I'm so glad I tuned into this channel because for years I really had a problem getting my fish to stick together and never even realizing that they make fish glue it's amazing what you can learn
Ted, I want to thank you so much for helping me learn how to fix my own guitars. As a full-custody, single Dad with two teenagers I can't really afford my dream guitar. So I play budget guitars, and have most of them playing nicely except for one. 2 years ago I bought a Mitchell ME1CE on sale for about $230, it is a beautiful looking guitar that looks and feels well made. But it had a problem, a buzzing issue which i thought i could easily fix or so I thought. I messed with this guitar countless times and finally got the action adjusted so that it was perfect. But it still buzzed like crazy past the 8th fret and it sounded too bright. It turns out that the guitar was shipped without a proper fret job. So I followed your instructions, used a fret rocker and then filed down my frets so that they are all now perfectly balanced. The end result is that now this cheapo guitar plays like a guitar worth 5 times it's cost and for the first time in 2 years I actually want to play this guitar. I owe it to you sir! Thank you so much for for your highly practical lessons, I was ready to pawn this guitar or trade it for another one, and now I want to keep it. Thanks again!
Love your channel, love what you do and the respect and professional way you go about any repairs you do, it's so nice to see someone who cares about their work. And hi from Wales UK.
Thanks again for the effort that goes into letting us all watch you work. We really appreciate it. I have learned more from your channel than all the other luthiery channels combined.
I watch all your vids. I'm a finish carpenter and I've employed some of your luthier wizardry in my field. ...so I don't want to come off as a jackass who's just here to tell you that youre doing something wrong, but I would have put the thumb-wheels *on* before removing material from the length of those bridge pins. Remember, gang - cutting a bolt with the nut on (whenever possible) is cheap insurance against cross-threading. Love your channel, friend - maybe someday, someone will send a baritone in for extensive repairs and all my dreams will come true. Be well.
Wow! There is some seriously thoughtful and careful craftsmanship on display in this video. Of course, it's what we've come to expect from you, Twoodfrd. It is a pleasure to watch you work, sir. I love seeing these old wall-hangers coming back to life. It probably plays and sounds better now than it ever did. Thanks for making these videos!
Its not just the learning that is good from you, its also the experience you carry to us. Many cannot afford the repairs and don't know how valuable this is. God bless ya!
@@richardweinberger6302 Hey my friend,. My dear old pops got me an arch top Harmony for Christmas one year. I don't know what he paid for it or where. The "music" store in our town when I was a sophomore in highschool in '62 was just a few C&W records, maybe a guitar string or 3. That was about it as I seem to recall. Yeah, there was a C&W band that would play in a place called the Cave, which was underneath a building in my town. Some of my old partners in crime in those days would sneak down the steps, poke our heads into the door to see what sort of denizens would be present inside. The bartender saw us and yelled to get out a stay out ! Holy cow, we knew it was adults only allowed -- we just wanted to get a glimpse. Anyway, I don't think my old man paid more than 20 bucks. One of the fellows in my dad's Dixie Land band showed me some chords and how to tune it to pitch. Gawd forbid I ever break a string tuning it. I'm of the opinion these working musicians, such as they were had to drive to Billings, MT to get strings, etc. The strings were rusty, the windings we're coming off before I ever knew one had to change strings every once or twice in a year or two. But I had Peter, Paul and Mary to listen to and try in vain to figure out how they played those songs....By my senior year we had Dylan and Blowin' In the Wind. What fun learning how to play that, even with decrepit strings. Still nothing broke in those years. Somewhere in '66 and with a bit more knowledge about good guitars, I was stationed in California in the military, so was able to buy a Gibson J-50 new off the wall in a phenomenal music store in Sacramento. Ha, they even had guitar strings. I paid $250 for that J-50. Kept that gem for many decades until I had to sell it during Dubya Bush's tenure due to financial hardships. It broke my heart -- it was like a beloved lady leaving me. Elderly in Michigan gave me $1,880 for it. Vintage, ya know and well cared for. That's my guitar story. Never replaced it -- discovered the mandolin instead. Cheers, brother. Bob in Montana. 😃😁🍺🍅❤️☮️
This is the best UA-cam channel that I have dug into in a while. It’s been like 1 week, 30+ hours of watch time , and I feel like I’ve learned more about not just guitar repair, but guitar history and culture, than I have on any other formant .
Wow, i have one of these, nearly the same. The over all condition of my instrument is nearly mint, seems like not used, after 60+ years. i got it as a gift and it is very nice playable and rings like a bell. The sustain is about 18 seconds. Ok, it is not a high end guitar, but for the time in which they build it, it is very nice done....
Thank you so much for these videos! I am not a guitar repair guy...but I think guitars are beautiful...and I play a little. Your obvious passion and skill coupled with your calm demeanour makes for a fantastic companion to my morning coffee.
I know you can't read everything you get - just wanted to say though that I love the channel and your commentary - very droll and witty, lots of eclectic asides and observations! I have binged your videos HARD, and love, love the channel. Thanks so much. I am also learning a tremendous amount - I am a woodworker and hobbyist, and am thinking of doing a kit or finding a guitar to repair/rebuild for fun. Cheers from NH, USA!
I bought one of these guitars -a very early example from 1952, serial number under 2000 I seem to remember- in Denmark Street in London. It had a loose heel joint- actually flopping around in there- and an action that made it feel like punishment. Now, I bought that guitar for it's sound. It boomed and jangled at the same time. I had a confident luthier reset the neck and remove material from the bridge, both improving the action. I played that guitar in bands around the country. Sometimes hot through fuzz boxes and old amps, sometimes clean, mic'd up with a little treble from the pickup I had installed. I sold that guitar a few years ago for roughly the money I put into it plus the cost of the instrument- break even. Now I have no guitar and money doesn't play the same. Investment in an instrument should be personal and grounded. Nice to hear your relationship with the customer is honest and earnest.
Great video. I like the pace and the way you explain things. For those press in tuner bushings on many older, less expensive guitars I"ve found that small metal grommets that you can buy at fabric or sewing stores are an exact replacement, especially on Harmonys, Kays, Stellas, etc. They are very inexpensive and they come in many small sizes
Really like the explanations for how you are intending on repairing this guitar. The learning factor is excellent and very insightful. Any stories on nightmare projects or unusual repairs? Keep up the good work and thank you for all you have shared. Cheers!
I had to reset the neck and re attach one of the top struts on my old Framus archtop I rescued . You can't really get super slinky action on these old girls, they never had it back in the day. Yep when changing strings, the ball ends get well stuck, suspect that ball ends have changed over time. Love your videos :)
Great stuff! I’ve been to the original factory in.Bubenreuth and the new one(they moved in the late 60’s but still call it the new one..) in Haganu. They have a lot of cellulose nitrate from the 50’s & 60’s saved that was used for inlays! Really nice folks!
This is a really cool guitar. Surprisingly little sag in the top arch considering its age. I play a modern Hofner (Verythin Single Cut) and so I have a soft spot for them. Brilliantly conscientious resuscitation work and words of wisdom as always, sir. I almost dig the Freddie Green action in its original condition!
At 13:35, although I often cut screws and bolts shorter with the Dremel tool, some electrical crimpers have a set of built-in threaded cut-offs for #4, 6, 8 and 10 (SAE) screws that gives you a clean, essentially burr-free edge to the shortened screw. You can also buy crimpers with metric-thread cutoffs but those are much harder to find and typically a bit more expensive.
I picked up a Silvertone and Kay archtop at estate sale for $10 dollar each. They're in for repair right now. 40 and 50 dollars to repair. So appreciate your comments on the worth of repairing theses things. Just trying to get them playable. They are good wall ornaments! Thanks, enjoy watching your channel.
Among my many guitars, I have a Hofner Congress (1965). a Senator (1959) and a President (1965) as well as a Framus (1964/5)...they're lovely to play..I really appreciate your attention to detail..... and I knew somehow you were going to suggest fish glue..!
I bought (maybe WAS bought) a new dark ‘burst Hofner Congress in 1962, my first guitar. Clearly a later model than your ‘mother of toilet seat’ encrusted version, I have to say I do not recall my example being anywhere close to as glossy as the model you worked on here, and reference to contemporary pictures of me adopting the ‘Rocker Pose of the Day’ bear this out as well. I do recall that the action (although, back in the day, I didn’t know it as such) it had for my initial ‘learning’ process, was virtually as you found on your first examination of this instrument. And I do know, when I traded it in for a lightly used example of the ‘stiletto neck’ Framus Hollywood (solid-looking, hollow ply nod to the single cut Les Paul of the day), the action on that German guitar, compared to it’s distant Hofner ‘cousin’ was, for its time, astoundingly playable!
Interesting that he would mention about the changing dimensions of the ball ends of strings over years and it just so happens that the diamond string factory in New Brunswick New Jersey renovated the building and gave me all the lumber they pulled out of the building but in doing so I ended up with tons of ball ends dating back to the 1800s and whatever that's worth I'll just say good night
According to the guitar tech who sorted out my Hofner Congress, they were shipped from the Hofner factory without being set up, the retailer was supposed to do that but they rarely did.
Quickly becoming my favourite luthier channel. I was wondering If you could talk about theoretical lowest action in a video. I find myself always prioritizing low action as possible as I've been learning fret replacement and dressing and then final setup lately. I know it depends on how people play but It seems like low action is always the goal... would love to understand the LIMITS of action and how to get closer to those limits so I understand when to stop or not expect too much from the guitar. Kind of how you talked about it here.
It's not always about 'low' action, it's more about 'easy' action imo. There are more factors at play than simply the distance from the string to the fretboard. Shorter scale models (e.g Gibson SG Special, Fender Mustang 90 etc) are easier to play because there is less tension in the strings making it easier the press them against the fretboard. BUT if you set the action to a height that would equate to a 'low' action on a Tele or LP you are almost certainly going to end up with fret buzz. Remember, by lowering the action you are shortening the strings which therefore means you have even less string tension when it's in tune with standard scale guitars. The easiest electric guitar I've ever played was a 1969 Gibson Byrdland with a 23 1/2 inch scale. The action was noticeably higher than my 25 1/2 inch Strat but it was the easiest playing guitar I've ever picked up. Just a thought
You also have to take into account the sentimental value to the customer. I have repaired many guitars that customers have been told are not worth repairing because the tech decided that it wasn't worth the effort or cost. I just did one of these Hofner's a few months ago. It was the sentimental value that made it worthwhile doing. Every guitar has a story and some are amazing.
Thanks for this mate, I have a 456 and was trying to fix a couple of these issues myself. Hands down, the best structured and we'll thought out guitar fix video I have found! I'm missing the strap button from the bottom of my hofner and I'm not sure how to fix it / whether the fix is worth the risk of breaking it, it seems like the join where the strap button was is pretty vulnerable. No obligation to respond, but if anyone reads this and has a fix - I'm keen!
These old Hofner guitars and basses never used the type strap needing a strap button. Most used a strap that was tied in front of the nut, under the strings. McCartneys strap is actually this same style, only he tied it under the heel area of his bass. Brilliant idea even if it did make the bass a bit neck heavy.
Ted, nice to see you are one of only a small handful of luthiers that know the proper way to fill a bridge to an arch top, Jerry Rosa is among then. Thanks and cheers. Bob
Oh boy oh boy, another present under the tree! Good timing, 'cause I have an SS Stewart archtop on the bench I'm scratching my head over. Again, WHO is that one guy? There's always one "thumbs down" on your videos. Do you do it yourself as sort of a "zen corner"?
Just a tip re gluing binding in this situation I suggest using un thinned lacquer for the re adhesion if any mishaps it can be wet sanded leveled and buffed..
For the thin bushing, when non available , aluminium coffee capsule sheets are quite thick and offer good stifness. I used that on my '44 Harmony archtop, and the spacing is just perfect. Intonating is so smooth now. It really helped straightening the poles and relief friction on the machine parts, which was really bad prior to that..
I had a 1950s Hofner Senator arch top back in the early 1960s so I’ve found this video even more enjoyable than usual. My guitar had a three piece neck but no adjustable truss rod, (I don’t know if it had a bar in the neck). It had a Hofner single coil pickup which attached to the end of the neck and I actually used the guitar to play several gigs with the beat group I was in at the time. I remember that it had a really heavy action despite me sanding down the bridge so it was really hard on the fingers. Although it was a fabulously good looking instrument I very quickly traded in part exchange for a nice red Hofner Colorama solid, although not the finest guitar in the world it didn’t sound completely horrible and got me through a summer holiday season playing 6 gigs a week at holiday parks without shredding my fingers.
A have a 1960 Framus which apart from having a cutaway is almost identical. Action was very high on this, I made a new bridge out of ebony to sort this. Also, gave it a refret, installed electrics and now it plays great.
Thanks for sharing your skills once again, timely for me this time.. although I was hoping you were going to do a neck reset as I’ve just taken the neck off one of these, and would have liked to see you analyse the simple dovetail and correct the angle before I start sanding on this one. Lazy aren’t I? 😊Cheers
I’d call it sentiment vs fetishized. I still have the ‘77 Takamine F-360 (D-28 copy) that I bought new in junior high. It is the first guitar I ever bought and I still love it; it’s in great condition, and plays/sounds great. When I bought it, the MSRP was $300 and I got it at a going out of business sale for $150. Now, if something were to happen it that would required $500 worth of luthier work, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Yes, that’s likely twice it’s current value, but my “sentimental” connection to that instrument, is deep. I’ve owned/played it for 43 years.
had one, her name was lulu. Could only keep 2 strings in tune. a great bass guitar. one day I took off the strings and found that the neck had broken and was kept by the strings.,heavy strings and trying to keep up with the volume. She went to guitar heaven
Twoodfrd I tell you one thing that Is one pretty guitar and sinse you set the strings fret board and frets it has a really pretty sound.You made a pretty guitar really nice. Thanks for the nice video be blessed with loving care and grace.
Ooh, a friend and former guitarist of one of my first bands in the 80's had one like that, only in a different colour, black/red sunburst, and I remember it sounding really, really good, too! Luckily its setup was spot-on, but it had very thick strings 🙂
I’m catching up on loads of your videos. I have to say thank you for making me laugh at the start of this one … trying to work out if you were John or Paul :)
Can't believe you use a spirit level as a sanding beam, Thanks! I've been doing exactly that and half apologising to myself for it, although it never gave me any problem (that I know of).
I don’t know if you found an acceptable bushing for that tuner shaft, but what I’ve used in the past on a couple of old Stellas are 1/4” rivet burrs. You have to “roll out” the swaged end using a drill bit on a metal surface (they’re slightly narrowed for some reason), but they work great.
One of the most interesting channels on UA-cam.
Arthur. H you are certainly right I agree 100 % I just love his channel.
For sure and it's my ASMR
I'm so glad I tuned into this channel because for years I really had a problem getting my fish to stick together and never even realizing that they make fish glue it's amazing what you can learn
😆
funny! 🙂
With age comes wisdom.
with age comes a joke that works.. 😂
Ted, I want to thank you so much for helping me learn how to fix my own guitars. As a full-custody, single Dad with two teenagers I can't really afford my dream guitar. So I play budget guitars, and have most of them playing nicely except for one. 2 years ago I bought a Mitchell ME1CE on sale for about $230, it is a beautiful looking guitar that looks and feels well made. But it had a problem, a buzzing issue which i thought i could easily fix or so I thought. I messed with this guitar countless times and finally got the action adjusted so that it was perfect. But it still buzzed like crazy past the 8th fret and it sounded too bright. It turns out that the guitar was shipped without a proper fret job. So I followed your instructions, used a fret rocker and then filed down my frets so that they are all now perfectly balanced. The end result is that now this cheapo guitar plays like a guitar worth 5 times it's cost and for the first time in 2 years I actually want to play this guitar. I owe it to you sir! Thank you so much for for your highly practical lessons, I was ready to pawn this guitar or trade it for another one, and now I want to keep it. Thanks again!
Rock on full custody dads! I raised my 20 year old son, he is an incredible person, and I am raising my 10 year old son.
Love your channel, love what you do and the respect and professional way you go about any repairs you do, it's so nice to see someone who cares about their work. And hi from Wales UK.
Thanks again for the effort that goes into letting us all watch you work. We really appreciate it.
I have learned more from your channel than all the other luthiery channels combined.
I watch all your vids.
I'm a finish carpenter and I've employed some of your luthier wizardry in my field.
...so I don't want to come off as a jackass who's just here to tell you that youre doing something wrong, but I would have put the thumb-wheels *on* before removing material from the length of those bridge pins.
Remember, gang - cutting a bolt with the nut on (whenever possible) is cheap insurance against cross-threading.
Love your channel, friend - maybe someday, someone will send a baritone in for extensive repairs and all my dreams will come true.
Be well.
Wow! There is some seriously thoughtful and careful craftsmanship on display in this video. Of course, it's what we've come to expect from you, Twoodfrd. It is a pleasure to watch you work, sir. I love seeing these old wall-hangers coming back to life. It probably plays and sounds better now than it ever did. Thanks for making these videos!
Your opening monolog I think is spot on when it comes to thought processes around this type of instrument and it's owner.
One of the most informative repair specialists on youtube. Just the first 4 minutes of this video is filled with great tidbits of knowledge.
Its not just the learning that is good from you, its also the experience you carry to us. Many cannot afford the repairs and don't know how valuable this is. God bless ya!
3:10 , Peter Griffin turns up and makes a low ball offer 😂
Excellent workmanship as always. 👍
I love what you just did with the harmony
I was hoping to see some bracing mods on that Harmony, like little add-on braces below the soundhole?.
@@richardweinberger6302 Hey my friend,. My dear old pops got me an arch top Harmony for Christmas one year. I don't know what he paid for it or where. The "music" store in our town when I was a sophomore in highschool in '62 was just a few C&W records, maybe a guitar string or 3. That was about it as I seem to recall. Yeah, there was a C&W band that would play in a place called the Cave, which was underneath a building in my town. Some of my old partners in crime in those days would sneak down the steps, poke our heads into the door to see what sort of denizens would be present inside. The bartender saw us and yelled to get out a stay out ! Holy cow, we knew it was adults only allowed -- we just wanted to get a glimpse. Anyway, I don't think my old man paid more than 20 bucks. One of the fellows in my dad's Dixie Land band showed me some chords and how to tune it to pitch. Gawd forbid I ever break a string tuning it. I'm of the opinion these working musicians, such as they were had to drive to Billings, MT to get strings, etc. The strings were rusty, the windings we're coming off before I ever knew one had to change strings every once or twice in a year or two. But I had Peter, Paul and Mary to listen to and try in vain to figure out how they played those songs....By my senior year we had Dylan and Blowin' In the Wind. What fun learning how to play that, even with decrepit strings. Still nothing broke in those years. Somewhere in '66 and with a bit more knowledge about good guitars, I was stationed in California in the military, so was able to buy a Gibson J-50 new off the wall in a phenomenal music store in Sacramento. Ha, they even had guitar strings. I paid $250 for that J-50. Kept that gem for many decades until I had to sell it during Dubya Bush's tenure due to financial hardships. It broke my heart -- it was like a beloved lady leaving me. Elderly in Michigan gave me $1,880 for it. Vintage, ya know and well cared for. That's my guitar story. Never replaced it -- discovered the mandolin instead. Cheers, brother. Bob in Montana. 😃😁🍺🍅❤️☮️
This is the best UA-cam channel that I have dug into in a while. It’s been like 1 week, 30+ hours of watch time , and I feel like I’ve learned more about not just guitar repair, but guitar history and culture, than I have on any other formant .
Beautiful tone - had no idea. I'm sure the owner is pleased. Great work and a joy to watch your inventiveness and precision.
Tom, you give such thoughtful explanations. You are an excellent teacher. Thank you from Saskatchewan.
Wow, what a gorgeous guitar. Too cool! Great job, as usual. 👍
Wonderful work. Super lucid descriptions. Top Hole, all round !. Marvellous !. Greetings From Scotland.
These videos are so satisfying and relaxing to watch. Plus, I learn a lot.
Wow, i have one of these, nearly the same. The over all condition of my instrument is nearly mint, seems like not used, after 60+ years. i got it as a gift and it is very nice playable and rings like a bell. The sustain is about 18 seconds. Ok, it is not a high end guitar, but for the time in which they build it, it is very nice done....
Thank you so much for these videos! I am not a guitar repair guy...but I think guitars are beautiful...and I play a little. Your obvious passion and skill coupled with your calm demeanour makes for a fantastic companion to my morning coffee.
I know you can't read everything you get - just wanted to say though that I love the channel and your commentary - very droll and witty, lots of eclectic asides and observations! I have binged your videos HARD, and love, love the channel. Thanks so much. I am also learning a tremendous amount - I am a woodworker and hobbyist, and am thinking of doing a kit or finding a guitar to repair/rebuild for fun. Cheers from NH, USA!
Just fantastic content. That you give your experience away for free is a wonderful thing. Thank you.
I bought one of these guitars -a very early example from 1952, serial number under 2000 I seem to remember- in Denmark Street in London. It had a loose heel joint- actually flopping around in there- and an action that made it feel like punishment. Now, I bought that guitar for it's sound. It boomed and jangled at the same time.
I had a confident luthier reset the neck and remove material from the bridge, both improving the action. I played that guitar in bands around the country. Sometimes hot through fuzz boxes and old amps, sometimes clean, mic'd up with a little treble from the pickup I had installed.
I sold that guitar a few years ago for roughly the money I put into it plus the cost of the instrument- break even.
Now I have no guitar and money doesn't play the same. Investment in an instrument should be personal and grounded. Nice to hear your relationship with the customer is honest and earnest.
Great sound on that guitar and expertly repaired!
It is so enjoyable to watch you work. Thank you so much for sharing! Cheers.
Lovely Vintage Mother-of-Toilet-Seat! That is hands down, the single most hilarious one-liner on UA-cam. Thank you for your service!
Everybody calls it 'Mother of Toilet-Seat', ffs....
@@stavrospapadimitriou7631 Yep, I've been hearing that since the 70s.
Your steady hands are to be admired!
I like your videos a lot. I appreciate the content and how you post often
Great video. I like the pace and the way you explain things. For those press in tuner bushings on many older, less expensive guitars I"ve found that small metal grommets that you can buy at fabric or sewing stores are an exact replacement, especially on Harmonys, Kays, Stellas, etc. They are very inexpensive and they come in many small sizes
Love your work! First time getting in so early as well
Excellent episode, beautiful sound on that guitar now👍🏻
Little bits add up. It sounds better than I expected. Thanks much for this.
Not only am i a fan of your work, im also a fan of your playing demonstrations. Youre completely skilled
I love your videos so much man, you’re an artist
Nice to watch you work, and it sounds great!
Really inventive solution on that pickguard! Love it!
Really like the explanations for how you are intending on repairing this guitar. The learning factor is excellent and very insightful. Any stories on nightmare projects or unusual repairs? Keep up the good work and thank you for all you have shared. Cheers!
I had to reset the neck and re attach one of the top struts on my old Framus archtop I rescued . You can't really get super slinky action on these old girls, they never had it back in the day. Yep when changing strings, the ball ends get well stuck, suspect that ball ends have changed over time. Love your videos :)
Wow... awesome work and... that guitar sounds great!
Great stuff! I’ve been to the original factory in.Bubenreuth and the new one(they moved in the late 60’s but still call it the new one..) in Haganu. They have a lot of cellulose nitrate from the 50’s & 60’s saved that was used for inlays! Really nice folks!
I love listening to your thinking process. To me, I want to play the guitar. I'm not a collector.
This is a really cool guitar. Surprisingly little sag in the top arch considering its age. I play a modern Hofner (Verythin Single Cut) and so I have a soft spot for them. Brilliantly conscientious resuscitation work and words of wisdom as always, sir. I almost dig the Freddie Green action in its original condition!
Outstanding! It actually sounds great with you playing it. Yeah, its looking original still. Important for vintage class anything.
At 13:35, although I often cut screws and bolts shorter with the Dremel tool, some electrical crimpers have a set of built-in threaded cut-offs for #4, 6, 8 and 10 (SAE) screws that gives you a clean, essentially burr-free edge to the shortened screw. You can also buy crimpers with metric-thread cutoffs but those are much harder to find and typically a bit more expensive.
Awesome work Ted. I really enjoy your channel.
I picked up a Silvertone and Kay archtop at estate sale for $10 dollar each. They're in for repair right now. 40 and 50 dollars to repair. So appreciate your comments on the worth of repairing theses things. Just trying to get them playable. They are good wall ornaments! Thanks, enjoy watching your channel.
Another fascinating video. Watching you fix guitars is zen for me.
Among my many guitars, I have a Hofner Congress (1965). a Senator (1959) and a President (1965) as well as a Framus (1964/5)...they're lovely to play..I really appreciate your attention to detail..... and I knew somehow you were going to suggest fish glue..!
I got a 55 456, 58 455 same as in this vid, 59 blond president & a 60 450.
I bought (maybe WAS bought) a new dark ‘burst Hofner Congress in 1962, my first guitar. Clearly a later model than your ‘mother of toilet seat’ encrusted version, I have to say I do not recall my example being anywhere close to as glossy as the model you worked on here, and reference to contemporary pictures of me adopting the ‘Rocker Pose of the Day’ bear this out as well.
I do recall that the action (although, back in the day, I didn’t know it as such) it had for my initial ‘learning’ process, was virtually as you found on your first examination of this instrument. And I do know, when I traded it in for a lightly used example of the ‘stiletto neck’ Framus Hollywood (solid-looking, hollow ply nod to the single cut Les Paul of the day), the action on that German guitar, compared to it’s distant Hofner ‘cousin’ was, for its time, astoundingly playable!
Great list of practical advice, thanks for the excellent video as usual
Looks like a 456. Really enjoying your videos, thanks!
Interesting that he would mention about the changing dimensions of the ball ends of strings over years and it just so happens that the diamond string factory in New Brunswick New Jersey renovated the building and gave me all the lumber they pulled out of the building but in doing so I ended up with tons of ball ends dating back to the 1800s and whatever that's worth I'll just say good night
According to the guitar tech who sorted out my Hofner Congress, they were shipped from the Hofner factory without being set up, the retailer was supposed to do that but they rarely did.
I'm learning so much from your inspirational videos, thanks 👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one sounds great! Nice ringing tone.
When you started talking which glue to use I immediately thought HHG. Good call I’ve used HHG on several of these kind of jobs.
Fantastic watching for an amateur luthier...enjoying learning in my 50s!
I like the commentary regarding the value vs. the cost of the repairs.
Enjoyed watching 👍🇬🇧 Thank you 🙂
Quickly becoming my favourite luthier channel. I was wondering If you could talk about theoretical lowest action in a video. I find myself always prioritizing low action as possible as I've been learning fret replacement and dressing and then final setup lately. I know it depends on how people play but It seems like low action is always the goal... would love to understand the LIMITS of action and how to get closer to those limits so I understand when to stop or not expect too much from the guitar. Kind of how you talked about it here.
It's not always about 'low' action, it's more about 'easy' action imo. There are more factors at play than simply the distance from the string to the fretboard. Shorter scale models (e.g Gibson SG Special, Fender Mustang 90 etc) are easier to play because there is less tension in the strings making it easier the press them against the fretboard. BUT if you set the action to a height that would equate to a 'low' action on a Tele or LP you are almost certainly going to end up with fret buzz. Remember, by lowering the action you are shortening the strings which therefore means you have even less string tension when it's in tune with standard scale guitars. The easiest electric guitar I've ever played was a 1969 Gibson Byrdland with a 23 1/2 inch scale. The action was noticeably higher than my 25 1/2 inch Strat but it was the easiest playing guitar I've ever picked up. Just a thought
You also have to take into account the sentimental value to the customer. I have repaired many guitars that customers have been told are not worth repairing because the tech decided that it wasn't worth the effort or cost. I just did one of these Hofner's a few months ago. It was the sentimental value that made it worthwhile doing. Every guitar has a story and some are amazing.
Thanks for this mate, I have a 456 and was trying to fix a couple of these issues myself.
Hands down, the best structured and we'll thought out guitar fix video I have found!
I'm missing the strap button from the bottom of my hofner and I'm not sure how to fix it / whether the fix is worth the risk of breaking it, it seems like the join where the strap button was is pretty vulnerable.
No obligation to respond, but if anyone reads this and has a fix - I'm keen!
These old Hofner guitars and basses never used the type strap needing a strap button. Most used a strap that was tied in front of the nut, under the strings. McCartneys strap is actually this same style, only he tied it under the heel area of his bass. Brilliant idea even if it did make the bass a bit neck heavy.
I really enjoy watching your handiwork you have many many skills
It sounds as sweet as a nut, I’m going to look for one right now on the Bay , Great videos by the way, much love from the UK x
Ted, nice to see you are one of only a small handful of luthiers that know the proper way to fill a bridge to an arch top, Jerry Rosa is among then. Thanks and cheers. Bob
Oh boy oh boy, another present under the tree! Good timing, 'cause I have an SS Stewart archtop on the bench I'm scratching my head over.
Again, WHO is that one guy? There's always one "thumbs down" on your videos. Do you do it yourself as sort of a "zen corner"?
I’m certain that there’s a group of people somewhere who do nothing but put thumbs down on every video on You Tube.
Just a tip re gluing binding in this situation I suggest using un thinned lacquer for the re adhesion
if any mishaps it can be wet sanded leveled and buffed..
"Hey, Rocky -- watch Ted pull a rabbit out of his hat!" Amazing save, bruh!
Wow. I only started watching because my Dad has the same guitar...... Watched the whole vid, as I found it fascinating. Thank you 👍
awesome job sir.
Greetings from the Emerald Isle , love it.
Erin Go Bragh :)
For the thin bushing, when non available , aluminium coffee capsule sheets are quite thick and offer good stifness. I used that on my '44 Harmony archtop, and the spacing is just perfect. Intonating is so smooth now. It really helped straightening the poles and relief friction on the machine parts, which was really bad prior to that..
Informative and interesting. Much appreciated.
I had a 1950s Hofner Senator arch top back in the early 1960s so I’ve found this video even more enjoyable than usual. My guitar had a three piece neck but no adjustable truss rod, (I don’t know if it had a bar in the neck). It had a Hofner single coil pickup which attached to the end of the neck and I actually used the guitar to play several gigs with the beat group I was in at the time. I remember that it had a really heavy action despite me sanding down the bridge so it was really hard on the fingers. Although it was a fabulously good looking instrument I very quickly traded in part exchange for a nice red Hofner Colorama solid, although not the finest guitar in the world it didn’t sound completely horrible and got me through a summer holiday season playing 6 gigs a week at holiday parks without shredding my fingers.
Mother-of-toilet-seat is the boutiquest material to craft from.
A have a 1960 Framus which apart from having a cutaway is almost identical. Action was very high on this, I made a new bridge out of ebony to sort this. Also, gave it a refret, installed electrics and now it plays great.
Damn, that things sounds great! Thank, Ted!
I like that reference you put in the intro.
Hi Gang. :-). This should be on a t-shirt.
Thanks for sharing your skills once again, timely for me this time.. although I was hoping you were going to do a neck reset as I’ve just taken the neck off one of these, and would have liked to see you analyse the simple dovetail and correct the angle before I start sanding on this one. Lazy aren’t I? 😊Cheers
I’d call it sentiment vs fetishized. I still have the ‘77 Takamine F-360 (D-28 copy) that I bought new in junior high. It is the first guitar I ever bought and I still love it; it’s in great condition, and plays/sounds great.
When I bought it, the MSRP was $300 and I got it at a going out of business sale for $150. Now, if something were to happen it that would required $500 worth of luthier work, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Yes, that’s likely twice it’s current value, but my “sentimental” connection to that instrument, is deep. I’ve owned/played it for 43 years.
had one, her name was lulu. Could only keep 2 strings in tune. a great bass guitar. one day I took off the strings and found that the neck had broken and was kept by the strings.,heavy strings and trying to keep up with the volume. She went to guitar heaven
Great job, and it sounds pretty good too.
Twoodfrd I tell you one thing that Is one pretty guitar and sinse you set the strings fret board and frets it has a really pretty sound.You made a pretty guitar really nice. Thanks for the nice video be blessed with loving care and grace.
Ooh, a friend and former guitarist of one of my first bands in the 80's had one like that, only in a different colour, black/red sunburst, and I remember it sounding really, really good, too! Luckily its setup was spot-on, but it had very thick strings 🙂
Interesting to hear fish glue being used in metals inlay. I like using it when I due frets👍🏻
It's my favorite for fretting too.
I love the intro!!!! Im sure not many people got it, but it really made me laugh, great!!!
This is the exact video I needed to help lower my 58 senator bridge. Thanks so much.
I’m catching up on loads of your videos. I have to say thank you for making me laugh at the start of this one … trying to work out if you were John or Paul :)
Once again thank you for a video and using metric system. It is exactly what I was looking for!
16:06, I thought you were whistling along with the sharpie for the first few frets ahahah
You've got awesome skills. thanks for the video.
Can't believe you use a spirit level as a sanding beam, Thanks! I've been doing exactly that and half apologising to myself for it, although it never gave me any problem (that I know of).
I was amazed and appalled to see the way they mounted that pick guard. I think the guitar looks better with it off anyway.
I don’t know if you found an acceptable bushing for that tuner shaft, but what I’ve used in the past on a couple of old Stellas are 1/4” rivet burrs. You have to “roll out” the swaged end using a drill bit on a metal surface (they’re slightly narrowed for some reason), but they work great.
You must have the patience of a saint!
Very informative as always, thanks !
Wow, it sounded pretty good. I was concerned that the break angle over the bridge would have gotten too shallow, but it didn't sound too thin.
Very instructive. Good job!
I’m trying to lower the action on a vintage electric Kay and this video is going to help me so much. Thank you!