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#1
Nov 7 2010 04:46pm
I'm wondering if I can get any tips from you guys on proper restoration. I'm relatively new at banjo's so I'm not the most knowledgable. It's a S.S. Stewart, serial number 10222.

I'll post some pictures below. I'm indebted to any advice everybody has to offer, but please only post advice that you are certain of. =P


Images are in the below linked album:
smg.photobucket.com/albums/v35...0Stewart/

For example, how to best treat the wood. How best to polish the metal pot (what type of metal is it?), recommended skin, etc.

From what I've read so far, it's best to use Nylon strings.

Again, I look forward to your thoughts. Much thanks =D
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#2
Nov 7 2010 09:00pm


So I've done some thinking and here's the game plan so far. As I said earlier the instrument is structurally sound so most of what needs fixing is cosmetics and basics like strings, bridge, etc.

First things first, the head is torn and almost ready to fall apart anyways so it needs replacing. I want to avoid animal skins for the mere novelty of not wanting to use animal parts. So I was thinking of doing something unconventional and getting a black head or something on the darker side:





I'll post the rest later, but I already have some basic ideas for the rest.

Nylon strings.

I'm pretty confident I can use some fine steel wool to knock off the rust from the tail piece.

A dark wood bridge, maybe a deep maple or as extreme as a black graphite one.

5th string tuning peg needs to be replaced, since it's currently missing.

Thats about it for now !
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#3
Nov 8 2010 12:04am
That's a pretty sweet find. I just happen to be listening to a banjo medley by Pete Seeger. Unfortunately I'm not much help though.
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#4
Nov 8 2010 12:28am
Quote (Poluxation @ Nov 8 2010 02:04am)
That's a pretty sweet find.  I just happen to be listening to a banjo medley by Pete Seeger. Unfortunately I'm not much help though.


Yep, the serial number dates it back to 1890-1894. It's at least 115 years old haha.

The antique shop didn't even remember where they got it from and never even thought about selling it. Bought it for $20 bucks =P

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#5
Nov 8 2010 02:19am
i own a small fleet of restoration project banjos.really need to see the headstock/back of headstock and logo or any tags. if you look at the rim, it doesnt look like that banjo had a resonator (wooden back). i assume the tailpiece is gone? apparently you can tell alot about the model from the tailpiece, if origional. is there a tone ring (piece of metal or wood inside head right where it joins rim) open back banjos are very popular, i beg you not to do any permanent changes until you find out more about which model. could be worth $20 could be worth a friggin lot depending on this -more importantly good restoration banjos are hard to find. this needs to be done properly! most higher end banjo models used wood rims. may i suggest a fyberskin head? faux skin heads sound great! this looks like a great "clawhammer" banjo aka "frailing"

great site for learning, restoring or asking extremely specific banjo questions:

http://www.banjohangout.org/

edit: actually after researching that could be a sweet find.



This post was edited by juliusjuice on Nov 8 2010 02:34am
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#6
Nov 8 2010 10:07am
Quote (juliusjuice @ Nov 8 2010 04:19am)
i own a small fleet of restoration project banjos.really need to see the headstock/back of headstock and logo or any tags. if you look at the rim, it doesnt look like that banjo had a resonator (wooden back). i assume the tailpiece is gone? apparently you can tell alot about the model from the tailpiece, if origional. is there a tone ring (piece of metal or wood inside head right where it joins rim) open back banjos are very popular, i beg you not to do any permanent changes until you find out more about which model. could be worth $20 could be worth a friggin lot depending on this -more importantly good restoration banjos are hard to find. this needs to be done properly! most higher end banjo models used wood rims. may i suggest a fyberskin head? faux skin heads sound great! this looks like a great "clawhammer" banjo aka "frailing"

great site for learning, restoring or asking extremely specific banjo questions:

http://www.banjohangout.org/

edit: actually after researching that could be a sweet find.

http://menziesinstruments.com/files/stew1.jpg


I'm already actively involved in banjohangout for the restoration of this banjo. I'm many of the users there are collectors of restored banjo's from the same time period. I'm also going to a few guitar shops to speak with their banjo reps to double check anything they have to say about it. I won't be making any changes until I'm finished researching the proper way to restore it.

I had removed he tail piece before posting those photos, but it definitely still has one. It's a tad rusted, but here it is.



You're correct, it doesn't have a resonator. Inside the idead is rosewood but I don't believe there is the tone ring you're referring to.



Above image has the interior of the head. No tone ring appears to be present.



Another image inside the head.

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#7
Nov 8 2010 10:09am









And yeah, the banjo you posted in your post is the exact style as mine from top to bottom, minus your tail piece looks slightly different.
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#8
Nov 8 2010 03:07pm
that is a very nice banjo, sir! whether the woodwork is rosewood or cherry i cannot tell. looks like there is a tone ring, i cant really see it but it might be labelled on the inside. good luck with it, i think this will be a great old timey banjo.
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#9
Nov 8 2010 07:55pm
i talked with my buddy who owns the fiddle shop i apprentice at, he says dont touch it, take it to a luthier and have them restore it. a small mistake could devalue the instrument by a huge margin. prewar banjos are sought for their construction, the wood looks pretty good on yours. maybe buy a different banjo to restore? ;)
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#10
Nov 8 2010 11:37pm
Quote (juliusjuice @ Nov 8 2010 09:55pm)
i talked with my buddy who owns the fiddle shop i apprentice at, he says dont touch it, take it to a luthier and have them restore it. a small mistake could devalue the instrument by a huge margin. prewar banjos are sought for their construction, the wood looks pretty good on yours. maybe buy a different banjo to restore? ;)


I'm seeing a profesional tomorrow for advice. The owner of banjo.com is nearby my area and apparently he's done this quite often. It seems fairly straight forward, aside from the shine nothing I'm not doing anything to permanently alter the banjo. Just easily removable aspects like the head, bridge, strings, etc.

I've grown too attached to it not to restore it myself =/

Miles well just sell it off if I pay a random person to fix it up.

Thanks for the advice =D

This post was edited by Black487 on Nov 8 2010 11:39pm
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