Refurbished Warmoth L5S.

[Unwound G]

A friend brought in this Warmoth L5S  body which I sold to him over 10 years ago to have a makeover.  Over the course of time he had shared stage with Aussie guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanual who signed the guitar in 2000.  I carefully sanded down the old finish but making sure Tommy's signature stayed intact.   Most dings were successfully flattened with the hot soldering iron and wet cloth method.  Finished off the guitar with multiple coats of poly then rubbed it out to a high gloss.  The LP headstock neck is new.

Took out the old Tune-O-Matic and stud tailpiece and replaced with a Bigsby B5 using a Vibramate mounting attachment.  The low end Wilkinson P90s, although sounded good, are temporarily mounted while my friend waits for his shipment of new Fralins to arrive.  The controls layout seems a bit tight but that was how it was arranged initially.  My friend has no problem with it.

It is good to see old guitars getting a new lease of life especially when quality parts are getting more and more expensive.  Just thought I share this with everyone :icon_smile:.  

 

[jimh]

Tommy Emmanuel is Brilliant.  He should go in the 'Vids that make you go wow' thread. In fact I think I'm gonna add him.

I also love the fact that these older Warmoths are still being played and loved today.  It serves testament to the fact that W make great products that can stand up against any production guitar.

I reckon the Fralins will kick this one to the next level.

Great Stuff    :icon_thumright:

 

[kboman]

Excellent looks, and a nice story too. What kind of bridge is that?

 

[Unwound G]

It's a Wilkinson locking roller bridge ideal for Bigsby equipt guitars.

Check out http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Locking_Roller_Bridge.html

 

[muttznmongrelz]

That's a fine looking instrument. Very nice refurb.  :headbang:

 

[kboman]

It's a Wilkinson locking roller bridge ideal for Bigsby equipt guitars.

Check out http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Locking_Roller_Bridge.html

Thank you sir.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Lovely!!!!
Never heard of this Tommy Emmanuel, will search something later...

 

[blue313]

Excellent taste!  :icon_thumright:

 

[TonyW]

That looks fantastic, makes me want to put one together.

Tommys brother Phil is also very talented, just the lesser known of the brothers

 

[Nando Vallart]

Just listening to Tommy Emmanuel at youtube When you said virtuoso, I thought he was a malmsteen alike guy

 

[jimh]

Just listening to Tommy Emmanuel at youtube When you said virtuoso, I thought he was a malmsteen alike guy

But did you enjoy it?

 

[Nando Vallart]

Absolutely!

 

[OzziePete]

Just listening to Tommy Emmanuel at youtube When you said virtuoso, I thought he was a malmsteen alike guy

Ha ha, no. Tommy is just about the best guitarist Australia has sent overseas.

His family were basically a travelling music show, all very musical. The family spent a lot of time chasing rodeo and circuses, providing musical shows at country fairs etc.

I think Phil is the elder brother, but yes, very talented guitar player too.

Both Tommy and Phil can play a decent version of just about any music that has a guitar playing in it. But Tommy loves the Chet Atkins style of country playing, and borders on rock-jazz using that fingerpicking style.

Tommy's CV is very impressive as a sideman/musical director and session man.

I've met him twice, and strikes you as a very easy going care free guy, and usually with a bit of smile on his face too.

But he has had troubles with substance abuse that nearly wrecked his playing career in Australia, thankfully he met a lovely European lady while on tour and they now live mostly in Denmark, I think. That seems to have sorted out his substance abuse issues & he has his own loving family to work for.

During the early 80s Fender Australia put out a signature Telecaster honouring Tommy. At that time, he was playing a lot of session work & also touring and his main electric axe was a sunburst Telecaster with 3 EMG pickups.

Interestingly, that signature guitar was the main axe of choice for one Keith Urban when he started getting known around Australian and beyond (although Keith stripped the guitar out to only one bridge pickup).


Tommy has also got a signature range of Maton acoustic electric guitars which are excellent value.

To me, he's one of the guys in the music industry who strikes you as being a natural for the job and I wish him all the best.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Saw him with a sunburst tele too, great playing!