The monolithic saddle from Van Dykes Harms is no joke. I have a Suhr thinline that plays and feels amazing in hand, but sounded thin and sometimes even brittle. The bridge and saddle Ben made for me completely brought that guitar to life. Amazing guy to work with, too. We went back and forth for a few days on what I thought my issue was, what I had tried, what he could do and how his hardware could help. Dude was spot on. Cannot recommend him enough.
Quick random fact: Ben Is Leroy's son and played with him quite a lot when Leroy Van Dyke would go out for shows. Google "The Auctioneer" if you're unfamiliar with Leroy Van Dyke.
I have a Rutters on my Classic T that completely woke it up. John likes the Gotoh, but there are better options out there that improve his own guitars. The Rutters compensated saddles also have grooves, which make a big difference compared to the Gotoh. Once I replaced the Gotoh with even just the Rutters, it was night and day on the same guitar with the same strings.
I had Ben do a wood pickguard and matching knobs. Did the ashtray bridge and compensated saddle. But best thing I ever bought from him was a prototype guitar cabinet. Has side fins open back kind of an old Leslie front where the grill is wood all one pice. Loaded with a neo. I use a quilter micro and it is warmer than an old tube amp and with the side fins and front grill it really sounds like an old tube boutique with the total weight of less than 12lbs! Sharing your review.
The solo is a masterpiece of hands-on guitar technique with the experience of constructing solos like a story. Utterly brilliant. Note choice, timing, texture all there, brought to life with the tone from that guitar, particularly the front P90.
Norm sounds a little like Huey Lewis! I watch his channel and didn't even know he was a singer/musician. Love it and the solo was great, the new guitar is awesome!
Okay, 45 seconds in and this one of the best sounding guitars I have ever heard! Wow! The sound and playing style in the beginning reminds me a bit of the tone on last dance with Mary Jane. Just excellent!
Great looking and sounding guitar. Also love that you’re supporting/promoting these small businesses. The more time I spend on TH-cam and with your masterclass material the more I realize what a treasure you are to the guitar world.
I was invited to a pool part for rich doctor. For his new pool opening it was unreal . Band was playing hot rod Lincoln told my girl that’s sound like record. It was bill kirchen. I couldn’t believe it. He goes yeah get a call. The dr paid was huge fan of bills . Bill was loving it
The more I listen to Tim the more I like his kool style. He does all this so effortlessly He's rapidly becoming one of my guitar heros. Thanks for airing these Tim!!!
I had not previously heard of Shabat Guitars...your T-style build checks all the boxes for what I would consider a dream guitar. Thanks for sharing! Great session with Norm as well...very inspiring!!
Tim! I just want to say that I love your demeanor man! You seem like the kind of dude who would be great to chill with. Awesome guitar playing as well!
Best sounding Tele I ever heard... - that flamed Neck is unreal... and the headstock design is really nice... - Great Guitar in Great Hands and Fingers..!!
Sounds amazing Tim. Great little tune with Norm. Kinda has Huey Lewis vibes. And that guitar is just dripping in vibe. Gotta look at getting one of those bridges on my tele. Keep rocking my friend.
Norm has a voice....who knew. The song has a Paul Carrick feel to it with a little Elvis Costello in there. Your tone is my favorite Tim. It's one of the most pleasant sounds in the universe. Love the Tele
This video made me feel good, how you are supporting small business and giving some great behind the scenes footage and advice. I have a 40th anniversary Squier Tele that I am proud of, but it has nowhere near the mojo yours has. Then again, I mainly play bass these days. You got me thinking about that saddle though!
Very sweet looking and sounding guitar! Interesting bridge saddle. It's a cool drop-in solution. Leo Fender had a similar idea when he designed the Saddle Lock Bridge back in the late '70's. A set screw locks all of the saddles together. It's on some of the G&L ASAT models.
I wanted a mono-saddle tele bridge in the 90s. Never got around to having one made. I also wanted to try an ivory one. I guess that will appear somewhere now.
Loooooove that you started with Neil Young! First observation is you could have cut the body thickness in half. And made it ergonomic, or as we called it in the day, slinky. Just ask the reigning master of the SG. Yes, the slide demon. The blond Gagoober, the Great Slidedeenie. You know.... That GUY! Even the lower horn could've been tapered to cut weight and add style. Sounds great, but I hate it.
Close your eyes and you can hear the absolute purity of a harp…. one string and a single finger pluck. You hold in your hands the perfect extension of an ancient musical instrument. Unsurpassed beauty in sound.
I definitely want to try that monolithic brass saddle, and maybe the extra thick bridge plate too. Beautiful guitar and it sounds great in Tim's hands.
What a wonderful tone and solo! Thanks Tim, your YT stuff always makes me smile. Norm with the silky smoov vox, too, what an amazing treat on a stormy, gloomy Saturday!
I love the look and concept of the bridge and saddle. I want one! It's also bs that the pounding of the brass has anything to do with the tone. Looks awesome though.
Update to my prior comment. I went back and had no problem the second time to order the bridge. I unfortunately injured my shoulder, and have been very limited in doing much. I installed the bridge with no problem, easy swap. I intuitively dialed it in to my liking, and amazingly it was sitting almost in position when I had tweaked the set up screws. Big difference in a good way, guitar feels different but has way more sustain and bass than before. I would describe it as feeling "professional". If you have a favorite Tele that you know you're going to keep, this will put it in a different level. It's easy to swap, so you can change it back in less than an hour. It also improved the way it plays, easier bends and very balanced across the strings and a musical tone it lacked before. The guitar has CS Nocaster and CTS pots and Fender 4 way switch, and the pickups just opened up in a good way, they sound like mini HB's. Also the guitar is dead quite even at higher volume. This is a Squire 60's Deluxe, but it is my favorite Tele. I glad I watched this video, it made a big difference in my camp.
That guitar sounds amazing! Did I miss where you said what the pickups actually are? You talked about making sure they're matched... either way, bookmarking this video to transcribe that incredibly tasty solo at the end. Dang, that was nice!
Really gorgeous Tele! That bridge and one piece saddle are an interesting new take on the traditional T-style tail piece. I’ve owned and built several Teles thru the last several years. Still have 4 in my collection, on one of which, I just added a Bigsby B-5. Now I want to mod or build another, with that setup. Also, thanks so much for sharing the recording with Norm. Y’all sounded great together n very cool!
@@trevormekelburg3773makes sense. I’m using the Vibramate no drill conversion plate and ashtray bridge. It has three tabs on the back for the three compensated brass saddles that I added. My only complaint with the kit, is the thin plate that goes under the B-5, raises it ever so slightly. That no reduces the break angle and I the two E strings tend to pop out of their slot with bending and heavy playing. I ended up filing the saddle grooves a bit deeper which resolved that issue. Makes me wonder if I’d have to do the same thing with this solid bridge.
Norm's got a little bit of a Huey Lewis and the News sound to his vocals. Tim, another Valley boy here, thanks for supporting the local talent on guitars. I haven't heard you mention much about Schecter Guitar Research, also located locally in the SFV ? Worth a look?
lovely toneful guitar. my favourite guitar i have is a custom made tele from a mate with p90's with a pine pallet body. mainly for it's basic lively tone and playability.
Wow Norm has a great voice
Just what I was about to write. Not sure why I am surprised.
Reminds me of John Hiatt
@@liedgitarrist Good call!
Evokes a little Elvis Costello, as well.
Norm sounds remarkably like John Hiatt to me
It's impressive how easily tasty solos flow out Tim's playing.
He makes it look so easy I want to destroy my guitar! /s never
The monolithic saddle from Van Dykes Harms is no joke. I have a Suhr thinline that plays and feels amazing in hand, but sounded thin and sometimes even brittle. The bridge and saddle Ben made for me completely brought that guitar to life. Amazing guy to work with, too. We went back and forth for a few days on what I thought my issue was, what I had tried, what he could do and how his hardware could help. Dude was spot on. Cannot recommend him enough.
Quick random fact:
Ben Is Leroy's son and played with him quite a lot when Leroy Van Dyke would go out for shows. Google "The Auctioneer" if you're unfamiliar with Leroy Van Dyke.
I have a Rutters on my Classic T that completely woke it up. John likes the Gotoh, but there are better options out there that improve his own guitars. The Rutters compensated saddles also have grooves, which make a big difference compared to the Gotoh. Once I replaced the Gotoh with even just the Rutters, it was night and day on the same guitar with the same strings.
Wow, that solo was amazing Tim, so full of soul and taste, and that quick position shift of double-stops , wow!!!
I'm totally going to learn it and rip it off as often as possible! Wow!
Gorgeous guitar Tim!
Have that bridge on my partcaster T-style its amazing... now i want to change all my Tele Bridge with it.
Man just love Tim’s playing it’s always the right thing for the song! Damn nice solo…..
I had Ben do a wood pickguard and matching knobs. Did the ashtray bridge and compensated saddle. But best thing I ever bought from him was a prototype guitar cabinet. Has side fins open back kind of an old Leslie front where the grill is wood all one pice. Loaded with a neo. I use a quilter micro and it is warmer than an old tube amp and with the side fins and front grill it really sounds like an old tube boutique with the total weight of less than 12lbs! Sharing your review.
The solo is a masterpiece of hands-on guitar technique with the experience of constructing solos like a story. Utterly brilliant. Note choice, timing, texture all there, brought to life with the tone from that guitar, particularly the front P90.
That solo just conveys joy and happiness, especially watching tim play it. Thanks tim for reminding everyone there is a better way!
Beautiful guitar Tim! Enjoy!!
Norm sounds a little like Huey Lewis! I watch his channel and didn't even know he was a singer/musician. Love it and the solo was great, the new guitar is awesome!
I always love your phrasing, suspense, and timing.
So wonderful. heard the song multiple times now on Norn's channel thanks for more of the back story!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment!
Just wow. It looks and sounds amazing. Even better, it sounds like it's floating on a cloud in the mix. Well done!
Great tone. Awesome solo.
Love it
In your hands sounds really good, maestro.
What a fabulous sounding guitar (and player)!
Norm laid down some great vocals!!
Go Norm! I dig that song and he's got a sound.
Geeez, Tim, there's clearly no end to how much you inspire.
Our world is a better place with you in it, brother. 🤩
Okay, 45 seconds in and this one of the best sounding guitars I have ever heard! Wow! The sound and playing style in the beginning reminds me a bit of the tone on last dance with Mary Jane. Just excellent!
What a treat and surprise to see Norm. Looking and sounding great!!!
Tim, I enjoy your videos immensely. Your playing even more so. That solo was so appropriate to my ear.
Great looking and sounding guitar. Also love that you’re supporting/promoting these small businesses. The more time I spend on TH-cam and with your masterclass material the more I realize what a treasure you are to the guitar world.
Bill Kirchen recommends that the Tele control plate should be turned around with the volume knob on top for pinky swells
I was invited to a pool part for rich doctor. For his new pool opening it was unreal . Band was playing hot rod Lincoln told my girl that’s sound like record. It was bill kirchen. I couldn’t believe it. He goes yeah get a call. The dr paid was huge fan of bills . Bill was loving it
The more I listen to Tim the more I like his kool style. He does all this so effortlessly
He's rapidly becoming one of my guitar heros. Thanks for airing these Tim!!!
Great playing as usual......the guitar looks and sounds stunning! I love Norm's voice especially on that wonderful tune!!
I had not previously heard of Shabat Guitars...your T-style build checks all the boxes for what I would consider a dream guitar. Thanks for sharing! Great session with Norm as well...very inspiring!!
That was great Tim! Love your guitar and the solo you did for Norm. He's such a legend down there and I follow his channel faithfully. Great stuff!
great video!
Even a toy guitar that comes with breakfast cereal sounds phenomenal in Tim's hands
Tim! I just want to say that I love your demeanor man! You seem like the kind of dude who would be great to chill with. Awesome guitar playing as well!
Best sounding Tele I ever heard... - that flamed Neck is unreal... and the headstock design is really nice... - Great Guitar in Great Hands and Fingers..!!
It looks great. Sounds great too.
Tim, i really enoyed your solo at the end. I literally laughed from the joy it brought me as I watched and listened.
Tim, Thank you for sharing your knowledge and reminding us we must never forget May 4th, 1970.
Sounds amazing Tim. Great little tune with Norm. Kinda has Huey Lewis vibes. And that guitar is just dripping in vibe. Gotta look at getting one of those bridges on my tele. Keep rocking my friend.
Norm has a voice....who knew.
The song has a Paul Carrick feel to it with a little Elvis Costello in there.
Your tone is my favorite Tim. It's one of the most pleasant sounds in the universe.
Love the Tele
And a little bit of Gary Brooker!!!
And Huey Lewis?
That's a fine guitar, and the song has a nice vibe. I especially liked the Allman brothers Riff an 9:08.
Agreed norm has a killer voice! Wow!
Very inspiring indeed , So Great to hear & see Norm sing , thank you Tim , you've warmed my heart 👌👍great Guitar too..
Love your tele there 🙌👍🎵🎶🎸😎💝
This video made me feel good, how you are supporting small business and giving some great behind the scenes footage and advice. I have a 40th anniversary Squier Tele that I am proud of, but it has nowhere near the mojo yours has. Then again, I mainly play bass these days. You got me thinking about that saddle though!
Exquisite note choices and groove.
Very sweet looking and sounding guitar! Interesting bridge saddle. It's a cool drop-in solution. Leo Fender had a similar idea when he designed the Saddle Lock Bridge back in the late '70's. A set screw locks all of the saddles together. It's on some of the G&L ASAT models.
Looks and sounds awesome beautiful, you make them all sound good
Solo is happy and groovy, really fits the tune. Great vocals, splendid guitar tone.
Thank you kindly!
That guitar is so rad Tim! I love my Shabat
Nice ! Just got my UAFX Dream 65 and lovin it.
I wanted a mono-saddle tele bridge in the 90s. Never got around to having one made. I also wanted to try an ivory one. I guess that will appear somewhere now.
Loooooove that you started with Neil Young! First observation is you could have cut the body thickness in half. And made it ergonomic, or as we called it in the day, slinky. Just ask the reigning master of the SG. Yes, the slide demon. The blond Gagoober, the Great Slidedeenie. You know.... That GUY! Even the lower horn could've been tapered to cut weight and add style. Sounds great, but I hate it.
4:00 nice playing. I heard it with closed eyes. Pure pleasure.
Close your eyes and you can hear the absolute purity of a harp…. one string and a single finger pluck. You hold in your hands the perfect extension of an ancient musical instrument. Unsurpassed beauty in sound.
I definitely want to try that monolithic brass saddle, and maybe the extra thick bridge plate too. Beautiful guitar and it sounds great in Tim's hands.
Great guitar Tim and your solo was wonderful bless you. 😊
Really enjoyed seeing the detail in the build process and hearing the finished product. Great vid.
Wow that sounds great! I wanna try those saddles and bridge plate combo
the brass saddle reminds me of hammed bronze snare drums. very cool
Gorgeous guitar and solo! Norm's vocals are a revelation! 😎
What a wonderful tone and solo! Thanks Tim, your YT stuff always makes me smile. Norm with the silky smoov vox, too, what an amazing treat on a stormy, gloomy Saturday!
Love my Tom Holmes pickups. The bridge really sings with a bit of overdrive (as if you need my opinion 😇)
What a lovely guitar - and it sings in your hands!
great looking and unbelievable sounding tele. awesome job highlighting small business custom shop
Much respect to you Tim, and much joy!
I love the look and concept of the bridge and saddle. I want one!
It's also bs that the pounding of the brass has anything to do with the tone.
Looks awesome though.
That was a really tight fitting neck pocket. Great for sustain. These guys know what they're doing.
Beautiful tele, and great job on the tune with Norm!
Really like the sound of your new guitar and Norm can sing!
What an interesting solo ! Thank you Tim & Norm...
I have that bridge on my DGN Daniel Donato “Epoch” tele. So quality!
Update to my prior comment. I went back and had no problem the second time to order the bridge. I unfortunately injured my shoulder, and have been very limited in doing much. I installed the bridge with no problem, easy swap. I intuitively dialed it in to my liking, and amazingly it was sitting almost in position when I had tweaked the set up screws. Big difference in a good way, guitar feels different but has way more sustain and bass than before. I would describe it as feeling "professional". If you have a favorite Tele that you know you're going to keep, this will put it in a different level. It's easy to swap, so you can change it back in less than an hour. It also improved the way it plays, easier bends and very balanced across the strings and a musical tone it lacked before. The guitar has CS Nocaster and CTS pots and Fender 4 way switch, and the pickups just opened up in a good way, they sound like mini HB's. Also the guitar is dead quite even at higher volume. This is a Squire 60's Deluxe, but it is my favorite Tele. I glad I watched this video, it made a big difference in my camp.
Hi Tim, that is a sweet looking and sounding guitar! Norm's vocals sounded great as well!
Lovely ....sounds great down under in oz
Wow. Norm put the vocals whammy on us. Great solo Tim.
Wow. Such beautiful guitar playing.
Thanks a lot!
Anything you plug into that gear will sound amazing.
That guitar sounds amazing! Did I miss where you said what the pickups actually are? You talked about making sure they're matched... either way, bookmarking this video to transcribe that incredibly tasty solo at the end. Dang, that was nice!
!Sounds like my
Max Twang Teles.
Use 1 meg pots too.
Tone knobs become amazing.!
No wah pedals ever needed.
Beautiful solo! 🤘
I see the Pops Stapleton influence for sure. Very reminsint of To late to turn back now. Love it!!!
With you playing it it will always sound good
Great tones from that guitar… 🔥
Really gorgeous Tele! That bridge and one piece saddle are an interesting new take on the traditional T-style tail piece. I’ve owned and built several Teles thru the last several years. Still have 4 in my collection, on one of which, I just added a Bigsby B-5. Now I want to mod or build another, with that setup.
Also, thanks so much for sharing the recording with Norm. Y’all sounded great together n very cool!
They make a tele bridge like that for a Bigsby too!
@@trevormekelburg3773makes sense. I’m using the Vibramate no drill conversion plate and ashtray bridge. It has three tabs on the back for the three compensated brass saddles that I added.
My only complaint with the kit, is the thin plate that goes under the B-5, raises it ever so slightly. That no reduces the break angle and I the two E strings tend to pop out of their slot with bending and heavy playing. I ended up filing the saddle grooves a bit deeper which resolved that issue.
Makes me wonder if I’d have to do the same thing with this solid bridge.
wow .....incredible tone
YAh..Great job Norman!
Beautiful guitar...big fan Tim...
Just wow tone! Such a beautiful instrument and your playing Tim, it is as smooth as it gets. Thank you…
Great solo to match that song!
That was NICE!
Norm's got a little bit of a Huey Lewis and the News sound to his vocals. Tim, another Valley boy here, thanks for supporting the local talent on guitars. I haven't heard you mention much about Schecter Guitar Research, also located locally in the SFV ? Worth a look?
Great video but so so cool to see And hear NORM SING. Well done.
so glad you enjoyed it :-)
Awesome tone Tim
I love the tone of the Neck P/U on that guitar.
Gorgeous guitar Tim, always impressed with your playing.
lovely toneful guitar. my favourite guitar i have is a custom made tele from a mate with p90's with a pine pallet body. mainly for it's basic lively tone and playability.
WOW!!! Great song. Great voice. Great guitar.
Beautiful guitar. Tasty riffs Thank you and keep making videos that inspire
Well that was amazing don't just love Tim what a gent, and wow what a guitarist.