Little Bear Banjo Hospital
Yes - your repairs to my truly busted Bohmann Military banjeaurine neck were much appreciated. Its history was that it had previously been bought on ebay as an instrument in good condition but was found to be damaged on receipt by the winner. That wasn't the sellers fault. UPS had routed it via Japan I believe, for reasons of their own, and when it arrived some weeks later either or both of the peg head and heel had been broken. It was dispatched back to the seller and got lost again. Whatever - when it arrived both the peg head and heel were definitely broken. Seller claimed insurance and then relisted at a later date when I bought it as it clearly was - busted up..
I had two concerns. The dowel stick on most JB Schall variants isn't a loose item dowelled into the heel - its part of the heel itself. I knew that if the distance between the lower face of the heel and the lower face of the overhung fingerboard were to change I wouldn't be able to refit the repaired neck to the body without modifying the entry hole for the stick. The other issue was that the peg head break at the nut had bent the typical large Schall German silver perimeter decoration which is soldered in place onto silvered flush brads.
You successfully managed both concerns. The neck fits as it did originally and you refinished in a soft flat black as per original making the repairs almost invisible. The peg head decoration lies true as when new. Your efforts have been much appreciated - guess I'd better find some more work for you :)
Best
Richard Evans
London, England
24 December 2007
I want to thank you again for selling my old Fender Stratocaster on Ebay for me. I dropped it off at the Little Bear Banjo Hospital and you did all the rest. Your extensive research on an unfamiliar subject paid off with a very effective and informative auction listing. The many photos you took showed the instrument off to good advantage (thanks, Lily). Best of all, you fielded all questions and requests for further details from guitar fanatics worldwide with your usual diplomacy. When the smoke cleared at the end of the auction, I was very pleased with the winning bid.
You then took on the formidable task of shipping a large, heavy guitar and case to Australia. I really appreciate the hard work and expertise that went into such a successful auction. Now about that old cappucino machine in the attic...
Another satisfied customer,
Paul DeBlois
7 January 2008
