Freshen up resonator finish
Clean and setup
Report if major issues are found.

Plating is about an 8.5 out of 10 and should be left as is, its all still looking nice

Mute functions properly, label is in VGC

Checking on resonator will be remedied

Checking on peghead reverse
 

The overlay on the front is a little light, and the finish is thin and checked so I will refinish the peghead and blend it back into the finish of the neck.

Frets are worn the least in the 3rd position

And it increases on up the neck making for a total refret

I will reseal the inlay as well.
 
 

The head is pulled to max so Lancer and I will need to decide what goes on her.

Stripping the  old finishes

There is an original  varnish, a lacquer and a Urethane on here as far as I can tell

I'll go again with the stripper, to lift what is left of the original finish and that is where the checking began.

Thats it, ready to seal
About 1/4 lb of old finish

Scuffed to redye the pearwood to give it a more correct look

Saturated, and then I will scuff the MOP off with some 1200 grit, leaving the stain

Same on the backside

All tinting to resonator and neck complete and we have a closer color match now as well.

Using my masking tape method to hold on to any chipouts so that they can be reattached with adhesive.

The tape has a "memory" so I can add glue to the divot and reset it right back in.
Those of you who have had fretwork where someone did not care about this, you know how it looks..horrible.
 

New wires in , trimmed and leveled
 

Frets are crowned and polished and sealed in the slots.
Now to clean up the glue  residue and get back to adding clear coats
Stromberg, is in the background coming up the line as well

Adding coats in the nice warm Tx sun

Everything buffed and polished and waxed
The previous owner liked a high armrest, I'll move that to the standard position, I just noticed it.
I tried it with a Renaissance head but for once I thought the non frosted head that was on it sounded better so I cleaned and buffed it, back on it went

Nice reflection off the polished back
 

I like that pic "Doorway to Banjohaven" reflection

With the original tuners and buttons, there would be no problem here but with tall Schaller tuners and taller MOP buttons they drag the bottom of the case...
 

...causing the yoke to be of no use as far as neck support
 

I have a rag under the yoke and around the neck, one in the front to keep it moving forward, one on the top to keep it from bounding up and down and one on the bottom of the resonator...

... because if you do not run your fingers all around in the cracks of these old cases you will never find things like this loose case nail, and that baby can wreak HAVOC on the new finish on the back of the resonator!
So old cases are Caveat ridden for proper support in shipping and for old crap floating around in them.

OK thats it for another nice banjo for Lance, and another excellent sounding BD plectrum.
It's headed home to FL to meet up with a few of its family and will be on display, and ....dis' played.
Thanks for watching
Vinnie

MORE TO COME