Adam Savage rewires his guitar, but viewers want a listen
A birthday-project build brings guitar repair enthusiasts into Tested's comments, with Ted Woodford recognition and requests for a sound test.
Adam Savage’s Tested
Story of Why this story? The video drew 1,015 comments in its first day, 7.4 times a normal first day on this channel (138).
Adam Savage Upgrades His Gibson Les Paul Guitar!
Video summary
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- 0:44Savage outlines the electronics and hardware upgrades, inspired by Ted Woodford's guitar-repair videos.
- 1:54He removes the strings, pickups, hardware and existing wiring harness.
- 5:03New controls, an output jack and a pickup selector are soldered together using a guitar-wiring reference book.
- 12:06An abrasive stick and milling machine create an engine-turned pattern for the metal backplates.
- 18:04A backward-machined control plate forces another attempt.
- 23:09Savage engraves the modification details inside the replacement plate before installation.
"This is an emotional upgrade," Adam Savage says of the guitar on his workbench. Resale value isn't the point: he wants to make his birthday present his own, right down to decorative metal covers on the back.
Despite the title, "Adam Savage Upgrades His Gibson Les Paul Guitar!", the instrument is a Tokai Love Rock, patterned after the Les Paul. Savage strips out its electronics, installs replacements and discovers that guitar wiring requires another attempt. He also machines a backplate backward, leaving the screw holes in the wrong places.
Those workshop detours have plenty of company in the comments. The video drew about a thousand comments in its first day, more than seven times Tested's usual tally, despite an ordinary-sized audience for the channel.
A recurring name is luthier Ted Woodford, whose videos helped inspire Savage's project. Viewers recognize a shared repair-video habit, with one describing Woodford's uploads as part of a Sunday routine. Others ask for a DIY guitar-kit build. And there's a particularly direct request: after all that rewiring, let them hear the instrument.
The customization isn't only about sound. Savage uses an abrasive stick in a milling machine to create overlapping circles on the replacement backplates, an engine-turned finish. Before installing the control plate, he engraves a record of the modifications on its hidden side. It's a small maker's signature that will stay inside the guitar.
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What viewers say
ADAM! You can’t end a guitar repair video without playing the guitar!
Has Ted taught you nothing?! 😂❤@N9SVGSee it on YouTubeGuitar world and adam savage's world have collided. Today is a good day
@joelcarrascofilms4955See it on YouTubeTed’s videos have been a Sunday tradition in my house for years now.
I seriously can’t start my week without he or Laura Kampf’s Sunday videos. 😊@N9SVGSee it on YouTube
4 more comments
Petition to have Adam build a guitar from a DIY guitar kit 🎸as a one day build:
@mid_scooperSee it on YouTubeFormer session guitarist & current repair tech here. This is wonderful to see. I didn’t have Adam modding a guitar on my bingo card. Tokai, greco, early Orville by Gibson, mij fenders, squier claissic vibes all great modding platforms. P.s woodford is amazing. More of this Adam 👏
@danjames8570See it on YouTubeHow did I not know that Adam was a guitar guy? Science AND guitars on the same channel? Yes, please!!!
@garrickhansonSee it on YouTubeThis is what I do everyday for my clients. I’ve been enjoying this work for over 40 years now. Even back in the glory days of old, Fender and Gibson sometimes made mistakes wiring. These days though there are are ton of different parts available to make upgrades.
@_Mr_CSee it on YouTube
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- Channel
- Adam Savage’s Tested
- Subscribers
- 7,290,000
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 6,324,139
- Channel views, pace per day
- 965,265 (on a normal day: 790,201)
- Video published
- October 15, 2026
- Video views so far
- 259,800 (2 days online)
- Video views, pace per day
- 113,341 (on a normal day: 191,629)
The numbers
The unusual part of this build's first day was the conversation, rather than the views. Here's how its comment count compares with a typical Tested upload.
💡 Test your knowledge
Which electric-guitar component converts string vibrations into an electrical signal?
Magnetic pickups convert the vibrations of metal guitar strings into an electrical signal.