banjo mandolin??

[F Murtz]

Thinking of trying to resurrect this
Any suggestions? Am I taking on too much?

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2 ... directlink

[John Hamlett]

Looks like a good starting point. You could have it playable with a little glue, a new head, a bridge and a set of strings. A little more work and it could look much better.

[Steve Senseney]

I have one which was in excellent condition when I got it.

You have a lot of wood working to do.

The one aspect which is good, is that you seem to have all of the hardware in fairly good condition.

Depending on your interest and skills, I think it can be resurrected.

I am sure you will learn a great deal by doing this.

[Jim McConkey]

Nothing too difficult to fix there. If you have a source of compressed air (or just blow hard!), blow any loose stuff out of the places to be glued first. Make yourself a caul with the diameter of the pot, work some hot hide glue into the delaminating pot side, and use the caul to clamp it (with some wax paper, so the caul doesn't get glued to the pot). Hot hide glue is better than anything out of a bottle for this job because it will work its way into the tight places better. Gluing the back to the pot should be easy. The small missing chunks on the back could be replaced, but I'm not sure it wouldn't ruin the "character" of this old instrument. The old Library hasn't been moved over yet, but I had a tutorial there on replacing a head. You can still read it on the old forum for a while.

[F Murtz]

I was thinking of attempting to rebuild with new materials using existing as a guide but do you think it would be better to try repairing what is there keeping its character?

[Steve Senseney]

I can't really tell how bad the wood materials are.

You will have to make that decision.

I would recommend that you sit on it a while. Some times waiting a while, you will make a better choice.

[Mario Proulx]

A roll of duct tape, a simple bridge, and fresh strings will have it playable in an hour... The Red Green banjolin!

Or find a pie plate or bowl or something that will fit upside down in it, make a simple biscuit bridge, and voila! Dobrolin.....

The possibilities are endless....

[Darrel Friesen]

I have one that's pretty much identical. The rim goes oval over a number of years due to string pull. A neck reset is in the plans at some point as a result. Another of my "ready for restoration" collection.

[Ron Belanger]

What Mario said

[Patrick Hanna]

Go for it! I think it's a cool little instrument.

[Lincoln Goertzen]

I can't really tell how bad the wood materials are.

You will have to make that decision.

I would recommend that you sit on it a while. Some times waiting a while, you will make a better choice.

Steve, I have to ask. Just what would you hope to achieve by sitting on it? And how long would you recommend sitting on it?

[Greg Robinson]

I can't really tell how bad the wood materials are.

You will have to make that decision.

I would recommend that you sit on it a while. Some times waiting a while, you will make a better choice.

Steve, I have to ask. Just what would you hope to achieve by sitting on it? And how long would you recommend sitting on it?

The usual recommendation is one year per inch of thickness, so for me it should take twice as long, since I'm doubly thick... <g>

[Steve Senseney]

Greg's reply is better than I can give.

I have looked at something, grabbed a sharp tool, started disassembly, lost interest, and stared at the project for years.

Later, when I look at it again, with a better idea of what I need or want to do, I lost pieces and did irreparable damage.

Just my experience.