Work Page 7-26
Rettberg- Lange Orpheum No.1
Conversion- 17 fret to 19 fret
On this particular example , it set too many years with no neck tension and the neck is severely back bowed, twisted and has become untenable.
The labor involved to prove to anyone that I can straighten it is no longer interesting to me at 69 years old, and the fact that it is a narrow 17 fret neck, not popular today, I will go another route with a 19 fret neck.
The neck will also be from a Lange banjo, the model is "Triple X"
These were marketed by the Harry Staidmair Company, a musical distributor back in the day.
And this is the higher end model, mahogany, carved heel.
It is nice and straight, but will require modifications to get it to bolt up to an Orpheum rim with a rim skirt that is not on the Triple X.
Also, it will require a dowel reset and an extended heel cap.
It came to me years ago in a luthier estate sale, and had no peghead overlay, obviously used on a conversion to 5 string, using the Triple X rim, also a cool design by the way.
I expect things like the neck alterations, frets, new finish on the rim to more closely match the mahogany neck. Also some mod's to the dowel entry hole into the rim, I want an elevated fingerboard, steeper neck angle to implement a tall bridge for max downforce onto the head.
Then a new peghead overlay, and so forth.
Descriptions will be with the pics, click on them to read or zoom.
Lets get started.
The labor involved to prove to anyone that I can straighten it is no longer interesting to me at 69 years old, and the fact that it is a narrow 17 fret neck, not popular today, I will go another route with a 19 fret neck.
The neck will also be from a Lange banjo, the model is "Triple X"
These were marketed by the Harry Staidmair Company, a musical distributor back in the day.
And this is the higher end model, mahogany, carved heel.
It is nice and straight, but will require modifications to get it to bolt up to an Orpheum rim with a rim skirt that is not on the Triple X.
Also, it will require a dowel reset and an extended heel cap.
It came to me years ago in a luthier estate sale, and had no peghead overlay, obviously used on a conversion to 5 string, using the Triple X rim, also a cool design by the way.
I expect things like the neck alterations, frets, new finish on the rim to more closely match the mahogany neck. Also some mod's to the dowel entry hole into the rim, I want an elevated fingerboard, steeper neck angle to implement a tall bridge for max downforce onto the head.
Then a new peghead overlay, and so forth.
Descriptions will be with the pics, click on them to read or zoom.
Lets get started.
Dark finish over mahogany will not return.
I will want to be somewhere around here on elevation.
All cleaned up, ready to alter.
All of the runoff gone but I made it.
Hoop gap looks good.
Ready to build heel cap.
Heel cap made.
Getting the rim ready for tint/clear lacquer.
Rim color completed dark outside, lighter inside, to match the mahogany neck.
I will figure out some simple inlay.
Gibson style inlay, a nice match for the original style on the fingerboard. - cavity cut.
I will be testing bridges while it settles in.
Good action on 5/8" bridge.
Peghead shape unique to Triple X.
Rim is VGC.
Heel cap off- removing dowel.
Skirt cut made, now for the tension hoop gap.
Dowel re-set came out good.
Finish stripped and carvings cleaned up.
Peghead overlay installed, profiling..
Bottom trim left light.
I think it matches up well.
Strung to pitch, acting as it should.
Simple downforce tailpiece.
4:1 gears, black buttons.
RESONATOR
I will use a 1950's resonator from a Kay Banjo with the patriotic Eagle on the back.
It is mahogany and a nice addition. I will use Gibson style resonator mounts with lugs in the resonator side wall.
Then I will do a simple tint on the sidewall and a fresh coat of clear over the entire resonator.
Binding is gassed out and if someone wanted to pay for new binding, it would be extra.
If you do not already know, Orpheum/Paramount have the exact hook spacing as Gibson 24 bracket banjos, a bonus.
This also allows the implementation of Gibson style armrest, this is a 2 piece design like the 20s Gibson's.
I will use a 1950's resonator from a Kay Banjo with the patriotic Eagle on the back.
It is mahogany and a nice addition. I will use Gibson style resonator mounts with lugs in the resonator side wall.
Then I will do a simple tint on the sidewall and a fresh coat of clear over the entire resonator.
Binding is gassed out and if someone wanted to pay for new binding, it would be extra.
If you do not already know, Orpheum/Paramount have the exact hook spacing as Gibson 24 bracket banjos, a bonus.
This also allows the implementation of Gibson style armrest, this is a 2 piece design like the 20s Gibson's.
Brackets (4) installed
Thumbscrews.
Decent fit on heel notch.
Lugs installed
Final Pics
Thanks for looking and sharing, VM