What's so special about this '55 Special?

Join Dan and Gene as they geek out over a vintage gem - a 1955 Gibson LP Special in mint condition! 🎸✨ Learn about its historical significance, pick up some tips on how to authenticate and date a vintage guitar, and watch Dan and Gene do some minor repair work to restore it back to its original glory.
0:00 Intro to the Special
01:16 Dating and authenticating
12:31 Fixing the binding
15:21 Broken solder joint
17:01 Restoring original tuners
21:15 Demoing the outfit
Tools and supplies featured in this video include:
ColorTone Liquid Stains
www.stewmac.com/item/5037
StewMac Solder Monster
www.stewmac.com/item/0531
StewMac Fret Cutter
www.stewmac.com/item/0619
Preval Spray Unit
www.stewmac.com/item/5043
ColorTone Retarder
www.stewmac.com/item/0863
ColorTone Nitro Guitar Lacquer
www.stewmac.com/item/4876
- - - - - - - - - - - -
StewMac has everything you need to repair, build or maintain your guitars.
Everything we sell is backed by our Lifetime Promise, and we offer fast worldwide shipping.
Shop StewMac: www.stewmac.com
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar
Facebook: / stewmac

[@Cbuzz1399]

Christmas came early. Dan is a national treasure.

[@madgeniusmusic]

International Treasure.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Universal treasure!!

[@drayve8590]

Yer damn right ‘bout that!!!

[@tomwhite716]

You guys can dress up my Gibson Heritage dreadnaught. Kinda new….from the late ‘70s.

[@ramencurry6672]

Protect him at all cost.

[@nickyd9361]

Watching Dan dance is my early christmas present.

[@stewmac]

He's a man of many talents 😊

[@2na-phish]

Dan looked like he was gonna do a little dirty dancing when Gene first started playing. raised my eyebrows a little.

[@markbaum9615]

That's the surprise at the conclusion Dan.....dance fever..Danny Terrio

[@cookymonstr7918]

16:20 Dulling the "too shiny" glob of solder is an attention to detail and dedication beyond anything imaginable to me. At StewMac you treat vintage instruments as if they were alive.

[@booitsnick]

Honestly this has been the best Stew Mac video yet. I still love seeing Dan smile after he puts his 335 back together tho😊

[@stewmac]

Glad you enjoyed it! We've been fortunate to have some great guitars in the shop lately.

[@johnpick8336]

You must get tired of hearing it Dan, but You Have Helped So Many Of Us With Your Guitar Repair Book editions (At 72 I only have 2 editions) , GP articles and now these video's. Thank you Dan for giving me a hobby that I have really enjoyed for the last 40 years.

[@madgeniusmusic]

That was great! I'm loving having Gene in these videos too, him and Dan are a great pairing.

[@stewmac]

Agree! We love making videos with both these guys. Natural teachers, but also passionate learners.

[@pandemic7]

Dancin' Dan is gonna have me smiling all day. Thanks, guys!

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

Thank you for not yanking the pots. It's not always necessary to do that - you did the right thing.

[@lisaferrara8120]

Great tips all around: checking authenticity, relic-ing, soldering, replacing missing parts! I forward this to my friend.

[@SMarcey]

Really good at making stuff look bad is the highest level of compliment I think one can give if your goal is vintage restoration. And he really did do a fantastic job. That guitar is beautiful but oh boy that amp is just something else. Its like a once in a lifetime thing to hear that combo of guitar and amp. Thank you so much for sharing these pieces of pop culture history with everyone fellas. Cheers

[@stewmac]

It's true - we were excited about the guitar, but when we found out the amp was included, we knew we had to make a video!

[@dhcoloniemain9358]

Nice job. When I saw Dan stripping the binding from the old parts guitar I thought "My goodness, what did he do to that mint '55?" !

[@ryanmiller9999]

Can't You Hear me Knockin is probably the PERFECT riff to play on that combo. Outstanding work.... I love my LP Special, they are really unique guitars

[@danjohnston3422]

I don't play guitar. God knows I've tried, but I just lack the focus and patience. But I know beauty and honour quality craftsmanship and careful tradecraft. I watch StewMac videos closely. What beautiful things you folks find. This is an absolute sweetheart.

[@lukesteverything627]

Wow, what a treat. Big thanks from Oxford UK

[@busabrye]

Wow!! All of it, good stuff

[@jameshowell905]

This video is great! I could listen to Dan talk about guitars all day, and I really appreciate all of the tips and tricks that both Dan and Gene shared with us! Keep up the great work!

[@SBanas]

I am amazed that You are still able to find such instruments in 2023. What a guitar!

[@SotR59]

I cracked up with the look on Dan's face when Gene started playing the guitar. You know the old saying Dan, "if it's too loud, you're too old". LOL. Sorry, couldn't resist. But then again, "they" also say, "if you keep on dancin' you'll never get old". Keep the great video's coming.

[@gunsofsteele]

That cracked me up too! 🤣🤣🤣

[@tylawson3685]

It’s really cool seeing this guitar with Dan after getting a chance to see this example and play it for about an hour or so. It’s kind of unreal. Great great video, nice to see Dan in another Stew Mac video

[@AndreasMSchroeder]

Seeing the strings on those catalog models made me wince involuntarily.

[@micahgerdis1008]

That's crazy amazing! I've never seen anything that original. I would be afraid to touch it.

[@mattrogers1946]

Why, is just a guitar?

[@Haddley333]

Haha when he threw the catalog on the guitar at the start of the vid it made me flinch

[@jefferywarburton2116]

Yes but what price would there be to pay for an oopsie @@mattrogers1946

[@SunToadProductions]

I’ve been drooling over juniors and specials for a good while. Aging those tuner buttons was particularly impressive to me. The original brass post just look so much better than repros. Great episode!

[@ferdberfle5069]

Gawd I wish I could afford one of those guitars! My birth year guitar! Great to see Dan still kickin' around and dancing!

[@Ibaneddie76]

Best video I've seen in a long time! That guitar and amp are heavenly whoever owns them is extremely blessed, great job on the repairs as well!

[@stewmac]

Thank you so much!

[@joshchristian8598]

That actually sounded good on my phone which defies reason😅 amazing

[@swisswildpicsswp3095]

You guys always manage to put a smile on my face

[@guitartec]

You guys made it even more Special!

[@stewmac]

😇 thank you! It was a fun one.

[@Docante1]

Thanks Uncle Dan- you are the Man!

[@alaric007]

so happy to see a new stewmac video with Dan!

[@lawndart188s]

Man! Such an amazing time capsule

[@1961Humbucker1]

Man, these two guys are amazing. What an awesome channel!

[@stewmac]

Thank you!

[@Barry101er]

What a great Special. Too nice ;)

[@thenewjerseys]

Dancing Dan has convinced me that I can make it another day.

[@donolbers]

Good to see Paul, havent seen him in decades!

[@gunsofsteele]

Merry Christmas to all ! Dan, I have your Guitar Player Repair Guide in front of me right now. Three Strats to set up. Gonna be a fun Saturday night! Akka-Dakka baby! 🎸

[@officialnaplava]

beyond cool! Thank you guys!

[@coat.thik1]

After a day painting ceiling see Dan dancing made my day. Greetings from Sicily to you all🎉

[@stewmac]

Grazie mille!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I love how, just before the lockdown, Matthew Scott snagged a Les Paul Special off of the Goodwill site. It was definitely a fixer-upper and a challenge. He managed to get it rehabilitated, and the process (probably) got me tempted to get one of my own, despite not needing one.

[@polishmasterjay]

I’ll be straight with ya, woke up extra early this Monday morning not in the best of moods, facing some fun obstacles today and through this week. Poured a cup of coffee, put on KZbin to see this…I’m about 8 minutes in and my day/week is already looking better!!! 🙌🏽🤣👏Thanks guys, seriously!!! Reminded me of what’s really important in this life…GUITARS!!!😉🎸❤️🔥🔥🔥

[@julianewart7643]

Good to see Dan dance.

[@electrolinks]

Great video, thanks!

[@squishy312]

What a gorgeous outfit that pair makes. It's hard to believe the condition of those. Even minimal finish checking. That's one lucky owner. I hope they take care of it as well as the original owner!

[@petedazer3381]

Now that is cool!

[@atakdragonfly1675]

Wow that is a stunner.... Jeez ...

[@waynepatton689]

That’s awesome!

[@Shiznitt_]

Wow incredible find! Was left in a closet and babied

[@MrDanbecker]

Great job .. 🙂👍🥂

[@guitarflyer172]

My life is complete now!! Mr. Dan dancing!!

[@JonDeth]

*What makes it special is it is authentic.* Currently, the veteran brands have walked off the stage and started a corporate cult with how they manufacture and how they market. They're selling modern antiques to collect and accumulate value far more than they manufacture and sell reasonably priced instruments. *I would rather buy a high end knock-off for 10% of the cost and superior features when compared to their guitars costing a few thousand dollars.* I see them as collectors items rather than equipment for musicians. *I will always truly appreciate their instruments especially the authentic vintage, but even if I were rich I would still feel alienated by where the industries have gone.*

[@briankavanagh7191]

Dan does killer moves.🕺

[@grene1955]

I am also a 1955 model. I wish I was in good condition as that guitar!

[@stewmac]

😅

[@paulneeds]

Oh man, what a sound!

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Boomheyyou]

This is probably one of the best episodes I’ve seen that’s a beauty

[@jeffgerndt2813]

Dan, you are a special dude! I am so happy to have known you for a long time. And my '54 Gretsch still sounds and plays great thanks to you. Great video!

[@mickfaragher7897]

Always fascinating.

[@Johnny.D]

I can only imagine the value of that combo. Very minty.

[@510bass]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of history!

[@vazquez808]

Dan is a beast!!!!

[@Ron-wf1tt]

I love you guys so much, you r informative and free giving knowledge from your hearts.

[@ArashAhmadiGuitar]

Amazing guitar, amazing repair!

[@telecasterbear]

Always a pleasure to see Dan.

[@flintdavis2]

Nice work, thanks for sharing.

[@josephzummo9685]

Absolutely fantastic

[@chrisnash8411]

Incredible work ! Thanks for sharing!

[@robotsongs]

At 12:17 we need the chime glissando sound like in Antiques Roadshow.

[@dakistle]

Spectacular!

[@BrokenMachine85]

Such a great video!!

[@4stringz.]

That was a real treat!

[@LPManic]

We need more of these videos. Fantastic.

[@stanblackburn700]

Love videos like this!

[@DeepSkyDude]

Y'all's videos are fantastic. Great work!

[@JoshuaC923]

Breathtaking work

[@dcabinet]

Great to see Dan again... such a great video. Thank you.

[@jamesdavid7099]

Just awesome. Great video guys.

[@oldb-1kenobi]

Man, what a treat! Thanks to the team and happy holidays!

[@stewmac]

Thank you so much, happy holidays!

[@hangtite87]

Wow! What cool episode! Thank you.

[@todoguitar]

What a great video, love it👍

[@chisolm5]

Oh Man! What a pleasure seeing such a pristine Gibson like that. Watching you guys work on it and taking such care was a special treat. Keep putting out videos like this. ❤❤

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks Guys fantastic

[@briannacery9939]

Excellent!❤

[@JugaJuga14]

Babe wake up, new Stew Mac video.

[@dananthony6258]

I love this stuff.❤😊❤

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Hey Dan your looking great. Happy Holidays. I have so much respect for the work you all do.

[@jkdrubes]

This video is great! So informative. Thank you for posting it. I hope you continue to create these!

[@stewmac]

Thank you! We plan on it!

[@SuriSanJose]

You're the best Dan! Gene's work is amazing as always.

[@stewmac]

Thanks! They're a great team 🎸✨

[@stepvanjoe3469]

Beautiful example! And love the background music

[@TommySG1]

This was a great video guys, and quite obviously one heck of a beautiful guitar. The amp just adds to that entire ‘wow’ factor, they really kept it all in such fantastic condition, amazing. Whoever the blessed owner is must be over the moon owning this all.

[@geoffdillon6013]

Awesome video. Love the guitar and also the bit of work you needed to do. Very helpful. Probably one of the best videos i have ever seen.

[@josephperrigo7008]

Really great video guys👍🏻

[@MrLP345]

Excellent review. Very informative, thanks

[@TheReacTT]

That was a real nice surprise at the end! Happy holidays!!! 🎉

[@stewmac]

Same to you! Thanks for watching!

[@johnkontos]

Excellent video, gents!!

[@stewmac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fabiopunk1661]

I love all this, especially the ending performance! man, that guitar and amp sound GREAT!

[@kosycat1]

That is a perfect vintage guitar you could use everyday it looks like. wow!

[@markbaum9615]

Damn ....I learned alot of technical tricks on this great video....thanks... Probably never try em...but cool to watch the experts make it happen

[@zixiaoyue803]

Great video as always 🎉🎉🎉

[@stewmac]

Thanks for the visit!

[@ckelly5141]

This is such a fascinating channel....and you.....gentlemen, are truly amazing artists of your guitar repair craft.🎸👍

[@richardlynch5632]

😃 Happy Ho-Ho's Folks 😎✌👍❤🖖

[@johnkennedy3531]

Man I'm outside of a hospital waiting for my dad who's just the best guy, watching you guys lifted my spirits,I love guitars you guys are fun man

[@theghosttourmusic7156]

Hope he’s doing better today