jbalch - Posted - 02/12/2012:  07:18:46

Seller says Gretsch.  Is it?

ebay.com/itm/Gretsch-Lyric-Ten...0c265d266

Edited by - jbalch on 02/12/2012 07:27:37

rudykizuty - Posted - 02/12/2012:  07:30:59

The serial number stampings seem correct and the fingerboard inlays and resonator back just scream Groton to me. 

Edited by - rudykizuty on 02/12/2012 07:32:54

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/12/2012:  07:34:29

Ha-Ha!

It seems, that the seller has turned the Bacon/Gretsch issue by 180 degrees.

This really nice looking Lyric is for sure built by Bacon in 1931. I hope, that one of you guys (or maybe I) get it.

Polle

beezaboy - Posted - 02/12/2012:  09:35:40

The inside of the shell is not painted silver.  I thought all products from Bacon/Groton had silver interiors.

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 02/12/2012:  11:05:04

quote:

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Originally posted by beezaboy

The inside of the shell is not painted silver.  I thought all products from Bacon/Groton had silver interiors.

---

 I've seen some without paint inside of the resonator. My '32 Medalist PB has gold paint. 

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/12/2012:  20:09:19

John,

Bacon started using paint instead of lacquer inside the pots around 1928 - as far as I can tell from my database. However you can find examples later than that with none or f.ex. only the resonator painted.

It´s my impression, that the vast majority of 30s examples are painted.

Why did they shift?  Most likely due to the fact, that this paint allows for a faster diffusion of moisture than lacquer does.

Polle

stanger - Posted - 02/12/2012:  21:25:29

quote:

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Originally posted by beezaboy

The inside of the shell is not painted silver.  I thought all products from Bacon/Groton had silver interiors.

---

Not all of the Bacon interiors were painted. The metallic paint was used on the Silver Bell models, but I've seen non-Silver Bells with the paint. however, I've never seen a Silver Bell that wasn't painted on the inside.

Both metallic silver and gold were used, according to the plating of the banjo. The paint was supposed to add to the acoustic qualities, but I've always thought it was mostly a sales gimmick. They're cool, though.

regards,

stanger

Bird - Posted - 02/12/2012:  22:00:48

Has anyone gotten a close look at the new "Roots" line of Gretsch banjos?

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/12/2012:  23:13:24

John,

Correction - by closer study the starting year will have to be 1927, I think.

Polle

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/12/2012:  23:28:45

Stanger,



"However, I've never seen a Silver Bell that wasn't painted on the inside."

You´ll have to look at some more.   BTW - many pre-1927 Silver Bell´s have been painted icw. a later restoring - for the "cool look", I take.

Polle

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/18/2012:  02:22:23

Stanger,

An appr. 1928 Silver Bell No. 1 - as they often came (except for the transparent head etc.)  - LOL!

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 02/18/2012 02:24:04

ktbown - Posted - 02/19/2012:  06:10:30

I ended up the new owner of this banjo on a very weak bid ....... looks like more info here  antebelluminstruments.blogspot...anjo.html    tailpiece has got to go .. 

Edited by - ktbown on 02/19/2012 06:12:04