Something Ben Crowe at Crimson always says about finishing up your build.... "The last 5 - 10% of every build is the FIRST thing your customer sees when they open the case. Put as much effort into that last bit as you did with the rest of the build!"
Man thanks Ted. As an amateur builder I really appreciate your kindness in this video!! For me the most difficult part of a build is always that last 10%. Infact, I don't think I can honestly say I've ever built a guitar to 100%.......maybe my best effort was a 98%.
As an old adage of software engineering says, the first 90% of the work takes 90% of the time, and the last 10% takes the other 90% of the time. Eventually, any project will run into diminishing returns on effort and when is enough is a personal decision. I can guarantee that Antonio Stradivari could have found room for improvement on every instrument he made.
@@markvonwisco7369 agreed! Its more about my personal satisfaction level.....always feel as though action and touch is off just enough for me to not have a feeling of satisfaction with the build.
@@SilasHumphreys yes there is always room for improvement, it's more about my own standards as a player. Always feel as though if I picked up my own guitars in a store I would find them slightly lacking in setup. I guess the solution is to build another one :)
That is a beautiful guitar, if not perfect. It was great how you offered advice rather than criticism. I hope the maker watchers and comments on this video so people can give some props and recognition.
The notch in the back is made according to the Trevor Gore method of guitar building. The transverse brace with 4 diagonal brace is the typical star-shaped, back bracing pattern from Gore's book. The idea is to provide a relatively accessible spot for a violin plane to carve the brace from the soundhole and fine-tune the natural frequency of the back, once the guitar is fully assembled. It is indeed very hard not to rush the end of a build even though the last 10% is what the player will notice the most and what probably makes the most difference to him. I try very hard to impose that discipline to myself. It's crazy how we can be so demanding when it's about cutting perfect tiny miters in a spot where no-one will ever look, but setting the action doesn't seem that important any more when it's time to do it. I don't blame that guy although 15 cents sharp is really stretching it.
@@joeferris5086 You can bend flat notes up to pitch, but not sharp notes down, and any good player uses a little vibrato (By finger, not whammy bar) to waver the pitch which crosses the perfect pitch frequency of a note, which sounds more pleasant then having a note ring consistently sharp or flat. When it comes to hearing, for most, sharp is more offensive, and that's pretty much established neuroscience/psychological fact, so you heard wrong; There's plenty of beliefs and opinions out there to steer one wrong, and weeding out bad information sources is important. As a guitar builder/repairman I always intonate instruments a few cents flat, rather then sharp, as most players put varying pressure and pull on the strings both when fingering, and in picking. We are talking tiny amounts though, and I can adjust it more or less depending on the player.
@@Bob-of-Zoid Weird, the idea that sharp notes are generally more offensive than flat ones is totally contrary to my own experience and common practice. I’m not doubting you but could you tell me the research you’re referring to? Btw RUclips can be weird about posting links in comments so feel free to just give the authors’ names and the year.
I think it would be really advantageous for a luthier to develop a relationship with an experienced repair guy. The feedback he would get would be invaluable to building a better guitar.
Very true. Feedback from the owner is subject to bias since he has a financial and emotional vested interest. Other builders, no matter how well-intentioned, will be subject to a competitive bias. The luthier may be subject to an ease-of-repair bias but until you have an elevated level of experience, any tips from a knowledgeable repairman will help elevate you.
I have to say, having watched Ted's videos has led me to a lot of decisions about how I intend to build instruments. Everything from neck block design on acoustics through to how to avoid having the headstock break off.
Nice thing about my first acoustic build having a bolt-on neck was that I could make a "rough draft" fixture out of a length of 2x4 with a neck pocket routed into one end. I could nail the ball ends to the bottom of the 2x4 and slide the bridge up and down 'til I sussed out the best result intonation-wise before I ever had to commit glue to spruce . I'm a firm believer in mock-ups. :D
Right on about the "throw in the towel" feeling when you're ALMOST done, and you realize you have to move the bridge! Ask me how I know... Best takeaway? It's all fixable.
I listen to what Woodford says as much as I watch him work. He’s equal parts philosopher and luthier and his tips on repairing guitars can just as easily be applied to improving one’s life.
Well, once RUclips deigned to let me watch it, that was a fascinating look at what can be done with a home workshop. If my fourth instrument is half that good, I'll be happy, and with your careful work, that's a guitar that will do well!
Jerry Rosa(Rosa Stringworks) is fond of padouk for his backs and sides. He went on what seems like an endless journey in finding a grain filler. Nothing out there will fill the grain in one application in padouk except an epoxy. There’s a few very high end acoustic builders that use epoxy filler to great success visually and audibly.
Wenge was used by Warwick when building their first basses in the mid 80s. Very dense, excellent strength and hardness for the neck through construction. The Thumb bass particularly made good use of wenge.
Agreed. I bought a Warwick Thumb bass in 1989, it was head and shoulders above anything I'd ever played. I don't usually miss my guitars after I sell them, but financially my life fell into a huge hole in 1993 and selling the Warwick was a necessity. Be it the reason for the sale or how much I loved playing it, I can't say, but that bass is the only guitar I wish I still had. 😒
Very Beautiful Guitar. Love the choices the Builder made in his designs. The intonation work you did on the bridge was impressive! I absolutely love your videos.
'It's all repairable.' Man does that hit home. For me that's the biggest struggle; investing my time and being critical and precise until the very end. I just redid the binding for a third time on a guitar, and I still scraped away a bit too much on one side. You can tell, not many will. But I can, and after three times I'm gonna live with it. But damn, when you see these guitars people made...I definitely have the skills but am just terrible at staying focused.
One of the interesting facets of design and engineering is how often design changes are made to fix a problem found during prototyping or over time with feedback from the user and how equally often such changes are completely forgotten about and only realised when someone comes along and says "why was it done like that, that is stupid, let's change it or simplify it or just throw it away and start again". I see this a lot in my job. It's very difficult to maintain hidden knowledge like this especially with a turnover of staff over time. I guess this applies in this case to a few of the things you pointed out, like the shape of the neck block and the thickness of the bottom block (jack socket drilled through). It's a nice looking instrument though, it has to be said and the luthier should be proud of his or her work.
Thanks for the new video Ted! My only issue with your channel is I've watched every single video - some more than once :) For what it's worth - don't worry about doing videos you feel are "repetitive." It's much easier to not watch something than wish there was something new to watch. Keep up the great work - you are a master!
Gorgeous guitar. Quite a few features suggest that a classical guitar (the missing position markers, for example; the plantilla and rosette; the French polish) was the main inspiration for this instrument. I like it.
If you are still doing these in a couple years I'd love to see this instrument come by to see how it has aged. Perhaps I am odd, but when you mentioned about the jig to set the bridge position, I said to myself, how could you possibly do it without a jig?
When criticism is fact based and constructive in nature, the way Ted has done it here, it can lead to improvement in technique, and result in better builds. It's still gonna sting a bit, but it will not humiliate! Beautiful guitar, with great sound!
I believe wenge was used very often for bridges and fingerboards of acoustic Eko giutars from the 70s. Maybe not throughout the whole range but I'm sure my eko JR and eko Fiesta both use it. Great video as always, cheers from Italy!
This was a delightful video. I just found your channel and expected to learn about guitars. I did not expect to learn so much about wood, but I'm extremely delighted by that because I'd like to start a woodworking hobby. I follow plenty of woodworkers, but none of them discuss wood, wood grain, and they history of wood the way you did here. I was entranced. Thank you.
Great comment on fixing those playability issues on a big guitar project. My first guitar (electric) needed hours of tweaking after it was "complete", and while it has many cosmetic flaws (I am an amateur woodworker at best), it plays nicely and in tune and sounds good.
The coolest thing about the K&K pickup was the free golf tee you got, as I hadn't had to buy any golf tees in years! I think they stopped doing golf tees now and they stopped the cyano gel awhile ago. Soon, the pup itself will be extra. It is a great pup tho.
I am impressed by the fact that he used Padauk. I only tried that wood once and I had a difficult time bending the sides. They cracked every time. Possibly I needed more heat.
I like the bevel in the fingerboard following the bevel of the sound hole. Totally going to stea…errr… be “influenced” by that next time I build an acoustic. 😁
I listen to You thru an NAD 7100 receiver, Canadian ribbon tweeters (Newform Research), French basses (Audax), homemade frequency dividers and to my ears You sound just great. To me these Canadian ribbon speakers DO make a huge difference- talking about the last 10%...
That’s a really nice guitar even if it wasn’t a 4th built. It has a wonderful sound. I hope that Luthier continues to build and develop. Cool video thanks for posting.
Thank you for the education Ted, for a fourth guitar the fit and finish is top notch. A lot of skill and care went into it it’s beautiful looking. Stay after it Maker you have a talent that cannot be ignored.
I like the sound of this guitar, for a fourth build this is impressive.
Yes, I concur 👍
I'm on my fourth electric build, and I can only hope that it comes out as good as this.
I honestly couldn't see where the plug is in the bridge at first. Very impressive work, as always.
Something Ben Crowe at Crimson always says about finishing up your build....
"The last 5 - 10% of every build is the FIRST thing your customer sees when they open the case. Put as much effort into that last bit as you did with the rest of the build!"
Man thanks Ted. As an amateur builder I really appreciate your kindness in this video!! For me the most difficult part of a build is always that last 10%. Infact, I don't think I can honestly say I've ever built a guitar to 100%.......maybe my best effort was a 98%.
Is there any hand or factory built guitar that's 100%? 98% percent is pretty much a homerun, IMO...
As an old adage of software engineering says, the first 90% of the work takes 90% of the time, and the last 10% takes the other 90% of the time. Eventually, any project will run into diminishing returns on effort and when is enough is a personal decision. I can guarantee that Antonio Stradivari could have found room for improvement on every instrument he made.
@@markvonwisco7369 agreed! Its more about my personal satisfaction level.....always feel as though action and touch is off just enough for me to not have a feeling of satisfaction with the build.
@@SilasHumphreys yes there is always room for improvement, it's more about my own standards as a player. Always feel as though if I picked up my own guitars in a store I would find them slightly lacking in setup. I guess the solution is to build another one :)
That is a beautiful guitar, if not perfect. It was great how you offered advice rather than criticism. I hope the maker watchers and comments on this video so people can give some props and recognition.
I’m getting a bloody no stream error trying to watch this. Doesn’t youtube understand the twoodford addiction.
Same here
It’s unacceptable youtube 😂
Same
Same here the one thing I look forward to on Sunday
Just got in
I love how you are always encouraging, not condescending. I'm with all the others who think this is awesome for a 4th build!
a) This is wonderful -- thanks! b) For someone's fourth instrument, that's quite impressive. Khdos to the maker (!).
The notch in the back is made according to the Trevor Gore method of guitar building. The transverse brace with 4 diagonal brace is the typical star-shaped, back bracing pattern from Gore's book. The idea is to provide a relatively accessible spot for a violin plane to carve the brace from the soundhole and fine-tune the natural frequency of the back, once the guitar is fully assembled.
It is indeed very hard not to rush the end of a build even though the last 10% is what the player will notice the most and what probably makes the most difference to him. I try very hard to impose that discipline to myself. It's crazy how we can be so demanding when it's about cutting perfect tiny miters in a spot where no-one will ever look, but setting the action doesn't seem that important any more when it's time to do it. I don't blame that guy although 15 cents sharp is really stretching it.
Wow!
Yeah, better a tad flat than sharp! Sharp sounds atrocious, but a tad flat is way more tolorable.
@@Bob-of-Zoid i heard flat usually sounds more offensive to the human ear but i figure if a note is flat you can bend it to pitch
@@joeferris5086 You can bend flat notes up to pitch, but not sharp notes down, and any good player uses a little vibrato (By finger, not whammy bar) to waver the pitch which crosses the perfect pitch frequency of a note, which sounds more pleasant then having a note ring consistently sharp or flat. When it comes to hearing, for most, sharp is more offensive, and that's pretty much established neuroscience/psychological fact, so you heard wrong; There's plenty of beliefs and opinions out there to steer one wrong, and weeding out bad information sources is important.
As a guitar builder/repairman I always intonate instruments a few cents flat, rather then sharp, as most players put varying pressure and pull on the strings both when fingering, and in picking. We are talking tiny amounts though, and I can adjust it more or less depending on the player.
@@Bob-of-Zoid Weird, the idea that sharp notes are generally more offensive than flat ones is totally contrary to my own experience and common practice. I’m not doubting you but could you tell me the research you’re referring to? Btw RUclips can be weird about posting links in comments so feel free to just give the authors’ names and the year.
(Being a teacher) I really appreciate the way you give feedback which is both critical and encouraging without being condescending or patronising. 👍
I think it would be really advantageous for a luthier to develop a relationship with an experienced repair guy. The feedback he would get would be invaluable to building a better guitar.
Very true. Feedback from the owner is subject to bias since he has a financial and emotional vested interest. Other builders, no matter how well-intentioned, will be subject to a competitive bias. The luthier may be subject to an ease-of-repair bias but until you have an elevated level of experience, any tips from a knowledgeable repairman will help elevate you.
I have to say, having watched Ted's videos has led me to a lot of decisions about how I intend to build instruments. Everything from neck block design on acoustics through to how to avoid having the headstock break off.
Nice thing about my first acoustic build having a bolt-on neck was that I could make a "rough draft" fixture out of a length of 2x4 with a neck pocket routed into one end. I could nail the ball ends to the bottom of the 2x4 and slide the bridge up and down 'til I sussed out the best result intonation-wise before I ever had to commit glue to spruce . I'm a firm believer in mock-ups. :D
Jerry Rosa has a jig for bridge placement/replacement and intonation.
You can see it here at 3:00
ruclips.net/video/uzq4g0GoyWw/видео.html
That guitar seemed really happy when you played it.
I love that you play the guitars after repairs or setup. Thanks.
Right on about the "throw in the towel" feeling when you're ALMOST done, and you realize you have to move the bridge! Ask me how I know... Best takeaway? It's all fixable.
Making guitars after almost 50 years doing old wood things, I found the neck to be the most difficult, yes sir-ee!
I listen to what Woodford says as much as I watch him work. He’s equal parts philosopher and luthier and his tips on repairing guitars can just as easily be applied to improving one’s life.
Well, once RUclips deigned to let me watch it, that was a fascinating look at what can be done with a home workshop. If my fourth instrument is half that good, I'll be happy, and with your careful work, that's a guitar that will do well!
Another episode rich in knowledge along with a gentle nudge for the maker of this beautiful instrument. Thank you for sharing.
Jimi Unplugged: “Crossgrain Silking.”
Gives hope to all of us aspiring to get our instruments closer to perfect.
This man has earned the right to wag his finger yet take 0 pleasure in it. Just wants the best for his craft and those engaged in it. Hats off!
Really appreciate the time you take to share these with us. God bless!
That guy built a very good looking guitar and it didn't take much to get it to sound good as well.
not only do you show us the "tricks of the trade" but you educate someone new to your world, that's class.
Jerry Rosa(Rosa Stringworks) is fond of padouk for his backs and sides. He went on what seems like an endless journey in finding a grain filler. Nothing out there will fill the grain in one application in padouk except an epoxy.
There’s a few very high end acoustic builders that use epoxy filler to great success visually and audibly.
Wenge was used by Warwick when building their first basses in the mid 80s. Very dense, excellent strength and hardness for the neck through construction. The Thumb bass particularly made good use of wenge.
Agreed. I bought a Warwick Thumb bass in 1989, it was head and shoulders above anything I'd ever played.
I don't usually miss my guitars after I sell them, but financially my life fell into a huge hole in 1993 and selling the Warwick was a necessity. Be it the reason for the sale or how much I loved playing it, I can't say, but that bass is the only guitar I wish I still had. 😒
Very Beautiful Guitar. Love the choices the Builder made in his designs. The intonation work you did on the bridge was impressive! I absolutely love your videos.
'It's all repairable.'
Man does that hit home. For me that's the biggest struggle; investing my time and being critical and precise until the very end.
I just redid the binding for a third time on a guitar, and I still scraped away a bit too much on one side. You can tell, not many will. But I can, and after three times I'm gonna live with it. But damn, when you see these guitars people made...I definitely have the skills but am just terrible at staying focused.
Very kind and encouraging comments concerning the builder. I always learn something here~
One of the interesting facets of design and engineering is how often design changes are made to fix a problem found during prototyping or over time with feedback from the user and how equally often such changes are completely forgotten about and only realised when someone comes along and says "why was it done like that, that is stupid, let's change it or simplify it or just throw it away and start again". I see this a lot in my job. It's very difficult to maintain hidden knowledge like this especially with a turnover of staff over time. I guess this applies in this case to a few of the things you pointed out, like the shape of the neck block and the thickness of the bottom block (jack socket drilled through). It's a nice looking instrument though, it has to be said and the luthier should be proud of his or her work.
Regardless of the tweaking that was needed. That is nice sounding guitar, and aesthetically, it's a beauty.
Thanks for the new video Ted! My only issue with your channel is I've watched every single video - some more than once :) For what it's worth - don't worry about doing videos you feel are "repetitive." It's much easier to not watch something than wish there was something new to watch. Keep up the great work - you are a master!
I love your attitude about the finish at 5:22, A handmade item should have traces of the makers hand
Once again Ted. Thank's for your invaluable 'tutorials'.
Gorgeous guitar. Quite a few features suggest that a classical guitar (the missing position markers, for example; the plantilla and rosette; the French polish) was the main inspiration for this instrument. I like it.
If you are still doing these in a couple years I'd love to see this instrument come by to see how it has aged. Perhaps I am odd, but when you mentioned about the jig to set the bridge position, I said to myself, how could you possibly do it without a jig?
Inspirational again Ted. Thanks
BEAUTIFUL!!
I once built a hot dog roasting stick.
When criticism is fact based and constructive in nature, the way Ted has done it here, it can lead to improvement in technique, and result in better builds.
It's still gonna sting a bit, but it will not humiliate! Beautiful guitar, with great sound!
Sounds great
I believe wenge was used very often for bridges and fingerboards of acoustic Eko giutars from the 70s.
Maybe not throughout the whole range but I'm sure my eko JR and eko Fiesta both use it.
Great video as always, cheers from Italy!
This was a delightful video. I just found your channel and expected to learn about guitars.
I did not expect to learn so much about wood, but I'm extremely delighted by that because I'd like to start a woodworking hobby. I follow plenty of woodworkers, but none of them discuss wood, wood grain, and they history of wood the way you did here. I was entranced. Thank you.
Looks and sounds like a lovely instrument!
Informative critique, thanks.
The guitar looked great. The lines on the outside were mesmerizing.
Great mann you are great inspiration
Beautiful guitar. The acoustic tone is wonderful.
What a beautiful guitar...
Beautiful guitar, and now with your help it's perfect! Very nice!
looks amazing sounds great another great explanation and great work thanks for your dedication
Beautiful. 🙂
I never really checked the intonation against my tuner... that's a great tip!
Expanding 🎵🎶 knowledge!!
Your videos are very inspiring. Thank you
Rings like a bell. Great job giving this instrument it's voice, Ted!
Gorgeous guitar!
What a nice guitar, I really like it!
Love the voice of that guitar.
Great comment on fixing those playability issues on a big guitar project. My first guitar (electric) needed hours of tweaking after it was "complete", and while it has many cosmetic flaws (I am an amateur woodworker at best), it plays nicely and in tune and sounds good.
A success I would say, even the sustain is impressive.
Great Job. It looks great for a 4th guitar and sound good too.
The coolest thing about the K&K pickup was the free golf tee you got, as I hadn't had to buy any golf tees in years! I think they stopped doing golf tees now and they stopped the cyano gel awhile ago. Soon, the pup itself will be extra. It is a great pup tho.
Sounds bright, I like it
This is me now fixing my fret scale mistakes ironically on my 4th guitar! This was very helpful. Always learning !
Really beautiful work. Both the maker and you.
Sounds great. Awesome job plugging and routing the saddle as always too!
Fun ,informative and entertaining, perfect.
These videos are just an absolute highlight in what I engage in for entertainment. Thank you.
I am impressed by the fact that he used Padauk. I only tried that wood once and I had a difficult time bending the sides. They cracked every time. Possibly I needed more heat.
Beautiful guitar great job by everyone involved!
excellent vid lots of useful information, thanks
That guitar sounds really good.
Wow sounds really good unplugged
Very nice guitar. Hopefully this person continues to hone their craft!
Gotta admit that is a beautiful looking guitar, love the wood choices, they look very good.
Just discovered last few days.
I am sooo intrigued and captivated.
Ty for sharing your craft and perception.
Just wonderful and very cool
I have built two guitars. My first one was not good (top was too thin), the 2nd one I was quite proud of, and it plays IN TUNE!!!!!!!
Excellent video, and an inspirational tutorial for would be luthiers. Thanks for putting it together.
That guitar will sell because of the love that was put in the work!
Beautiful instrument and it sounds great. The builder should be proud. The repair is also top notch.
Very nice tone. You are a dedicated to your art one of a vanishing lot. Thanx
Really nice guitar ,beautiful top
Ridiculously pretty guitar!
I’m just starting on my second acoustic guitar build, and this is a well timed video for me to watch. Thanks for the good advice.
One of the best sounding guitar on your channel. And the job is exquisite as always! Thank you for your efforts on posting!
All in all a pretty instrument. Especially now that you've improved it.
Sounds good with the right kind of trebly sound I like
I like the bevel in the fingerboard following the bevel of the sound hole. Totally going to stea…errr… be “influenced” by that next time I build an acoustic. 😁
I listen to You thru an NAD 7100 receiver, Canadian ribbon tweeters (Newform Research), French basses (Audax), homemade frequency dividers and to my ears You sound just great. To me these Canadian ribbon speakers DO make a huge difference- talking about the last 10%...
That’s a really nice guitar even if it wasn’t a 4th built. It has a wonderful sound. I hope that Luthier continues to build and develop. Cool video thanks for posting.
Very nice guitar....I like it....a lot :)
You were very correct the pickup does sound quiet good. Wonderful video
Thank you for the education Ted, for a fourth guitar the fit and finish is top notch. A lot of skill and care went into it it’s beautiful looking. Stay after it Maker you have a talent that cannot be ignored.
As a hobby builder this was a fun one,Thanks!
Super useful thank you
Is the opening music the same used on the PBS show "The New Yankee Workshop"? Brings back good memories!
A very good analysis of this guitar. Excellent for a 4th build by the builder! Better than I could ever do!
Very nice for the 4 th build , nice tip on the 3/4” tail block. 👍
Excellent video and commentary, Ted. I learned a lot about a variety of possibilities for guitar repair. Much thanks.