I have a 1970's Gibson Mastertone that is mildly corroded, musty and need a new head but mostly fine.
1) How can I clean off off the green corrosion and mold without making things worse. And once clean, should I wipe with some sort of oil/wax etc???
2) I'd like to unbolt the neck to get at all the tone ring parts but looks kinda sensitive--I am good with my hands so as long as it's not a black art I'd like to pull the neck off.
3) Also, it is a 70's banjo, crappiest of the mastertones, can I improve the sound while I have it apart?
4) Lastly, where do you get banjo parts these days? Need a drum head, strings, and any parts/supplies you fine folks suggest. Either mail order or in New York City.
thanks for any help.
You need to post some close detailed pictures of the banjo with the resonator off with a good close up of the rim and pot assembly. Not all of the 70s banjos were bad. You need to determine what exactly you have before you start changing things up that might not need changing at all. Nothing wrong with removing the neck and there are probably YouTube videos out there that you can view to tell you how to get that done. I would start off with some mild soap and water first to see exactly how clean you can get it with the pretty basic cleaning agents. If more is needed, go to one of the banjo merchandise suppliers on line and see what they have and go with that. (Banjo Ben, Bob Smakula, Elderly, Banjoteacher.com and others comes to mind.) Same for any wood cleaning item if you want to work on that area as well. Just get the pictures up and there will be plenty of knowledgeable folks willing to help you out after they see what exactly it is that you have. I do see where you put three photos on your page but some of the neck and peghead would help as well. Also if there is a serial number post that. Should be on the back of the peghead if I remember correctly.
Bobby
Edited by - BobbyE on 06/27/2026 12:16:35
Thanks so much BobbyE, I initially posted with pictures but it failed so I'll try an put them here.
Serial number is 101617.
Edited by - banjopickingfool on 06/27/2026 12:20:29
More pix:
You might want to weigh the tone ring while you have it apart. Some of them were quite "light". Others considerably heavier.
Is the 5th fret inlay missing?
I used simichrome and an old t shirt to clean up my 1926 recently (see recent thread in here for pics). Came out great.
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