Hi everyone, I’ve gotten this beauty in my hands and I’m wondering if any of you have info about it. It came to me through a friend who wants to sell it for around $1.7k. I love it, but I just don’t know if the price is right. I’ve attached some pics; the serial number is four digits long, starting with 8XXX.
Thanks in advance, folks.
Nice banjo. I think it is a remake of bacon and day by gretsh in the mid sixties. Gretsh owns the rights to b & d. I have one and like it. (See my avatar).
Wow! That's banjo candy. <yum>
Makes me think about to converting plectrum or tenor.
Too bad they forgot that it's supposed to be a banjo and omitted the drone string... 
Edited by - pinenut on 12/12/2025 11:10:07
quote:
Originally posted by martyjoeNice banjo. I think it is a remake of bacon and day by gretsh in the mid sixties. Gretsh owns the rights to b & d. I have one and like it. (See my avatar).
Thanks for your reply mate, being that said, do you think its worth $1.7k?
Depends on what style music you want it for and if it sounds good (to you) for that style. What tone ring does it have? $1,700 seems a fair price, but I would not go higher.
As for its age....
https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/281020
Looks like it's either 1962-63, or 66-71. Maybe.
I have a 5 string version & my friend 50 miles away has a 5 string version also.
Their tonering was an attempt to make an archtop tonering.
Tom
Here in Ireland they go for €600 to €900. Paid a lot more than that. It is not seen as a vintage banjo. The tone ring on mine is magnetic so it isn’t brass and mine has a very chunky neck (nowhere near as slender as the silver bells. That all said it is still a great sounding banjo.
All I know about B&Ds, Bacons and Gretsches is that tenor and plectrum players and sellers/buyers are VERY picky and demanding about these instruments. There's a HUGE difference between early Bacons and B&Ds, and the later Gretsch products, with earlier being better.
Get on line and hunt for banjos like yours for sale. See what the asking prices are. And remember, asking price is usually not selling price.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 12/12/2025 14:41:06
Mine has a chunky neck & large peghead, unlike the early B&D's
My opinion, not more than about 1/2 the $1700.
I'm with Jim on the price
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
