Work Page 5-26
1925 Gibson Mastertone
FON 8161-16
19 fret tenor
Has the seldom seen rectangular "Gibson" in the peg head.
Mastertone block in fingerboard.
11" rim assembly - ball bearing design.
Gibson label degraded but original.
Some re-finish (older) on back and side of resonator, and neck.
Some buckle rash in one area someone tried to touch up.
Cleanup-setup rim assembly, no rim re-finish.
Original 2 pc armrest has a broken base and was riveted /soldered together.
I will use a repro and throw the orig. in the case.
Re-fret with 147 Stew Mac fret wire.
Repair lower treble side binding.
reset peghead inlay (Rising)
Install NOS Liberty Banjo Co. (Pre-EPA REMO) top frosted low crown head.
Overspray is from previous outside re-finish.
Frets worn, need replacement.
Notes on playing up the neck:
Here I am pointing out one of the negatives concerning a low neck set, on an archtop, of for that matter, ANY banjo, when it comes to playing up the neck.
When a fingerboard itself is equal to, or lower than the plane of the head itself, there is a situation that happens and as you get up to the end of the fingerboard it gets slappy.
This is the strings hitting the head.
To gain the ability to play up here "clearly" a fingerboard elevated to above the plane of the head of at least 1/32" up to 1/16" is acceptable, without making too high of a clearance over the head when pressing at the final fret. You just do not want to touch the string to the head so it can vibrate. You might even gain a bit of bridge height.
Here I am pointing out one of the negatives concerning a low neck set, on an archtop, of for that matter, ANY banjo, when it comes to playing up the neck.
When a fingerboard itself is equal to, or lower than the plane of the head itself, there is a situation that happens and as you get up to the end of the fingerboard it gets slappy.
This is the strings hitting the head.
To gain the ability to play up here "clearly" a fingerboard elevated to above the plane of the head of at least 1/32" up to 1/16" is acceptable, without making too high of a clearance over the head when pressing at the final fret. You just do not want to touch the string to the head so it can vibrate. You might even gain a bit of bridge height.
Rim Disassembly
Notes on ball-bearing Gibson rim assemblies :
Under the tone ring there are 24 upper spacers, 24 springs and 24 lower spacers.
When pulling the head, carefully lift it and do not turn the rim upside down with it off or all hell will break loose.
You can take off the head and place it under the rim to put the pieces into.
Under the tone ring there are 24 upper spacers, 24 springs and 24 lower spacers.
When pulling the head, carefully lift it and do not turn the rim upside down with it off or all hell will break loose.
You can take off the head and place it under the rim to put the pieces into.
Note on Spring spacers.
24 of them have a bevel cut into one side of them.
Yes, I counted twice. only 24 have it.
So I will assume, and I am sure Gibson experts may know for sure, that these were cut to center the balls.
24 of them have a bevel cut into one side of them.
Yes, I counted twice. only 24 have it.
So I will assume, and I am sure Gibson experts may know for sure, that these were cut to center the balls.
MORE TO FOLLOW