jbalch - Posted - 06/29/2012:  12:32:42

Is the Silver Bell tone ring original to this banjo - or a later addition?  

ebay.com/itm/251096502697?ssPa...438.l2649

Edited by - jbalch on 06/29/2012 12:33:05

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 06/29/2012:  12:41:14

I don't know the answer to your question about the tone ring. Polle will kinow, I'd bet. It's not a tenor banjo, by the way. It has 22 frets and that makes it a Plectrum banjo. 

jbalch - Posted - 06/29/2012:  13:24:46

Being a plectrum makes it more interesting and valuable I think.  But, I'm not sure it will bring the sellers' asking price.

rudykizuty - Posted - 06/29/2012:  13:58:35

John, I don't believe it to be original. The only model other than the Silver Bell to have an SB tone ring that I know of was the Super.

jbalch - Posted - 06/29/2012:  14:28:30

I doubt it is original either.  But it might make a nice player.

Mumble Peg - Posted - 06/29/2012:  15:39:50

See if there are matching serial numbers on the neck and in the pot. It's possible that is an original SB tenor body with a replaced plectrum neck.

rudykizuty - Posted - 06/29/2012:  16:08:52

Actually, the rim, saddle hardware and resonator flange look very much to be original to a B&D Special. The striping on the outside of the rim is a tell tale sign. Also, the Silver Bell rims had hex bolts to attach the saddles. The Special (and the Senorita) used screws as seen here. Also the Tulip shaped holes on the flange are B&D Special all the way and was never used in the SB line.



John, agreed. I would guess that a Special pot upgraded with a Silver Bell tone ring would sound mighty nice.

Edited by - rudykizuty on 06/29/2012 16:09:28

NYCJazz - Posted - 06/29/2012:  18:17:51

A friend of mine has a very similar #1 Special plectrum with an SB tone ring. Is it factory? I dunno.

Here's another "is it original" B&D plectrum banjo:

ebay.com/itm/120936325915?ssPa...423.l2649

rudykizuty - Posted - 06/30/2012:  04:46:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by NYCJazz

A friend of mine has a very similar #1 Special plectrum with an SB tone ring. Is it factory? I dunno.

Here's another "is it original" B&D plectrum banjo:

ebay.com/itm/120936325915?ssPa...423.l2649

---

The Super is a beaut. My eye tells me that it is original. Of the ones that I have played and with the appointments I've seen them outfitted with (again, seeming original factory), it's almost as if the Super was issued as an economy level Silver Bell. 

NYCJazz - Posted - 07/01/2012:  18:37:06

I noticed that the dowel is stamped "Special" along with the "Super" marking, which would seem to indicate factory custom features. The head and bridge look original, also.

The only hardware that isn't gold plated is the resonator bracket!

NYCJazz - Posted - 07/01/2012:  19:51:59

The Super went for $1775.

rudykizuty - Posted - 07/02/2012:  02:59:47

I had a feeling it would climb. 

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/02/2012:  03:43:39

The tone ring on the Special No. 1 is a later addition. Maybe an original or a replica Silver Bell Type III - or maybe a casted undrilled flattop - hard to tell.

Regarding the Super - the early version came in 3 styles (A, A1 and DE LUXE) - the actual late version is cataloged only in the A style. In my database I have this and another similar example marked SPECIAL. The soft pedal mute and most likely also the Oettinger TP are later additions.

Do be aware, that Bacon used the term/model/version SPECIAL in various connections.

Polle

NYCJazz - Posted - 07/02/2012:  07:36:10

Isn't that tone ring a Type ll?

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/02/2012:  13:38:29

"Silver Bell" tone rings:



Type I - flattop - supported skirts in-/outside - perforations in-/outside

Type II - flattop - supported skirts in-/outside - perforations inside

Type III - flattop - supported skirt outside - floating skirt inside - no perforations

Type IV - archtop - supported skirt outside - floating rolled skirt inside - no perforations