{"product_id":"gretsch-b-d-senorita-5-string-banjo-1948-3556","title":"Gretsch B \u0026 D Senorita 5 String Banjo (1948)","description":"B \u0026amp; D Senorita Model 5 String Banjo, made by Gretsch, c. 1948, made in Brooklyn, NY, shaded maple and pearloid finish, laminated maple rim and neck. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen the Bacon Banjo company of Groton, CT ceased operation in 1940, the name and patents were sold to the Fred Gretsch Company in Brooklyn, NY. Gretsch continued to make Bacon banjos, and though they never matched the original supremely high quality of the original Bacons, turned out some nice banjos. This is an example of a fairly early Gretsch-made Bacon 5-string, something of a rarity and an interesting instrument in its own right. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe banjo rim and resonator are covered in shaded pearloid, while the fingerboard, heelcap, and headstock are faced with white pearloid engraved and colored in the older Bacon style. Hooks, hoop, and flange are the older Bacon-style fittings. The neck is a multi-laminate maple style similar to Bacon practice, but the finish and frets are pure 1940's Gretsch. The neck profile is a bit of an oddity...it is noticeably asymmetrical, which was a feature of 1940's Gretsch Synchromatic archtop guitars but rarely seen on a banjo. Tuners are non-geared but quite functional; tone ring is simple rod style. Five-string banjos from this era are not common and this is a nice, unusual vintage banjo with a fine pedigree.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 36 1\/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1\/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/8 in. (29 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll original including skin head and bridge. Headstock wings have re-glued separations; otherwise structurally perfect with only very minor finish wear. Plays and sounds very well. A nice intermediate-grade 5-string and a very flashy banjo with a high \"cool\" factor. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Gretsch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853241471116,"sku":"3556","price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_4cc0bf04-8fdb-4e54-a6d6-3c80059c01e7.jpg?v=1774332083","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/gretsch-b-d-senorita-5-string-banjo-1948-3556","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}