I had an old D28 I sent to Mark for a neck reset, new bridge, new nut, and new saddle. He did an AMAZING job, and even let me look around his shop a little bit. He charges a pretty penny, though. He knows he is good.
You deserve an award from Congress for keeping this iconic guitar going all these years. By far and away a next level luthier!! Hats off to you good man
Years back my wife and young son bought a beat up old acoustic guitar about the size of Trigger. It had exactly 1 metal string and 1 nylon string. After new strings, my son learned to play it well and it came on every camping trip and lived on as our campfire guitar. We named it "Willie" and Willie became legend. R.I.P. my son Bradley, 1988-2015. I'll bring Willie when I see you again.
everything about this video is fantastic. the audio mixing (the whooshes of compressed air and tape ripping is never louder than your voice), the video editing, the way you put in annotations to name the tools and parts used… genuinely a joy to watch.
What I find truly amazing, is how many guitars many of the newer artists have. One color, shape or size for whatever event they are doing. Willie has kept a SINGLE instrument going no matter what year or genre, who he's playing with, or even if he's playing at Carnagie Hall. Just one instrument. The sound of Trigger still amazes me and I wish I had the opportunity to have that sound!! One of the nicest examples of am amplified nylon guitar out there. And one of the hardest to reproduce the correct sound. I hope they both continue to provide music to everyone for years to come. And I hope Mark helps make that happen!! He's as one-of-a-kind as Willie and Trigger!!
@Evan Hodge Where on earth did that come from? Also, yes, I can. I can also change my own brakes, cook my own food, and sew my own (clothing) buttons. What does that have to to with guitars?
It shows a lot of understanding and wisdom to leave things alone. This man would obviously love to show his craft and do a full resto but nope. That's not the job here. Beautiful
This guy is extremely cool. His voice and demeanor singlehandedly lowered my blood pressure in a matter of minutes. Oh yeah, he's darn good at repairing guitars too..........
I've always wondered who was keeping ole Trigger in professional working order. Thanks for taking the time sharing how Trigger came to be and seeing up close how for all it's been through what it takes to keep this little guitar going.. One thing I always figured, I knew Willie would always assign just the right person who works with their heart in it when it comes to maintaining Trigger. Thanks for sharing:)
WOW. I had never heard of "Trigger" and watching this professional to an extreme work on Willie's love and prized possession with such patience and obvious love of his craft is just amazing. One of the best videos on a guitar work I've seen. Completely enjoyable and educational and as well a history lesson. When Willie's time comes this guitar belongs in the Smithsonian. And this video showing the way it was cared for be with it. He has a voice and demeanor that would put the fussiest baby to sleep in no time. And I mean that in the best way and with total respect. Hell he could probably solve the Middle East crisis with a few hours of talking to them.
Luthiers look for apprentices left and right at the moment, even the good ones. The question is: will you take your three years to learn from them when in actuality it is an underpaid job that forces you to work long hours more often than not?
These type of craftsman are in extinction...I don't see the new blood doing this kind of work in the future...everything it's play station and video games!
There sure are a bunch of negative old farts on this thread. There are more kids playing music now than just about any time in history. They are really good, understand the theory and respect those that came before. Just because you don't see it, or hear it on your classi. Country station doesn't mean it isnt happening.
These StewMac videos are a blessing to guitarist and luthiers everywhere. I find the gentlemen that present these episodes to be so kind and warm and friendly and interesting that I can't just watch one video I have to watch at least two or three to get my fix. I also find these StewMac How-To videos to be so educational and enlightening that I believe them to be some of the best if not the best on the net. That's my own personal belief, and one that's coming from what I consider myself to be, and up and coming amateur luthier. I feel that I've learned a lot in a short period of time by watching them. And I especially like seeing the different tools they use for making the different jobs, easier, faster, and safer to do.and although I don't have the money to purchase their tools, I know I can make copies, crude versions, that are just as useful. My thanks to StewMac, May your business always be profitable, may you never close your doors, nor run out of topics for RUclips.
That smile starting at 7:00 is the most infectious smile I’ve ever seen. You can tell he is overcome with the joy of what he does and his love for the instrument he’s holding. This is a man who has found exactly where he belongs. He looks pretty spry to me.
Holy moly moo cows. I could hear Willie's voice when you strummed his guitar. The two sounds are that connected in my head, and I never knew it until this video. Thanks.
Its awesome Mark that you take such loving care of Willies prized possession! Its a iconic guitar, and will live on in infamy long after he is gone. Awesome that you brought this bit of history to us Mark, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
It really takes someone who really cares to do this kind of work.....super clean work......time well spent.....I'm sure Willie gave a firm handshake and two thumbs up for the hard work and attention to detail......👍👍
Oh Man, I was so looking forward to part 2 and was afraid I would miss it! Thank you so much for sharing this piece of American Country Music History with us! It's a rare and precious thing that the public and the fans don't get to see and I cannot stress the privilege that it is to be a part of it! Thank you again Stu-Mac, you guys are a great American Company and who else would the Great Willie Nelson trust to keep Ol' Trigger by his side than you?
I could happliy listen to this guy commenting on the guitars he is working on all day - Sounds a great guy with a lifetime experience to share - Thank you sir!
What's fascinating to me, besides someone like Mark who takes great care in refurbishing pieces like this, is the companies that make these seemingly unique and extremely singular types of products to help keep iconic instruments like Trigger alive and kicking!
Trigger-and Willie-are in good shape for endless songs to come, thanks to you. What a treasure that that you all shared this! It's an honour to all Willie's fans. Thank you. :)
I like the way this man, explains everything very simply, and straightforward. That's brilliant, because I am not a luthier myself. Very clear voice too, and easy to listen to. I could listen to this chap for a long time, explaining things in this way.
I really like Willie and I love guitars so this was great to watch. The repairman (Luhier) is obviously a great and passionate builder and lover of Willie's music too. But its also great to hear the guitar after all the work; the sound is as dead as the dinosaur. It only comes alive in Willies hands. Now that, dear youtubers is what I call The Magic Of Music. You become happy when your grandmother is singing and you start dancing when Michael Jackson does. To each one his own.
Bah! I was loving this until that last line! 😛 Seriously, Willie is a guitar genius, and when I saw the title of this video I thought, "NO!!!! THEY CAN'T DO THAT!!!" Why would anyone dare to repair Trigger? I was so glad and relieved (and hugely fascinated) to learn the goal of the process and the methods - just the basic stuff, gluing, bracing, lacquering, keep it working. I'm a hard rocker, recovering metal-head, and a huge fan of Willie Nelson. His guitar is so jazzy and always emotional. He takes me places. I never heard it in his radio hits, but the first time I saw a concert of his on TV I was shocked at how gifted the man was. Man, don't change a thing! When Willie's time comes (as it will for all of us), I bet Trigger will be the most valuable guitar on the planet. I hope that day is far off in the distant future, but when it comes, I hope Trigger winds up in a place where members of the public can see it, and not in some billionaire's vault. (I bet Snoop Dogg can set that up!)
I know my opinion doesn’t account for anything but I love the fact that willie refuses to give up his guitar and keeping his souls alive with his trigger
I know a gent like him that works on vintage watches and his shop is something to behold. He looks and speaks the same. Full of history and stories. I can spend hours with him.
Willie is definitely an eccentric. To our ears we hear a guitar buzzing without much in the way of harmonics to Willie he must hear an old friend who has simply got older. Even the strings he's selecting tell me he's stuck in his ways. They do not look like top shelf classical strings to me. To Willie those are probably the ones he's played for years and part of the continuity.
LaBella 830 folksingers. Price has went up to about 10 a pack, I use them on all my classicals and chop the ball ends off and tie them. I like the way they sound on my 48 year old Ovation Country Artist. Only string set that I like both unplugged and plugged in.
Love Willies music, as for his religious (holy) guitar, does not sound any worse than your new junk when it's cranked way up with distortion tuned on. Leave will alone.
As a longtime fan of willie Nelson I know his unique style and sound well. I have always said willie is a master poet and guitarist who has poured his soul into his music. He has every bit of passion and talent as any guitarist alive or dead but his style is uniquely his own and I've never seen anyone reproduce his sound. He is truly a talented human who has left an indelible mark on music.
ChieFzY hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, that joke was really funny 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I know this thought is not funny....but, ok it is funny... I'm watching intently the wonderful, gentle care this patient, soft spoken, amazing guitar technician is taking as he is maintaining one of most iconic guitars in the world and as he approached the buff wheel and started to delicately smooth the rough edges of the frets, I couldn't help but picture the wheel suddenly grabbing the neck and quickly ripping the guitar from his hands and slamming it against the wall, breaking it into a million pieces. 😂
I'd turn to the camera and say "Well.. I suppose I'm gonna go hide in the deepest darkest hole I can find, and pray for my own life and safety now.. thanks for watchin..."
Every guitar player in the world, drooling and wishing for a brief strum on those new strings. Heck ,, we wouldn't even charge for our time ,,, Thanks for posting this, you can see the intense interest in this type of video. This master luthier is an outstanding example of the craft. I've known some very good ones over the years. Best wishes to Trigger and Willie,,, and Thank You for everything !
So when Willie Nelson has an incredibly beat-up guitar, it's all good with a few tweaks. But when _I_ bring in a beat-up guitar the shop just tells me to get a new one.
Questhero101 There's something you can do about that... Say "No, do what I ask and I will pay you or I can find another shop that will." Been playing a cheap Chinese made Dixon guitar for almost 15 years... It's been thrown in the back of a truck and sat for weeks, dropped in mud on several occasions, bumped on just about everything, and never been stored in a case but I like the way it sounds so I drive an hour and a half to a mom & pop guitar shop that hasn't ever suggested or pressured me into replacing it and just does the best they can to repair it. Though I do have several newer and "better" guitars for when the inevitable day comes where my Dixon is irreparable.
because what this guy has done to willies guitar would normally leave customers unsatisfied. People would wan't a new top and touch ups everywhere else, at that point you'd be spending about 5k on parts, and man hours, so them saying get a new guitar is them saying "If you really want me to work on this, you're paying more than you would for just buying something better". Just tell them that you just want minor repairs and have them ignore all the major problems, most would still refuse though because they'd feel like they're half doing a job
I know this hero will never see this post but I want to tell him. Thank you for keeping a legendary mans bestfriend alive and well. And for keeping Willie Nelson's gift to us all going for so long. People like you are the unknown soldiers in the music industry.
That's just amazing man. I'm 45 and want to become a guitar luthier. I am learning guitar and a cheap chinese acoustic I bought with a warped neck forced me to learn to rework the fret board and replace frets. Then bought 2 electric guitars and probably went through 10 different pickups before I found what my ears were looking for. I am a refinisher by trade and anal retentive about attention to detail. I think I could be a really good luthier. The acoustic sounds amazing now after I reworked it.
I bet that is such an honor to have Willie trust you to work on and keep for days on end a part of his life blood. Youre a very lucky man Sir' ...As is Willie for having you to look after and take care of Trigger...
I guess this video was made Before the last concert, Willie was not feeling well and had to leave the stage. I hope he has fully recovered. Willie picked himself up and returned to finish the concert however. At 84, he keeps a better schedule than me.
I bet they have to close down the road in front of the shop and lock all the doors just so no one comes in and either knocks it off the table or distracts this guy. It's like defusing a bomb.
That was a great watch. Always interesting to hear people talk about something with that sort of passion. Hopefully Trigger and Willie have many more miles to put on the clock yet
How many times has the amp been restored? Is it a tube amp, or transistor? The filter caps have got to be shot by now! I have a 64 Gibson that I recapped in the early 80's, and needs it again. I've been restoring amps since 1980, Modify them too. Just want to know how much longer does Trigger really have left?
The31262 any time someone asks an interesting question, no one answers. Yet when it's about something trivial like whether the guitar sounds good it gets LOTS of comments.
Well, depending on the quality of the caps used, and also the fact that the amp is probably regularly used (keeping the electrolytic caps formed), ya never know...
I had an old D28 I sent to Mark for a neck reset, new bridge, new nut, and new saddle. He did an AMAZING job, and even let me look around his shop a little bit. He charges a pretty penny, though. He knows he is good.
You deserve an award from Congress for keeping this iconic guitar going all these years. By far and away a next level luthier!! Hats off to you good man
“Award from congress” people say the weirdest stuff
You have one of the most calming voices I've ever heard. Would love to see you just repair guitars and talk
Daniel Ross hes like Bob ross
Oh, great. Now we've got ASMR guitar repair videos.
I was going to say, Daniel ROSS hmmmm, I see why you might like his voice. 😂
Uh that's what he is doing
BigMonkeyGrip that IS Bob Ross 😂😂 the painter
What a lovely gentle man who has such nice respect for the artist and his instrument. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤️.
I want this man to read me stories while I sleep
He could easily get a job at an audiobook studio.
Yep that be great lol
ZIP RIDER I fell asleep like 3 times listening to him
He is bussy reading to pinoccio
he read me a story about Trigger while i slept...
"Trigger is here for his annual checkup"
Trigger better leave with a power ranger sticker and a lollipop after all this!
EricdaRED95 man this made me laugh. Thanks
"Trigger was such a good boy today, Willie. I gave him a -
_WILLIE SMASHES FIST THROUGH GUITAR_
- lollipop. Never mind."
Nah more like a car so...an air freshener.
Hahahahhahahaaha
ABUSE repair.
This dude is the Bob Ross of guitars
I was going to say the exact same thing.
jma111000 dude I totally agree! I love this dude and could watch 1000 more videos just like this one
I'm not the only one who noticed ! Right on !!
I was gonna comment that. We want more videos like this one! With this same grandpa!!!
Was just about to comment this.
Years back my wife and young son bought a beat up old acoustic guitar about the size of Trigger. It had exactly 1 metal string and 1 nylon string. After new strings, my son learned to play it well and it came on every camping trip and lived on as our campfire guitar. We named it "Willie" and Willie became legend.
R.I.P. my son Bradley, 1988-2015. I'll bring Willie when I see you again.
Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
RIP. Gone too soon. Sorry for your loss but it sounds like you have a very fond memory of your son.
everything about this video is fantastic. the audio mixing (the whooshes of compressed air and tape ripping is never louder than your voice), the video editing, the way you put in annotations to name the tools and parts used… genuinely a joy to watch.
Behind every great general is a great army.
Behind every great musician is a master craftsman.
What I find truly amazing, is how many guitars many of the newer artists have. One color, shape or size for whatever event they are doing. Willie has kept a SINGLE instrument going no matter what year or genre, who he's playing with, or even if he's playing at Carnagie Hall. Just one instrument. The sound of Trigger still amazes me and I wish I had the opportunity to have that sound!! One of the nicest examples of am amplified nylon guitar out there. And one of the hardest to reproduce the correct sound. I hope they both continue to provide music to everyone for years to come. And I hope Mark helps make that happen!! He's as one-of-a-kind as Willie and Trigger!!
I love the minimum impact approach here. That understanding that every aspect of a guitar affects its personality would be absolutely vital here.
@Evan Hodge Where on earth did that come from? Also, yes, I can. I can also change my own brakes, cook my own food, and sew my own (clothing) buttons. What does that have to to with guitars?
@Evan Hodge my man even the cracks change the tone of an instrument, let alone braces and holes through the body
@Evan Hodge you don't seem mentally capable of comprehending anything more complex than a toaster.
It shows a lot of understanding and wisdom to leave things alone. This man would obviously love to show his craft and do a full resto but nope. That's not the job here. Beautiful
This guy is extremely cool. His voice and demeanor singlehandedly lowered my blood pressure in a matter of minutes. Oh yeah, he's darn good at repairing guitars too..........
Imagine being trusted to repair something like this... Wow.
Yup this and Brian May's red special.... Each unique in music history. You would be shitting yourself
That's like having to repair a first class religious relic
@@JH_75 thought the same lol
This guy has been fixing the guitar since the 70s. Amazing right?
@@xforce300 the only difference is that there's evidence for Willie Nelson.
I've always wondered who was keeping ole Trigger in professional working order. Thanks for taking the time sharing how Trigger came to be and seeing up close how for all it's been
through what it takes to keep this little guitar going..
One thing I always figured, I knew Willie would always assign just the right person who works with their heart in it when it comes to maintaining Trigger.
Thanks for sharing:)
WOW. I had never heard of "Trigger" and watching this professional to an extreme work on Willie's love and prized possession with such patience and obvious love of his craft is just amazing. One of the best videos on a guitar work I've seen. Completely enjoyable and educational and as well a history lesson. When Willie's time comes this guitar belongs in the Smithsonian. And this video showing the way it was cared for be with it.
He has a voice and demeanor that would put the fussiest baby to sleep in no time. And I mean that in the best way and with total respect. Hell he could probably solve the Middle East crisis with a few hours of talking to them.
I don't see Willie allowing anything of his to go the the US government that he can help.
@@OmniMontel maybe a picture of him and his middle finger.
I would give anything to be this man's apprentice.. omg the vast amounts of knowledge are priceless..
Luthiers look for apprentices left and right at the moment, even the good ones. The question is: will you take your three years to learn from them when in actuality it is an underpaid job that forces you to work long hours more often than not?
@@TheGrandmaMoses That sounds like the job description of most musicians on the planet. That's why music=magic.
These type of craftsman are in extinction...I don't see the new blood doing this kind of work in the future...everything it's play station and video games!
@@julioxlt07 sad thing is even the ones doing music mostly are just using auto tune instead of learning to play instruments like these guys
There sure are a bunch of negative old farts on this thread. There are more kids playing music now than just about any time in history. They are really good, understand the theory and respect those that came before. Just because you don't see it, or hear it on your classi. Country station doesn't mean it isnt happening.
My only thought? This guy is amazing. Willie trusts him enough to repair his guitar. That speaks volumes!
These StewMac videos are a blessing to guitarist and luthiers everywhere. I find the gentlemen that present these episodes to be so kind and warm and friendly and interesting that I can't just watch one video I have to watch at least two or three to get my fix.
I also find these StewMac How-To videos to be so educational and enlightening that I believe them to be some of the best if not the best on the net. That's my own personal belief, and one that's coming from what I consider myself to be, and up and coming amateur luthier. I feel that I've learned a lot in a short period of time by watching them.
And I especially like seeing the different tools they use for making the different jobs, easier, faster, and safer to do.and although I don't have the money to purchase their tools, I know I can make copies, crude versions, that are just as useful.
My thanks to StewMac, May your business always be profitable, may you never close your doors, nor run out of topics for RUclips.
I'll admit, I haven't listened to Willie Nelson or had any interest in his music. But after these videos I just can't stop listening to him!
Check out waylon jennings!
Let's paint some happy little frets over here. It's your guitar, paint it the way you like it...
Those holes? Happy accidents
re: Curt White: I heard Bob Ross' voice there.
he doesn't want the frets.
Use cadmium blue happy little clouds. Oops I mean frets.
That smile starting at 7:00 is the most infectious smile I’ve ever seen. You can tell he is overcome with the joy of what he does and his love for the instrument he’s holding. This is a man who has found exactly where he belongs. He looks pretty spry to me.
Holy moly moo cows. I could hear Willie's voice when you strummed his guitar. The two sounds are that connected in my head, and I never knew it until this video. Thanks.
Its awesome Mark that you take such loving care of Willies prized possession! Its a iconic guitar, and will live on in infamy long after he is gone. Awesome that you brought this bit of history to us Mark, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Guitar repair ASMR. I love it.
TheScaredofsilence you know it lol.
TheScaredofsilence no. That needs to not exist
It really takes someone who really cares to do this kind of work.....super clean work......time well spent.....I'm sure Willie gave a firm handshake and two thumbs up for the hard work and attention to detail......👍👍
Oh Man, I was so looking forward to part 2 and was afraid I would miss it! Thank you so much for sharing this piece of American Country Music History with us! It's a rare and precious thing that the public and the fans don't get to see and I cannot stress the privilege that it is to be a part of it! Thank you again Stu-Mac, you guys are a great American Company and who else would the Great Willie Nelson trust to keep Ol' Trigger by his side than you?
I could happliy listen to this guy commenting on the guitars he is working on all day - Sounds a great guy with a lifetime experience to share - Thank you sir!
What's fascinating to me, besides someone like Mark who takes great care in refurbishing pieces like this, is the companies that make these seemingly unique and extremely singular types of products to help keep iconic instruments like Trigger alive and kicking!
Trigger-and Willie-are in good shape for endless songs to come, thanks to you. What a treasure that that you all shared this! It's an honour to all Willie's fans. Thank you. :)
What makes this man a fantastic artisan repairer is , he loves the instruments as much as their owners !
I"ve watched Part 1 and Part 2 many times. I can never get enough of it. Mr. Erlewine is a legend.
I like the way this man, explains everything very simply, and straightforward. That's brilliant, because I am not a luthier myself. Very clear voice too, and easy to listen to. I could listen to this chap for a long time, explaining things in this way.
I really like Willie and I love guitars so this was great to watch. The repairman (Luhier) is obviously a great and passionate builder and lover of Willie's music too. But its also great to hear the guitar after all the work; the sound is as dead as the dinosaur. It only comes alive in Willies hands. Now that, dear youtubers is what I call The Magic Of Music. You become happy when your grandmother is singing and you start dancing when Michael Jackson does. To each one his own.
Bah! I was loving this until that last line! 😛 Seriously, Willie is a guitar genius, and when I saw the title of this video I thought, "NO!!!! THEY CAN'T DO THAT!!!" Why would anyone dare to repair Trigger? I was so glad and relieved (and hugely fascinated) to learn the goal of the process and the methods - just the basic stuff, gluing, bracing, lacquering, keep it working. I'm a hard rocker, recovering metal-head, and a huge fan of Willie Nelson. His guitar is so jazzy and always emotional. He takes me places. I never heard it in his radio hits, but the first time I saw a concert of his on TV I was shocked at how gifted the man was. Man, don't change a thing!
When Willie's time comes (as it will for all of us), I bet Trigger will be the most valuable guitar on the planet. I hope that day is far off in the distant future, but when it comes, I hope Trigger winds up in a place where members of the public can see it, and not in some billionaire's vault. (I bet Snoop Dogg can set that up!)
Would LOVE to see you do a review of the " spare guitar " that you all came up with for him that he doesn't use.
That would be cool !
What a lovely gentleman Mr.Erlewine is. His love of his work is inspiring.
I know my opinion doesn’t account for anything but I love the fact that willie refuses to give up his guitar and keeping his souls alive with his trigger
The level of passion for craft and care in the way this man handles this guitar is amazing.
You enjoy?
So great to see a great artist repair another great artists guitar
I know a gent like him that works on vintage watches and his shop is something to behold. He looks and speaks the same. Full of history and stories. I can spend hours with him.
Willie is definitely an eccentric. To our ears we hear a guitar buzzing without much in the way of harmonics to Willie he must hear an old friend who has simply got older. Even the strings he's selecting tell me he's stuck in his ways. They do not look like top shelf classical strings to me. To Willie those are probably the ones he's played for years and part of the continuity.
To my ears it sounds great.
The strings are La Bella 850’s, about $7 a pack. Not expensive or “top shelf” at all, but they work for Trigger!
LaBella 830 folksingers. Price has went up to about 10 a pack, I use them on all my classicals and chop the ball ends off and tie them. I like the way they sound on my 48 year old Ovation Country Artist. Only string set that I like both unplugged and plugged in.
@@JoshMorningstar any body know what guage willie plays ?
@@lucasmollet3267 Apart from the ball ends, do you know if these strings are very different from Labella black nylon Flamenco strings...?
Sir, you are a top shelf craftsman and artist. From now when I hear Willie and Trigger I will also hear your craft and love. Thank you for sharing.
you are like the Bob Ross of Luthiers! So relaxing to listen to!
This guy is just so relaxed and confident in his ability and you get this feeling of love in what he does. Good on you Mark Erlewine!
So nice. We like Willie and we love Trigger. The backstory is legend now.
Love Willies music, as for his religious (holy) guitar, does not sound any worse than your new junk when it's cranked way up with distortion tuned on. Leave will alone.
The rabbit holes we dive down...sometimes we find gold...this is gold
"... I think it's in good shape now ..."
This and part 1 are masterclasses in guitar maintenance when an instrument has had a hard life. Magic!
As a longtime fan of willie Nelson I know his unique style and sound well. I have always said willie is a master poet and guitarist who has poured his soul into his music. He has every bit of passion and talent as any guitarist alive or dead but his style is uniquely his own and I've never seen anyone reproduce his sound. He is truly a talented human who has left an indelible mark on music.
Sets up guitar and amp:
*Immediately plays Smoke on the water*
ChieFzY hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, that joke was really funny 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Lol you got me rollin with this one!!!!
I could watch this gentleman work on guitars all day. Pure art.
I know this thought is not funny....but, ok it is funny...
I'm watching intently the wonderful, gentle care this patient, soft spoken, amazing guitar technician is taking as he is maintaining one of most iconic guitars in the world
and as he approached the buff wheel and started to delicately smooth the rough edges of the frets, I couldn't help but picture the wheel suddenly grabbing the neck and quickly ripping the guitar from his hands and slamming it against the wall, breaking it into a million pieces. 😂
😂
I'd turn to the camera and say "Well.. I suppose I'm gonna go hide in the deepest darkest hole I can find, and pray for my own life and safety now.. thanks for watchin..."
@@therabidscorpion Hahaha!!!🤣
Every guitar player in the world, drooling and wishing for a brief strum on those new strings.
Heck ,, we wouldn't even charge for our time ,,,
Thanks for posting this, you can see the intense interest in this type of video.
This master luthier is an outstanding example of the craft. I've known some very good ones over the years.
Best wishes to Trigger and Willie,,, and Thank You for everything !
What a wonderful 2 part video !!! Love the way you teach.
Willie's guitar has as much character as he does. . . Great job and thank you for sharing this.
So when Willie Nelson has an incredibly beat-up guitar, it's all good with a few tweaks.
But when _I_ bring in a beat-up guitar the shop just tells me to get a new one.
Questhero101 There's something you can do about that... Say "No, do what I ask and I will pay you or I can find another shop that will." Been playing a cheap Chinese made Dixon guitar for almost 15 years... It's been thrown in the back of a truck and sat for weeks, dropped in mud on several occasions, bumped on just about everything, and never been stored in a case but I like the way it sounds so I drive an hour and a half to a mom & pop guitar shop that hasn't ever suggested or pressured me into replacing it and just does the best they can to repair it. Though I do have several newer and "better" guitars for when the inevitable day comes where my Dixon is irreparable.
That's because they know willie is crazy enough to spend top dollar to keep it going. Go in with a couple grand and try it lol.
because what this guy has done to willies guitar would normally leave customers unsatisfied. People would wan't a new top and touch ups everywhere else, at that point you'd be spending about 5k on parts, and man hours, so them saying get a new guitar is them saying "If you really want me to work on this, you're paying more than you would for just buying something better". Just tell them that you just want minor repairs and have them ignore all the major problems, most would still refuse though because they'd feel like they're half doing a job
Lmao 😂
You ain't Willie, Chief....
I know this hero will never see this post but I want to tell him. Thank you for keeping a legendary mans bestfriend alive and well. And for keeping Willie Nelson's gift to us all going for so long. People like you are the unknown soldiers in the music industry.
That's just amazing man.
I'm 45 and want to become a guitar luthier. I am learning guitar and a cheap chinese acoustic I bought with a warped neck forced me to learn to rework the fret board and replace frets. Then bought 2 electric guitars and probably went through 10 different pickups before I found what my ears were looking for. I am a refinisher by trade and anal retentive about attention to detail. I think I could be a really good luthier. The acoustic sounds amazing now after I reworked it.
I bet that is such an honor to have Willie trust you to work on and keep for days on end a part of his life blood. Youre a very lucky man Sir' ...As is Willie for having you to look after and take care of Trigger...
beautiful to watch sir you are an artist in your craft
eeeuuuhm he puts some glue in it.
Good old Trigger! He is like Wille's horse, the two of them will ride off into the sunset together thanks to you! Excellent job!
The sound of this guitar tells so many stories.
This level of craftsmanship is a dying art. As a fellow with an old-time trade (butchering), I respect what you do and have done with your hands sir.
I bet Trigger just can't wait to get on the road again.
Cadwaladr I see what you did there.
I bet trigger would jump out a window if he got the chance
jeb tweebance hahahaha I died that's funny
Cadwaladr lol
you and Mark share the same joke writer?
Relaxing voice and talking speed. God bless these guys
This is just so interesting you are a amazing man. Thanks for the great story.
I don’t know what it is about this video but it’s so beautiful and makes me happy
O, I see what you did there. Pretty witty my friend. 7:07 "I think it's uhh...ready to go....On The Road Again.". Woah now Trigger. LOL.
Thank you for your video. 50 yr player here and I loved your stories.
This guy would be so cool to have as my grandpa!
What an absolute treat to watch a master craftsman work on a legendary guitar
i like how he is almost whispering the whole time. Its either creepy or comforting.
Thanks for all you do to keep Willie and Trigger going!
Awesome guitar. It's the best of the best. Long live Willie Nelson and Trigger.
Lavour of love, it cannot be said any other way.
those frets!I love it !!
What an honor to repair and play Willie nelsons guitar. Love Willie.
I guess this video was made Before the last concert, Willie was not feeling well and had to leave the stage. I hope he has fully recovered. Willie picked himself up and returned to finish the concert however. At 84, he keeps a better schedule than me.
One of the coolest videos I’ve seen. Can’t believe he’s still using the original amp also!!!
Good job at the end "I think it's ready to go on the ROAD AGAIN" 😏
What a beautiful piece of history and that it is in good hands with this craftsman, great.
"Looks pretty spry to me". Love it.
you, sir, are a national treasure unto yourself for the work you have done with trigger! thank you!
this dude looks like he's about to turn that guitar into pinocchio!
underrated comment
yeah, that's what i've been thinking. he's the geppetto of luthier...
Mark is a gentleman, influential repairman, pedal steeler. 💯
I bet they have to close down the road in front of the shop and lock all the doors just so no one comes in and either knocks it off the table or distracts this guy.
It's like defusing a bomb.
I bet they don’t.
@@stevenmiller7747 so cool
Trigger has left the building.
Just get a new one
Wonderful video. I wish my Dad was alive to see this since he was a real Willie Nelson Fan.
Anyone know what strings they were? Sounded lovely
He uses LaBella FolkSinger 830.
metal
That was a great watch. Always interesting to hear people talk about something with that sort of passion.
Hopefully Trigger and Willie have many more miles to put on the clock yet
When he first strummed it after fixing it, it sounded so familiar I swear I could almost hear Willie begin to sing.
Great set of 2 vids. I can tell how passionate you are Mark. Much respect.
Remarkable
Just feeling the history and craftsmanship in these videos thank you 🙏
*buzz* *buzz* *buzz* "sounds pretty good"
that's how willie likes it
Willie is usually buzzing right along with it.
ovguy2k I
If you design music around it anything can be musical
@@timd.9985 And Willie likes it that way
What a wonderful story, to have been in the care of something so precious to Willy, for so many years. Thanks from a Michigan man...😎
How many times has the amp been restored? Is it a tube amp, or transistor? The filter caps have got to be shot by now! I have a 64 Gibson that I recapped in the early 80's, and needs it again. I've been restoring amps since 1980, Modify them too. Just want to know how much longer does Trigger really have left?
The31262 any time someone asks an interesting question, no one answers. Yet when it's about something trivial like whether the guitar sounds good it gets LOTS of comments.
REcapping..... I have some old Yamaha sythns that need that in the power supplies... Not a fun thing,
Well, depending on the quality of the caps used, and also the fact that the amp is probably regularly used (keeping the electrolytic caps formed), ya never know...
awesome.....at 79 a guitar lover and Willie fan for longer than i care to remember this is great...thank you
It’s in pretty good shape for the shape it’s in. (I usually use that line referring to myself) lol
A very gentle soul, and a master craftsman. Thank you sir.
That last line......I see what you did there ;)