Submitted by czachk (see all reviews from this person) on 10/12/2023

Where Purchased: Elderly

Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: 2950 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

I bought this knowing that it probably wouldn't be the best bluegrass sounding instrument, but I use it for that anyway. The sound from this is loud and incredibly rich, especially in the low end register of it. My instructor has mentioned he's never played a banjo before with such a heavy sounding bass. It suits my needs and I'm very happy with where it is.

The banjo is fitted with the original No. 2 style tone ring with the holes in it and the sound is ample and suitable.

Sound Rating: 8

Setup

This banjo would probably be one of the most valuable banjos I've ever owned, it's a 1980's 5-string conversion by Henry Lea and Renee Karnes. While it's not at the same level of filigree that Renee is known for her work, the neck built to match the original 1925 neck is of exceptional quality and the woods picked out even surpass the original for its figuring.

Elderly did an awesome job setting up the banjo for sale to the perfect action height. Previous owner replaced the head with a skin J.D. Balch type and the original 4 string Otteinger with an ABM 4555 type tensionator for five string. Sadly, the Otteinger was not included with the hardware, but the original plectrum neck and the knee mute was. I've re-installed the knee mute but I have very little use for it in bluegrass style music, but it is a fun effect to play with and sometimes, it can be nice to use for emphasis or dynamics.

The only real change I've made since purchasing other than installing the knee mute is to put keith style tuners on this. The headstock is much thicker than you would find on normal banjos as this most likely is fitted with a permanent fixed stainless steel rod rather than a traditional truss rod. So the neck is not really adjustable except to switch out bridges.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

This banjo is absolutely gorgeous, the quality of craftsmanship of the 1920s pot is unsurpassed, except by the modern neck work by Renee. The wood and inlay are beautifully done and the neck is a real beauty. The flaming on it is excellent and the inlay work on the fretboard is really well done. All the details from the original banjo neck have been captured including the strap.

Like all banjos unfortunately, the metal chromed hardware likes to oxidize, but this is all still just surface stuff, and hopefully nothing to really worry about. Maybe down the line it would be worth it to pull it all apart and polish, but for now it is perfectly fine by me.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The original hooks and nuts are fine, the finish is a little on the sticky side, I am a little used to more smoother necks, but I do keep a thing of fast fret in my case. As I traded in my Gold Star towards this, it is the only five string I have to take to jams. My only worry is if I'm ever in a warm humid environment, the skin head is incredibly reactive. I may swap this out with a frosted drum head in future.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

not applicable

Customer Service: not rated

Components

As the neck was a new(-ish) build from the 1980's, the original neck was removed with the original grover tuners which I still have. The new neck was fitted with five-star planetaries which are fine if not a little bit sticky. Keith tuners are perfectly fine on this excepting the headstock thickness so the washer was not used.

The bridge fitted here is unknown, but I most likely will swap it out with a Huber type or have a few on hand in future.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This is a 1980/1 5 string conversion of a 1925 Bacon and Day Silver Bell No. 1 by Renee Karnes and Henry Lea. It is an absolute gem and beauty of a banjo to play. The neck is thicker than I'm used to but it's not chunky in any way, but nestles perfectly into my hand.

While purists are likely to say, "That's not the right sound for bluegrass", I think it's got a really forward pushy sound that makes it unique and stands out from the traditional twangy sound with a much sweeter voice with a deep throaty bassy end. I have been on the search for my own bacon and day since 2006 and only after 17 years of waiting do I finally get to have it. I know my previous review I said I would probably keep the Gold Star GF-85, but when presented with the opportunity to own my personal grail banjo, I couldn't turn down the chance.

It's probably likely I'll acquire another banjo in the future, one I wouldn't be afraid to camp with, but this one is staying put in my collection.

Overall Rating: 10