Armrest plating worn and brassing
Possible replate
Replace plastic head with skin

Inlays and binding OK
Neck is flat and playable
Slight divoting on board 1 thru 4
Orig Frets are worn
Possible relevel, or refret if requested

Planets OK

Neck heel adjuster in NEck OK
Some delam in resonator-repair

Heavy checking and fingernail gouges
Sand to profile and refinish neck-total
 
 

Gunmetal plating on tailpiece , rim and on hoop are satisfactory to me, some slight pitting
This process cannot be duplicated without extreme cost , it will be left as is because that is not cost effective for this model.
If plating is requested, I choose to do Chrome, and Gold altrenating on this model.
 
 

Stripping old Varnish

First coat of clear

I had a WONDERFUL AMRAWCO Professional head here, already set for low crown Ludwig so it has to go on here.
Thats before cleaning, I like them set before I sand the dead skin and dirt off....320 grit.
 
 

Alot better, and  super good skin
This quality is not available in the world  anymore and it needs to go on a High end Luddy.

Ready to setup, neck complete
Ichose to lightly level the frets, and leave them in usable condition
 they are original, and Im trying to keep this banjo from losing too much of what makes it a Collectable Bellvue.

Peghead came out nice
Planets turn pretty well

Adding new felt to resonator

Final buffing complete

Setup on GHS Tenor light
Original Ludwig bridge
 Bright 20s Ragtime sound, good for single string
 Nice example of this model.
 
 
 
 

MORE TO COME