Tom Blackford - Posted - 03/19/2017:  11:15:48

I play an old Bacon open back 5 string and I'm looking for some background information.  Serial number is 8485 which, I believe, puts it at 1922.  Does anyone recognize the model?

Bacon Banjo

Banjo headstock

Banjo Back

Banjo tailpiece

Bill H - Posted - 03/19/2017:  16:20:07

If you mail it to me, I will thoroughly research the history. Shouldn't take more than ten years. Really nice banjo!

jbalch - Posted - 03/19/2017:  18:44:22

It has some characteristics similar to the "Super" or "Blue Ribbon" models. 

Here is a serial number database that might assist you in determining age:  acoustudio.dk/BD_and_Bacon_database.html

Best wishes!

Tom Blackford - Posted - 03/19/2017:  19:37:50

Thanks John, I used that database to get a date but wasn't able to identify the model. I'll find some pictures and descriptions of the Blue Ribbon and Super to see how they compare.

dspainters - Posted - 03/19/2017:  21:01:29

does resemble a blue ribbon here are some pics of my blue ribbon

Edited by - dspainters on 03/19/2017 21:02:46

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/19/2017:  21:29:31

That's the first iteration of the Silver Bell tone ring.  But the banjo otherwise doesn't look like any of those usually seen with that ring.  The date fits, too--maybe a special-order one-off?   ....  Do you know if it ever h ad a pop-off flat resonator?

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 03/19/2017 21:31:51

dspainters - Posted - 03/19/2017:  21:29:36

i dont think its a blue ribbon might be a peerless but i thought the peerless doesn't have a tone ring just a brass hoop

Edited by - dspainters on 03/19/2017 21:37:20

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 03/20/2017:  02:43:05

Tom,

Your banjo seems to be a marriage between a first generation Blue Ribbon pot (without it´s original resonator plate) and an up-graded/altered or replica Peerless/Style B neck.

I would very much like to see some pictures of the peghead back/side and the neck back - will it be possible for you to post these?

Polle

dspainters - Posted - 03/20/2017:  05:23:33

well i guess i was close

banjotrader - Posted - 03/20/2017:  08:05:54

My first impression was an Orchestra as seen here: billsbanjos.com/bacon_orchestra.htm

PrairieSchooner - Posted - 03/20/2017:  08:29:01

Sweet looking banjo, whatever the model!

Tom Blackford - Posted - 03/20/2017:  19:15:32

Thanks for all of your help, I'll attach some more pictures. Bill, you were right. There is a small metal pin and a corresponding hole on the opposite side of the rim that look like they would have secured a flat resonator. How effective were these resonators and how are they constructed? I would guess that it's a fairly thin disc of quartersawn wood.

back of headstock

pin for flat resonator

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 03/20/2017:  22:52:50

Tom,

Thanks - sadly any neck lamination can´t be detected at the picture - but the multi-layer back-strapping of the peghead clearly shows that the neck is a reproduction - most likely made icw. a conversion.

FYI - here´s a picture of the resonator on SN 8584 - a Bacon Blue Ribbon A:

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 03/20/2017 22:56:11

Tom Blackford - Posted - 03/21/2017:  13:52:12

Thanks Polle,

My banjo does have a neck lamination showing down the back of the neck identical to the one in your picture but I haven't seen the stepped back laminations (one of them reddish) by the peghead in other banjos. If the neck is a reproduction that would explain why the inlays don't match any of the pictures I've seen of other Bacon banjos.

Does the resonator plate seat tight up against the rim or is it floating and only supported at two points? I've never seen one up close.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 03/21/2017:  23:02:22

Tom,

The resonator plate has a glued-on strip of felt - to fill out the gap between the plate and the rim recess and avoid rattling - like this:

Regarding the neck - it´s absolutely possible that it´s an original Peerless/Style B neck - later equipped with a peghead backstrapping and a new fretboard - plus of course all of the fancy MOP inlays.

Only a closer inspection can tell about this.

Polle