The "Tyler Jackson Model"

Tyler is a special friend, and  and wants a special neck, that will not be on the standard models.
We are using a vintage TB-11 neck to begin with, while we make a custom neck.

Here are some shots of TJ playing on it in my shop, before we convert the neck to his liking.
Tyler has been "INSTRUMENTAL" in the design of this banjo, and he is the main reason that I decided to pursue the construction of Accutone banjos.
He and I have taken all of the design aspects we like and incorporated our own personal setups, because we believe that each banjo must be fine tuned to the players styles, strengths, and yes, even weaknesses!.

Next to his Vegavox 3, another of our "Creations"
it is FAR from Factory Stock!

Neck prepped for Accutone installation.
My rim is slightly different than a Gibson, and it required additional work to retrofit it.
You know.....copyrights and all.......:)

All hardware stamped

Neck will be finished with a 2 part conversion lacquer, very hard, and long lasting.
This will protect the transfers, and blacking on the fret blocks

More designs to be added to peghead

With one of Tyler' favorite vintage skin heads, I have been saving for just such an occasion.
As I said before, each banjo will be tuned to the players needs and wants.

Rim labeled

Neck is fitted already, just one look, then it goes to be refretted, then the finish room.

After fretwork, final finish, and buffing
 
 

Back apart for one final neck angle tweak, it went together really well the first try.

As you can see, we added another transfer onto the peghead, to give it some life.
This is only a trial neck, so we are not going all out on it.

A little more on the Vellum, he says.

Now to string it up

A few notes, and then we change bridges about 24 times, to see how they all sound, and all of them sound different.
it is a very acoustical banjo.
 

TJ is "Bearing down" on it to see what she will do

Strings settling in

His OME has turned his back on him!
Thats a good sign for me LOL

Dogs have moved into the "Yin/Yang" position, to show you just how much Psychic power the Accutone produces..........
OK.....they were just hot :)

That is the look In was hoping for.
He is pleased with the tone, and the abilities of the banjo.
It will be played in the upcoming Eureka Springs Ark. Banjo Rally International, so if you attend, let me know what you think of it.

On the way home to Denton, for a shakedown trial run, so that it will be totally rocking by Show time!

We will take it from here Dave,
As soon as it arrives we will be getting to the business of getting it done.

Neck arrives, time to get with it.
TJ is down for a couple days so we will take that opportunity to work together on it.
 

I had him a Nameplate installed, and he was pleasantly surprised.

Need to open up the heel cut around the flange a little, the fingerboard will be too low at this level.
Dave makes a nice tight fit that can be worked with.

Ready to bind, a 2 piece Black/White Black theme to match resonator
 
 

Prepping the binding channels

Smoothing burrs of binding, I want to do as good a job as I can, we have waited long enuf!

Profiling

After trimming, shaving the remainder off the top

Ready to fret
Fret will run over the binding, giving as much room on the radius as possible

Using my 12" radius insert in my  caul for the first time since I owned this tool, that's about 8 years........cool.
Frets will be pressed and glued into place, getting as tite of a fit as we can.
 
 

TJ is doing some of the pressing,...I got a cramp.... Youth has its advantages!
As does height!

6 wires in...
Plectra is worried though, she doesn't trust him with the heavy equipment.
She is scared he will hurt his gifted hands!
So I will take back over

Fretting complete.
Side markers installed, ready to final profile/sand

Tuners installed, ready for first setup, to see how things fit

Fretting over the heel, required me to make a quick jig to get it done

This will do the first 3
 

And this quick radiused caul will support for the remaining 2

Nothing like a little help from a friend, to make the nite go by. :)

Lags installed, ready to check fit

First tune-up, looking for buzzes, issues, etc.
Its good to get as much of this done as you can before finish begins

Sounds nice the new scale length is awesome, bridge placement is way up making for smooth tones.
20 frets....., radius.....Skin head........oh yeah baby

Too cool for School!
Time to tear it back down before he wears it out

Im not used to myself in pics, I have to find something for the captions!
Ready to final profile peghead, I'll pad the heel and get with it.

All the little areas the saw hits must be smoothed out

Heel cap installed, ready to profile

Not far to go now

Ready to begin finish

After dyeing and first sealer coats

That look says to mean "Is it done yet"??
Maybe we will see him on it in Eureka Springs...lawd willin.

Finish buffed, ready to install

And with the 2008 Bejing Olympics, Beach Volleyball in the background, the replacement TB-4 clone will now step back and let the original design take back over.
 

Well I think this project has finally come to fruition, and it feels good to get this "Dusty corner" in my mind cleaned out!
This banjo has alot of history already, and now it can get to the business of making some music
T.J. is here to pick it up, and Rootbeer is crooning "Bye bye Blues" to send it on its way.
Problem is, he always wants to do it in "A", good thing Tyler knows his range:)

 Thanks for watching
Vinnie