Simple neck attachment, one lug
The neck profile is one of the slimmest, fastest necks out there
 

We will not be going with this tailpiece
I will correct all of the hardware before it goes out on my Pals, Paul Poirer and Steve Caddick, for stripping/buffing/plating

Heel is good, no previous breakage, neck angle is good
 

Simple dot inlays will be replaced with decorative MOP
headstock, and headstock reverse will also be adorned in MOP

Lower rim veneer will be replaced

Original tuners function, but we will go with geared planetary's.
Epi Label is shot, we will have an overlay, and MOP in the center

Disassembled to go to Paul and Steve for Plating
I must match up some Epi hooksets to replace these more modern Slingerland style

Got a full set, and 2 extra for good measure
Also got a correct hangar for the tailpiece, and now they can go in for a facelift.

Frets pulled, ready to decide on inlay patterns

Plating back from Paul and Steve
Steve's engraving looks sharp, as does the new gold, it will really make this thing liven  up.
 

Bottom veneer, what was left is now removed, I will put a new one on.

"Mini Dragon" upgrade, back in from Dave Nichols at Custom Inlay
Board was left loose so I can reduce the sides and add my binding

Nice work

Ok, I thought I would put a HEMI under the hood, just for kicks!

Routed channel and added decorative purfling to sidewall

I will put some different purfling to split up the ebony bottom veneer that is coming next

Glueing in the sections

All profiled and sealed

Ebony backstrapping and heel cap added to neck, roughed in

I dyed the rim with Reddish Brown, and have began to overcoat it with the gloss
I do not want it to have that yellow maple look when I am done.

After 4 coats , 10 to go.

I chose to cut an extension onto the fingerboard because there was enough left over to do so and I think it adds elegance.

Side binding is glued on and board is ready to glue to the neck

Taped in place, and setting the nut thickness before clamping

Under lites. ..8 hrs

After profiling, I shot the reddish brown tint, then faded the heel and headstock area
After one coat of clear it looks as I had wished so I will continue forth.

Now to get some frets in it before adding more finish.

I had an old "Amrawco" (American Rawhide Co.) head, that was from an 11" rim, that was tore in the sidewall, but still plenty big for an 8" setup so I used it on this project.
These were premium vintage calfskin's that would cost 50.00 or more today, if they were obtainable.
I always prefer to use vintage skin if possible, as this makes use of something that would otherwise have been discarded, and that would be a shame.
This project warrants it coming from my stash of good used hide, and back into playing status.

Ready to trim

I left the crown tall, and I will have to do some adjustments on the neck to be able to use the extension properly since it wasn't designed for it.
No big deal....
Repositioning of the lag bolt, and maybe some heel work and an extra few laminates on the heel cap to lengthen it a bit, but it will play much better than with the original set., the action will be low but with more downforce at the bridge.
I am also contemplating making an armrest for it and getting Steve to engrave it.
I have the proper brass stock that Dale gave to me a while back.

Lag repositioned, neck notch recut and adapted to extension, nice tight fit on the heel contact, with a nice neck angle, she should setup fine from here after the fretwork finish work.completes

Tension hoop notch is an exact fit on the extension, thats neat.

Finished drilling the tuner holes.
Adding some more clear while I work on my National TG Resonator Guitar

Installing the fretwire

Tuners installed, frets leveled, nut installed

Disassembled to clean parts,after doing a skin head there is always water spotting

Parts fitting well now

Strung with Aquila Banjo Uke "Nylgut" strings ,and a Mike Keyes cistom Maple/Purpleheart bridge
Tone is very pleasing, and clear.

The head is awesome, this really compliments the tone and the instrument.

I will tweak on it a few days, and then get it of to Noel so he can put it to good use.
I can count on him to get some playing time in on it, not just set it in a display case!
This one was very fun for me, and I appreciate all of the help from Steve, Paul, and Dave in making it all happen.
Cheers,Vinnie

Now it needs to be plated, and possibly engraved but I will lacquer it for now and send it home to Noel and he can pop it off and get Caddick to scratchon it and Paul can glom some gold over it, and it will be neato.

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