Tommy Young Mods.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 16 Jun 2007 7:50 am

I do not know Tommy, but if his mod works and his customers are happy, thats great!
Hook

J PARKER · Post by **J PARKER** » 16 Jun 2007 8:53 am

I got a chance to hear a Carter that Tommy did and ive never heard one with the deep rich tone and cleaness up at the 24th fret like that guitar had. They sure work i can tell you its SOOOO GOOD.

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 16 Jun 2007 10:48 am

If I bought a new guitar will the mod effect the warranty?

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 16 Jun 2007 12:26 pm

Mr Parker, If, as you say, Tom's Mod is so great it makes me wonder why the builders don't get Tommy to do the Mod on their guitars right from the factory...it would save money, time, shipping and also give Tommy a great and steady source of income. I know he works on Mullen and as you say, his mod really makes a great improvement. It should be easy for the Mullen people to recognize an improvement and make it available to people from the start...even if the guitar would cost $200 more with the mod, it would be cheaper than all this shipping back and forth and still having to pay for the mod. It's time for somebody to step up to the plate and make this mod available from the git-go. Wishing Tommy the best in his great efforts to improve these guitars.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 16 Jun 2007 11:39 pm

I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect a manufacturer to start with a lump of wood, some blocks of aluminium, etc, produce a steel guitar to the best quality possible from that stock, and then send it off for some mysterious modification.

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 17 Jun 2007 5:21 am

I've played one of Tommy's 'mod' steels about 6 months ago and in my opinion, YES, it did sound better than the same stock steel. I was impressed by the sustain and the ability to play with ease in the 'Hughey-Overby' zone.

It may not be for everyone just as modding an amp isn't for everyone...some like it...some don't. In the near future, I would like to try one of Tommy's mod guitars again and defintely would consider having it done to one of my steels.

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 17 Jun 2007 4:37 pm

What better endorsement can one get than one from Bill Simmons...Bill has played them all and knows them all

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 17 Jun 2007 11:04 pm

richard burton wrote:I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect a manufacturer to start with a lump of wood, some blocks of aluminium, etc, produce a steel guitar to the best quality possible from that stock, and then send it off for some mysterious modification.

Richard,

Being the innovator that you are, you surprise me with your cynicism. The only mystery is that Tommy doesn't share his secret.

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 18 Jun 2007 4:49 am

The only mystery is that Tommy doesn't share his secret.

There is no secret...........

Changer fingers can be made to rest on the wood body of most any guitar.

If that is a "secret mod", then so be it.

It is a simple adjustment to me.

Jack Harper · Post by **Jack Harper** » 18 Jun 2007 5:07 am

a long time ago, there was this guy. he was an innovator of sorts.and as did most everyone in his town, he had an enjoyment for ice cream. at the time, ice cream was only available in the original
formulation and flavor, ....vanilla.
and then only to the lucky few that could or would see to it that it was in their bowl.
he, as a tweaker and a tinker, came up with the idea to add a touch of chocolate syrup, of which he had developed a formula to his liking, to the crown of his bowl of ice cream and oh the nay sayers had a holiday of touting ...the sins of man will be the end of us all.woe to he who has broken tradition!
today, mr hershey, has gone on, but what a legacy he leaves behind as a reminder of his trials.
we have the choice of plain vanilla or vanilla with the syrup on top, and for even some yet a darker & richer flavor is available. even as applied from our own hands or we have the option to purchase this "mod" while we look on in admiration and anticipation.
if we were to call hershey, pa and ask, just what is it you do with this stuff that makes it different from brand x. well, they will just laugh and say thank you for trying the stuff that dreams are made of. but no way jose!
america, what a country................

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 18 Jun 2007 5:24 am

tommy young wrote: PS: To JOHN FABIAN you got my word and be glad to show you that it doesn't even touch the changer fingers no where on your guitars that I have worked on

This indicates to me that the mod doesn't involve the changer fingers.
It may be fair to 'guess the mod,' but I don't think it fair to state that guess as a certainty without first-hand information.

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 18 Jun 2007 8:11 am

You do not know Tom's mod so do not act like you know it...you are trying to make fact out of a guess....it does not pass muster.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 18 Jun 2007 8:59 am

My "guess" is that "the mod" is different for different brands of guitars. It's whatever it takes to improve the tone and sustain of the model in question.

Think of a car that comes from the factory, and a mechanic who knows various techniques to improve the performance of all cars, and specific techniques that work on certain models. Such a mechanic could write a book, or he could just do his job. There's no shame in not sharing your trade secrets with the world.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 18 Jun 2007 12:49 pm

A lot of times, in many areas of design and mechanics, a "tweaking" or "modding" process is as much or more about the person doing the tweaking and how skillfully they do it than the actual process itself. Frankly, a tweaker could write a book about it - and then be accused of flim-flam when a hacker follows the instructions and gets very different results. Sometimes your d@$%#& if you do and d@$%#& if you don't.

Conversely, some guitar repairmen like Dan Erlewine or Hideo Kamimoto have written books and/or videos on how to repair guitars - and divulged very useful information. But in such cases, they were paid to write such a book, and they do it because they want to, not because people hassle them into doing it. Further, why fault most guitar repairmen that never do this?

I really don't understand why there would be any anomosity about this. If you think you can do this yourself just as well, that's great - just do it. IMHO.

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 18 Jun 2007 2:17 pm

I would like to thank B0B for explaining what i do to these guitars because most guitars need different types of Mods for sure not all need this or the other so I do all that I have learned and so far it is really working on most all guitars and IT doesn't break Carter's BCT technology at all sorry but it does improve tone on all guitars so far that i have worked on some more than others but as some has stated some don't want their tone improved upon and I don't want to impose on them they like what they have and thats what they should keep for sure but please leave us that want our TONE better to have that right and for us to be left alone when we want it """TONE""" better without harrassment from those that want it without paying for it sorry if this hurts your feelings but I am very tickie about my work and that is the way it is gonna stay....

thanks from TOMMY YOUNG for you guy's that have trusted me with your fine guitars and those that would do the same if they were in my shoes as well because they know without a doubt that I have helped their guitar with the TONE that they like and it is NOT A KIT and I would like to thank """GOD IN HEAVEN" that gave me the the knowledge to do this and find the grimlin that all others have failed to find

662-328-9511 if you want me to fix your guitar and tyoung52@wilblue.net e-mail address

James Harrison · Post by **James Harrison** » 18 Jun 2007 7:19 pm

Hi Tommy, I have wondered about this. I don't know what mods you do or really care. I have been playing Mandolin since 1945 and I have a $200.00 Electric/Accoustic Mandolin that sounds better to me than any expensive Mandolin that I have heard. Since we don't know if any 2 people hears tones alike, how do you know if the tone that sounds good to you will sound good to the customer? It seems to me the instrument owner would have to be present to hear the tones as you mod and if it gets to a point he don't like he can say wait, back up I don't like that sound. If I don't under stand and you are just getting more sustain, I appolize.

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 18 Jun 2007 9:05 pm

James first off if anyone gets too much sustain then i want to see it that is why we have to block all that we play and if someone likes their tone real schrill & thin then I dont do those that isn't what i do """ I try to get as rich and fat a note as i possibly can but also clean highs and clear rich notes from end to end""" if this isn't what you want then i'm not your guy hope this helps in your decision TOMMY

PS: I do have a cd if someone isn't with me on this and doesn't understand and there is a song clip of one of these guitars being played for plp to listen to in an earlier thread about these mods

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 19 Jun 2007 6:57 am

James do you even own a steelguitar don't think you have been playing very long just my thought's TOMMY

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 20 Jun 2007 9:17 am

Hey Tommy I don't think I posted anything offensive, atleast I try not, sorry if I did.

Your mod's really keep guys banging there heads against the walls!

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 20 Jun 2007 11:13 am

Al,
You've mis-understood what I was trying to say, my fault as I didn't word it very well

What I meant to say was that it would be commercial suicide for a company to send its product elsewhere for a final 'tweaking'.

It would be akin to an admission of only producing second-best pedal steels, and would be used as advertising ammo by rival steel makers.

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 20 Jun 2007 12:13 pm

and I am disabled from severe degenerative disk disease of the spine

Tommy, I feel for you brother, I'm on disabillity for the same thing. I know I've said it before, but I'm goin to get you to install your mod on my Mullen RP when I get some extra cash. Just hope the price don't go up.

Terry

James Harrison · Post by **James Harrison** » 20 Jun 2007 6:55 pm

James do you even own a steelguitar don't think you have been playing very long just my thought's TOMMY

Yes Tommy, I have a 6 string and an 8 string lap steel, 2 pedal steels and a dobro. Yes I have been learning the pedal steel for about a year. I have been playing mandolin, piano and 6 string guitar since 1945 and yes I had music lessons while I was in school.
James

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 20 Jun 2007 7:27 pm

Maybe we should see if we can put this on Oprah....Dr Phil could probably straighten us all out on this....?...huh?
Like some of the rest of you: When I do an amp mod...I know whats going to be replaced....My guitar, thats a different story...We can send them to you to be modded and have NO IDEA what it is youre going to do to it....Thats a big gamble to take with a 3-5K instrument...Not to mention the fact it would void the warranty from the manufacturer...IMHO its great that you have "found a cure"...But if you really want to make the bucks, guys like me want to know what it is you are doing our guitars. Most of the people that I have met from here understand the instrument, and are smart enough to know and understand the "mechanics" of resonance and pickup config, tone woods...etc. I am the guy that would GLADLY pay you to improve my guitar...but not blindly...that is what you are asking for....Blind trust....And pardon me for saying....If you want to find ANY credibility in the business world...you might want to start by punctuating and spell-checking your emails for the adult population. (thats a period...it seperates sentences)

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 20 Jun 2007 8:57 pm

Mickey thank you, you are a mirror of my post's!

I don't like to single out one guy.

But if someone is paying don't they reserve the right to know what the hell was done on there guitar? Think about how long it takes to save up to buy one, I am for better tone but I need to know what is being down and why would it void the warranty!!!!!

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 20 Jun 2007 10:05 pm

Yes Tommy, I have a 6 string and an 8 string lap steel, 2 pedal steels and a dobro. Yes I have been learning the pedal steel for about a year. I have been playing mandolin, piano and 6 string guitar since 1945 and yes I had music lessons while I was in school.
James

Wow, James. Tommy has your number. You have not been playing pedal steel long at all. Very good, Tommy.

Richard: You raise a very interesting and good point. I would think that a builder's way around that would be...to acknowledge Tommy's mod. Most builders (businesses, manufacturers, etc.) have their experts. If Tommy were to work for just one builder, it would actually work to their benefit to have each guitar fine-tuned by such a guru as Tommy, and brag about it. It would be like Gibson (or Epiphone) saying, "Hey, Les Paul fine-tuned your guitar," or "Harvey Gerst bench-modded your microphone." (And, Richard, you know I like you--not that it matters or you care.)

Maybe?

A.J.: If someone's guitar is made to sound better, that's all they should really care about. If they want to know how the magician does his trick, that's info that would jeopardoze a magician's livelihood. Sorry, my vote is that is not public information. Just be grateful there is a smart person out there who has a niche. That would be, to me, like asking John Lennon how to write "Imagine" so that you, too, could be a songwriter. Why the hell should he tell you? You bought the record to enjoy it, but you have no business at all knowing how he put it all together.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Tommy Young Mods.

Mods

Right from the factory

Tommy's Mod

Bill's endorsement

Re: Tommy Young MOD'S

Curt

BOB

mod

MODS

Dr Phil