I spied a battered Seagull 12 string leaning against a pile of junk on a curb one day. I pulled over and grabbed it. It was strung up as a six string. The strings were grimy and the guitar was a DNA minefield. I brought it with me to my destination about an hour away, bought a set of strings for it-another six string set-and gave the guitar a much needed cleanup and restringing. After playing it for a few hours, and loving it, I began to sense that this was not a guitar anyone would casually discard. Driving back home, I made a point of passing that junk pile. It was in front of an old brownstone apartment building. There was an old guy sitting on the steps. I asked him if he knew who owned all the stuff on the curb, and he told me the guy had some problems and was moving. Unfortunately, a number of other people had interpreted the pile of belongings on the curb as a “free” pile just like I had. I asked the old guy if he would be seeing the guitar’s owner again. He said he would, and that he was watching the remaining pile of stuff for the guy to stop any further plundering. I went to my car, got the guitar, and left it with the old guy. It kind of broke my heart to leave it. That was a good guitar. I have always wondered what the owner thought when he reunited with that great sounding, well loved, battered but sturdy guitar. I guess it’s the one that got away.
Inherited my Dad’s 1990 Norman, I was 17 when he bought it new. Now I’m 48 and have been playing that guitar for 32 years, for the last 20 being it’s custodian. I think of how my old man put off buying a decent guitar until he was the age I am now, because he prioritised his family responsibilities and made do with an old 12 string with two screws to fix a broken neck and terrible action. When he finally got a new guitar, he didn’t splash out but he chose wisely; he bought that Norman. It resonates in more ways than one for me.
I’ve had a Norman S30 since 1979. It’s been everywhere, and I’ve had very few issues until this past spring, when the neck block let go. I thought it was the end of the world, but a local guy did a fine repair at a very reasonable price. It’s now as good as ever. Can’t beat these old Normans for value and quality.
I’ve owned a couple Seagull acoustics and the description of “solid quality at a low price” nails it. I’d buy another without hesitation. My experience with Godin electrics have been similar.
I've got a Seagull entourage and no other acoustic has even come close to the tone and feel of that guitar for me. And it's still going strong after a decade of hard use. Such an amazing instrument.
HEY THERE TED . In the mid-70's I bought a used Yamaha acoustic 12 . It had a slotted headstock , a-la classical . Can you imagine the HOURS of fun I had changing the strings every few weeks ?
This is DEFINITELY #2 in my top 5 of your videos doc. Chiefly b\c it starts with a decal of O.Gibson obviously applied before they broke the neck. The Irony is Astonishing!
Awesome video. Love it when you talk about things like your philosophy towards elements of the craft that aren’t so cut-and-dry, more like a healthy balance. Reminding us evermore that ultimately these things we love so much are bound by the limitations of wood, wire, and human craftsmanship. Keep ‘em coming!
That old triangular pick took me back a few years, although I never used one for a Shim. Not that I'd know where to start, my 1965 CBS 12 had an adjustable bridge. Another joy to watch video, I truly admire your kill set mate.
Thanks, Ted. I'm not a luthier, and I'm not much of a guitar player - I can play 3, maybe 4 chords if I make funny faces and grunt a bit; where's the Dan Reeder reference? Well, there, that's where. Anyhow, I've been watching your work for years now; I started when I was living in China in 2018 and have made it a weekly thing. I appreciate your candor, workmanship and the little things that make what you do art and a craft. Watching your videos is somewhere between entertainment, learning and meditation. I really appreciate the time you you take to make them. All the best, Byron
I love that you did a little history of Norman. I'm from Quebec and have almost the same guitar you repaired. But as a matter of fact, Norman was founded by Normand Boucher, who than became associate with Godin, than sold the Norman line. Nice job as always!
I am part French-Canadian myself, and lthough my spoken French is limited to a few catch-all phrases, the pronunciation of certain French words that I've heard all my life comes easy to me. Anglicizing them in print is another matter. My wife's family in New Brunswick makes a delicious pate' or "head cheese", pronounced something like "Kuh-toh", and I have no idea how it's actually spelled.
About 14 years ago I did my first headstock break and figured why not give the repair a shot. I had 3 dozen guitars at the time, surely still have at least that many, and after a ton of labor due to work environment and living conditions, thought the ever so slight twist in it as it set wouldn't be an issue. *It's an issue! lol* I might finally get to it this year, heat it, reset it, and revive it. I have 3 of these guitars. Neck through no branders made in China but they played so nicely.
I bought my first Seagull 25 years ago from a friend, an S6 Folk . Another friend was selling a Maritime CH SWS this year and I grabbed it. You’re right, I really love their feel and tone! Hail Canada!
You inspired me to dress the frets of my new American Performer Stratocaster properly and I got rid of all the string buzzing. (I should have taken it to the shop for a proper setup under warranty but I really try to fix things myself.) The 19th fret was something like 0.4mm above all others but now its playing beautifully. Thanks!
Nice work on the SG! I can't believe how many used Gibsons I see with the head stock "professionally repaired" and it looks like a kindergartner took Elmers and masking tape to make it happen. Probably not the work of a pro at all, but it's nice to see the process and what it should look like when done correctly.
Not a professional by a long shot but I’ve always wondered why some guitarists don’t take better care of their gear. In the 60 years I’ve owned guitars I’ve never broken a head stock. My venerable D-18 which I bought used in 1979 had a repaired broken headstock which has stayed fixed all these years. I’ve had a side crack due to dryness and I’ve had another D suffer many aging problems- probably from not being played enough. It’s been back to the factory for warranty and non warranty repair for binding issues, neck resets, bridge plate cracking, bellying of the top and bridge replacement! Great videos, keep up the great work.
Thanks for showing us the Norman! I'd love to see more on your channel. My Norman B18 6 string turns 24 this year. I adore this guitar. I know it's inexpensive, but it really does sound great. Mine is a solid cedar top with laminated cherry back and sides. I find this guitar has a unique sound, very loud (like, surprisingly loud) but also very warm and round sounding, even with new strings it produces a very thick tone across the strings without ever sounding dull or lifeless. I can't really explain it, but I haven't heard it in other guitars. With its sentimental value and unique sound I will keep this thing forever and spend whatever it takes to keep it playing condition. Thanks again for sharing your work with us!
Gibson would do themselves a favor by flipping the truss rod around so the adjustment access is by the neck pickup. That might let them keep the original (though excessive) headstock angle. Interesting history about Norman Guitars and all the offshoots. The 12-string sounded very good. Thanks
i really enjoy the `work` you do,though i see it more as a process of redemption than a repair, its good to see how you breath life back into every instrument with no nonsense competence, 😊
Happy to hear that story about the guy never breaking a headstock and treating the guitar as an expensive classical instrument. I see a lot of people talking like headstocks snap off out of nothing. I often compare with violins or cellos. Accidents can happen but some are just careless indeed. Even volutes or scarfjoint won’t safe it.
I love Normann guitars. My first 'real' guitar was a matte finished Normann (did they add a second N to the end of their name sometime along the way? I could swear mine was spelled that way) I left it for my brothers to play after I finished college, but I'm not even sure if it's still in one piece anymore. It was a beach guitar the last time I used it. My Dad picked it out for me as my 'big' gift that Christmas, when I was 15 in grade 10. I was totally caught by surprise and blown away, because I was really wanting an acoustic, as I was progressing well with my electric, and wanted to expand my musical horizons.... It was about $600-ish at the time. My Dad never played guitar, himself. He once had a $30 Sears classical when he was a kid, but never really picked it up. He told me he had the music store salesperson just chord and pick around on a few different guitars, and just said the Norman sounded the 'warmest' to his ear. I assume he was hearing the bottom end coming through well. He said when the guy played the $1000 or $1200 Takemine it sounded very 'tinny', but it also had a pickup to cover that up, and I think he heard a Yamaha (prob FG-400 series), and an Epiphone, too. He said he just felt the Norman had the best sound, and it was almost the cheapest of the ones he listened to. The Yamaha, was prob. 450-500 at the time. It was also in Nova Scotia, around the year 2000. There weren't any $150 Chinese specials knocking everyone's socks off at that point yet, so a guitar sounding as great as that one did for $600 was a killer deal, looking back. My stepmother's sister also found an old Norman with a bolt-on electric style neck in their attic. The bolts were different looking than this one though. They didn't have any obvious way of removing them from the outside, as there was just two rounded, hemispherically shaped heads on the bolts, no way to use any kind of screwdriver bit on it. It's been well over a decade, so I might not be remembering that detail correctly. Perhaps there was an Allen key slot on them that I just forgot seeing, but whatever the setup was, they definitely weren't set deep down into the holes like these were, the head of the bolts raised up a mm or two in that small circular 'bump' shape. It dated back to the late 70s, or maybe early 80s. I really wish I could have refurbed that one...or even hung onto it until now, but I was a teenager with no idea where to even start, and the guy I took it to told me it would only be worth prob $150 or $200 AFTER fixing up, so prob wasn't actually worth it.....but I always got a raised eyebrow when people heard the brand of my guitar back then. No one I knew, including myself had heard of Norman, and at first I was a little disappointed at the thought I missed out on a Takemine, but I think Dad prob made the right choice, and I was especially happy to know it was made in Canada too.
Always wanted a 12 string, but couldn't find one that didn't break my left hand playing it. I finally found a Seagull 12 string for $100 bucks in a pawn shop that had a loose neck joint. I just glued it, and it hasn't budged since, the best $100 I ever spent. That guitar is a joy to play and stays in tune. I also have an Art & Lutherie parlor and dreadnought, both excellent guitars.
Pete Townshend said that the first time he broke a guitar it was by accident, jumping while onstage at the Marquee Club, which had a low ceiling. I have to wonder if it was a Gibson! A Fender headstock would likely have broken the ceiling instead.
@@goodun2974 The guitar you're thinking of was a Rickenbacker, and it was at a place called The Railway Tavern, not the Marquee Club. There's a Who website that has most of Pete's smashing incidents documented.
@@guyincognito1423 ,, I was working from the memory of a Townsend interview I read probably at least 30 years ago. Thanks for the clarification. I'm so old I had an early vinyl LP of the Who Live at Leeds that came with not only the famous "maximum R and B" poster from the Marquee club but also photocopies of financial statements for the band, listing the gigs they played and how much they got paid, as well as their bills from music shops for equipment. BTW, in Richard Thompson's biography "BeesWing", covering his years with Fairport Convention and early solo career, Thompson (one of my long-time favorite guitarists and singer-songwriters) writes of seeing the Who and the Yardbirds numerous times at the Marquee; staying through intermission to see the 2nd set meant that all the busses and trains would have ceased running that late at night, and he would have to walk many miles to get home. Fairport sometimes shared stages or played festivals with Pink Floyd, Tull, the Soft Machine etc, and once participated in an after hour's jam session with Led Zeppelin that was definitely recorded but nobody seems to know where the tapes are!
The Norman sounds great. I pleased that Titebond is up to the task for the headstock repair. I would probably trust epoxy without that information. Have a great week!
I'm an amp tech for a local store here in town who also happen to be a Godin dealer. I picked up a Seagull S6 about a year ago from them, and was astonished at the quality for the price.
I've seen a dozen of your videos so far, even though i am not a luthier, nor do i play vintages or acoustics. It's a joy watching a craftsman of your skill and experience. Real good stuff.
Well done as usual. I wish I still had the finesse and stability as you express. Thanks for sharing your pure talent. I've learned many things from watching your videos. Have a blessed day.
As far as I know, Normand Boucher founded his company (Norman Guitar) making a Martin like guitar (same internal structure), but with a bolt on neck. Later, Godin start distributing the guitars. Eventually, Godin started making his own guitars in Montreal, and later bought Norman Guitars. Simon and Patrick are the names of Godin's sons.
As a giging musician I tend to play fenders or thru neck guitars. (not that they don’t break) but their stability and ease of repair kept me playing them. I do own a beautiful gibson Les Paul that never leaves home due to these issues. I am so paranoid that one wrong move and it’s sad times
I have a Norman B18 6 string that I bought brand new in 2006. I was ready to spend a lot more money that day, but it was the best-sounding acoustic in the entire store, and also had a *perfect* low-action setup from the factory. To this day it is still my favorite acoustic and I will never get rid of it. The neck hasn’t moved at all in 16 years, and it even came from the factory with a beautiful satin nitro lacquer finish which has aged with a gorgeous patina. I’d recommend that guitar any day of the week and then some. Best part? It was
I repaired a break like this on the Epiphone SG I bought for my nephew a few months ago. It was a clean overlap break and held very nicely with Tightbond. I would not have attempted splines though, because I know I would have made it worse.
Thanks Ted! This is my favorite video, as I own a Lys L-5 for many years and a Norman B20-12 with the same bolt on neck. I am trying to improve the set up of the B20-12 and happy to see the video.
One of the many things I enjoy about your videos is your choice of words when describing situations that occur. When making the plug for the bridge out of bubinga you cut one, planed it, checked for fit and then 'discovered the length' :) 16:10
I've rented out a Simon&Patrick from L&M one time in my business trip. Sounds good, smell nice. I really like it. If I didn't buy a Fender already I might get that one.
Great vids, Sir..I have learned a whole lot about wood building and how it's not AND IS a science..LOL..thank you so much for imparting so much knowledge and skill..also?? in one of your older vids..I was dying on the floor laughing when you spoke on a couple of people harassing you in your emails..LOL..I watch you, Dave, and Jerry Rosa..(and Caleb)..again Great Work..and again..thank you so much..Peace and Blessings to you and your family..
Robert Godin was not the Norman brand creator. It was Normand Boucher who started the whole thing. Godin was a seller at that time and he became the first distributor for Norman. It was later that he became an associate and bought the whole company when Normand retired. Normand's son, Claude, continued his work in the company for a while, and when he parted ways with Godin, he went on to start his own guitar brand: Boucher.
I glued one broken totally through with SG ca. 18 years ago and it is still fine. There were however no fragments, hence the registration and contact was tight and I glued it immediately.
Your French Canadian pronunciation is better then what i have heard even in france lol and your taught about norman straight on point,good job with the guitars btw.salut
I've got an SG Gibson special that broken Headstock just like this and strait glued it up and you can't even tell there was a break ! It sounds way better now and it's the most rock solid SG ever ?
I bought my Les Paul as a scratch and dent: the headstock broke and was fixed in factory. A few years later it fell out of the stand and broke on the same line. A couple years after that I set it in the stand hastily and it tipped out and broke again in a new spot. It’s been 10 years and I haven’t broken it again. It still plays great.
Wow! A Norman!! I have a six string model from the early 90s that I bought in 2020 for like 225 bucks. I am left handed and I happened to find a left handed model local to me. It has been gigged hard by me (and it was by the previous owner too) and now it hangs in my bedroom as a practice/beater axe. Still love it though, probably has my favorite neck profile ever!
@@jasonpitre1249 the top is caving in... I still gig it occasionally but I have other guitars I like more. I use my Norman for building loops to practice pedal steel to.
Could not agree more about re-stringing a 12, I bought an inexpensive but decent 12 a few years ago and the first thing I did was to put a set of light gauge strings on it and I keep it tuned down a whole step and just use a capo. I absolutely hate to put strings on that beast lol, it seems like it takes an afternoon to get it back in tune. They are worth the trouble though to get that extra jangle.
Some folks shouldnt own a Gibson is profound. I bought my 84 Explorer in 85 brand new. I played in bands for the next 25 years. When I say it has seen its share of action that is no exaggeration. The case looks like went to Nam and the Gulf War. If it could talk several people including myself would possibly be in some trouble. But, the headstock remains as it left Kalamazoo in probably mid 1984. The end has abfew dings sure. Its on itsb3rd and hopefully last paint job. It needsbabrefret and three of the dot markersbhave crumbled into dust and fallen out. Still makes its presence felt when I plug it in and allways causes a stir whemaI open the case. But has never been broken. The same goes for my my 82 Standard.
Really interesting video, Ted. As I’m located in the eastern townships of Québec, I get Godin guitars on my bench all the time. Your background story of Norman guitars was largely correct, but according to my understanding of the history, you did make on serious error. Robert Godin did eventually acquire the Norman brand, but at the time the guitars were built with bolt-on necks, the Norman production in La Patrie was by Normand Boucher. You’ll recognize the “Boucher” name that appears on current-day higher end guitars made in the operation run by Robin Boucher, Normand’s nephew. Anyway, the bolt-on neck was one of Normand’s innovations so that players could easily adjust the setup of their Norman guitar themselves. There are many of these guitars still in circulation and they remain very popular. Sadly, the bolt-on neck joint was abandoned when Godin went into partnership with Normand Boucher and eventually assumed ownership of Norman guitars. Now, Normans are built exactly the same way as the other Godin brands. Neck resets on present-day Norman guitars is much, MUCH more difficult - especially the newer ones assembled with epoxy!
Mr. Woodford, great video as always. I love my Gibson guitars despite the ever easy to break headstock. I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Gibson SG Standard with the batwing pick guard.
Regarding adhesive, I was taught to avoid glue that might 'creep' under string tension. I repaired a heel on a Hofner bass a few years ago and used hide glue, plus I added a couple of dowels. It's still intact.
I had a similar break om my Dean guitar. I drilled a small hole, approx between the eyes, of the face in the picture and pumped gorilla wood glue into the brake. Then clamped the break shut. Job done.
I spied a battered Seagull 12 string leaning against a pile of junk on a curb one day. I pulled over and grabbed it. It was strung up as a six string. The strings were grimy and the guitar was a DNA minefield. I brought it with me to my destination about an hour away, bought a set of strings for it-another six string set-and gave the guitar a much needed cleanup and restringing. After playing it for a few hours, and loving it, I began to sense that this was not a guitar anyone would casually discard. Driving back home, I made a point of passing that junk pile. It was in front of an old brownstone apartment building. There was an old guy sitting on the steps. I asked him if he knew who owned all the stuff on the curb, and he told me the guy had some problems and was moving. Unfortunately, a number of other people had interpreted the pile of belongings on the curb as a “free” pile just like I had. I asked the old guy if he would be seeing the guitar’s owner again. He said he would, and that he was watching the remaining pile of stuff for the guy to stop any further plundering. I went to my car, got the guitar, and left it with the old guy. It kind of broke my heart to leave it. That was a good guitar. I have always wondered what the owner thought when he reunited with that great sounding, well loved, battered but sturdy guitar. I guess it’s the one that got away.
Woodford Instruments videos are tonic for my overwhelmed mind & troubled soul.
Inherited my Dad’s 1990 Norman, I was 17 when he bought it new. Now I’m 48 and have been playing that guitar for 32 years, for the last 20 being it’s custodian. I think of how my old man put off buying a decent guitar until he was the age I am now, because he prioritised his family responsibilities and made do with an old 12 string with two screws to fix a broken neck and terrible action. When he finally got a new guitar, he didn’t splash out but he chose wisely; he bought that Norman. It resonates in more ways than one for me.
Take care of it dude. Keep it humidified.
Love how you always use appropriate style of playing when demonstrating the guitars.
Yes, the riff. 👏
\m/
So, Ted has taught me, I aspire to a Norman build: “the belly is there but it’s not excessive”.
"Elks and Moose come out in the winter to lick at this thing" BWAAAHAHAHAHAHA.. That made my day.. 😆😁👍
I'm surprised all the hardware hadn't turned green.
@@goodun2974 it looks like the hardware is looked after, there's just no time/desire to do cosmetic repairs
That SG definitely took a beating long before the break. As you said, touring musicians guitar. I bet he's happy you brought it back from the dead! ☠
I’ve had a Norman S30 since 1979. It’s been everywhere, and I’ve had very few issues until this past spring, when the neck block let go. I thought it was the end of the world, but a local guy did a fine repair at a very reasonable price. It’s now as good as ever. Can’t beat these old Normans for value and quality.
I always look forward to your videos. At 67 I enjoy watching your craftmanship & the stories are just wonderful. You Rock on that SG. :)
I’ve owned a couple Seagull acoustics and the description of “solid quality at a low price” nails it. I’d buy another without hesitation. My experience with Godin electrics have been similar.
I've got a Seagull entourage and no other acoustic has even come close to the tone and feel of that guitar for me. And it's still going strong after a decade of hard use. Such an amazing instrument.
See also: La Patrie. I don't think you can really call Godin "low price", but I think "solid quality" still applies
Mr segull
The owner of the sg also owns a couple of seagulls, actual seagulls that constantly shit on top of the guitar.
I found a Godin SD in a thrift shop and took a chance. After a good clean and a rudimentary setup it's fantastc!
HEY THERE TED . In the mid-70's I bought a used Yamaha acoustic 12 . It had a slotted headstock ,
a-la classical . Can you imagine the HOURS of fun I had changing the strings every few weeks ?
It is such a treat to watch someone with a mastery of their craft treat guitars with so much respect.
This is DEFINITELY #2 in my top 5 of your videos doc. Chiefly b\c it starts with a decal of O.Gibson obviously applied before they broke the neck. The Irony is Astonishing!
Awesome video. Love it when you talk about things like your philosophy towards elements of the craft that aren’t so cut-and-dry, more like a healthy balance. Reminding us evermore that ultimately these things we love so much are bound by the limitations of wood, wire, and human craftsmanship. Keep ‘em coming!
That old triangular pick took me back a few years, although I never used one for a Shim. Not that I'd know where to start, my 1965 CBS 12 had an adjustable bridge. Another joy to watch video, I truly admire your kill set mate.
Thank you for taking time to film. I watch often. I have no guitars. Just enjoy craftsmanship.
Nice polar opposite guitar repairs - loved it Ted. ❤
The “annoyance curve” may be my new favorite phrase.
Penetration is paramount.
Polishing....polishing....polishing....
@@that_thing_I_do , I'm an amp-repair guy, so for me it's desoldering....desoldering.....desoldering....
Thanks, Ted. I'm not a luthier, and I'm not much of a guitar player - I can play 3, maybe 4 chords if I make funny faces and grunt a bit; where's the Dan Reeder reference? Well, there, that's where. Anyhow, I've been watching your work for years now; I started when I was living in China in 2018 and have made it a weekly thing. I appreciate your candor, workmanship and the little things that make what you do art and a craft. Watching your videos is somewhere between entertainment, learning and meditation. I really appreciate the time you you take to make them. All the best, Byron
great advice , its all about the glue in any woodworking , and the RIGHT glue for the timber and the job its expected to do
I love that you did a little history of Norman. I'm from Quebec and have almost the same guitar you repaired. But as a matter of fact, Norman was founded by Normand Boucher, who than became associate with Godin, than sold the Norman line. Nice job as always!
then became,,,,then sold,,,,simon! if i may assist ,😇
Love it. My favorite Luther and a linguistic lesson on Canadian French
I am part French-Canadian myself, and lthough my spoken French is limited to a few catch-all phrases, the pronunciation of certain French words that I've heard all my life comes easy to me. Anglicizing them in print is another matter. My wife's family in New Brunswick makes a delicious pate' or "head cheese", pronounced something like "Kuh-toh", and I have no idea how it's actually spelled.
About 14 years ago I did my first headstock break and figured why not give the repair a shot.
I had 3 dozen guitars at the time, surely still have at least that many, and after a ton of labor due to work environment and living conditions, thought the ever so slight twist in it as it set wouldn't be an issue.
*It's an issue! lol*
I might finally get to it this year, heat it, reset it, and revive it. I have 3 of these guitars. Neck through no branders made in China but they played so nicely.
I bought my first Seagull 25 years ago from a friend, an S6 Folk . Another friend was selling a Maritime CH SWS this year and I grabbed it. You’re right, I really love their feel and tone! Hail Canada!
Ted, I admire your adaptability when it comes to playing the repaired instruments. Tony Iommi would be proud. Another lovely video!! Thanks
Tony Iommi.
@@hyperluminalreality1 auto-correction, well spotted!
That SG repair worked out fantatstic !!
You inspired me to dress the frets of my new American Performer Stratocaster properly and I got rid of all the string buzzing. (I should have taken it to the shop for a proper setup under warranty but I really try to fix things myself.) The 19th fret was something like 0.4mm above all others but now its playing beautifully. Thanks!
Nice work on the SG! I can't believe how many used Gibsons I see with the head stock "professionally repaired" and it looks like a kindergartner took Elmers and masking tape to make it happen. Probably not the work of a pro at all, but it's nice to see the process and what it should look like when done correctly.
Both Orville and Norman mended in one episode. You can't beat that content.
Awesome video. As usual. Makes me happy just to see one of your videos pop up in my notifications before I even watch them.
Not a professional by a long shot but I’ve always wondered why some guitarists don’t take better care of their gear. In the 60 years I’ve owned guitars I’ve never broken a head stock. My venerable D-18 which I bought used in 1979 had a repaired broken headstock which has stayed fixed all these years. I’ve had a side crack due to dryness and I’ve had another D suffer many aging problems- probably from not being played enough. It’s been back to the factory for warranty and non warranty repair for binding issues, neck resets, bridge plate cracking, bellying of the top and bridge replacement!
Great videos, keep up the great work.
love watching you work. Thank you
thank you Ted.......just thought... each of your videos are like Luthier TED Talks (Huge Smile)
Yep, that Norman is definitely made in Canada… Robertson screws. The US has Henry Ford to thank for being stuck with the dreaded Phillips screw head.
And in QC as the etiquette interior has francais first.
Could be worse...imagine having to use standard slotted screws.
fantastic job!! You are an inspiration - you really make an impact on people. I appreciate you and I am grateful for you and your channel.
Thanks for showing us the Norman! I'd love to see more on your channel. My Norman B18 6 string turns 24 this year. I adore this guitar. I know it's inexpensive, but it really does sound great. Mine is a solid cedar top with laminated cherry back and sides. I find this guitar has a unique sound, very loud (like, surprisingly loud) but also very warm and round sounding, even with new strings it produces a very thick tone across the strings without ever sounding dull or lifeless. I can't really explain it, but I haven't heard it in other guitars. With its sentimental value and unique sound I will keep this thing forever and spend whatever it takes to keep it playing condition. Thanks again for sharing your work with us!
love the tuner tray compliments the screw block and fret wire block
What a nice early treat ted! I like the pairing videos. Nice to see how you maximise your time on 2 jobs
Gibson would do themselves a favor by flipping the truss rod around so the adjustment access is by the neck pickup. That might let them keep the original (though excessive) headstock angle. Interesting history about Norman Guitars and all the offshoots. The 12-string sounded very good. Thanks
“Shade tree luthing” I like that phrase, maybe not the practice of it, but definitely the connotations
Loved today’s jump from 12 string jangle to Black Death grind. Black tee and apron, too! Represent!
I lost it at elks and moose. 🤣
I have really enjoyed yoiur repair vids - many thanks
i really enjoy the `work` you do,though i see it more as a process of
redemption than a repair, its good to see how you breath life
back into every instrument with no nonsense competence, 😊
Happy to hear that story about the guy never breaking a headstock and treating the guitar as an expensive classical instrument.
I see a lot of people talking like headstocks snap off out of nothing.
I often compare with violins or cellos.
Accidents can happen but some are just careless indeed.
Even volutes or scarfjoint won’t safe it.
I love Normann guitars. My first 'real' guitar was a matte finished Normann (did they add a second N to the end of their name sometime along the way? I could swear mine was spelled that way) I left it for my brothers to play after I finished college, but I'm not even sure if it's still in one piece anymore. It was a beach guitar the last time I used it. My Dad picked it out for me as my 'big' gift that Christmas, when I was 15 in grade 10. I was totally caught by surprise and blown away, because I was really wanting an acoustic, as I was progressing well with my electric, and wanted to expand my musical horizons....
It was about $600-ish at the time. My Dad never played guitar, himself. He once had a $30 Sears classical when he was a kid, but never really picked it up. He told me he had the music store salesperson just chord and pick around on a few different guitars, and just said the Norman sounded the 'warmest' to his ear. I assume he was hearing the bottom end coming through well. He said when the guy played the $1000 or $1200 Takemine it sounded very 'tinny', but it also had a pickup to cover that up, and I think he heard a Yamaha (prob FG-400 series), and an Epiphone, too. He said he just felt the Norman had the best sound, and it was almost the cheapest of the ones he listened to. The Yamaha, was prob. 450-500 at the time. It was also in Nova Scotia, around the year 2000. There weren't any $150 Chinese specials knocking everyone's socks off at that point yet, so a guitar sounding as great as that one did for $600 was a killer deal, looking back.
My stepmother's sister also found an old Norman with a bolt-on electric style neck in their attic. The bolts were different looking than this one though. They didn't have any obvious way of removing them from the outside, as there was just two rounded, hemispherically shaped heads on the bolts, no way to use any kind of screwdriver bit on it. It's been well over a decade, so I might not be remembering that detail correctly. Perhaps there was an Allen key slot on them that I just forgot seeing, but whatever the setup was, they definitely weren't set deep down into the holes like these were, the head of the bolts raised up a mm or two in that small circular 'bump' shape. It dated back to the late 70s, or maybe early 80s. I really wish I could have refurbed that one...or even hung onto it until now, but I was a teenager with no idea where to even start, and the guy I took it to told me it would only be worth prob $150 or $200 AFTER fixing up, so prob wasn't actually worth it.....but I always got a raised eyebrow when people heard the brand of my guitar back then. No one I knew, including myself had heard of Norman, and at first I was a little disappointed at the thought I missed out on a Takemine, but I think Dad prob made the right choice, and I was especially happy to know it was made in Canada too.
Always wanted a 12 string, but couldn't find one that didn't break my left hand playing it. I finally found a Seagull 12 string for $100 bucks in a pawn shop that had a loose neck joint. I just glued it, and it hasn't budged since, the best $100 I ever spent. That guitar is a joy to play and stays in tune. I also have an Art & Lutherie parlor and dreadnought, both excellent guitars.
You sir, are the guitar whisperer, and I enjoy every moment!
Who in the heck thought that patching a gap in the stage with tape was ok?? Glad the SG was the only casualty
Pete Townshend said that the first time he broke a guitar it was by accident, jumping while onstage at the Marquee Club, which had a low ceiling. I have to wonder if it was a Gibson! A Fender headstock would likely have broken the ceiling instead.
@@goodun2974 The guitar you're thinking of was a Rickenbacker, and it was at a place called The Railway Tavern, not the Marquee Club. There's a Who website that has most of Pete's smashing incidents documented.
@@guyincognito1423 ,, I was working from the memory of a Townsend interview I read probably at least 30 years ago. Thanks for the clarification. I'm so old I had an early vinyl LP of the Who Live at Leeds that came with not only the famous "maximum R and B" poster from the Marquee club but also photocopies of financial statements for the band, listing the gigs they played and how much they got paid, as well as their bills from music shops for equipment. BTW, in Richard Thompson's biography "BeesWing", covering his years with Fairport Convention and early solo career, Thompson (one of my long-time favorite guitarists and singer-songwriters) writes of seeing the Who and the Yardbirds numerous times at the Marquee; staying through intermission to see the 2nd set meant that all the busses and trains would have ceased running that late at night, and he would have to walk many miles to get home. Fairport sometimes shared stages or played festivals with Pink Floyd, Tull, the Soft Machine etc, and once participated in an after hour's jam session with Led Zeppelin that was definitely recorded but nobody seems to know where the tapes are!
Duct tape in a stage hole? Someone has some splaining to do.
Hey Ted, I’m really happy to see that you’re working on the Norman guitar. It was my first 12 strings. You made it sound really good
2 Odford for the win!
That SG looked a bit......septic.
It could use a bath for sure!
You misspelled "metal". The break repair just ads character.
Yeah its a typical metalhead owned guitar. I know cause I bought and sold 2 just like it
The Norman sounds great. I pleased that Titebond is up to the task for the headstock repair. I would probably trust epoxy without that information. Have a great week!
That Norman guitar for a beginners guitar sounds great. I can see why the owner wanted it fixed.
Fantastic work and hugely entertaining narrative & camerawork.
I'm an amp tech for a local store here in town who also happen to be a Godin dealer. I picked up a Seagull S6 about a year ago from them, and was astonished at the quality for the price.
I liked that last tune on the SG. Great work!
Phew, that was close! At least that SG neck break missed Orville. What a beautiful accoustic guitar and 50 years old, no less.
I've seen a dozen of your videos so far, even though i am not a luthier, nor do i play vintages or acoustics.
It's a joy watching a craftsman of your skill and experience. Real good stuff.
I have a Norman 6 string with the same style bolt on neck. I believe it was 70's before Godin bought them out. Gives a beautiful sound.
Great video as always. Thanks for sharing your talents. 👍
Well done as usual. I wish I still had the finesse and stability as you express. Thanks for sharing your pure talent. I've learned many things from watching your videos. Have a blessed day.
As far as I know, Normand Boucher founded his company (Norman Guitar) making a Martin like guitar (same internal structure), but with a bolt on neck. Later, Godin start distributing the guitars. Eventually, Godin started making his own guitars in Montreal, and later bought Norman Guitars. Simon and Patrick are the names of Godin's sons.
Best teacher on the net.
You Ted are an encouragement to do great work.
I have one of these sg Gothic guitars. I love it. Super cool to see one here!
You Sir do the most incredible work I have ever seen!! You have a talent that you just don't see these days! Once again, well done man!!
As a giging musician I tend to play fenders or thru neck guitars. (not that they don’t break) but their stability and ease of repair kept me playing them. I do own a beautiful gibson Les Paul that never leaves home due to these issues. I am so paranoid that one wrong move and it’s sad times
I appreciate that the “shade tree luthier” used good quality, Canadian standard Robertson screws to apply extra down pressure on the strings.
Loved the “chugging” bit at the end. Didn’t see that coming!
Fantastic episode! Really informative.
That is by far the groggiest SG I’ve ever seen. The letting moose's lick it looks true.
I have a Norman B18 6 string that I bought brand new in 2006. I was ready to spend a lot more money that day, but it was the best-sounding acoustic in the entire store, and also had a *perfect* low-action setup from the factory. To this day it is still my favorite acoustic and I will never get rid of it.
The neck hasn’t moved at all in 16 years, and it even came from the factory with a beautiful satin nitro lacquer finish which has aged with a gorgeous patina.
I’d recommend that guitar any day of the week and then some. Best part? It was
I repaired a break like this on the Epiphone SG I bought for my nephew a few months ago. It was a clean overlap break and held very nicely with Tightbond. I would not have attempted splines though, because I know I would have made it worse.
Thanks Ted! This is my favorite video, as I own a Lys L-5 for many years and a Norman B20-12 with the same bolt on neck. I am trying to improve the set up of the B20-12 and happy to see the video.
I use that exact set of strings for drop C tuning. Love the feel, and they do still tune up to standard well enough on the occasions it's needed.
Handing over the guitar this dirty to you is like going to the dentist without brushing your teeth.
One of the many things I enjoy about your videos is your choice of words when describing situations that occur. When making the plug for the bridge out of bubinga you cut one, planed it, checked for fit and then 'discovered the length' :) 16:10
I've rented out a Simon&Patrick from L&M one time in my business trip. Sounds good, smell nice. I really like it. If I didn't buy a Fender already I might get that one.
Wow that Norman sounded amazing.
Great job great show!
Great vids, Sir..I have learned a whole lot about wood building and how it's not AND IS a science..LOL..thank you so much for imparting so much knowledge and skill..also?? in one of your older vids..I was dying on the floor laughing when you spoke on a couple of people harassing you in your emails..LOL..I watch you, Dave, and Jerry Rosa..(and Caleb)..again Great Work..and again..thank you so much..Peace and Blessings to you and your family..
Robert Godin was not the Norman brand creator. It was Normand Boucher who started the whole thing. Godin was a seller at that time and he became the first distributor for Norman. It was later that he became an associate and bought the whole company when Normand retired. Normand's son, Claude, continued his work in the company for a while, and when he parted ways with Godin, he went on to start his own guitar brand: Boucher.
I glued one broken totally through with SG ca. 18 years ago and it is still fine. There were however no fragments, hence the registration and contact was tight and I glued it immediately.
I have the same model SG... gave me a real pucker looking at that break.
Was watching Adam Savages channel yesterday and thought it was nice that he gave you a shout out during his video, cool thing to do
Which video does he give the shoutout?
r2 d2 rebuild, july 13th
I enjoyed your video mate, thanks for taking the time to share, all good stuff and helpful. 👍🥃Respect to you mate.
GREAT JOB, GREAT VIDEO, TELL EVERYBODY HELLO...SEE YOU NEXT GO ROUND...
Your French Canadian pronunciation is better then what i have heard even in france lol and your taught about norman straight on point,good job with the guitars btw.salut
Well done, I loved. You are the 1.
I've got an SG Gibson special that broken Headstock just like this and strait glued it up and you can't even tell there was a break ! It sounds way better now and it's the most rock solid SG ever ?
I bought my Les Paul as a scratch and dent: the headstock broke and was fixed in factory. A few years later it fell out of the stand and broke on the same line. A couple years after that I set it in the stand hastily and it tipped out and broke again in a new spot. It’s been 10 years and I haven’t broken it again. It still plays great.
Wow! A Norman!! I have a six string model from the early 90s that I bought in 2020 for like 225 bucks.
I am left handed and I happened to find a left handed model local to me.
It has been gigged hard by me (and it was by the previous owner too) and now it hangs in my bedroom as a practice/beater axe. Still love it though, probably has my favorite neck profile ever!
Why do you not gig it anymore? Everything can be righted if it is out of spec.
@@jasonpitre1249 the top is caving in... I still gig it occasionally but I have other guitars I like more. I use my Norman for building loops to practice pedal steel to.
Could not agree more about re-stringing a 12, I bought an inexpensive but decent 12 a few years ago and the first thing I did was to put a set of light gauge strings on it and I keep it tuned down a whole step and just use a capo. I absolutely hate to put strings on that beast lol, it seems like it takes an afternoon to get it back in tune. They are worth the trouble though to get that extra jangle.
Some folks shouldnt own a Gibson is profound. I bought my 84 Explorer in 85 brand new. I played in bands for the next 25 years. When I say it has seen its share of action that is no exaggeration. The case looks like went to Nam and the Gulf War. If it could talk several people including myself would possibly be in some trouble. But, the headstock remains as it left Kalamazoo in probably mid 1984. The end has abfew dings sure. Its on itsb3rd and hopefully last paint job. It needsbabrefret and three of the dot markersbhave crumbled into dust and fallen out. Still makes its presence felt when I plug it in and allways causes a stir whemaI open the case. But has never been broken. The same goes for my my 82 Standard.
Love the metal chops!
Really interesting video, Ted. As I’m located in the eastern townships of Québec, I get Godin guitars on my bench all the time. Your background story of Norman guitars was largely correct, but according to my understanding of the history, you did make on serious error. Robert Godin did eventually acquire the Norman brand, but at the time the guitars were built with bolt-on necks, the Norman production in La Patrie was by Normand Boucher. You’ll recognize the “Boucher” name that appears on current-day higher end guitars made in the operation run by Robin Boucher, Normand’s nephew. Anyway, the bolt-on neck was one of Normand’s innovations so that players could easily adjust the setup of their Norman guitar themselves. There are many of these guitars still in circulation and they remain very popular. Sadly, the bolt-on neck joint was abandoned when Godin went into partnership with Normand Boucher and eventually assumed ownership of Norman guitars. Now, Normans are built exactly the same way as the other Godin brands. Neck resets on present-day Norman guitars is much, MUCH more difficult - especially the newer ones assembled with epoxy!
Music is a full contact endeavor. Thanks Dr Ted for the careful reconstruction and wisdom. Btw that wobbling headstock made me a bit queasy.
Mr. Woodford, great video as always. I love my Gibson guitars despite the ever easy to break headstock. I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Gibson SG Standard with the batwing pick guard.
Regarding adhesive, I was taught to avoid glue that might 'creep' under string tension. I repaired a heel on a Hofner bass a few years ago and used hide glue, plus I added a couple of dowels. It's still intact.
I had a similar break om my Dean guitar. I drilled a small hole, approx between the eyes, of the face in the picture and pumped gorilla wood glue into the brake. Then clamped the break shut. Job done.