Description
Description: Vintage 1940’s Bacon and Day Silver Bell Style No.1 Tenor 4-String Banjo
Condition: Very good. Various surface scratches, nicks and dings throughout the instrument. There is some light blemishing on some of the metal parts. There are a few cracks around the screws on the metal sides of the resonator and the thumb screw ports which are likely due to impact. This has caused some warping of the resonator (see photos). Fingerboard and frets have light play wear. Neck is still considerably straight. Bridge appears to be unoriginal and the tailpiece is missing its cover. There is a very small tear in the head. This does not affect playability. Based on the serial number, this piece was likely made by Gretsch.
Body: 11” diameter natural calf skin head with 24 lugs on a nickel tension hoop. Nickel tailpiece and a maple bridge. Maple pot features a single wood coordinator rod and a 29-hole angled tone ring. Maple resonator features a perforated metal side with four thumb screws. The coordinator rod has the words “Made by the Bacon Banjo Co Inc. Groton Conn USA Style No.1 B&D”.
Neck: Maple neck with gorgeous flame figuring on the back, bound Ebony fingerboard, pearloid inlays and a 3/16” nut. Headstock features an intricate pearloid floral inlay spelling: “B&D Silver Bell”. Nickel friction tuners with ivoroid buttons, 22” scale length.
Weight: 8lbs, 1.0oz.
Set Up: Professionally set up with .009 - .030 gauge round wound banjo strings.
Playability/Sound: This banjo has a gorgeous tone. The resonator and tone ring really amplify the sound nicely responding to playing dynamics. There is a definite attack to each note. Perfect action, suitable for any playing style.
Case: Does not include original case.
