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will shipped his latest banjo project yesterday afternoon. it was a 're-necking' of an antique instrument made by W.A.Cole, of boston mass. the client had the original nickled brass pot, head, and tension hardware, but the original 8 string
banjo mandolin neck was missing. click the photos to enlarge them...
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the client is a banjo collector and w a cole was mostly known for his banjos so she wanted a five string, short neck to go with the diminutive 8.75" pot. will was able to find pictures of
w a cole's original inlays online and was able to replicate some of them in the new neck ...
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here's a close up of the original maker's mark on the dowel stick which is now back home in the original pot, which, as you can see below, polished up nicely.
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it has a surprisingly loud and robust sound and i'm sure at some point soon there will be a video online on will's website,
seeders instruments, so you can hear it ... great sound ! 12/18/2011 ... the video is up now ...
here's a link to it.
this photo shows the 8 string end from its original banjo mandolin configuration which will was able to adapt to the new five string mode.
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he had to fabricate a missing, tricky, dovetailed brass piece that tightens the neck to the pot. he had it chromed to match the original by a local electroplating service,
vermont plating, in rutland.
in the new case, and ready to ship ... should arrive at its destination tomorrow ...