Hi Everyone,
I have an Orpheum No. 1 and the inlays are browned and not shiny. I have read about razor blade treatment and white compound polish for it.
That being said, is there anything else I should know? I assume it being a 100 year old banjo that it is mother of pearl.
ebay.com/itm/266016760444 - This is the one I bought. Any help is appreciated.
All the best,
Gavin
quote:
Originally posted by gavinbanjoHi Everyone,
I have an Orpheum No. 1 and the inlays are browned and not shiny. I have read about razor blade treatment and white compound polish for it.
That being said, is there anything else I should know? I assume it being a 100 year old banjo that it is mother of pearl.
ebay.com/itm/266016760444 - This is the one I bought. Any help is appreciated.
All the best,
Gavin
The inlays in your Orpheum are red abalone not white mother-of-pearl. Abalone is generally darker and more figured, but these look like they could be cleaned up.
most 90+ yr old banjos show discoloring of the inlays because the shellac or varnish is turning brown with age, and chipping off too. No idea how to rejuvenate or repair and I hesitate to give my thoughts, lest a banjo get ruined!
Does it look like the fingerboard was sealed with something? It appears a little shiny. What are the 2 lines on the back of the neck near the peghead? At first, it looked like a break, but maybe just a tape mark?
That's a great price for that banjo, awesome machines for Irish tunes.
It looks like someone took a brush and gave the whole banjo a "coat" , including the fingerboard. I would take some 0000 steel wool and work the fingerboard pretty good to remove the finish, and the inlays will clean up and be bright.
To be sure, I'm only asking, not at all suggesting:
would tooth paste be appropriate for this purpose?
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