Cleaning my banjo plus some random chit-chat.

This is simply a video of me cleaning my banjo. because it was as filthy as a pig in a pen.
#banjo #bluegrass #music #instruments #cleaning

[@roythompson8710]

The fuzz going up the string was cool

[@thebanjooutlaw]

This was a neat video… lol! Banjo cleaning with Elisabeth… haha! That fingerboard probably wasn’t oiled from the factory… looks like the natural oil in your fingers built up on it and left a residue. You can put all kinds of oil on it but it probably doesn’t really need it now since you have “seasoned” it so much. I think that them “black streaks” you are referring to are actually where the frosting wears off from finger nails and a lot of rubbing etc… I’ve knowed people who played the same head for years without rubbing it off… not me though I will wear through one pretty quick! But should you want to clean the dirt smudges off the head… 409 on a rag is about the best! There are several ways to clean the metal… if it’s real bad simichrome (although it is abrasive) works pretty good, otherwise just a little hand buffing. I got a kick out of listening to you talk as you cleaned .🙂👍

[@elisabethemory]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 😄 Also, thanks for all the info! 👍🪕

[@jameslester3861]

A plastic dry cleaning bag or a light trash bag makes a good stand cover when not playing. I bought my RK-35 in 2018. They are great banjos.

[@elisabethemory]

Thanks for the tip!! They sure are! :)

[@dwaynecollins5514]

Take the strings off and clean neck with lemon oil, then use 00 steel wool on frets. Use Brasol to polish the metal...

[@smjmovies-j6v]

Hi Elisabeth. Hope all is well with you. Hey, I just pulled up one of your videos the other day and have since wathched a few more. Nice playing! I love to see someone (especially a young lady) pursuing this instrument. A few hours ago I saw your "Auld lang Syne" video and had completely forgotten about it so I polished off a version of it near midnight, after work in a 39 degree ( furnace down)kitchen. Just a few tips on cleaning: The lemon oil as someone else mentioned is excellent for the fretboard. Cape Cod metal polishing cloths (from Amazon or the hardware store) works miracles on most metals. Also, I use a premium automotive wax like Mother's brand or equivalent for the headstock and really all the wood parts of the banjo except the fretboard. Best to polish the headstock minus the strings because the strings are obnoxiously in the way. I usually do not keep my banjo in it's case; I play it and then lean it on the couch with the fretboard facing the couch and the back of the neck, resonator, facing you. Its much easier to clean dust off the resonator, neck and back of the headstock rather than the front of the instrument. Anyway, keep up the good work! P.S. I just learned a few minutes ago that Auld Lang Syne(as we know it today), dates back to 1799!

[@elisabethemory]

Thank you so much Jeff!! 😊 I'll definitely have to get myself some of the products you mentioned! Thank you for watching, and keep pickin'!! God bless

[@JohnDoeDeadhead420]

Oxidation fron the air and lot of playing is what is causing your fretboard to do this . I would def look into getting deering's f-one oil for ur banjo. It will work wonders on that fretboard and keeping it oiled up and cleaned will def help with ur speed. Or any lemon oil really but f one is really good

[@elisabethemory]

Thank you!! I'll definitely have to get some!

[@JohnDoeDeadhead420]

@@elisabethemory 100% grab that stuff. U will never look back.

[@lexingtRick]

nice job, not to dark ebony but just right. My banjo is worse, the nitrocellulose waxes off. The tiger maple has arrived on wood in a few years. The wax like accumulates to the stop (peg head) and near the 5th fret, but not on the board, at the neck's back. I once message the maker and he said it was like impossible because it is nitrocellulose. How odd things get? But you're is okay, do you sweat from the fingers? Maybe it was the previous player.

[@elisabethemory]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, my hands do sweat when I play. So the majority of it was me. :)