dspainters - Posted - 06/25/2015:  05:13:25

4stringbanjos.com/Tenor_Banjos...anjo.html    i just bought this banjo ser# 9332 was all done by vinnie mondello this banjo is the earliest silver bell # 2 listed on polles data base what r your thoughts  cant wait until it arrives she looks great and bet it sounds great too

Edited by - dspainters on 07/14/2015 18:57:29

jbalch - Posted - 06/25/2015:  05:42:47

Looks like a fantastic banjo - in magnificent shape after Vinnie's expert restoration. Congratulations!

I have a couple of slightly later B&D SB #2 banjos (14,xxx serial numbers).  I really like the silver plating. The #2 is one of my favorite models.

My B&D Silver Bell #2 banjos really sound amazing.  I'm sure yours will too!

Edited by - jbalch on 06/25/2015 05:45:35

as found

dspainters - Posted - 06/25/2015:  05:55:11

this is my first silver bell I bought, was buying the odd ball ones, like senortas tatham, phifer. exct. thanks for your post

dspainters - Posted - 06/25/2015:  06:01:36

but no carved heal ?

NYCJazz - Posted - 06/25/2015:  06:32:00

I have an early (132XX) SB plectrum #3/2 w the tone ring with the outside holes and I love it.

I would expect that to be a first-rate tenor. I like the short scale... unusual in a good way.

I might put a set of Planet tuners on it...

8thpol - Posted - 06/25/2015:  09:44:41

Beautiful

dspainters - Posted - 06/25/2015:  11:07:32

thanks for all your posts I think it will sound awesome since it has no carved heal might have been special order?

dspainters - Posted - 06/26/2015:  14:26:58

no I think I will leave the friction tuners on it I know they are quirky but that's what came on the banjo

dspainters - Posted - 06/26/2015:  14:51:27

ed britt e mailed me and told me this is a very early rare model because of the early different style script B&D on peg head

Edited by - dspainters on 06/26/2015 14:57:24

dspainters - Posted - 06/26/2015:  15:32:01

different script

Edited by - dspainters on 06/26/2015 15:37:41

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 06/26/2015:  23:58:13

Dave,

Do take the No. 2 designation with a grain of salt - at the time (early summer 1923) when your banjo was built B&D hadn´t yet developed the various Silver Bell styles and introduced the numberings for these - the first examples popped up 5-6 months later.

In my databases I have however for ease added style designations for the very early SB´s also.

A more correct name/designation for your banjo should maybe be B&D SILVER BELL SPECIAL - B&D used the SPECIAL designation for anything - well - special - like the silver plating of your example.

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 06/26/2015 23:59:34

dspainters - Posted - 06/27/2015:  18:48:09

B&D SILVER BELL SPECIAL never heard of it, so this is a transitional banjo from blue ribbon model?

Edited by - dspainters on 06/27/2015 18:48:59

dspainters - Posted - 07/13/2015:  13:36:14

should have the banjo next week, cant wait my first silver bell..now maybe a plectrum we will see what the  future holds

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/14/2015:  00:34:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by dspainters

B&D SILVER BELL SPECIAL never heard of it, so this is a transitional banjo from blue ribbon model?

---

Dave - what I mean is - early 1923 B&D introduced only the basic Silver Bell - that´s why yours being one of the earliest examples doesn´t carry a style number.

But - yours is due to its silver plating somewhat special - that´s why I´ll call it a B&D SILVER BELL SPECIAL.

As the company late 1923 started introducing upper grade versions - they also introduced the style numbering system No. 1-2-3-4-etc. - to be stamped at the dowel.

Polle

Banjohaven - Posted - 07/14/2015:  01:21:23

Yes as Polle points out, its not a number 2 on the dowel as was shown in its original photos and I designated it a 2 because of its plating only.

I just pulled it from GDAE tuning to DGBD for Dave and it still sounds as it should, but I can play little on it (well less than in a tuning I kpnw!)

V

dspainters - Posted - 07/14/2015:  05:25:18

thank you v      possibly a proto type silver bell

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/14/2015:  06:25:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by dspainters

thank you v      possibly a proto type silver bell

---

Dave - ABSOLUTELY NOT! - your "new" banjo is a typical standard production example of the first version of the Silver Bell model - except for the silver plating. It´s NOT a prototype example - it´s a customized example.

Do have in mind - a large part of the Bacon/B&D production was over the years more or less customized.

Besides - Mr. Day kept on improving the model during the 20s - hence a late 20s example will be performing at a level far above that of an early 20s example - Sorry!

Vinnie has restored your banjo to an almost as-new condition - but please don´t fool yourself - a late 20s example/version in the same condition will perform at a totally different and much "higher" level.

Sorry - before purchasing a somewhat similar plectrum example - do for safety consult me at first hand.

Polle

carlb - Posted - 07/14/2015:  06:33:15

There are two silver bells with lower numbers in the Bacon Professional database Excel file:

sugarinthegourd.com/BaconProfe...alBanjos/

I didn't put them there, so I think they're from the original survey.

#6559 - silver bell ser - tenor

#8750 - silver bell #2 - 5 string - Groton

banjotrader - Posted - 07/14/2015:  07:49:14

The #6559 I have a hard time with, but the #8750 HMMM???...  Polle, that's what a ~ Jan 1923...  9196 (Mar/Apr 1923).  Possibility?

As Polle mentions above, the #2 being quoted doesnt seems right to be on 8750.  Well.. because they didnt have numbers yet...  So, did someone add it to your survey using a similar coding to Vinnie's method (i.e. because of the plating)??

Or is it a Super Rim, with SB neck w/ dowel exchange??



Lucky find Dave, she's a beauty...  Enjoy..

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/14/2015:  09:12:42

Carl - please do delete the entries for SN 6559 and 8750 in your DB - they are easily proven wrong - the Bacon Co. started using the B&D brand ab appr. SN 86XX and the Silver Bell model/designation ab appr. SN 91XX.

Peter - yes - many Bacon/B&D banjos have been "post-stamped" in the past - for example Vinnie is these days still doing so - ´cause he can - I hate this. However not a problem for my research.

Polle

dspainters - Posted - 07/14/2015:  10:32:38

na no dowel exchange

dspainters - Posted - 07/14/2015:  10:35:44

what do you me no numbers yet my 21 blue ribbon has dowel stamp 6947 with no rim stamp   ?

Banjohaven - Posted - 07/14/2015:  11:09:28

In a reply to Polles post, I only stamp serial numbers on banjos that have missing or broken dowels and they are clearly not an attempt to fake a serial number, that's not my bag.

I do not have BD stamping irons ,just plain number stamps.

There are no re-stampings on this banjo dowel, I assure  you nor will there be additional stampings added to it.

V

dspainters - Posted - 07/14/2015:  11:26:16

thanks again

dspainters - Posted - 07/14/2015:  11:44:47

you know it doesn't matter to me any way ,i like it it may not sound like the later year models ,but not to many early models out there i will cherish this banjo any way and keep it the same  so far its my crown jewel in my collection  so many people changing dowel sticks tuners tail pieces changing g to five string necks etc. so few left when they are gone they are gone for good that is  my philosophy. it does not matter if it is a bacon a b c  12345678 i buy them because i love them so much each one is different ............... have you had your bacon today.... well  i  did                        thanks for every ones input      dave

banjotrader - Posted - 07/14/2015:  15:19:20

Dave, the possible dowel exchange comments arent referring to your banjo, but rather the earlier 8750SN. Yours is the earliest known silverplated example. A style 2 (in later terms). Enjoy it.

Edited by - banjotrader on 07/14/2015 15:19:59

dspainters - Posted - 07/14/2015:  17:04:41

thanks

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/14/2015:  22:53:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by dspainters

 

you know it doesn't matter to me any way ,i like it it may not sound like the later year models ,but not to many early models out there i will cherish this banjo any way and keep it the same  so far its my crown jewel in my collection  so many people changing dowel sticks tuners tail pieces changing g to five string necks etc. so few left when they are gone they are gone for good that is  my philosophy. it does not matter if it is a bacon a b c  12345678 i buy them because i love them so much each one is different ............... have you had your bacon today.... well  i  did                        thanks for every ones input      dave 

---

Dave - thanks for your reply above - this is exactly what I had in mind - but wanted to hear from you.

Congratulations with your purchase of this very rare and beautifully restored banjo - do enjoy it and do take great care of it - not many examples of the first SB version have survived.

Polle

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/14/2015:  23:07:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banjohaven

In a reply to Polles post, I only stamp serial numbers on banjos that have missing or broken dowels and they are clearly not an attempt to fake a serial number, that's not my bag.

I do not have BD stamping irons ,just plain number stamps.

There are no re-stampings on this banjo dowel, I assure  you nor will there be additional stampings added to it.

V

---

Vinnie - sorry - I shouldn´t have brought up the re-stamping/post-stamping topic at this thread - dealing with one particular banjo.

I love your work - and as you know - I have recommended you to many players and will continue doing so.

Polle

dspainters - Posted - 07/15/2015:  05:10:59

thanks polle i will be contacting you very soon on some advice of buying my next B&D plectrum....

dspainters - Posted - 07/24/2015:  16:07:03

ok received banjo today, wow what a beautiful piece of history,and the sound is magnificent.set up perfect.,i am very pleased,but i do have one more question. if it would be a silver bell special wouldn't say special on dowel. this silverbell.just has ser # 9332, then bacon banjo co Groton  ct ,then just B&D no special or silverbell on dowel, so what does it make it then ...just wondering

Edited by - dspainters on 07/24/2015 16:16:22

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 07/25/2015:  00:06:52

Dave,

The very early Silver Bell´s are stamped with the B&D designation only - so yours is absolute correct.

Good Luck with it - and do enjoy it.

Polle