My 1926 TB-3 finish is failing to the point that it leave my clothes and skin red if I sweat at all. Basically, fine for practice, major issue for sessions or gigs.
I don’t really want to overspray or refinish, however. I’ll reply with pics if you want to convince me I should refinish it, I guess.
But has anyone used a cover over the resonator in lieu of a refinish to act as a barrier protecting the wood and clothes/skin from seeping stain?
Here's some photos of the condition of the original finish in the sunlight.
My 1925 ball bearing Style 3 used to do that to me. I ruined a brand-new white shirt one hot summer day because the stain bled through from where I was sweating. I tried using a piece of old flannel shirt with a rubber band stretched around the bottom side of the resonator to hold it in place. It didn't stay in place very well, but it kept the stain from getting on my shirt when it did work. You might be able to rig up some variant of that idea. Eventually, I just resprayed the resonator.
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Originally posted by CullodenMy 1925 ball bearing Style 3 used to do that to me. I ruined a brand-new white shirt one hot summer day because the stain bled through from where I was sweating. I tried using a piece of old flannel shirt with a rubber band stretched around the bottom side of the resonator to hold it in place. It didn't stay in place very well, but it kept the stain from getting on my shirt when it did work. You might be able to rig up some variant of that idea. Eventually, I just resprayed the resonator.
Did you do it yourself? If you did, what prep did you do? Did it change the yellowing of the binding?
I haven't sprayed nitro in a long time, but when I did it came out ok.
Y’all. I have an idea. Maybe I’ll see just how far we can stretch that “multipurpose” definition…
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Originally posted by jt80quote:
Originally posted by CullodenMy 1925 ball bearing Style 3 used to do that to me. I ruined a brand-new white shirt one hot summer day because the stain bled through from where I was sweating. I tried using a piece of old flannel shirt with a rubber band stretched around the bottom side of the resonator to hold it in place. It didn't stay in place very well, but it kept the stain from getting on my shirt when it did work. You might be able to rig up some variant of that idea. Eventually, I just resprayed the resonator.
Did you do it yourself? If you did, what prep did you do? Did it change the yellowing of the binding?
I haven't sprayed nitro in a long time, but when I did it came out ok.
All I did was wipe it down good with a soft, damp cloth. I let it dry for a day before I sprayed it with Stewart MacDonald lacquer in a can. It didn't do anything to the color of the binding. I only sprayed the back, I didn't spray around the edges.
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Originally posted by jt80Y’all. I have an idea. Maybe I’ll see just how far we can stretch that “multipurpose” definition…
You know, that just might work. But, it might be as hard to keep in place as the rubber band I used on the piece of flannel. There's only one way to find out.
Edited by - Culloden on 08/02/2026 18:03:38
There's a trend among bluegrass mandolin players (and a few guitar players) now, using a heavy metal wire "cage"-like thing that snaps on the back to keep the wood of the back from touching you. Some folks claim this makes a different in tone of their instrument. I'm sure it would also prevent the infamous early Style 3 finish bleed. https://cumberlandacoustic.com/product/tone-gard/
I don't know if they make a banjo tone guard.
I don't believe it hurts to do a good job of spraying nitro finish on the resonator back, either.
I understand it's only the earliest Style 3s from like 25-26 that bleed color. I "think" Gibson changed the varnish/lacquer/finish on those dark red style 3s and solved that problem, but I don't know exactly what year. Perhaps someone can respons to this.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 08/02/2026 18:33:53
My wife made this pad that attaches to the four resonator screws. It’s made from two thickness of “pleather”’with a piece of felt in between for padding. The elastic tabs are just hair bands.. It was made to protect the resonator from button scratches, but would work just as well for your use.
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Originally posted by The Old TimerThere's a trend among bluegrass mandolin players (and a few guitar players) now, using a heavy metal wire "cage"-like thing that snaps on the back to keep the wood of the back from touching you. Some folks claim this makes a different in tone of their instrument. I'm sure it would also prevent the infamous early Style 3 finish bleed. https://cumberlandacoustic.com/product/tone-gard/
I don't know if they make a banjo tone guard.
I don't believe it hurts to do a good job of spraying nitro finish on the resonator back, either.I understand it's only the earliest Style 3s from like 25-26 that bleed color. I "think" Gibson changed the varnish/lacquer/finish on those dark red style 3s and solved that problem, but I don't know exactly what year. Perhaps someone can respons to this.
I originally was going to mention a tone-gard, but I guess it didn't survive my edits. As far as I know one isn't made for banjos. But it may not help enough as it would only cover the back and not the sides... and the sides are.bleeding badly, too. I get red on my right forearm below the elbow and it takes a couple of days to wear off.
Edited by - jt80 on 08/02/2026 19:03:18
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Originally posted by jdeluke137My wife made this pad that attaches to the four resonator screws. It’s made from two thickness of “pleather”’with a piece of felt in between for padding. The elastic tabs are just hair bands.. It was made to protect the resonator from button scratches, but would work just as well for your use.
That looks really promising for.my needs. Do you have any pictures of it mounted on the banjo?
quote:
Originally posted by jt80quote:
Originally posted by jdeluke137My wife made this pad that attaches to the four resonator screws. It’s made from two thickness of “pleather”’with a piece of felt in between for padding. The elastic tabs are just hair bands.. It was made to protect the resonator from button scratches, but would work just as well for your use.
That looks really promising for.my needs. Do you have any pictures of it mounted on the banjo?
I'll take a couple in the morning and post them in this thread.
quote:
Originally posted by jt80quote:
Originally posted by jdeluke137My wife made this pad that attaches to the four resonator screws. It’s made from two thickness of “pleather”’with a piece of felt in between for padding. The elastic tabs are just hair bands.. It was made to protect the resonator from button scratches, but would work just as well for your use.
That looks really promising for.my needs. Do you have any pictures of it mounted on the banjo?
Sorry these are so late. Busy day.
On the photo of the front you can see the elastic tabs over the screws. It looks loose on the other two photos, but it's not. I needed to shift it around to get even tension on the pad, but I was just trying to get the pictures made. If you're on stage nobody can really tell it's there.
Edited by - jdeluke137 on 08/03/2026 21:23:41
Nice, I'll send these to my wife and maybe she'll make me one!
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Originally posted by jt80Nice, I'll send these to my wife and maybe she'll make me one!
If for some reason her sewing machine won't handle it take it to someone who does not alterations. They usually have a machine that can handle it.
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