andyo - Posted - 01/09/2017:  09:25:39

We are building a Blonde Autumn from the Bishline Limited Series for Phread1 here on the hangout. If you would like to follow the build, we will be posting build pictures and videos here. Today we did the rough cut of the neck and are cutting out the Koa leaves and delicate pearl outlines for the inlay. More to come!

Pearl Leaf inlay outlines

Koa Leaf inlays

rough cut neck

 

ClayTech - Posted - 01/09/2017:  14:15:46

This is great! Show lots of tools, too. It's always good to see how you do it.

Dan Drabek - Posted - 01/09/2017:  15:46:34

I look forward to seeing your build process. You've got a nice start with that handsome piece of maple.

DD

andyo - Posted - 01/10/2017:  08:37:01

Today we are finising fingerboard and headstock inlay and cutting Koa for the headstock binding.

VIDEO: Koa headstock binding
(click to view)

 

andyo - Posted - 01/12/2017:  08:01:31

We have the resonator bound in koa, sanded, and the first coat of finish applied. We will shoot and sand it at least 7 more times till we get a glass like finish. Rob has done the initial heel cut  and attached the fingerboard to the rough cut neck. This morning he is attaching the head plate. More to come...

 

Brentk5s - Posted - 01/12/2017:  08:21:32

Oh my, that is beautiful!

Dan Drabek - Posted - 01/12/2017:  08:51:56

Looking good. I was hoping to see the resonator building process. Is it solid construction or laminated?

DD

andyo - Posted - 01/13/2017:  10:28:49

This model has a laminated reso.  I'm attaching some pictures of the neck with one coat of finish and the resonator under UV cure. It should start looking nice next week!

VIDEO: neck sanding
(click to view)

Phread1 - Posted - 01/13/2017:  11:05:04

How many RPM's does that sander get to?

andyo - Posted - 01/16/2017:  11:17:41

We did a few more rounds of finish on the neck and resonator today and got the flange and hoop copper-vein powder coated.  It will look great with the gold hooks and nuts, tuners and tailpiece with the copper veined flange and hoop! More to come....

 

andyo - Posted - 01/18/2017:  14:43:11

More rounds of sanding and shooting today and Rob turned the Old Growth Rim and is fitting it to the ring. Getting close!

VIDEO: Getting close
(click to view)

 

andyo - Posted - 01/19/2017:  14:00:09

The neck fit to the rim is a critical element in how the banjo sounds and performs. In this short video Rob is making the final heel cut.

VIDEO: Final Heel Cut
(click to view)

 

Phread1 - Posted - 01/19/2017:  14:13:41

It's way better than television 😁

And WOW. I am gonna be (trying to) play one beautiful instrument. It looks like it should be hanging in the National Gallery. Can't thank you enough!!!

andyo - Posted - 01/24/2017:  11:53:23

It's Alive! Here are some final shots of the Bishline Blonde Autumn and a video demo with Rob Bishline and Rick Williams. Thanks Phread1! Your new banjo is on it's way.

VIDEO: Blonde Autumn Test Drive
(click to view)

Phread1 - Posted - 01/24/2017:  12:59:57

Hard to find the words to describe how I feel now after watching the test drive. Let's just say I have one very big smile on my face.