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beezaboy  Senior Member
United States
975 Posts |
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NYCJazz
 Senior Member
United States
1156 Posts |
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fordman24t
 Forum Newbie
United States
10 Posts |
 Posted - 10/21/2009 : 19:13:51 
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I have a very similar appearing B&D Senorita (SN 34xxx), but without the "Pifer Special" notation on the peghead. I bought it because it was totally original- skin head with Bacon stamp, bridge with Bacon stamp and the unwound strings were so rusty, they may have been original. The frets were loose and so were some of the Pyralin (pearloid, mother of toilet seat) fretboard pieces. Rene Karnes, a premier 4-string luthier, refretted it for me and set up the neck. I really enjoy playing it. Rene assured me it was a Bacon product and not made by Gretsch.
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Polle Flaunoe
 Forum Regular
Denmark
555 Posts |
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BrittDLD1
 Senior Member
United States
774 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2009 : 07:52:06 
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quote:
Originally posted by Polle Flaunoe
This is the first Pifer Special, that I´ve met. In my database there´re many Tatham Special´s from the same period (named after a banjo club/band, I think).
The SN indicates a manufactoring late ´37 / early ´38.
I agree Polle.
This is the only "Pifer" I've seen, as well.
And yes, based on the info I uncovered aboutthe "Tatham" versions -- they did seem
to be either "subscription" instruments (bought on a payment plan, with the lessons) --
or possibly... they were the "property" of a particular club or band.
If so... that means there are some OTHER Pifer-labeled instruments, which haven't
surfaced yet.
Probably about right on the time frame as well.
Unfortunately... the "upgrade" scourge has started to affect Senoritas, as well.
I've seen about 1/2 dozen which have been upgraded, with Silver Bell (or other)
tone rings...
The uncut Gibson TB-1's -- have become somewhat rare, because of that. Senoritas
could easily go the same way...
I have a sentimental attachment to Senoritas...
My first good banjo was a c1932 Senorita tenor, which I bought from a friend's father.
I sold it many years ago -- but now own 2 rare "pre-B&D" Senoritas.
And I also own a VERY rare early-30s Senorita 5-string.
I agree with Polle... The Senorita's have their own attractive sound and personality.
Best-
Ed Britt
••• A good fiddle tune will bring two or more people together who might otherwise be enemies. ••• |
Edited by - BrittDLD1 on 10/22/2009 07:53:11 |
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BTuno
 Forum Regular
United States
362 Posts |
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NYCJazz
Senior Member
United States
1156 Posts |
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budbennett
 Forum Regular
United States
664 Posts |
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BrittDLD1
Senior Member
United States
774 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2009 : 11:54:19
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quote:
Originally posted by NYCJazz
On another thread, our friend Diarmaid suggested to a TB-1 owner to place large coins between the the rim and brass rod to improve the sound while not altering the construction. Sounds like a logical plan.
Has anyone else tried this? Opinions?
http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/160511
BELOW... is what I just posted there.
Amongst THIS group -- it would best known as the principle used by Lange, in his Orpheums
and Paramounts.
(Best known in the Old Time World as the Whyte Laydie or Electric tonering.)
Nathan... It's exactly what WE were discussing in another post -- about the "shims" stuck on
the top of the rim, in the photo of B&D #6 NPU.
Since it tends to give a "richer" or "warmer" tone -- it tends to be preferred for 5-strings
and plectrums. The tenors tend to like a more "cutting" tone.
But Diarmaid and I were discussing our fondness for 1920s Epiphones -- and the principle is
used in the Epi Recording Bandmasters as well.
MORE mass gives the principle more power -- less mass will still work, tone-wise, but it's
just less powerful.
As I mentioned in that NPU post, David Day tried some experimental versions of the
"rod-on-points" principle in B&D banjos for the Vaudeville star, "Montana", and for NY
orchestra banjoist Frank Reino.
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The principle of a ring resting on points ("rod-on-points") was first patented in 1882 -- and used in the
Morrison banjos, made by Buckbee,
Other US makers to eventually use variations on the principle, included:
Fairbanks (and Vega), Cole, Washburn, Bacon, Orpheum, Paramount, Gibson, Epiphone, Stromberg,
Majestic, VanEps, ODE, Fielding...
Obviously, it's an old, and a very WELL-PROVEN principle... Yes... it's the concept that the Gibson
Ball-Bearing is based on. They just put a big round tube on it, instead of a rod...
Works like a charm. Did it to my first "parts" banjo, back in the '70s.
Diarmaid's variation adds a bit more low-profile mass to the system. Dimes, Nickels, or pennies, will
work just as well. So will paperclips, or small finishing nails, roll-pins, etc.
Try MORE and FEWER "points" and see which you like better. I've seen variation ranging from
48 points of contact -- to just 3 points. (VanEps used 4.)
Best-
Ed Britt
••• A good fiddle tune will bring two or more people together who might otherwise be enemies. ••• |
Edited by - BrittDLD1 on 10/22/2009 12:06:11 |
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B&D Pifer Senorita Tenor Banjo
