Accutone5string

Mondello Accutone
#9 of 10
Ser# 2008-01
5 string

I said when I began this project that there would be at least one 5 string constructed.
I chose the mid 1920's Gibson "2 piece flange" design, also known as "Tube and plate"
This design is superior in my opinion, to the later 1 piece zinc flange models, but since Earl Scruggs played the later version it will be forever "canonized" :)

The Banjo will be constructed from the following:

Wyatt Fawley "Retrotone" High end 20 hole flathead tone ring
Custom Heavy Brass Co-ordinator rod set
Wyatt Fawley Accutone 5 string maple neck/ebony fingerboard and overlay
Sullivan offset tuners, 4:1, with Genuine MOP buttons
Gibson "3" series MOP stylings
Gill Plain Maple Resonator
FQMS Tube and Plate flange setup
Sunburst finish

I am doing an alternating Gold/Nickel theme on this banjo.
I like the look of both metals, and several banjo makers in the past mixed metals, but I chose to mix, and alternate patterns and will change it to either for anyone wanting ot a specific way.

Gold/Nickel Hooks
Gold Engraved "Granada" Tension hoop
Nickel non engraved Fawley tone ring
Nickel Flange Tube
Gold "Granada" engraved Flange plate
Nickel Resonator thumbscrews
Gold Grover 4 hump clamshell
Gold "Granada" style Armrest
Co-rods will be left natural brass

Tony Pass "Thin skirt" Rim

for the full scoop, just go to Tony's website at the link below
CLICK HERE

I feel this will be a versatile rim assembly and it will have many voices
Lost Timber rim is not as rock hard as the Cox rim.
On the rim, only 4 coats of clear lacquer was applied over the tint because I want this thing to have every opportunity to breathe.
The Gill resonator I have chosen for it will give it quite a snap , it is built on on prewar Gibson dimensions.
Im setting it up with nickel hardware while I wait on the gold engraved stuff

Setup Pics

This is the neck, next to Jeff's "MardiGrasSpecial" tenor neck, which is up getting some fingerboard inlay,
Dave Nichols at Custom Inlay does the fancy stuff for me.

New Gill resonator, inside now black, and neck notch cut

Rim number stamped in imperfectly, to mimic factory :)
OK, I slipped!

Hardware installed and SN chalked in, like on a Gibson
You never see 5 string banjos with clear heads anyway!

Shading complete, ready for clear coat

After 3, 5 to go

First tint on the neck, Honey Amber, which will be shaded next with Amber tint, then medium brown with some special sauce added to get the dark fade
after that a wisp of golden brown over it all.

Shading complete ready for clear

Resonator complete, and neck needs 3 more coats, before buffing
Lags are installed

Next to my TB3 neck
I chose a little bolder colors in the tint for the new res and neck

Neck fitting completed, and neck notch widened a tad for the 5 string heel
I will use black felt in the notch

First Full Assembly

I wanted to put it together to take it to the AZ show with me, but when I return I will pull it back down and do a little more tweaking and finish work.
That is the way it is with custom built banjos, you have the opportunity to do small things that are not done to factory built instruments, then if your lucky, someday you will deem it complete!