Today, I put one last coat of oil on some of the parts. This is the last one. Really. I put the hoop and the neck together to take a look at it.
The Neck and the Hoop Together Again
It doesn't look all that bad. In fact, I am pleased with the finish on the hoop.
This One is Good To Go
The small parts are OK too. There is a bit of roughness in the finish that you can see in the reflection of the light, but I think I would make it worse if I mess around with it anymore.
This is Kind of OK
Hey! I just noticed that there is a smiley face in the picture. Cute. I guess now I will never get that image to go away. Dang.
That is OK. This is a rustic banjo. I want a playable instrument, not a showpiece. I also like the look of an old, weathered instrument.... and this one is showing signs of wear already LOL. The few dents and smudges and spots make it look used. It doesn't look like "distressed furniture", which looks like new furniture that has been beaten with a chain. It looks used. I like the "weathered" look. Really.
That is my story, and I am sticking with it.
Most of the neck is OK too. It looks pretty shiny in the photo below. From a distance you won't be able to tell that there are some bumps in it.
Shiny Surface
The back of the peghead still has some problem areas.
I Can't Get Rid of This Rough Spot
So I left all the other parts alone and put another coat of oil on the neck. I rubbed the oil into the surface this time. It should smooth out somewhat with this last coat..... and I do mean last coat.
Later In The Day
I was out taking a walk, when a thought occurred to me. After I got back to the house, I checked out the banjo neck, and I noticed this.
Look Where The Neck Is Resting
Duh.
The point of the peghead is sitting on the dropcloth. so the finish that is on that part of it is sticking to the cloth, leaving a rough spot. I think maybe in the future the right way to dry the neck would be to rig up some sort of hook to go into a peg hole and hang the neck up, not just set it down on the cloth. Now I figure it out!
Here is that pesky rough spot again.
Maybe Now I Can Get Rid of This Rough Spot
Out comes the TruOil®.
One More Spot of Oil
This time, that is the only place I put the oil, so I could put the neck down with the point of the peghead facing up.
Peghead Up
There is nothing touching the end of the peghead this time.
This Won't Get Stuck to the Dropcloth
Sometimes it takes a while for me to recognize the obvious.
That really is truly the last time I get out the oil. I am done! And this time I really mean it!
