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How to Repair Old Banjos

A banjo, like any other musical instrument, is susceptible to wear and tear, which can affect its sound. To get the most out of your instrument, you will want any problems repaired as soon as possible to restore the banjo to proper working condition. Sometimes the expertise of a repair technician may be required. However there are a variety of small issues, such as a ripped head or rim or a loose fingerboard, that you can repair yourself to save both time and money.

Things You'll Need

Iron
Screwdriver
Wood glue
Duct tape

Instructions

- 1
  Check the head of your banjo for possible rips, dents or tears. If you find any, you will need to replace the head itself instead of trying to mend the tears. Measure the diameter of the head and order a replacement from your local music supply store. You can also order the replacement head at a variety of online shops. When the part comes in, simply loosen the brackets and the rim around the head using a screwdriver. Take off the old head and put in the new one, securing it by sealing and tightening the rim again with the screwdriver.
- 2
  Remove the fingerboard on your banjo if it is loose. To accomplish this, first remove the banjo strings. According to Banjoist.tripod.com, you can remove the fingerboard by using a regular iron to heat the glue. Scrape the old glue from the bottom of the board and the top of the neck. Next, apply wood glue to each surface and attach the two pieces with the neck down, allowing the glue to dry.
- 3
  Check the sides of the banjo's rim for any cracks or holes. Depending on the severity of the hole, it may be glued or taped to fix the problem, if you don't mind the appearance.
- 4
  Change the strings on your banjo if they have become loose or worn. A banjo is a 4 or 5-string fretted instrument with a drumhead resonator, which gives the banjo its characteristic tone. If the strings are not in top working order, it will affect the sound of your banjo.

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