{"product_id":"bacon-day-sultana-silver-bell-1-tenor-banjo-1939-3158","title":"Bacon \u0026 Day Sultana Silver Bell #1 Tenor Banjo (1939)","description":"Bacon \u0026amp; Day Sultana Silver Bell #1 Model Tenor Banjo, c. 1939, made in Groton CT, shaded maple and pearloid finish, laminated maple nack and rim, original brown hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere is a late example of one of Bacon \u0026amp; Day's crowning creations�the Sultana Silver Bell. While all Silver Bell banjos are generally quite fancy, Sultanas have a unique shaded pearloid d�cor and are very distinctive even by Bacon standards. This is the #1 style, the lowest in the Sultana line, but is still a flamboyantly flashy instrument compared to most. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis banjo would have been made shortly before the sale of the Bacon company to Gretsch and features the later \"cloverleaf\" flange instead of the standard \"f-hole\" style, as well as the larger peghead characteristic of 30's Bacons. The market for such fancy tenor banjos had cooled considerably by the late 1930's, but here is one of the last of those red hot mamas!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis banjo features elaborate engraving in the pearloid headstock, fingerboard, heelcap, reverse of headstock, and concentric rings on the resonator back. The tuners are original Planets with large amber celluloid buttons and the tailpiece is the individually adjustable 4-claw Oettinger. The patented B \u0026amp; D mute pedal is present and working perfectly, allowing both the intended quick muting and the characteristic \"wah-wah\" effect often employed by Roy Smeck, a longtime Silverbell endorser. The B \u0026amp; D Silver Bell is generally considered to be one of the finest tenor banjos ever created as well as the flashiest, and this is a great sounding and fairly rare example.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 34 in. (86.4 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 4 in. (10.2 cm.) deep. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExcellent playing condition, all original hardware, light average playwear; some small cosmetic modifications have been effected over the years to make this banjo even flashier than it started out! It is currently fitted with a clear 5-Star head and the top of the dowel, mute, and interior face of the resonator have been painted gold�quite a striking effect, but would not be noticeable if an opaque head is re-installed. The sides of the peghead have added gold paint as well. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe banjo was played in a left-handed position for some time; the original nut was not recut, but the mute was remounted on the opposite side of the rim�there is still a small hole visible there. There was also an actual gold bell(!) installed on the underside of the dowel (still included although dismounted) and there is a small hole in the rim on the treble side near the neck where possibly some sort of striker was mounted. The engraving is all still crisp but some of the color has faded from the painted highlights. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall an excellent sounding and playing Silverbell with an obviously colorful past! Excellent Condition.","brand":"Bacon \u0026 Day","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853197365388,"sku":"3158","price":2100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_6cd3f31e-c00b-443e-a9b4-48bb76ee2ed2.jpg?v=1774331787","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/bacon-day-sultana-silver-bell-1-tenor-banjo-1939-3158","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}