Work Page 12-25
1920's 5 string
22 fret open back
Maple construction
Pearwood fingerboard
This is a good example of what would have been a "mail order" banjo of the era.
I would surmise that it was made in the Chicago area, maybe Lyon-Healy or Washburn, Possibly Slingerland.
They all turned out work such as these by the 1000's.
This one is in better shape than normal, even with it having been a "played" instrument. All original, hardware good, slight oxidation.
Skin head is worn, but solid with life left in it and since it is an heirloom, we decided that it would be the best look for it.
I will do a strip on he wood, a simple 3 coat production finish with nitro.
Clean all hardware and wax.
Seal and dress frets, dye fingerboard, oil fingerboard
Install new tuner peg screws and washers
Replace one defective tuner post
Setup on original skin with medium gauge strings.
Maple construction
Pearwood fingerboard
This is a good example of what would have been a "mail order" banjo of the era.
I would surmise that it was made in the Chicago area, maybe Lyon-Healy or Washburn, Possibly Slingerland.
They all turned out work such as these by the 1000's.
This one is in better shape than normal, even with it having been a "played" instrument. All original, hardware good, slight oxidation.
Skin head is worn, but solid with life left in it and since it is an heirloom, we decided that it would be the best look for it.
I will do a strip on he wood, a simple 3 coat production finish with nitro.
Clean all hardware and wax.
Seal and dress frets, dye fingerboard, oil fingerboard
Install new tuner peg screws and washers
Replace one defective tuner post
Setup on original skin with medium gauge strings.
Dowel is tight as it should be.
Head still has tension, I will clean around it
Rim finish complete.
Sealing frets to slots.
A slight leveling was needed.
Oiling fingerboard
New screws and washers.
All back to full tension, sounds nice.
Correct angle. Nice.
Best to leave it seated in this instance.
Installing hardware.
Dressing the ends sticking out.
Dressing the ends.
Ready to setup.
Brushing small hardware.
Head back to full tension.
Crowning the ends
Dye for the pearwood.
D'A mediums.
To me, it has never been about the "Fanciest" instrument.
I love any that were played to a point that you can see someone loved them.
I see so many that are basically un-played for 100 years.
Someone had to pay around 13 hard earned dollars for it new, and maybe made .25 cents a month payments on it, about 4.00 in today's inflated currency.
4.00 a month would buy a lot of food, so it was no small cash outlay for the common person.
So I enjoyed this one and hope it makes music for her Dad once again.
Thanks for looking and sharing
VM
I love any that were played to a point that you can see someone loved them.
I see so many that are basically un-played for 100 years.
Someone had to pay around 13 hard earned dollars for it new, and maybe made .25 cents a month payments on it, about 4.00 in today's inflated currency.
4.00 a month would buy a lot of food, so it was no small cash outlay for the common person.
So I enjoyed this one and hope it makes music for her Dad once again.
Thanks for looking and sharing
VM