cynthiashall - Posted - 12/21/2011:  13:29:17

Turns out I have a 1923 five string B&D banjo in excellent, original condition....any idea as to value?

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/21/2011:  13:30:57

Which model?

Photos!

jbalch - Posted - 12/21/2011:  14:50:11

Cynthia:

Bacon & Day banjos are truly great instruments.  Original 5-string B&D banjos are rare.  Yours could be something special!

Bacon made banjos in a huge range of quality, style and decorations.  The extremely fancy banjos are quite valuable.  The plain-Jane models are cool instruments - but worth much less. The value will depend greatly on exactly what kind of banjo you have and its condition.

Posting photos on your BHO homepage is the best way to get information.  There are some real B&D experts around here (Polle Flauno, Ed Britt,  and others).  With photos they can tell you everything you want to know about your banjo.

 Here is Polle's database of Bacon Banjos with serial numbers and descriptions: acoustudio.dk/BD_and_Bacon_database.html

Edited by - jbalch on 12/21/2011 14:51:51

5stringJim - Posted - 12/21/2011:  16:31:21

Don't sell it to BHO member NYCJazz....he'll have that 5-string neck off it in a jiffy, and replaced with a plectrum neck

Just kidding ,Nathan !!

Edited by - 5stringJim on 12/21/2011 16:34:47

NYCJazz - Posted - 12/21/2011:  21:10:48

Jim

You know what I'd do with a 5-string B&D?

I'd treasure it and learn 5-string.

That's how I got into playing plectrum after years of tenor!

One of the prettiest banjos I've ever seen was a mint original Silver Bell #3 5-string. it glowed!

NYCJazz - Posted - 12/21/2011:  21:18:32

Cyndi

Beautiful!

Please post some photos showing the side of the pot and the inside, please.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 12/22/2011:  01:46:56

Cyndi,

Aha - a B&D Super Style A Regular Banjo from the early 20s.  I have only 3-4 examples in my database - as mentioned above.

However some of the fret marks indicate, that the 5-string neck is maybe a replica or that the fretboard has been replaced / restored.

The 5-finger tailpiece is a much later addition.

Congratulations for owning this lovely banjo.

Regarding its value - hard to say - it´s a rare bird - others can maybe tell a you an exact estimate - my own rough guess will be 1.5K.

Polle

jbalch - Posted - 12/22/2011:  06:48:15

Very Nice! Those are awesome banjos.

cynthiashall - Posted - 12/22/2011:  15:22:31

Had it appraised. Apparently, it is in its original state. I do know my grandfather had it well before I was born (1949) and my father had it after that. After my grandfather died, it was never played. The case it was in is not original. BTW: the inlays are mother-of-pearl. The restorer who replaced the strings was truly excited by seeing it. Apparently it is quite rare, especially in this condition. who knew?

Edited by - cynthiashall on 12/22/2011 15:25:06

jbalch - Posted - 12/22/2011:  16:13:18

It is a great old instrument...no doubt.  What do you know about your Grandfather's music?  Are there photos of him with the banjo? Those things all add to the significance and value of any instrument. I'd recommed you gather as much as possinle regarding its history.

I hope you are going to play it...

Edited by - jbalch on 12/22/2011 16:19:49

NYCJazz - Posted - 12/22/2011:  17:20:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by jbalch

It is a great old instrument...no doubt.  What do you know about your Grandfather's music?  Are there photos of him with the banjo? Those things all add to the significance and value of any instrument. I'd recommed you gather as much as possinle regarding its history.

I hope you are going to play it...

---

Agreed 100%.

Looks like you are no stranger to B&D banjos.

Thanks for sharing.

jbalch - Posted - 12/23/2011:  06:35:21

NYCJazz: No stranger indeed - I'm not a B&D expert but I am crazy about my Silver Bell & Special #2 tenors .  And I'd love to have a 5-string like that Super.  Wouldn't that make an incredible banjo for melodic clawhammer playing....

NYCJazz - Posted - 12/23/2011:  14:28:31

John

I know you are a loyal B&D enthusiast, but I wasn't clear... I was referring to Cyndi! Between the Super and the Montana in her profile photo, looks she is way ahead of us!

David Schenkman - Posted - 12/23/2011:  15:38:24

I've had a B&D Super 5-string in the back room of the shop for many years; just never wanted to put it out for sale. They are, indeed, great instruments.

Dave
Turtle Hill Banjo Co.
turtlehillbanjo.com
banjoukes.com

jbalch - Posted - 12/23/2011:  21:14:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by NYCJazz

John

I know you are a loyal B&D enthusiast, but I wasn't clear... I was referring to Cyndi! Between the Super and the Montana in her profile photo, looks she is way ahead of us!

---

Got it ...but I just could't resist linking pics of my banjos.  Luv them Bacons don't you know....

Paul R - Posted - 12/23/2011:  21:39:59

Cyndi, that's a terrific banjo. I sure hope you'll keep it and play it. Having something like that passed on to you is a real gift - a treasure. I know, because my father's father had some banjos and they went into the garbage when he died (my dad was thirteen at the time). Sometimes these things skip a generation. Keep it, play it if you can/will. If not, find someone in the family who will appreciate it and play it. Just my two cents.

Paul

merenderos97 - Posted - 12/25/2011:  01:49:59

wow this banjo is fantastic!

neillconnor - Posted - 12/25/2011:  10:22:49

I bought a bacon and day 5 string off eBay about 2 weeks ago for £1200. the seller had zero feedback and was in London. I googled his business address and it turned out to be a tatty flat in bermondsey. I asked if I could pick up the banjo but he never made contact and 2 days later he de registered himself as a member of eBay. From the pictures, the banjo looked like the one that has been mentioned on another thread on here which was a scam. My instinct told me this one was a scam, but I was prepared to bid as I wouldn't part with my money until I picked the banjo up. I did ask the seller if he had a buy it now and he replied £2000 as long as I did it off eBay and he wanted me to pay by cheque to a different address and then said he would post it 10 days after he received my cheque. He said he was too busy to wait in for me to pick it up.
I reported the incident to eBay, but even now, I am still getting reminders off them to pay for the banjo by paypal.

Edited by - neillconnor on 12/25/2011 10:24:17