Bacon Peerless  Reviews

Bacon Peerless submitted 3/23/2005 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased private Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 400 ($US) Sound I don´t have any other 5 stringers to compare, but I do like the sound of it. This is a 5 string openback banjo from the 1920´s without a proper tonering. It have a rolled brass? ring. I believe it does very well for clawhammer which I have just taken up.It is set up with a renaissance head and steel strings. Sound Rating 8 Setup Action is a bit higher than I am used to on my plectrum banjos but is fine for playing down the neck. Setup Rating 8 Appearance The banjo is very simple with pearl dots in the neck. I do however think this is very nice on a banjo used for "old time" music. The maple neck and body is mahogany coloured and the peghead has a "Bacon" inlay. I think th ebanjo is french polished. It has the old original grover tuners with ivoroid pegs. The craftmanship is far superior to newly made banjos in this price range. The nickel still looks like new! Overall the banjo looks really good! Appearance Rating 9 Reliability This banjo will last for a long time. The 5 string tuner is friction but still holds the tuning far longer than I would think before getting the banjo. The other 4 tuners are old original grover 2:1 tuners that is working really well. The first two frets are a bit worn, but that is to expected from a 75+ year old banjo!! Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service Unfortunately the company no longer exists. Customer Service not rated Components I think I will change the bridge to a moon. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments In my very short experience of clawhammer I would most certain recommend this banjo to others. The Bacon 5 stringers are pretty scarce though. The more known Bacon Professional commands quite high prices. I have owned a Bacon Peerless 17 fret tenor as well. Although that was very well made it did not give a tone that was to my liking (would probably be great for irish tenor styl though!!) Overall Rating 9