2007-04

"Mardi Gras"
This will not be a "mainstream build", so follow along and enjoy!

Along with 2 others in the process
 

The resonator stain is completed, and sealed, now taking on some clear before binding.
I like to bind after staining and sealing, that way if cyano gets on the stained wood, it will not show .
if you get cyano on bare wood, no stain will penetrate that area.

Here I have applied what I hope is an acceptable color scheme.
I applied bright green stain to surround the amber inside, and went with a Pearl Purple Perlescent metalflake lacquer over the binding.
These binding channels were cut for that specific binding so I chose to color over them, and protect it in the clear topcats.
These pics are all 3 base coats, and 2 coats of clear.
The metalflake will bounce out more after more coats of clear are applied.
It is hard to get a good pic, these are fair examples of what it looks like in the sunlight.

First assembly of the rim, to check fit

Taking a look for the heck of it

Pic is GLARING, but FQMS hardware looks VG

Setup on REMO 1100 M2
That will change to clear when they arrive, I just want to check "fit" of all parts

I have added 2 painted pinstripes, of metallic gold leaf to help enhance the purple and green.

Rim assembly complete (middle right), I will final buff the resonator after cure time is complete
The other two Accutone rims coming up the line are Tyler's replacement, and CapnMikes

After 8 coats clear
It has much more "Fire" than pics denote

That is a pretty good pic of it

Installing resonator attaching hardware
I will pull it back out to shade the inside

Its is set so that the one thumbscrew that is always under the armrest, is one space forward of it.
Remo 1100 M3 now installed
4 more coats of clear, shade the inside, and I will final buff it and prepare for the neck.

Inside shaded with green and sealed, I will add 3 coats of clear.
I am shading the top lip with the green stain wash, a little between each coat.

Inside finish complete

No not the only Accutone 5 string RB3 series you will ever see built, the short one :)

Since this is an over the top Mardi gras banjo I decided with the very Art Deco 30's Gibson 18 series boat paddle peghead design, bound, with a custom Lion head inlay and Mondello logo, and an Accutone block at 19.
That is a very strong statement in both peghead and inlay I think.
These pegheads were , and this one is, Maple, and painted over, then inlays cleaned off before clear was applied.
Now the neck is headed up to Dave Nichols at  Custom Pearl Inlay, to decide on what we will chose for the fingerboard theme
As long as we have some nice Fluer Dee Leis in there somewhere Jeffbreau will be pleased.

We chose an inlay pattern that accents Jeff's association with New Orleans, the Mardi Gras, His Musical career and also his Theatrical endeavors
 

Adding the first of the stain, a Honey amber

Then the dark green

After blending

First clear sealer
I will fit the neck now, drill the lags and setup for airbrushing the heel, and "Purpleizing" the side bindings to match the resonator

I will also amber the neck center a little more, to better match the resonator sidewall.
Quilted and Tiger take on stains differently, you have to go slow and figure out where to meet in the middle

You can see it is more green, in this pic
Picture the purple binding and gold pinstripe on the neck and a little more honey amber on the green
Gettin there.

I am going to make some custom side markers, using brass tube and some dyed epoxy, since I had some casting epoxy left over from the first project.
Its an idea Dale Small gave to me, he likes to go the extra mile.

I will let this cure and Think about how I plan to do it in the Purple painted side bindings, so I made some greens and reds.

I will get a few coats of purple while I experiment on some scrap bindings

Thats a "Rough draft" of the concept

Now that I added a little more Honey amber wash over the green, its a great match to resonator sidewall and now the fade is on the heel that will match the resonator edge fade.
The additional clear coats are making the Tiger Maple look deep.

Washed the peghead MOP in  a Honey Amber,  to give a nice golden hue.

Taped off with fine line and then blue mask, to shoot the metallic gold pin striping

Now I will add a few more clear coats before I install the side dots

You can see a faintly visible purple line around the peghead, exactly what I had intended.
When the light strikes this banjo from different angles it will always show different colors.
And you have to imagine the upper part of the purple binding that is still white changing to the same gold you see around the peghead.
Were are one step away still, from all of the shading intended.

You can actually see the purple showing on the heel in this pic, and up on the handstop as well, the first time the flash has picked it up really.

Still adding clear coats.

Ready to add side markers,......... I have a plan

Brass tubing cut and fitted, and I will clean out the flashing all at once on them .

Sealed in, and ready to add color to the inside of them

Leveling the frets, before I do the theme on the fingerboard

I have decided to tint the inlays, with Green, Blue, and Honey amber color tints in an acetone wash
After tinting, I will do a finish over the fingerboard like on some electric guitars, building clear and then removing the finish from the fret wires.
I will also use a honey amber wash at this time in my airbrush to match out the binding top on the neck, to the headstock overlay.

After first clear coat , over tints...
 

Flash will make some look lighter than others

Stuck Mark Hulse's Accutone rim under it for a quick visual
 
 

Final wetsanding, 600, then 1000

I will get this thing up to tension, and tweak on it between now and Sept., when I see Jeff in Eureka.
I have the setup on a Farquhar 5/8" non inserted bridge at this time
Need a Custom bridge?
Jim Farquhar
(706)802-0811

8 Shadowbrook Drive
Rome, GA 30161

The Ivroid tuner buttons will be changed, too plain for this banjo

Heel contact is VG
 
 

Waiting on Custom Truss cover, and Tuner Buttons

  Sitting next to Phil's banjo and Tom's as well.
Jeff and Phil have been with me since I got into this banjo world and both of them continue to support me, and I surely thank them for that.
And for them both to have a banjo in here at the same time is cool to me.

Amber buttons arrived, much better.

Tyler Jackson stopped in for a visit on his way out to a Ray Price gig, and he captured me on camera actually acting like I am working
 

The banjo is very close now in its setup, I am still working the action down in the nut, and bridge area, and i have it setup on a Remo 1100M4 for now, the clear setup head had a small split in it
Jeffbreau and I have another plan for it in Eureka Springs

And finally, its commissioned.

I will add some more pics after I see Jeff, I want some with him taking possession.
This was another special project and a labor of love for me because without Jeff Riddick, and those like him I would not lasted a year in this business.
My 10 Accutone banjos all have gone to some of the best friends a guy can have in a lifetime
I am only 3 banjos away from completing my mission  and then it is back to full time repair.
Thanks for watching,
Vinnie