Broken Headstock .. stravaganza...

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  • Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
  • Two very different instruments came in with that age-old affliction. Let's get them up and running again, shall we?

Комментарии • 229

  • @robertmeegan3354
    @robertmeegan3354 4 года назад +86

    "Probably not ideal." Demonstrating the Canadian capacity for understatement.

    • @Douglas21450
      @Douglas21450 4 года назад +2

      Funny. Greetings to all from your Illinois friend below.

  • @galerae947
    @galerae947 4 года назад +21

    I carry a pocket knife in my purse and have given a quality pocket knife to all my female friends. They usually laugh because they have never thought of carrying one. Months later, I will get a call or text thanking me again for the knife because they have discovered how handy they are. So, you men out there, give the women in your lives a pocket knife.

    • @mihovildanicic5305
      @mihovildanicic5305 4 года назад

      Did.

    • @martinheath5947
      @martinheath5947 3 года назад

      I recommend folding mini scissors you can attach to a keyring. I've lost count of the amount of times they've come in handy and they even cut through thin metal and can trim unsightly hairs and guitar strings!

  • @sgnt9337
    @sgnt9337 4 года назад +27

    Glad you mentioned loosening the truss rod when attempting a glue-up like the one you did for the Bass guitar. I would not have thought about that.

  • @FreddyVanHalen5150
    @FreddyVanHalen5150 4 года назад +83

    Loved the Davie504 reference at the end.
    Excellent work as always

    • @BakerGlare
      @BakerGlare 4 года назад +7

      Wise choice.
      I tend to stay away from the more meme-y content on the ole intertubes, but Davie's playing makes it worth straying there every so often.

    • @Runoratsu
      @Runoratsu 4 года назад +3

      @@BakerGlare He's a little too loud and fast-paced for me, but yes, definitely a good player.

    • @bobbymckeemusic2987
      @bobbymckeemusic2987 4 года назад +1

      I really enjoy your work and great insight, sir. Thanks for taking the time to video.

    • @hurdygurdyguy1
      @hurdygurdyguy1 4 года назад +7

      *SLAP!!!*

    • @18JR78
      @18JR78 4 года назад

      18:35 hhaha

  • @Deuce_1625
    @Deuce_1625 4 года назад +39

    I do guitar repair everyday, and I love your videos. You have become one of my favorite luthiers for repair work. I admire the fact that you do not cut corners and you think about what you are doing and do tests to check everything, before conducting the actual repair. Tip of the hat sir. Outstanding!

  • @scholaire
    @scholaire 4 года назад +25

    I love that theme song for this channel at 0:10

  • @faunaflage
    @faunaflage 4 года назад +18

    3:37: "They'll sit up there...sort of defiant...lapping at you like the tongue of some sacred cobra..." - Ha ha ha!

    • @gtbones
      @gtbones 4 года назад +1

      "laughing at you.." not lapping...although lapping creates a nice image too....lol

    • @OllavoTozzi
      @OllavoTozzi 3 года назад +1

      Definitely sounds like lapping, though

  • @noobpro9759
    @noobpro9759 3 года назад +1

    All this talk of good ol american production has me feeling reminiscent of bygone days i haven't even ever seen.

    • @noobpro9759
      @noobpro9759 3 года назад

      @Ben Sicovit I feel ya. Though. Maybe in my lifetime if ww3 starts.

  • @joesantamaria5874
    @joesantamaria5874 4 года назад +12

    A luthier with a vocabulary.

  • @lucasdeaver9192
    @lucasdeaver9192 4 года назад +11

    A lot of the British Bass players from the 60's and 70's used bass picks. Such as Chris Squire and John Entwistle and others. It has a distinctive sound and it's kind of sad that it's so discouraged these days. It's like saying never use a capo.

    • @honkytonkinson9787
      @honkytonkinson9787 2 года назад +1

      Paul McCartney used a pick. That should be enough to make it ok!

    • @pmscalisi
      @pmscalisi 2 года назад

      I learned to play bass with a felt pick. I like to use my fingers, though.

  • @The_Fat_Turtle
    @The_Fat_Turtle 3 года назад +7

    14:05 I was actually going to ask "How would one keep the epoxy off the truss rod and keep from locking it up?" and seconds later you helped answer that question. This is why you are the best luthier on RUclips, not just for quality of work but also in how you explain things in a logical way that answers a lot of questions the viewer might have. There are other skilled people out there making videos, but very few are as relaxing, satisfying and educational as yours.

    • @Man_fay_the_Bru
      @Man_fay_the_Bru Год назад

      He gets my vote as best luthier too& very relaxing way of explaining the work

    • @corporeidad
      @corporeidad Год назад

      But he didn't talk about that, about avoid gluing the truss rod. He just referred to avoid having the truss rod tight when gluing and clamping, for that would prevent a further loosen of it, because the hole system would be tighten by the glue, in that, then, fixed state of tightness. I don't now how he managed to do what you (and I) are somehow concerned about.
      PS: maybe it's because he hadn't *that* problem, for it's supossed it kept on covered, from when it was made the instrument.

  • @paleulfr4023
    @paleulfr4023 4 года назад +1

    David is a good mentor and so are you. Very nice repairs.

  • @mt-nv4jd
    @mt-nv4jd 3 года назад +1

    I heard somewhere that Gibson will offer a discount to anyone who will accept delivery of a new guitar with the headstock already broken. You can use the savings to take it to be repaired at a shop of your choice, and it will then be better than new. I think it's a great idea.

  • @lakehurley3066
    @lakehurley3066 4 года назад +1

    In the opera world there are barry hunks. Hunky baritones. The work you do and the opening song reminds me of it. My wife sang operas. The classical music world is another universe.

  • @altruisticphilanthropic4647
    @altruisticphilanthropic4647 4 года назад +2

    We 'twoodfrd' fans have mentioned many times before, how we admire your unique skills with our beloved, yet much maligned, English (s)language; Today's offering of "sacred snakes", and "real estate", definitely stand out as keepers. Running out of "real estate" is never a comforting thing...my current and ever worsening shortage is in brainial bit storage space. I'd gladly give up a few frets to have a tad more grey matter wattage. As always, thanks for your postings...edification, by a special Earthian...ever foward, Ted.

  • @ahf5471
    @ahf5471 3 года назад

    The timeless pleasures of being regaled by the wittingly informative Prince of luthiery and constructive phrasing.

  • @brent4uc
    @brent4uc 4 года назад +1

    I have found the best wicking CA glue I've used is Permatex brand found at Walmart in the automotive department. I can buy three tubes for $1.20 American money. Another good video. Thanks Ted!

  • @SkyscraperGuitars
    @SkyscraperGuitars 4 года назад +2

    I love hearing your assessments before the repairs. Excellent work.

  • @mattcero1
    @mattcero1 3 года назад +1

    Your videos motivated me to fix a very high crack on the head stock. I used a very small zip tie to shove the glue down into the fracture after letting gravity do as much work as it could. Thanks for the motivation to fix my acoustical sir!

  • @oldtimefolkie
    @oldtimefolkie 4 года назад +37

    Great stuff as usually. “Bifurcate, tributary, lobe?” Are you also a fluvial geomorphologist by chance, haha?! Good descriptors!

  • @RobMods
    @RobMods 4 года назад

    You speak in a measured and thoughtful way. With the camera on, this is a skill harder than it looks! I agree with putting the scarf in the headstock. With the joint under the first fret like this, there is so little of the glue join left in the finished neck once the truss rod slot is routed and the neck is carved. When I lived in Queensland, it was not uncommon for these to simply peel open in the hot and humid weather. Thanks for another nice video.

  • @stewsim
    @stewsim Год назад

    I’ve got that same identical pocket knife!
    It was my grandfather’s, and I’m coming up on 65.
    So it’s been around for a while…🥴
    Barlow sure made a great knife back in the day…!!!
    Another cool video by the way…!!!

  • @JCTrucks410
    @JCTrucks410 4 года назад +8

    You gotta watch out for those sacred cobras

  • @malcolmemarsh1
    @malcolmemarsh1 4 года назад +1

    "like the tongue of some sacred cobra". Brilliant!!!

  • @banacek60chord43
    @banacek60chord43 4 года назад +2

    Love that bass and agree completely with the hand made/factory view.

  • @matthewdaugherty5207
    @matthewdaugherty5207 3 года назад +1

    VERY IMPRESSIVE - APPROVED

  • @blackfender100
    @blackfender100 4 года назад +2

    I was born and raised in Rhode Island. Watching from South Florida Now. !

    • @jerrytee2688
      @jerrytee2688 4 года назад

      What town in RI? I grew up in Richmond.😎

  • @marccarter1350
    @marccarter1350 4 года назад +1

    Still coming back for more after years. Love the uploads. Greetings from the UK. Where we have always made very decent amps and speakers.

  • @stevegrooms1142
    @stevegrooms1142 4 года назад +1

    Any day with a Ted Woodford video is nicer than any day that does not.

  • @punakaify
    @punakaify 4 года назад +2

    There is in Córdoba, Spain, a luthier named Pedro López. He works with Spanish guitars and violins.
    Javier López (the one you mention) is from Mendoza, Argentina.

  • @HayesTech
    @HayesTech Год назад

    There is nothing like a Barlow knife. Had one or two when I was younger. I wish I still had them.

  • @benleydon
    @benleydon 4 года назад +1

    Good stuff! as ever your vids are informative and useful.
    Thank you for the tip about loosening the truss rod on headstock breaks.
    I use a syringe and 5%water/95%titebond as well - it's surprising how many well known repairists don't seem to know about this method.

  • @brandonrhodeoflaherty8883
    @brandonrhodeoflaherty8883 3 года назад +1

    Wow, been watching your vids a while and what a lovely surprise that we have the same mentor! I went for my course in 2003. Big love for Dave Freeman and his little town is Sask.
    Timeless Instruments for anyone wanting to google him :)
    Great work! Cheers from Ontario

  • @jerrytee2688
    @jerrytee2688 4 года назад

    Another excellent video, thanks.
    Also I'm a native Rhode Islander and proud of Guild musical instruments. The former factory is now a "Johnny-Cake Center" which offers donated items for sale to fund various charitable organizations.

  • @ArtturiSalmela
    @ArtturiSalmela 4 года назад +1

    I think that resin looks like candle wax. What a handsome bass!
    I broke a guitar by dropping it on its face, and it has a crack just like that bass. Now I know how to fix it!

  • @danielsgrunge
    @danielsgrunge 2 года назад

    Lovely to watch as always

  • @robertdeen8741
    @robertdeen8741 4 года назад +1

    I recall a time when "Handmade" meant there were no power tools used in the construction. None, notta, zilch..
    Talking about Guild, I agree they're sort of the Rodney Dangerfield of guitars. I worked at a shop years ago and there was a new Guild electric. Basically their rendition of a Les Paul.if I'd the money back then I'd of bought it myself. It was bloody gorgeous. Nice wood beautifully fitted and finished and the poor girl (all guitars are female in my world) never sold.

  • @UncleKennysPlace
    @UncleKennysPlace 4 года назад +1

    I had a 70's Guild 12-string that was the deadest thing I ever played. Still I kept it for 30+ years, because I had always wanted it. Until I owned it.

  • @MrBigjohn170
    @MrBigjohn170 4 года назад

    Your Videos Are Amongst The Most Informative You Will Find Anywhere , Best Wishes From Wet & Windy Scotland .

  • @Timoteo53575
    @Timoteo53575 3 года назад

    Great VID as usual, and superb results. RE: Guild -this is just my opinion over 60 years, but they always seemed a dry sound, w/attenuated lower register along with bright treble. Thus a preference of many bluegrass players. But I am partial to my '67 D-35, I bought new. A boomer, just like me.... Thanks again!

  • @gregoryguitars6291
    @gregoryguitars6291 3 года назад

    I discovered you today while waiting for my lutherie students to finish their tasks. As you can imagine, I had a fair bit of time to watch your videos. I salute you, sir. For we carry a near identical pocket knife.

  • @telecasterbear
    @telecasterbear 3 года назад

    Yes, westerly R.I. I was born about an hour drive north of there.

  • @martinheath5947
    @martinheath5947 3 года назад

    Great video Very instructive Thanks!

  • @steviiiii
    @steviiiii 2 года назад

    I am a starting tech seeking gain luthier status - I too appreciate the minutia you delve into. Its important in that history of one's vocation is SUPER important..!! dble TIP o' the hat..!! keep rocking on (like BTO..? or REO..?)

  • @ungmd21
    @ungmd21 4 года назад

    Another great job! I see you using a syringe. I am a physician and I often use a higher gauge (thinner ) needle for glue injection into tight spaces. It looked like a maybe an 18 gauge needle you were using. But if you can get 25-27 gauge needles that are at least 1-1/2 inch length, you can get deep into cracks. Those needles are often used by diabetics since thinner needles hurt less

  • @michael.davides
    @michael.davides 4 года назад +5

    13:09 "...Nice". I thought I was watching Steve 1989MREInfo for a sec!

    • @williamli4422
      @williamli4422 4 года назад +3

      Nice.....Lets get this nut out onto a tray

  • @jagitmax
    @jagitmax 4 года назад +1

    dude, use a vacuum pump after you seal it with plastic and tape above and below the crack, (i use a sandwich bag), connect the pump and create a vacuum, then use a long injection needle and feed the glue into the crack.

    • @alext8828
      @alext8828 3 года назад

      Yeah, I did a word search for "vacuum" and you're the only one I see here, so far.
      I totally agree. Kinda not surprised that he's not using one. It's a sneaky approach, stolen from other fields. Excellent suggestion.

  • @nicolen.9642
    @nicolen.9642 3 года назад

    The singing...haha lol. Thanks for your astounding work!

  • @hoffyschannel
    @hoffyschannel 3 года назад

    The titles to your vids crack me up. :)

  • @jts3339
    @jts3339 4 года назад

    Another great video. I repair and set up my own insbut I always love seeing how someone else approaches a problem to see if I’m calibrated.

  • @scaira60
    @scaira60 4 года назад

    Two things, First off I have that same knife as you I got it as a kid I always loved how it holds an edge. 2nd I had a Guild acustic guitar very similar to the one you just fixed I sold it about 15yrs ago I wish I never sold it, Your assumption of the sound not being as loud or bright as it should be I agree 100% I agree about the sound hole being too close to the bridge. Anyway Thanks for your vidieos I always learn something from you.

  • @joshuam2154
    @joshuam2154 4 года назад +1

    Love the singing. Keeping it real 🍻

  • @corneliuscrewe677
    @corneliuscrewe677 3 года назад +1

    I’ve got an old Schrade Old Timer 3 blade pocket knife I’ve had since I was 9 or ten years old in my pocket as I speak 👍

    • @erichanhauser3190
      @erichanhauser3190 2 года назад +1

      My everyday knife is also a Schrade. I love that thing.

  • @18roselover
    @18roselover 4 года назад

    The guild sounds vy muted, like a yamaha plywood top guitar from the 60/s. Your assesment is spot on cheers !

  • @brucedickson6019
    @brucedickson6019 4 года назад +2

    Thanks Ted - I learn something every time. Greetings from Africa!

  • @jeffbeck6501
    @jeffbeck6501 4 года назад

    I always thought Guild's sounded off. Now we know why. Thanks. Great video.

  • @danielweinbaum
    @danielweinbaum 4 года назад

    AS ALWAYS ! THE BEST GUITAR REPAIR ON RUclips !

  • @tedbownas2748
    @tedbownas2748 4 года назад +1

    I have a soft spot for Guilds, too. I have a DV52 of about the same vintage as the one you worked on here (1993ish), and someone will have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers someday.
    I always carry a pocketknife, also. I carried a two-blade Schrade for many years, until the blades got thin from being sharpened so many times. The last few years, I've grown fond of a Kershaw folding knife, which opens easily with one hand, has a simple locking tab, and is very slim in the pocket.
    I wondered if a syringe would've gotten more epoxy into the void in the neck of that electric bass?

  • @johnnypk1963
    @johnnypk1963 4 года назад

    Looks of great tips and tricks in this one. Much enjoyed

  • @henryhunter5026
    @henryhunter5026 4 года назад

    Another very interesting and enjoyable video. I’m not a professional guitar tech but I own around 90 guitars and carry out a fair amount of maintenance on them. Although I don’t possess anything like like your level of craftsmanship the videos always seem to teach me something new, as always I can’t wait for the next one.

  • @podfuk
    @podfuk 4 года назад

    Beautiful bass guitar and, excellent repair job as always ;)

  • @bobsegar1242
    @bobsegar1242 3 года назад

    that bass has just about the thickest fingerboard i have ever seen

  • @geemac7267
    @geemac7267 4 года назад

    I had never really thought about why some builders put sound holes off to the side, McPherson comes to mind. Makes sense that you want more board under the strings if you can do it.

  • @KorieG
    @KorieG 4 года назад

    HOLY CHIT! That was Sooo funny at 18:35! An AMAZING Canadian Luthier comparing himself to a 25 year old Italian bassist! WOW! Just, WOW! Love the videos Ted! Keep them coming. Thanks for the upload! Later...

  • @jtgordon100
    @jtgordon100 2 года назад

    "...like the tongue of some sacred cobra"

  • @Darylvb
    @Darylvb 3 года назад

    Looks just like my electrician knife that I’ve had for the last 45 years.

  • @JackstandJohnny
    @JackstandJohnny 3 года назад

    Dude you are the MAN.

  • @awoodford462
    @awoodford462 4 года назад +1

    "…..lapping at you like the tongue of some sacred cobra". Gold Teddy. Just gold. You really need to get n public television.

  • @briansimpson8116
    @briansimpson8116 4 года назад +1

    As long as you're careful about volume, you don't have to have a bass amp for a bass. Aside from that, your work was excellent.

  • @ziggylayneable
    @ziggylayneable Год назад

    I have a soft spot for Guildl too,😮 not because I'm a luthier,p but because not many people play them and they are very nice guitars

  • @donaldholman9070
    @donaldholman9070 4 года назад

    I am. 75 and have carried the same pocket knife since I was 18...nice Barlow like yours

  • @parachuteman4
    @parachuteman4 4 года назад +1

    I thought guild was in Hoboken NJ at one time. I love the old guild guitars

  • @bamboosa
    @bamboosa 4 года назад +1

    @twoodfrd- "toward wood fred? Two-wood-forward?" ...never mind. In 2011 I was riding my bicycle (since 1958 cuz I rock) on a recently rainy polished stone sidewalk (with the stars - Walk of Fame, Hollywood, on Vine Street) to Trader Joe's and although I knew better my bicycle, my body and my Ovation Applause AA-10 Traveler in its bicycle-modified soft case all came tumblin' down onto the wet stone. It hurt. When I came home a half-hour later I discovered, to my horror, a crack (same place as above) in the head of my precious AA-10 and in my grief I plucked my KrazyGlue (with pin) from the coffee cup and squeezed the entire little bottle into the crack and stood on the joint with all of my 107 pound weight for an eternal moment. This is called a Field Fix and can be done anywhere you have your KrazyGlue (99 Cent Store) in your slingbag or backpack. That fix happened nine years ago. The guitar gets played. I did not bother concealing the crack, it's there to remind me that a one-dollar-nine-cent fix is a wondrous thing. The E.T.s want you to know that there is human DNA in many "alien" civilizations hence they do not prefer the designation "alien" and they are not wild about E.T. either. They are, many of them (the ones I know) highly modified homo sapiens sapiens. They just happen to live in other dimensions and galaxies, hence their strangeness to many humans. Also some of these civilizations are living in a state that we refer to as "unconditional love" which makes them even stranger and yes, that ws extraterrestrial goo that you found growing in that guitar in that other video. One civilization, when asked what designation they preferred said "none of the above - we are the Shakani" hence the completion of that discussion. The Shakani (for "example") are smarter and funnier than every human I have ever known. Don't take my word for it, you seem like a smart guy, it's called CE-5. Love the channel. Time travel is simply another point-of-view.

  • @Aux1Dub
    @Aux1Dub 4 года назад

    I became a fan and subscribed within 45sec.
    I just like your demeanor.

  • @courier11sec
    @courier11sec 3 года назад

    Totally threw me off when you switched back to the guild. XD
    What a cool bass!

  • @user-jw4cs6wy5o
    @user-jw4cs6wy5o 4 года назад

    Hi Ted. Thank you for sharing your exelent work. Greetings from Norway !

  • @MrGixxer1300r
    @MrGixxer1300r 2 года назад

    I bought my first barlow when I was 14 at a local five and dime shop. I am now 56.

  • @DrKevGuitar
    @DrKevGuitar 3 года назад

    "Lapping at you like the tongue of some sacred cobra" ROFL!

  • @JoeCubicle
    @JoeCubicle 4 года назад +1

    For your headstock fix, have you ever considered drilling a hole with a tiny tiny twist drill that 'chases the crack'? Then your syringe would go down these holes for glue injection. I'm not a luthier, just a handy guy that plays guitar casually and it was a thought that came to me watching you.

  • @modal_derp
    @modal_derp 3 года назад

    I wish I knew that you needed to thin out the glue... Would've made my own crack repair better.
    A few year ago my guitar fell down and the headstock hit the floor, but the neck was cushioned by my foot, (perhaps it I wasn't laying on the flor the headstock would've fell off. So it had a crack behind the scarf joint. I stuffed as much epoxy as I could behind between the crack, and clamped it down. Now I bet the crack wasn't deep, as it's going stong, considering based on my perhaps misinformed understanding favours this crack and keeps it together as well. Alignment wasn't perfect sadly, so I sanded it down to feel smooth. I let it sit clamped over night, and it seems to be okay...

  • @bronzesnake7004
    @bronzesnake7004 3 года назад

    Wow educated on guitar repair AND entertained!! I'm in!! ")
    Jack ~'()'~
    Canada Manly!

  • @claudecat
    @claudecat 2 года назад

    I'm a big fan of Guild too, and yeah, this one doesn't sound like you'd expect. I'm always wary of guitars that are unusually deep, and this one sure is. I wonder if some of the power doesn't get lost with all that air moving around in there.

  • @manningcustom
    @manningcustom Год назад

    Lol, that song got my subscription.

  • @olli_schulz581
    @olli_schulz581 4 года назад

    Davie504 reference was funny 😂😂👌
    Nice jobs! Its always very informative to watch your videos. Some of those background infos you tell there are really good to know 😁👍

  • @habbahan
    @habbahan 4 года назад +7

    Okay. I’ve been enjoying your repair jobs for quite some time. But apparently you might as well make a career in singing :O

  • @joelfildes5544
    @joelfildes5544 4 года назад

    That Bass playing was badass !

  • @briansimpson8116
    @briansimpson8116 3 года назад

    I'm glad your luthier abilities far outweigh your singing abilities.

  • @cbeeper
    @cbeeper 3 года назад

    "Like the tongue of some sacred cobra".... LOL

  • @jdh6200
    @jdh6200 3 года назад

    its nice to see someone who takes this much pride in his workmen ship.can I send my guitar?

  • @stratmatt73
    @stratmatt73 3 года назад

    Those damnable sacred cobras...

  • @wyattsdad8561
    @wyattsdad8561 4 года назад

    You do amazing work sir.
    I’m not a bass player so In my head I’m looking at that bass and thinking it’s a piece of shit tell em to go buy a new one. One that’s made by a major manufacturer. But I know you’ll be able to fix it. I’m still watching the vid.
    Thanks for putting your work on here

  • @JimDaddyo
    @JimDaddyo 4 года назад +2

    I'm not sure I would tackle a broken headstock. I guess I should find a cheap broken guitar to try it on.

    • @the_nondrive_side
      @the_nondrive_side 4 года назад

      I did a neck reset on a park bench off Danforth In Toronto 2 years ago with dollarstore superglue and it's still in my kitchen.. Yamaha f310. Just do it.

  • @jl_woodworks
    @jl_woodworks 4 года назад

    Watching you from Nicaragua. Awesome job!

  • @JC-11111
    @JC-11111 4 года назад +3

    Whoa. Ted just mentioned Davie. LOL!

  • @be3ho7nm
    @be3ho7nm 3 года назад

    Maybe inventing some special vacuum camera that can be set up around the neck to inject glue to the very bottom of the crack?

  • @timothy4664
    @timothy4664 3 года назад

    Wicked edge. Unintentionally Rhode Island / Massachusetts ish.

  • @Bolandcustoms
    @Bolandcustoms 4 года назад +1

    Well I now have ocd thanks to the string spacing on both of these lol

  • @aholder4471
    @aholder4471 3 года назад

    So basically that guitar is huge for no reason. That has to hurt. Definitely something to consider that I never would have thought about while buying a guitar. Huh. I love the 24 fret, but it didn't have to be near that big.

  • @mitchilito99
    @mitchilito99 2 года назад

    This is a very cerebral luthier!

  • @stavrospapadimitriou7631
    @stavrospapadimitriou7631 3 года назад

    Only 150 made? Are you sure? I used to set those things up all day as I
    worked for Warwick in the early 90s, and they imported them into Europe.
    I must have had 150 of them pass through my hands! I don't remember the
    'True American' trussrod covers though. I expect they were considered
    too corny for the European market. They were nice guitars.
    I wonder where the original Fishman pickup went? If memory serves there should be an orange Thinline in there. The big side-mounted preamp is still in there!