{"product_id":"bacon-blue-ribbon-style-a-tenor-banjo-1922-3159","title":"Bacon Blue Ribbon Style A Tenor Banjo (1922)","description":"Bacon Blue Ribbon Style A Model Tenor Banjo, c. 1922, made in Groton CT, natural varnish finish, laminated maple neck and rim, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLike all banjos carrying the Bacon brand, this Blue Ribbon model is a beautifully made high-quality instrument. It sports typical features of a late 1910's through early 1920's tenor banjo: a shorter scale neck, larger head, and no flange or external resonator. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe banjo does feature an extremely clever detachable closed back made of arched laminated maple that effectively seals off the interior and has a noticeable effect on tone, a similar but rather more effective idea than the contemporary Gibson trap-door design. Combined with this is a series of small soundholes just under the hoop on the rim intended to carry the tone of the closed chamber outward�this same fitting was carried over to the early Silver Bell banjos but proved redundant combined with a full flange-and-resonator and was soon dropped. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Blue Ribbon was Fred Bacon's mid-line model just before he entered into partnership with David Day and the classic Bacon \u0026amp; Day Silver Bell line was launched. While nowhere near as fancy as these later instruments, this Style A is still a very nicely-appointed banjo. The maple neck has multiple laminates both vertically and horizontally and pearl insets in the heelcap and back of the headstock. The headstock is faced with ebony with an inlaid block letter \"Bacon\" logo and \"Blue Ribbon\" in pearl script with a floral design. The bound fingerboard has delicately-shaped pearl inlay along its length. The rim is laminated maple with a bound and ebony-capped bottom edge. The hardware is typical Bacon with original non-geared tuners and a 4-string No-Knot tailpiece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile not having all the more 'modern' (ca. 1924!) features of the classic 'jazz age' tenor banjos, this Blue Ribbon is a fine instrument�the larger head and short scale give it a denser, warmer sound. This would be an excellent choice for playing situations where many tenors would be too strident and would be a wonderful instrument for Irish playing in the lower \"G\" tuning. One of the nicest early-style tenor banjos we have ever handled.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 31 in. (78.7 cm.), 11 1\/2 in. (29.2 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3\/4 in. (7 cm.) deep. Scale length is 20 in. (508 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNicely original and well-preserved; appears all original except for an added later clip-on armrest. Normal playing wear but no damage or repairs�lower frets have been recrowned and are low but still quite playable. Comes with a worn but serviceable period case. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Bacon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853197398156,"sku":"3159","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_0c40d07e-e02d-4857-a9e6-5b67881bb59a.jpg?v=1774331790","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/bacon-blue-ribbon-style-a-tenor-banjo-1922-3159","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}