vega VIP banjo shell crack

[Lee Gendvilas]

Hello everyone. I'm looking for some direction in how best to approach fixing the crack in this banjo shell from a 1958 Vega VIP 5 string banjo. Please take a look at the pics and let me know your thoughts. I'm considering using hide glue but the crack through the label brought up concerns I had on how best to approach fixing this. Looking forward to your comments and thanks very much in advance.

[Paul Hostetter]

Do the best you can to press that area back to shape. Super-precision is not called for, just get your cauls ready, along with ample waxed paper and have some mop up materials ready. Then fill the crevices with CA, let it wick in, and clamp it promptly. After you've wiped up the squeezeout, let it sit in clamps overnight.

 

I'm with Frank, banjos are only round in your dreams once they've been in action for any length of time. If the above fails in subsequent use, get a better rim. I have some of the early Stew-Mac rims which were 13-ply and they are terrific. 3-ply laminates are another standard. But I bet you can just get yours solid again and just put it back together and play it. 

[Lee Gendvilas]

Thanks Paul for your reply also. I really appreciate both of you taking your time to give your advice. It is really helping me to learn how to approach doing repairs. Happy Holidays to you also. BTW, my high school concert (combined with a 5th grade elementary band, 6, 7, 8 middle school bands, my pep and symphonic band, orchestra, choir and Melodies group) went very well.