This will be the rim assembly, I will darken it to match the walnut neck
 
 

Good heel fit and head adjustment gap
I will not change the 1 piece flange Gibson  heel cut in case it is to be used on other banjos later on
It will have good contact left as it is.

Neck will be final profiled and finish added

Plugging the dowel holes, this will be co rods

Profiling the neck

Adding Walnut stain to the rim

The color is not as yellow as pics make it look, its honey amber.
 The neck stripe is the same color, or close

 I went with a heavy brass upper rod, and a cap nut on the bottom lag.
This is a light rim and tone ring and I feel it will need the extra mass.
Its not really a true 11.5" rim either, being closer to  11-1/4" because the head is a little too big and it is an 1108 head.
An 1104 would probably be more proper.
5 star tuners
I will string it up and see how it sounds

Presting bridge, with a Kershner heavy tailpiece for maximum downforce

Tone is big, nice and clear
I will let it settle in and tweak it a bit not not much, its pretty darn close.
Action is nice and low

With resonator, and unpierced flange

This back was made for another instrument as well, and I have to modify it and change the finish to be a closer match to the other parts
 

Fine line taping the concentric insert

The cocobolo onlay is going to be darkened along with the rest, by tinting it will Dark Walnut stain
 

The cross is still on there, it is just not visible with the flash being absorbed by the Dark walnut stain

Preparing to drill out flange
I polished it back down to brass, the copper color was merely  Nicotine :)
 

reaming to smooth out the burrs

heel cut also complete, ready to mount resonator for a looksee
 
 

Inside, I'll only add 1 coat of clear over the tint and sealer, this baby sounds very open and I want to keep it this way
 

Tinted binding to match neck center veneer

Dark walnut stain sucks in light like a black hole
I also shot a fine mist of the honey amber over the abalone to give it the same patina as the MOP and abalone on the peghead.
Just trying all I can to make this back work with the rest as cosmetically as possible!.

I will let the back cure a day then buff it
Very pleased with the outcome.

back is complete and I am finalizing the fabrication of the armrest and that will be it.
I will do a final leveling and recrowning of the frets .

Now a wisp of the honey amber and a couple coats of clear to even out the color and finalize the matchup of the pieces

The old "Roundhole" style Silverbell look with some powerfull punch, shown next to Mikes 17 fretter KatrinaJo

This thing has alot of potential and I think that it will find a happy home in Memphis.
Thats pronouned....Ma'amphis
Its always a challenge to see what parts will work when its not mainstream nor blueprinted.
I will mail it off and we can get a report back from bob after he puts the picks to her.
Me, I can only surmise and pluck it with my single steel plectrum to the tune of "Skip to my Lou"
 
 

Thanks for watching
Vinnie