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
Ready to remove paint
No front/rear overlay painting planned.
That will not..."buff out"
Sanding sealer
White is complete
Buffed and waxed
Ready for setup
Completing the markers
Repaing armrest
Setup on the used Remo Renaissance head that was on it
I will send this "template" along when it sells
Only binding it, to fill the hole for paint.
1st white coats
Will get close to this shade
Installing logo plate
New color going on
Backplate is concave, from shrinkage
Back cut from RK resonator
Ivoroid binding
Less than a drop of honey amber
Non- original dowel stick
Removing student tape
Breaking loose the remaining glue bond
Silver Bell flange ring
Will stop here, it will yellow more with age.
Inside veneer (crack) is sealed and painted
FINAL PICS
