Just purchased a '20s Orpheum No. 1 17-fretter and haven't gotten my hands on it yet (online purchase), but from the pics it looks like the wood could use a once-over, especially on back of the neck and the headstock.
Also, the veneer on the face of the headstock seems to be missing a couple of pieces of veneer around the E and A pegheads (Irish tuning). I am pretty sure the sound will be unaffected by this but if I choose to hold on to this banjo, I mighrt like to get that repaired. Thirdly, the head is quite dirty, looks like a skin head, possibly original. Any suggestions on cleaning the head, fixing the headstock and cleaning the wood?
Oh, and the fretboard. I heard lemon oil (not wax) is good to clean these. Also, how does one tell if fretwork will be needed?
Thanks in advance for any advice anyone could offer.
Lemon oil is recommended by some, but not on maple ( yours is unlikely to be maple, probably a dark wood I would guess ). Not wax, which could get on the strings and deaden them.
The head is sure to be skin if it's original. Why want to clean it ( tricky anyway ) if it's intact - surely it's a sign of quality to have an old skin ?
A luthier will sort out your other problems.
Some people actually like an instrument with a few signs of ageing, there is even a technique called reliqueing, practised on new electric guitars which are re-issues of older specification models. I don't see the point myself, but then some people are crazy.
you'll know whether the frets need work as soon as you start to play it, if not before. If it needs such attention, take it to a competent luthier who you can trust..
Banjo cleaning/repairing
Banjo cleaning/repairing
Just purchased a '20s Orpheum No. 1 17-fretter and haven't gotten my hands on it yet (online purchase), but from the pics it looks like the wood could use a once-over, especially on back of the neck and the headstock.
Also, the veneer on the face of the headstock seems to be missing a couple of pieces of veneer around the E and A pegheads (Irish tuning). I am pretty sure the sound will be unaffected by this but if I choose to hold on to this banjo, I mighrt like to get that repaired. Thirdly, the head is quite dirty, looks like a skin head, possibly original. Any suggestions on cleaning the head, fixing the headstock and cleaning the wood?
Oh, and the fretboard. I heard lemon oil (not wax) is good to clean these. Also, how does one tell if fretwork will be needed?
Thanks in advance for any advice anyone could offer.
# Posted on March 30th 2009 by ralphus
Re: Banjo cleaning/repairing
Lemon oil is recommended by some, but not on maple ( yours is unlikely to be maple, probably a dark wood I would guess ). Not wax, which could get on the strings and deaden them.
The head is sure to be skin if it's original. Why want to clean it ( tricky anyway ) if it's intact - surely it's a sign of quality to have an old skin ?
A luthier will sort out your other problems.
Some people actually like an instrument with a few signs of ageing, there is even a technique called reliqueing, practised on new electric guitars which are re-issues of older specification models. I don't see the point myself, but then some people are crazy.
# Posted on March 30th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Banjo cleaning/repairing
You should only use lemon oil on ebony. It can seriously damage other woods. If you do use lemon oil, use tiny, tiny amounts.
# Posted on March 30th 2009 by McDermott
Re: Banjo cleaning/repairing
Personally, I would ditch the skin head, I prefer the sharper tone of a frosted head. Skin heads are great for old-time music though
# Posted on March 30th 2009 by spencern
Re: Banjo cleaning/repairing
you'll know whether the frets need work as soon as you start to play it, if not before. If it needs such attention, take it to a competent luthier who you can trust..
# Posted on March 30th 2009 by millionyears_bc
Re: Banjo cleaning/repairing
Go to FRETS.COM Frank Ford has all you need to know about cleaning instruments and more.
Dave H
# Posted on March 31st 2009 by Dave Hanson