if you can’t afford them. I have spent thousands at Stew Mac over the last 20 years and the only things I don’t still use or didn’t last are things that expire like sprays and polishing compounds and some or most superglue they sell go bad after a few years. My advice to people who want to become luthiers is to be FEMALE hahaha. I’ve learned my craft from 3 luthiers because they didn’t mind me hanging out and watching. I know it’s totally not P.C. to say this but I gotta just let you guys know that if your wife or girlfriend wanted to become a Luthier-it’s one of the few things in the world I believe a woman could find a way to learn a hell of a lot easier than a man can.

[@luizdejesus6240]

Poignant but realistic discussion, thanks. Hope your mom gets better soon...

[@kenthephotoguy]

You always make me feel like I am sitting next to you in your shop.

[@bretonguitar]

Well said.

[@lilogon2969]

Wise guy 👏🏻

[@rodparker4514]

The builders that make a living have a lifetime supply of tone wood .

[@chaos1291975]

is the stainless hard on that fret end file it kind of sounds like it. every point you brought up is very good way to think of it.I work on my own guitars now for about 1 1/2 years and would never think of working on someones yet well maybe a setup or new nut but fret jobs or things like that no way..but to be honest watching some of the stuff you have done i have thought i would love to apprentice for this guy and i don't think i have ever thought that way with a lot of others on you tube lol your stuff is great

[@drjonsguitarrepair]

Good stuff

[@robertnewell5057]

Well spoken

[@MichaelMcBride58]

Excellent advice.

[@simonhawker9277]

good luck to your mother, hope she comes through ok mate

[@markgordon4368]

My advice to young people is try some different jobs and if you can make a living doing something you love then do it, I teach but supliment my income by repairing and restoring instruments, I used to work two jobs but care for a sick relative so I can fit repairs around my schedule, good heartfelt advice, thanks.

[@normbarrows]

All successful luthiers seem to agree that its very hard to become a successful luthier.

[@ksgjlg]

Excellent comments. I always tell people success is not always about money. However 90% of the people don't believe that even though the say they agree with you.

[@3r4rrxvd3]

you are one great man

[@FLAMINGBABYHEAD]

I swear it seems like if you ask anyone who does any job this question they'll all give the same answer "Dont do it. Its not worth it. You can make better money Doing something else." It's like nobody on Earth is making a living doing anything.

[@redrock1963]

From 4:03 to 7:03.....life lesson guidelines right there. Give all that info a generic spin so it applies to all (most) aspects of work (life) and it is a good frame of understanding of what you need and where it might be applied.

[@tater9384]

"There is no dental plan." Says a lot!

[@dingdang3845]

❤️🤟🏻