A victim of Hurricane Katrina
WORKPAGE
This poor lil banjo uke has seen some really tough times.
It was totally immersed in the Katrina aftermath waters, and severe damage was done to the entire instrument.
Jeff Riddick asked me if I could save it, and after I heard the story, I couldn't not try.
The rim is completely delaminated, the tone ring is all that is keeping it from flying apart like a spring, so i will leave it on until I stabilize the laminates.
all of the finish is comprimised
These tuners are rusted shut, and will be replaced with guitar
style machines, for ease of tuning
Pics tell the tale
Fingerboard was totally washed off. of the neck
Sealing the rim with super thin cyano, it is the only thing that
will go up in there and reseal the rim.
All sealed, now to get the tone ring off
Sanded and ready to finish
Staining
After stain and finish
new rosewood fingerboard installed
Frets calculated
Slotted board , ready to inlay
Simple snowflakes
Adding a rosewood headstock veneer
Might as well Spruce it up.....or .....Rosewood it up!
Leveled and ready to fret
Assembled, ready to re skin
FINAL PICS
Strung with Aquila NYGUTS
This uke is one of those special jobs, that seem to find there way into my shop, where all stragglers, and victims of the ravages of time, or Mother nature, can find solace.
I hope that Marion can get back to playing it real soon, and God bless her, and all of the folks that were affected by this travesty.
It feels good to be a tiny part of the reconstruction process.
Cheers,Vinnie
On her "Borrowed" uke
Here are some pics, right after Jeff Riddick presented the uke to Marion
