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Last Ditch Fretboard Repair

Slingerland 17 fret tenor (catalog model)

by Vinnie Mondello
http://www.4stringbanjos.com

On a board in this condition, there is only one way to save it. What you are seeing, is a cracked up board, in dry condition, brittle to the point of powdering away. I am pulling frets and sealing the board with an ultra thin wicking cyanoacrylate, that creeps into all the voids in around and under the board. Trust me, I am POURING glue into it, 3 oz. or more, by the end.

Disclaimer:
Anytime, when using cyanoacrylates, use proper ventilation, for cyanide gases are a by-product of the curing process, and this if inhaled, is hazardous to your health.

The tape around the wire is the most important part of this deal. It acts as a hold down device, that keeps the wood from popping up and self-destructing as the tanged wire is pulled. Trust me, there are TERRIBLE sounds of crunches and cracks as this board disintegrates underneath as I work the wire out.

And the second most important part for the tape. It creates a memory, so that these huge, and small chips as well, can find there way right back home again. After I add some cyano under them you never pull your tape all the way off, only gently lifting, to see what will rise with it. This is a BIG one!

The chip is in and here I am wicking the glue into the fretslot. It will go under the chip and into it.

Big chip is sealed. One more small one comes up on the second pull so it gets the same treatment. Same process is repeated for the whole board.

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"I enjoy doing the restoration thing,as there are many old "JO'S" out there that need attention so that they can get back into the mainstream of banjo players."

Vinnie, 45 yrs old, hails from Austin Texas and Stromberg 4 string tenor banjos are his passion.

His affinity with the banjo started when only eight years old. Vinnie's Grandfather and Father were both prominent banjo players from East Boston Mass. They played with many bands and orchestras throughout their lives. His Dad grew up playing instruments in Chas and Elmer Stromberg's shop at 40 Hanover Street in East Boston. His Grandfather worked at Stromberg and The Fairbanks-Vega Company building instruments. During this time they both tested some of the finest stringed instruments ever made.