MIMF

I have not used the SM potion. But baking soda works for me. The main thing is I tell customers that this is a temporary fix, what they really need is a new nut. Most go for a new nut.

I would consider removing the back and then re-bracing the top... I have re-topped guitars before, but I would think of that as a last resort. while 74 wasn't the best of years from Martin, that guitar has had 47 years of playing time on, while re-bracing will have an effect re-topping would be a ne...

Thanks for the comments... I just used standard med gauge strings with no issues. The banjo is not for sale, being retired now, I build for myself and only take the occasional custom order when I feel like it.

I have plenty of experience with (repairing) this method. Simple answer, don't do it. Celluloid and lacquer shrink at different rates, leading the pickguard to the dreaded "potato chipping" There is a reason that Martin, Gibson, et all don't use this method anymore, it does not work. Just ...

I position the bridge on the unfinished top drill thru 2 bridge pin holes, and then mask with tape. I put tape down on a piece of glass lay the bridge on it and cut around the bridge with a sharp knife. Carefully peel the tape off the glass then on to the top. Taylor uses 2 1/8" nylon locating ...

Sheet metal and silver solder... works every time.

Nothing special, it was a one off from Stew Mac maybe 10-12 years ago. It is a multi lam rim and only 5/8 thick, which I like for an open back. Also just a simple brass tone ring. When I bought it (I think about $30) I had no idea what I was going to use it for, but couldn't pass up the deal. The qu...

So pretty straight forward. A 32" scale banjo. The rim is one I bought many years ago and never used. The neck (I made) is Sapele. Very cool to be able to play in open E

Nice job

I couldn't find a lot but are you sure that the last digit is a "1" not an "I". From what I can tell if it is an I it was built in December of 1967.

Looks like they run about $300 depending on condition.

No...the neck tenon is glued in the mortise. The neck bolt is basically a clamping device. You still need to steam the neck off.

Mahalo!

A little different... with the longer scale there seems to be more sustain and depth.. I have not used it but the original tuning would probably change things also. It was a non reentrant open G tuning.

It has a soprano sized body. Here is a comparison shot with a concert banjolele, concert resonator and the machete

It's a 15" scale, and uses nylon strings.

So this is a machete, the forerunner of the ukulele. Originally made in Hawaii in the late 1800's by three Portuguese luthiers. As they became popular in the islands the shape changed a bit, the tunings changed and well as the scale length and it became the ukulele. This one has Koa back and sides, ...

Well I am at a dead-end. I don't think the pins hand made or manufactured from where ever will help your identification of the instrument. Nor will the spruce help. Picea abies, so-called German spruce grows all over Europe very little of it (if any) comes today from Germany. Also Picea abies was co...

Does you instrument look somewhat like this? If so it is probably American made, by Charles F. Zimmermann. If that is the case you still have a very rare autoharp, as Zimmermann patented the deign in 1882. It is not known if any exist.

No, Remo fiberskyn.