beezaboy - Posted - 01/16/2012:  04:09:09

What model is this: ebay.com/itm/Vintage-B-D-Bacon...3ac547e45 

Looks like 17 frets to the rim.

Is this a 22" scale banjo?

Is this one with the first Silver Bell tone ring?

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/16/2012:  04:47:20

John,

Yes - it has the Type I tone ring - BUT - the banjo is a hybrid of Silver Bell and Super parts. It has most likely the 22" short long scale - Bacon´s first and long-lasting choice for a modern tenor banjo.

Polle

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/16/2012:  05:08:46

PS!

The neck comes from a late 1924 Silver Bell No. 3 - the Oettinger TP may be original for this banjo (Bacon had at that time started using these on some upper-grade models/versions) - the pot and add-on resonator comes from a Super of appr. the same vintage.

Gymbal31 - Posted - 01/16/2012:  05:37:44

Here's a Silver Bell that's been on Chicago Craigslist for at least a year.  Seller hasn't changed the price ($3000) and reposts every five days or so.

chicago.craigslist.org/sox/msg...5183.html

beezaboy - Posted - 01/16/2012:  06:55:56

Is this a factory original "floorsweep"?

Or, did someone join parts from other banjos to make this one?

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/16/2012:  11:57:15

John,

Are you out of your mind?  Mr. Day would absolutely never have allowed a floorsweep example!  Do ask Ed Britt in case of any doubt. He´s - as I - a dedicated Day fan.

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 01/16/2012 11:58:13

beezaboy - Posted - 01/16/2012:  12:24:50

Polle:

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.  Please forgive me.

I shall never take David L. Day's name in vain.

I don't know what I was thinking!

I was curious because this ebay Bacon received a good deal of interest on ebay and a significant price tag at the end.  Originality can be important to some collectors.  We see that this banjo fails the originality test.  Was it purchased to act as a player...an axe?  If so, that surprises me as cantalevered fretboards are not the easiest to play up the neck.  This fretboard appears to meet the rim at the 17th fret.  Will it be tuned as a traditional tenor banjo.  Or is it a plectrum banjo??