Work page 5-23
BD Silver Bell No.4 Plectrum Conversion
NOT MARKETED AS ORIGINAL...
This banjo was a originally a Montana No.1 tenor.
Originally owned by Horace Ward
By the look of the plectrum neck and hardware and engraving, I would guess it was made by Dale Small / Ron Raymer, 1990's.
If someone thinks different, say it.
It is not Lea or Karnes.
It came to me with quite a few issues, they have been addressed as I saw fit.
The fingerboard was in good condition, but needed some off-color paint removed from markers.
And a fret dressing, crowning, polishing
The headstock front/rear overlay's are yellowed by the finish used upon it.
I did not strip them, as I have with many, and added new detail paint to match the fingerboard.
It will be sold as a PLAYER, and any other work someone would wish would be reflected in the price.
I am trying to stop at a place to where it is cost effective for a player to own a nice plectrum.
Also, the resonator, which was covered in Boltoron, a popular thermoplastic at the time, had major issues.
When the moisture leaves Boltoron as it is with celluloid, it shrinks, and that causes it to rip the wood apart that it is glued to.
In this case, it turned the back inside out, from convex, to concave.
As concave as a Paragon, for those who know it.
So, I took a mahogany back out of a Recording King Resonator, added binding and concentric ring.
That RK reso had a crack on the inside veneer, I glued it, but it will always be seen.
Used the wooden flange ring from the BD, glued it into place.
Then I sealed the wood, painted it white, and tinted it to a close match then shot clear.
Is it correct? No, is it perfect? No.
Is it good to go for many years?, hell yes.
If someone wanted to go to the expense to find someone to make a replica #4 back, more power to them.
But for now, this is what it gets. and that is that.
Again, it is what is cost effective for this instrument.
Plating, engravings show wear all over
Setup CGBD
Plays as it should, clear ringing tone.
Good action, good slick neck
No mute, has the hole for it.
Comes in a decent 60s case that fits it well
Email or IM me on Facebook for any details.
Thanks for looking and sharing.
View the process below
This banjo was a originally a Montana No.1 tenor.
Originally owned by Horace Ward
By the look of the plectrum neck and hardware and engraving, I would guess it was made by Dale Small / Ron Raymer, 1990's.
If someone thinks different, say it.
It is not Lea or Karnes.
It came to me with quite a few issues, they have been addressed as I saw fit.
The fingerboard was in good condition, but needed some off-color paint removed from markers.
And a fret dressing, crowning, polishing
The headstock front/rear overlay's are yellowed by the finish used upon it.
I did not strip them, as I have with many, and added new detail paint to match the fingerboard.
It will be sold as a PLAYER, and any other work someone would wish would be reflected in the price.
I am trying to stop at a place to where it is cost effective for a player to own a nice plectrum.
Also, the resonator, which was covered in Boltoron, a popular thermoplastic at the time, had major issues.
When the moisture leaves Boltoron as it is with celluloid, it shrinks, and that causes it to rip the wood apart that it is glued to.
In this case, it turned the back inside out, from convex, to concave.
As concave as a Paragon, for those who know it.
So, I took a mahogany back out of a Recording King Resonator, added binding and concentric ring.
That RK reso had a crack on the inside veneer, I glued it, but it will always be seen.
Used the wooden flange ring from the BD, glued it into place.
Then I sealed the wood, painted it white, and tinted it to a close match then shot clear.
Is it correct? No, is it perfect? No.
Is it good to go for many years?, hell yes.
If someone wanted to go to the expense to find someone to make a replica #4 back, more power to them.
But for now, this is what it gets. and that is that.
Again, it is what is cost effective for this instrument.
Plating, engravings show wear all over
Setup CGBD
Plays as it should, clear ringing tone.
Good action, good slick neck
No mute, has the hole for it.
Comes in a decent 60s case that fits it well
Email or IM me on Facebook for any details.
Thanks for looking and sharing.
View the process below
FINAL PICS