Over the years I have had dozens of these old Banjo Mandolins through my repair shop. Well if the truth be told not all go through, abut stay stashed on a shelf as the customer does not see the value in the cost of the repair. They just want it repaired 'cos it was grandads. Most are past saving at a reasonable cost.

So I came up with this idea, and did this project just to see what is involved in making playable a wrecked out of shape instrument. Instead of a new skin, cost of a new head and the labour to fit it is big dollars for most of these instruments, I fitted a Cedar top. Then you find that the neck is bowed, the frets have had the life filed out of them over the years, and the fingerboard is so thin it does not grip the frets well anyway.

Anyway that was the case with this one. All of the above was fixed, even replaced the fingerboard and refretted it. Lots of changes inside too. So..........before and after photos.

From this.......

To This.......... Taff

Views: 355

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Nice job, Looks ready to sing again.

Great solution for instruments that have been ridden hard and put away wet.

If the frets are gone, then it would make a great slider. Re-tuned to an open tuning and it's back in the business of making music.

Nice work

That's a mighty fine transformation. How does it play?

Hi, with a new friingerboard new frets a new nut and a massive back bow removed from the neck, it plays sounds and feels more like a mandolin, more than a banjo, I like it. Very loud though.

Taff

Do you have a sound clip of it? Looks really nice!!!

Hi Mike, I'll post a video soon, I can't seem to post one here without going onto utube, and I ain't doing that with a mandolin. I have posted short videos before without having to go on utube so I'll try again.

Taff

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

J. D. Woods replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Song lyrics for Steve's new song
8 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"Thanks AGP# Glad you liked  my version ! appreciated !"
9 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

I Can Only Imagine: 2-String Chugger License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"You are very observant Andries! Some of the Slingers are more consistent than others and I…"
9 hours ago
David L. replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Song lyrics for Steve's new song
"Not sure how accurate the lyrics are (link to the lyrics site at the bottom) "Internet…"
9 hours ago
David L. liked David Hopkins's photo
9 hours ago
David L. liked David Hopkins's photo
9 hours ago
David L. liked David Hopkins's photo
9 hours ago
J. D. Woods posted a discussion

Song lyrics for Steve's new song

Hey Cigar Boxers,Just listened to Seasick Steve's new song, Internet Cowboys. Does anybody know…See More
10 hours ago
AGP # commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"A Different, but very Likeable take on a Classic Blues Song :-)"
11 hours ago
AGP # liked A.D.EKER's video
11 hours ago
T-Gripped liked David Hopkins's photo
16 hours ago
Jim Weaver updated their profile
17 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->