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Bacon & Day Special Silverbell Model Tenor Banjo (1923), made in Groton CT, serial # 11783, blond varnish and celluliod finish, laminated maple rim with ivoroid overlay; white holly neck with ivoroid fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

A very rare and interesting early Silverbell...this appears to be a "Pre-Montana" sample of the engraved-celluloid-covered Montana model. The headstock is plain ivoroid with a plaque reading "B&D Special Silverbell" pinned on; the grained ivoroid fingerboard features #1 style shaped pearl inlays, like the very earliest Montana model. There is no colored-in engraving of the plastic-this banjo pre-dates that feature. The early deep-dish style resonator is finished in blonde, as is the neck; the rim is covered in ivorloid. The flange has round holes, as does the tone ring. The neck is an intermediate 22" scale. This would be one of the very first Silverbells made in this style, and an extremely early B&D of any style. This is a most unusual Bacon & Day instrument; a historically interesting and very attractive banjo.
 
Overall length is 32 1/8 in. (81.6 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 4 in. (10.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.). Very clean condition overall; later tailpiece and armrest and resonator attachment screws are not correct but otherwise appears to have very little use. Excellent Condition.

Prices subject to change without notice.
 

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