The top on this old SJ200 Gibson was pretty much shot. In this video series you will see how I fixed it. Support: / rosastringworks Website: www.rosastringworks.com
It amazes me how you instinctively know exactly what is the best but least invasive work required to sort out these precious valuable instruments! Great work again Jerry, thanks for posting.
I did the restore on Emmylou's J-200 that was given to her by Gram Parsons when I lived in Nashville from '86-'99. She did most of her first hits including "Elite Hotel" on that guitar. Neck reset, board planing, refret, new inlays from sheet, etc..Brings back memories.
If I lived anywhere near you, I'd come over to your house and buy you a beer (or whatever you prefer) was she happy with it? I hear Emmylou is one of the nicest people in the universe.
These videos are becoming addictive to me as he verbally takes us step by step through the process of working with his hands, with wood, in that sure and easy southern voice of his.
What a beauty,big boomer. Shame the client doesn't want that finish off so you could have done it better.great clip as always. and by the way a thank you to your father's and grandfather's that faced that ultimate sacrifice, here at Normandy 75 years ago D-Day.So we can do,what we like doing.
This is for all the weekend warrior type luthiers who wish they had a shop like that. Thanks for posing these videos... better than any therapy a man could ask for.
I remember Mr Wizard's name Don Norman Any way, after seeing your expertise on this vid, You IS the luthier Mr Wizard. Giving credit where credit is due.
This video alone, and your superb craftsmanship, have given me the confidence to tackle a restoration job myself. I own a pretty old, maybe 55 year old classical guitar. It was very inexpensive when I bought it. I haven't played it in maybe 30 years due to it becoming damaged. I am a semi-skilled woodworker and I believe I can accomplish this job. Thank you for sharing so many of your tips with us!
@@stankjaws2007 ... Except the value. If you doubled what he thought a good quality one is worth (ie 6k, double of 3k) then you might get the value of that ugly thing. A good quality one going for 10k is a pure steal... Expect it for 12k - 15k
Going on the ~45 angle is brilliant. Part of the reason that old bridge plate failed was because all the string holes are along the same grain and the radiused holes probably made that worse too. This eliminates that problem. Plus the added strength of cross grain where the top has already failed. Good call. And flat as a pancake! I always enjoy watching your videos.
I accidentally stumbled across your show only from the photo and you look at the dead picture of my dad who passed away last July for love the guitar and played as well thank you for the informative program you have I've been watching your videos especially anything on the old Gibson's thank you
Mr. Rosa, I just saw part two and the way that guitar turned out was spectacular. I would be proud as hell to play that guitar just for the looks let alone the incredible sound it has.
I've been a fan of shows like "This Old House" for a long time. I like your videos even more. One of the running jokes on "Home Improvement" had to do with Tim's frequent trips to the emergency room. Some of your sore finger stories sort of remind me of that. I hope the healing goes well in every case. Your videos fascinate me. Your videos ought to be on prime time TV.
My search on Gibson tells me this is a 1961. I have a 1969 SJ-200 that is in near mint, never played condition. It had sat in a case for the past 20 years. A close friend who I did some favors for, gave it to me as a gift. He knows I love fingerstyle playing, and this is the perfect John Price sound. Along with just being the best jumbo body out there. The neck was so bad when he gave it to me, no wonder he did. But after 6 months of humidifying the guitar to a proper level that was stabilized, I could get the neck into a 99% perfect situation. Now my favorite guitar in the stable. Great job on this masterpiece. I see another guy says it's a 51. I am going to do a bit more searching. Why the numbers show up for different years is strange. My particular SJ-200 is an all maple version, book matched perfectly, neck also.
Great video Jerry👍I really admire your analytical process as well as your patience and tenacity. At the start of the video you mentioned trying to have no more than 5 hours in this repair. I dare say that you had 5 hours on the bridge alone 😂. Cant wait for the 2nd episode. I feel like I am right there with you...the struggle is real. You have mad skills. Thanks for bringing another grand old Gibson back to life!!!
Thanks for another enjoyable Video Jerry, looking forward to the next instalment. Nice to hear you're of a similar vintage to my good self. April 54 for me!
I am a super amateur Luther. I was at a big thrift shop in my area and found an ovation guitar slim body. They probably cost 300 new. It was used abused and put away dry in the desert. It was a Pizzo bridge. Nobody ever loosen the strings. It pulled the bridge up and the top and snapped the braces underneath. It took me about two days to figure out the best way to clamp it back down, two boards, I clamped at the neck, top and bottom, let the boards extend and clamp the other end. It pushed the bridge directly straight down, and I had a flat top. Then I fill glue under braces and clamped it back down. It’s worked! It plays good as ever played, I think the reason to get put in the closet it’s the electronics are sketchy. It’s definitely fun to find ways to do that and you are a consultant pro. Thanks.
Your heart, passion, care, desire to complete a project and your experience are what makes your videos addictive! “Guitar crack” !!! If young people on drugs could only get addicted to “Guitar Crack” ! Keep on Saving them JERRY,,,,, one guitar 🎸 at a time!!!!
The person who mentioned the guitar was a 1953 model was correct. I also found that at the same site it mentioned that an "A" at the beginning of the serial number means it was a mid to upper end instrument. So this guitar was more than likely quite pricy when it was first made. Jerry did a good job bringing it back to a decent condition. Obviously you can only do so much with what you get sometimes. But I would say Jerry gave this guitar some well needed TLC.
So interesting and informative, yours are my favourite videos these days. I have been inspired to tackle a few minor repairs thanks to what I am learning from you.
Very interesting. The bridge on the Gibson Jumbo is weird looking to me. A sort of moustache...lol. I'm learning more every time. Thanks Jerry for your work.
Another great vid and craftsmanship, your skills are an inspiration, much kudos to you Gerry you really do have a great empathy with the soul of musical instruments.
What a gorgeous bridge! I love it when somebody really used their noggin when it comes to design. I would love to see an acoustic guitar with a headstock similar to your mandolins. Not simply take ye 2x4 and screw some tuners on...
I just can't believe the customer didn't spring for a refinished top. I would've sold something or two to get the money!! Jerry is probably backed up for years. No better time than now. Refinish the top (and I do prefer vintage sunburst for this guitar) and put on a new Gibson pickguard. But Jerry's repaired bridge is fantastic! It's "like new" to me. Watching that repair was ALSO incredible!! For me, that is very satisfying to watch. But I'm new to this channel, so I'm three years too late. But, in NOT doing a refinished top, I would've gone with the Bob Dylan look - with both pickguards, and just cover over that mess. I definitely would not have settled for this look. Jerry did the best job possible on the finish, given how the customer hamstrung him.
Thats amazingly great work you did on the bridge and to get the top flat! Looking forward to part 2! George Gruhn would probably sell this guitar for like $30,000. He knows a lot about guitar, banjos, mandolines as far when they were built and if all the parts are original and appraisals.
Jerry I have recently installed a bridge plate and I used push tacks in just to temporarily hold it through the bridge pin holes from the top...just a suggestion. Great job!
Wow Jerry, amazing work thoroughly enjoyed this video and your running commentary, i just know this guitar is gonna sound superb. Looking forward to part two, thanks for all your hard in sharing these fantastic videos. Peace and Love from Bonny Scotland.
Artists ranging from the Rev Gary Davis to Emmy Lou Harris played a jumbo. Pricy, though, but exceptionally well built. It is to everyone's benefit that this old show queen found it's way to your shop - on a quirky scale, both you and the jumbo rate about a ten, so the match is perfect. Can't WAIT to hear you play it (But maybe just play it and save the singing for another video so we can truly appreciate the uncompromising brilliance of your work)
oh man i feel for you with that bridge how its not broken already ,your a brave man Jerry he who dares wins ,temptation would be just refinish the front start again
Jerry, as always you make the repair look like fun......I doubt it was that enjoyable to you but it is entertaining for us viewers...keep on doing what you do and I'll keep watching, Best of luck to you.
Love This~"Doc"! B-) That Crazy Parchment...What I do is hold the Box Tear-End pretty Steady, and try to Score It carefully across with Scissors, NOT Snip it. It usually comes out pretty Straight, then.
I sure do like the way you fixed that top under the bridge with that oversized bridge plate and your clamping technique with that curved piece of oak. That was absolutely genius! And like you said, if it DID affect the sound, it only changed it for the BETTER, especially if it stayed unplayable! I really enjoyed seeing that repair. Plus, talking about the bridge, that was incredible how you patched that up!! I love those J-200 bridges, but I imagine you aren't much of a fan of those because of the difficulties in pulling and repairing them. Still, they ARE beautiful to look at. Again, I would've had you refinish the top. That's just too nice of a guitar to cut corners on like that. But if he can't afford it, then that's just not possible - now. Later on down the road - for sure! But if he DID have money and simply didn't want to spend it, then I just can't understand that. This guitar is far too valuable to not invest a few hundred dollars to increase its value. An early 50s Gibson J-200 would be something I'd cherish - to own, to show, but mainly to play. (Okay, SJ-200, if anybody wants to be picky. Gibson dropped the 'S' in 1955, I assume that's probably because "Super" is basically meaningless. IDK) I think their tone is comparable to anything by Martin - or anybody else. And they look so amazing. They are beautiful (to MOST people).
Always absolutely loved the j200 style. It's seriously my dream guitar. A 12 string version would be even better but ive heard theyre rare and that they cost a very pretty penny.
It amazes me how you instinctively know exactly what is the best but least invasive work required to sort out these precious valuable instruments!
Great work again Jerry, thanks for posting.
It's really very simple it only took me 40 years to get there. LOL
Barry i feel the same way. It amazes me as well. :-) This channel is what crack must be to a crack head haha. Im hooked !
I did the restore on Emmylou's J-200 that was given to her by Gram Parsons when I lived in Nashville from '86-'99. She did most of her first hits including "Elite Hotel" on that guitar. Neck reset, board planing, refret, new inlays from sheet, etc..Brings back memories.
Wow...I remember seeing her play that ! Very cool!
That would have been an amazing job to do. It's in the top 10 list of the world's most famous acoustic guitars.'
Incredible
Instablaster...
If I lived anywhere near you, I'd come over to your house and buy you a beer (or whatever you prefer) was she happy with it? I hear Emmylou is one of the nicest people in the universe.
In the past, on Friday nights, I usually found a movie to watch on Netflix. In the past.
yep I could watch these endlessly, unreal the info to glean from youtube
I really like your videos for the fact that I can zoom in on things that you're doing while you're doing them .
I think you're the only TH-camr that leaves the text up long enough to where I can read it and I want to thank you. So Thanks
Pause button helps a lot also.
These videos are becoming addictive to me as he verbally takes us step by step through the process of working with his hands, with wood, in that sure and easy southern voice of his.
What a beauty,big boomer. Shame the client doesn't want that finish off so you could have done it better.great clip as always. and by the way a thank you to your father's and grandfather's that faced that ultimate sacrifice, here at Normandy 75 years ago D-Day.So we can do,what we like doing.
This is for all the weekend warrior type luthiers who wish they had a shop like that.
Thanks for posing these videos... better than any therapy a man could ask for.
I remember Mr Wizard's name Don Norman Any way, after seeing your expertise on this vid, You IS the luthier Mr Wizard. Giving credit where credit is due.
This video alone, and your superb craftsmanship, have given me the confidence to tackle a restoration job myself. I own a pretty old, maybe 55 year old classical guitar. It was very inexpensive when I bought it. I haven't played it in maybe 30 years due to it becoming damaged. I am a semi-skilled woodworker and I believe I can accomplish this job. Thank you for sharing so many of your tips with us!
Serial number says 1953 if anyone is interested
Elwood Emmons Thanks. I was curious.
I was sure it was 62 just based on the last 2 numbers
So he was pretty much spot with his prediction.
Actually I got 1952 but so what?
@@stankjaws2007 ... Except the value. If you doubled what he thought a good quality one is worth (ie 6k, double of 3k) then you might get the value of that ugly thing. A good quality one going for 10k is a pure steal... Expect it for 12k - 15k
Going on the ~45 angle is brilliant. Part of the reason that old bridge plate failed was because all the string holes are along the same grain and the radiused holes probably made that worse too. This eliminates that problem. Plus the added strength of cross grain where the top has already failed. Good call. And flat as a pancake! I always enjoy watching your videos.
I accidentally stumbled across your show only from the photo and you look at the dead picture of my dad who passed away last July for love the guitar and played as well thank you for the informative program you have I've been watching your videos especially anything on the old Gibson's thank you
Mr. Rosa, I just saw part two and the way that guitar turned out was spectacular. I would be proud as hell to play that guitar just for the looks let alone the incredible sound it has.
I love to play my scales and watch you work! Thanks
You made my day, Jerry. Looking forward to Part 2. Thanks for sharing as always.
I've been a fan of shows like "This Old House" for a long time. I like your videos even more. One of the running jokes on "Home Improvement" had to do with Tim's frequent trips to the emergency room. Some of your sore finger stories sort of remind me of that. I hope the healing goes well in every case. Your videos fascinate me. Your videos ought to be on prime time TV.
My search on Gibson tells me this is a 1961. I have a 1969 SJ-200 that is in near mint, never played condition. It had sat in a case for the past 20 years. A close friend who I did some favors for, gave it to me as a gift. He knows I love fingerstyle playing, and this is the perfect John Price sound. Along with just being the best jumbo body out there. The neck was so bad when he gave it to me, no wonder he did. But after 6 months of humidifying the guitar to a proper level that was stabilized, I could get the neck into a 99% perfect situation. Now my favorite guitar in the stable. Great job on this masterpiece. I see another guy says it's a 51. I am going to do a bit more searching. Why the numbers show up for different years is strange. My particular SJ-200 is an all maple version, book matched perfectly, neck also.
That bridge pad is a very nice looking piece of wood. Great looking job so far. I'm looking forward to watching part 2!!
Jerry I'm glad there are folks like you who will go to the trouble to fix things right for further generations. Thanks bud
That guitar is the same age as me, and looks like life has been treating it pretty much the same as me! Great work as always Jerry. Thank you sir.
@ss Definitely bowed in a couple of places!
Wow! You're doing what I always wanted to do. I am 66.
I can't wait to see how this beauty will be rejuvenated by your expert hands
I LOVE sci-fi, but this movie was just as good! Great narration and photo work!
My dear man, you are an incredible craftsman, a joy to watch and listen to! Thanks for making these videos! Keep up the great work.
I like your approach to problem solving , Jerry. Looking forward to seeing the next upload.
Beautiful work on the old mustache bridge! That guitar was made the year I was born, I wish someone could do restoration work on me!
Damn dude it's 1:50am I'll have to save this for tomorrow
Play @ 2x speed.
I really enjoy watching these videos. Very therapeutic. Many thanks all the way from England
Jerry, your craftmanship is the best & your skills are great to watch , love your repair videos, come back out of retirement !
That is so amazing, the ridge just came off...great job!
Absolutely fantastic. I’m sure looking forward to Part 2.
Great video Jerry👍I really admire your analytical process as well as your patience and tenacity.
At the start of the video you mentioned trying to have no more than 5 hours in this repair. I dare say that you had 5 hours on the bridge alone 😂.
Cant wait for the 2nd episode. I feel like I am right there with you...the struggle is real. You have mad skills. Thanks for bringing another grand old Gibson back to life!!!
Thanks for another enjoyable Video Jerry, looking forward to the next instalment. Nice to hear you're of a similar vintage to my good self. April 54 for me!
Oh sorry you're much older than me. I'm November of 54 LOL
You're a couple of spring chickens, I'm Dec 53.
I am a super amateur Luther. I was at a big thrift shop in my area and found an ovation guitar slim body. They probably cost 300 new. It was used abused and put away dry in the desert. It was a Pizzo bridge. Nobody ever loosen the strings. It pulled the bridge up and the top and snapped the braces underneath. It took me about two days to figure out the best way to clamp it back down, two boards, I clamped at the neck, top and bottom, let the boards extend and clamp the other end. It pushed the bridge directly straight down, and I had a flat top. Then I fill glue under braces and clamped it back down. It’s worked! It plays good as ever played, I think the reason to get put in the closet it’s the electronics are sketchy. It’s definitely fun to find ways to do that and you are a consultant pro. Thanks.
I love hearing your thought processes. I learn something every time.
Your heart, passion, care, desire to complete a project and your experience are what makes your videos addictive! “Guitar crack” !!! If young people on drugs could only get addicted to “Guitar Crack” ! Keep on Saving them JERRY,,,,, one guitar 🎸 at a time!!!!
17 here and almost finished building my first bass, I'm very much hooked on guitar crack now
Masterful work, Jerry. Can't wait to see the rest.
Outstanding work as always Jerry. Can't wait to see the final result!
Cheers, John
It is a perfect candidate for refinishing. It crosses the line between well played patina to beat up.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!
Thanks! When you got that bridge plate out, all I could say was, Praise the Lord!
The person who mentioned the guitar was a 1953 model was correct. I also found that at the same site it mentioned that an "A" at the beginning of the serial number means it was a mid to upper end instrument. So this guitar was more than likely quite pricy when it was first made. Jerry did a good job bringing it back to a decent condition. Obviously you can only do so much with what you get sometimes. But I would say Jerry gave this guitar some well needed TLC.
When that bridgew fted in one piece I wanted to shout! Great work brother.
Praise God a miracle on video. A miracle for the watching. Thank you Jerry.
Production year: 1953 sequence number: 14262
Model: Hollow body Artist serie
Manufactured in Kalamazoo
It looks just like mine. LOL. The re-make is the spitting image of that one. I have been well pleased with it.
Sir... I truly admire your hands.
They are the perfect instruments
for your great talents.
Play on......
So interesting and informative, yours are my favourite videos these days. I have been inspired to tackle a few minor repairs thanks to what I am learning from you.
awesome work as usual Gerry, thanks for sharing the skills and methods you use
Very interesting. The bridge on the Gibson Jumbo is weird looking to me. A sort of moustache...lol. I'm learning more every time. Thanks Jerry for your work.
can't wait for the Part 2.........Thanks for sharing
Marvelous job on the bridge work!
What a beautiful guitar. I love the look, it tells a story.
Another great vid and craftsmanship, your skills are an inspiration, much kudos to you Gerry you really do have a great empathy with the soul of musical instruments.
Another great video, what I learn is that one must take the time needed, to make cauls and contemplate the next step. Great information.
What a gorgeous bridge! I love it when somebody really used their noggin when it comes to design. I would love to see an acoustic guitar with a headstock similar to your mandolins. Not simply take ye 2x4 and screw some tuners on...
I just can't believe the customer didn't spring for a refinished top. I would've sold something or two to get the money!! Jerry is probably backed up for years. No better time than now. Refinish the top (and I do prefer vintage sunburst for this guitar) and put on a new Gibson pickguard. But Jerry's repaired bridge is fantastic! It's "like new" to me. Watching that repair was ALSO incredible!! For me, that is very satisfying to watch. But I'm new to this channel, so I'm three years too late.
But, in NOT doing a refinished top, I would've gone with the Bob Dylan look - with both pickguards, and just cover over that mess. I definitely would not have settled for this look. Jerry did the best job possible on the finish, given how the customer hamstrung him.
Thats amazingly great work you did on the bridge and to get the top flat! Looking forward to part 2! George Gruhn would probably sell this guitar for like $30,000. He knows a lot about guitar, banjos, mandolines as far when they were built and if all the parts are original and appraisals.
Jerry I have recently installed a bridge plate and I used push tacks in just to temporarily hold it through the bridge pin holes from the top...just a suggestion. Great job!
Can't wait to see part 2 of this repair...nice work:)
I smiled when you got that bridge off in one piece.Good Job!!!
Me too I'm sure.
Absolutely brilliant 2 videos,well done!
That was a brilliant piece of guitar craftsmanship n so much fun watching... Thx!
I like this length viddeos it may be a bit long this time but it shows us some accomplishments without loosening us .thanks jerry.
Enjoyed the long format video. Good work restoring the bridge.
Great work on a nice old Gibson. That fancy bridge looks so delicate that I won’t breath easy until you glue it back onto the top of the guitar.
Hey Jerry! Another great video! what a nice repair job.
Looking forward to the next part.
This is a guitar that's worth restoring it's gonna have a great tone.
Another great piece of work, your customer should be very happy with this
Beautiful work, love to see the process
Great job so far! Love your videos.
Wow Jerry, amazing work thoroughly enjoyed this video and your running commentary, i just know this guitar is gonna sound superb. Looking forward to part two, thanks for all your hard in sharing these fantastic videos. Peace and Love from Bonny Scotland.
You do unbelievable work.
I am hooked on your channel.
I’d be tempted to put a pick guard on both sides, it turned out fantastic; I’d be so stoked to have it as is.
Artists ranging from the Rev Gary Davis to Emmy Lou Harris played a jumbo. Pricy, though, but exceptionally well built. It is to everyone's benefit that this old show queen found it's way to your shop - on a quirky scale, both you and the jumbo rate about a ten, so the match is perfect. Can't WAIT to hear you play it (But maybe just play it and save the singing for another video so we can truly appreciate the uncompromising brilliance of your work)
More amazing work..!! Dang, you do have a talent to think through some of these hard projects you take on...!!
oh man i feel for you with that bridge how its not broken already ,your a brave man Jerry he who dares wins ,temptation would be just refinish the front start again
I was cheering at 28.40 when he finally got the block under the bridge to give ,,go Jerry !!
Great work Jerry you always amaze me.
Jerry, as always you make the repair look like fun......I doubt it was that enjoyable to you but it is entertaining for us viewers...keep on doing what you do and I'll keep watching, Best of luck to you.
Love This~"Doc"! B-)
That Crazy Parchment...What I do is hold the Box Tear-End pretty Steady, and try to Score It carefully across with Scissors, NOT Snip it.
It usually comes out pretty Straight, then.
Great work on the bridge!
All us good 'uns were born in '54-hail brother.
Master work on that bridge. Subbed and clicked bell so I can witness the next part. Top notch!
A great project Jerry 👍🇬🇧
I sure do like the way you fixed that top under the bridge with that oversized bridge plate and your clamping technique with that curved piece of oak. That was absolutely genius! And like you said, if it DID affect the sound, it only changed it for the BETTER, especially if it stayed unplayable! I really enjoyed seeing that repair.
Plus, talking about the bridge, that was incredible how you patched that up!! I love those J-200 bridges, but I imagine you aren't much of a fan of those because of the difficulties in pulling and repairing them. Still, they ARE beautiful to look at.
Again, I would've had you refinish the top. That's just too nice of a guitar to cut corners on like that. But if he can't afford it, then that's just not possible - now. Later on down the road - for sure! But if he DID have money and simply didn't want to spend it, then I just can't understand that. This guitar is far too valuable to not invest a few hundred dollars to increase its value. An early 50s Gibson J-200 would be something I'd cherish - to own, to show, but mainly to play. (Okay, SJ-200, if anybody wants to be picky. Gibson dropped the 'S' in 1955, I assume that's probably because "Super" is basically meaningless. IDK) I think their tone is comparable to anything by Martin - or anybody else. And they look so amazing. They are beautiful (to MOST people).
Hi Jerry, I have always been led to believe that the top should hump up a little, if it doesn't it's built to heavy. Thanks for the video.
Superb improvision Jerry :)
Great work, always nice to find a new channel to subscribe to.
you are in good shape mister.
Fine job! As always! Thanks for sharing! 👍👏👏👏
Personally I love the old look, people now actually pay for relicing their new guitars , it has tons of character, nice job Jerry.
Always absolutely loved the j200 style. It's seriously my dream guitar. A 12 string version would be even better but ive heard theyre rare and that they cost a very pretty penny.
Howdy! I just bought an SJ 200, and I'm so curious to see the "inards" of the flat top king. Great videos. Thanks.
Looking GOOD!
Amazing work
Well done Guitar Repair Meister. Great video..
Nice work.