| CUSTOM BANJO RESTORATION | |||
The first thing I did was take the banjo completely apart and begin removing all the frets. This must be done slowly and carefully to avoid chipping the fingerboard. Heat may need to be applied to soften the glue. Also notice I removed the inlay block in the next to the last fret space. I will be replacing it later. |
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| I laid all the frets out in order, so that I can use them to measure the replacements. |  |
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| Here is a close-up of a fret that has been cut to length. I cut it a little long to file down flush with the edge of the fingerboard. I also undercut the tang so that the fret will extend over the white binding and give it a nice clean look. |  |
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| Here is the new pearl block with "BANJODOG" engraved in it. First Quality Music Supply in Louisville made it for me. I also decided to replace the binding since I am going to refinish it anyway. It had some nicks in it and I had to fill the holes left from the Shubb fifth string capo, so I decided it would be much cleaner with new binding. |  |
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| The new bindings and position markers are in place. A little more fine sanding and I'll put the new frets in. |  |
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| All the finish has been removed from the resonator and the bindings look pretty good, but one side got a little thin. I will have to decide if I want to replace the bindings on the resonator. If I do, it will require the binding slot to be routed a little wider. | |||
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| The fingerboard has been refretted now and sanded smooth. Some final sanding on the neck and it will be ready for finish. | |||
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| I decided to replace the binding on the resonator so that it will have a nice clean look. I routed the groove a little deeper to allow for a thicker binding. | |||
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| The resonator is finished and ready to stain. I am going to have Leo Posch do the staining and finish. I saw what he did to this Granada and told him to do the same thing to mine. | |||
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| I just got the new tone ring from Janet Davis Music. It's a Kulesh Vintage 20. It fits the rim just a little loose. I will have to send it to Bill Sullivan and have him fit the rim to the new ring. | |||
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| Leo Posch just sent me these photos of the (almost) finished neck and resonator. He stained and lacquered them to match the colors of my mandolin. | |||
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| A shot of the resonator. | |||
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| A pile of parts. I'm taking these to Leo to finally put the thing together. | |||
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Leo is finishing the nut slots so we can string it up and see what we've got. To see the finished banjo, click HERE |
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