old bowl back neck finish?

[David Farmer]

Not many Ideas at Mandocafe on what this old finish was.

It's on a Mayflower mandolin from the 1920's I'm guessing.

I replaced the fingerboard and the black color came up over the edge to ebonize the original.

Does anyone have thoughts on what it was made from? Shellac w/ black pigment of some kind?

[David Farmer]

Paint of some kind.

[Frank Ford]

I'd say shellac is a good bet.  And, since shellac is compatible with just about everything, it's what I'd use for fixing it up.

[David Farmer]

Feibings Black leather dye and a little French polishing came out well.

For anyone interested in a bunch of pic's of this restoration, here's an address

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.877562382329355.107374184...

[Glen H]

Nice job David and thanks for the pics.