John Vonk - Posted - 05/23/2015:  14:09:27

While attending the 2015 Sacramento Banjorama I was informed the 1925 Bacon and Day Silver Bell #6 Ne Plus Ultra that was a past favorite of the "Hall of Fame" banjoist and author Dave Frey was available to a new caretaker. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to acquire a rare plectrum #6 that was restored and maintained by Renee Karnes for the past 30 years. I believe Dave preferred his Renee Karnes custom banjo and the #6 was his backup banjo. This #6 is on "The Southtown Strummers" vinyl album "Lost in Tin Pan Alley" and is pictured with Dave holding it on the album cover. There is an artists illustration of this #6 on the cover of "The Ultimate Plectrum Banjo Players Guide". The banjo was restored long ago and is currently in excellent condition with great playability and great tone. This one seems more mellow and less tinny than my mentor and banjo guru Dave Marty's # 6 that I used to play as a teenager. I checked the serial number 17100 with Polle's data base and that's how I dated it. Thanks Polle for your valuable research! Dave bought the banjo in April 1985 from Russell Presting in San Francisco and I have the original receipt. I'm not sure if Renee restored this one or her mentor Henry Lea did it but I will find out. I'm getting my son to help me add some photos as I'm lame with computers and digital imagery. I finally bought an Iphone 6+ but I don't know how to use it? Cheers!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/23/2015:  15:51:16

A very good looking banjo.

Perhaps your son could also help post some sound files?  

skip sail - Posted - 05/23/2015:  15:56:33

Wow,congratulations John,its a beauty!

jbalch - Posted - 05/23/2015:  16:36:07

I think the #6 is the best looking of them all.  Congratulations.

davidwigal - Posted - 05/23/2015:  21:31:17

Wow that is so nice; it is like a piece of jewelry that you can play ": ' )

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 05/24/2015:  01:15:42

John - I´ve included you as the "REFERENCE / REPORTER" in my databases.

Congratulations - she looks fantastic.

Polle

Gordy Ohliger - Posted - 05/24/2015:  11:03:14

That is a dream come true. So dang very nice. I love the "stars" on the pot.

It warms my heart to see references to all the folks I've come to know and do Biz with as a 4-string plectrum player.

Respect to that fine instrument!  Play on!

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 05/25/2015:  02:33:38

John - a question:

Originally the ebony NPU necks weren´t lacquered - only hand rubbed. However many examples have since - icw. restorings - been lacquered.

Two of my own NPU tenors - restored to pristine condition prior to my purchases - have a high gloss lacquer - I really hate this with regards to playability - I´m pt. considering stripping the necks and instead hand rubbing them - using only a nano-tech hard wax.

My third NPU tenor - my main soloist banjo - the for now one and only known example of the last version of a #6 - does not have a lacquered neck - I simply love playing it.

I can´t tell from your pics - is the neck on yours lacquered - or is it just hand rubbed - maybe with the use of a sort of wax?

Polle

John Vonk - Posted - 05/26/2015:  02:29:15

Polle the neck on this #6 is lacquered and glossy. I'm sure either Henry or Renee refinished it as it looks as if it is new. There is grunge and grime collecting in the crevices of the Lion carving and it was this way when I obtained it. I think Dave's sweat and skin particles are all over the Lion heel and I've been playing it quite a bit and I'm putting my sweat and grunge over Dave's. I haven't had the heart to clean it yet. My younger son's birthday was yesterday and my home has been a party house all the Memorial holiday weekend. After some sobering up I'll get my boys to take some better photos and help me record some sound files or do a video so hangout members can hear the #6. Thanks to all for your kind comments! Polle it is apparent the headstock has lacquer on it as it has yellowed with time but the fingerboard ivories are a whiter less yellowed hue as the fingerboard was not lacquered. Renee was really busy at Banjorama and she didn't have time to fill me in on the history of this banjo's restoration but I'm sure she will in the near future. I obtained most of my information concerning this #6 from Dave Frey's widow Sally Frey who in fact sold me the banjo. I will keep investigating the banjo's history and I can inquire with Dave's bandmates from the Southtown Strummers. Bill Houston, a very fine banjoist was the second plectrum in the band and I bet he knows a lot about this banjo! Polle, I'm thinking of going to Europe this year or next and I'd like to come here you play and see your #6. Maybe I can visit Derek Kinder in England and then come see you on the continent? Cheers to All!

8thpol - Posted - 05/26/2015:  09:25:13

Well done!

MikeHashem - Posted - 05/29/2015:  07:54:24

John; I may have some information on your banjo. Please send me a private message and I will send my phone number. Mike Hashem

John Vonk - Posted - 06/02/2015:  21:13:22

Thanks to my son I can offer you a link to show the "Dave Frey" Bacon and Day Silver Bell#6 Ne Plus Ultra in action. We attended a Barbeque in Bel Air California this past weekend at a spectacular site in the Santa Monica Mountains. I had a brain fart or two so forgive my rough playing.

youtu.be/tAUcOobKy-Y

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 06/03/2015:  00:11:16

John - some luthiers do stain the ivory inlays when restoring a NPU - IMHO a big mistake - opposite Ivoroid genuine ivory keeps its whitish shine over time.

I´ve recently removed added stain like this on a #6 NPU of mine - this is how the banjo looked originally - without any stain or lacquer:

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 06/03/2015 00:13:54