depscribe's photos with the keyword: after

It was sheer luck that the neck is so figured and pretty -- most of them aren't. I very soon replaced the tuner buttons with ebony ones from StewMac, just because they're pretty on this banjo.

This neck was wonderfully figured under that old brown stain. The masking tape is to keep the lacquer I was applying from getting onto the fretboard.

I would soon replace the bridge with a wonderful old Grover with bone inserts, and the tailpiece with a reproduction Oettinger one.

Observers might note that this is a left-handed case. The instrument is left-handed, and I'm left-handed, so why not? I'd added a cover to the acessory box, and a strip to keep the top from flopping back when the case is opened. It has worked out well and people have inquired about my making them such a case. Which I would happily do -- prices start at $5,000!

Lining the case was trial-and-error, using fairly fluffy and cheap fleece. The sides were fashioned by rolling it into a tube, so it would be three layers thick; then it was glued to the inside of the case. Top and bottom were double layers, glued together with contact cement before cutting and fitting.