1933 Bacon & Day Silver Bell Montana Resonator Tenor Banjo

Hot to trot! That's what I think of whenever I see and play a nice old B&D tenor. They're definitely "band" instruments in that they're loud, punchy, forward, and snappy. They've got a ton of volume so you can really play with dynamics and keep your right hand as light as you want and then "crank it up" when you need it.

Other features include a fast neck, a functional knee-lever mute (wait for it in the vid -- it's so much fun), fancy Oettinger adjustable tailpiece, and in this case a period aftermarket pickguard assembly complete with pick-holder. A previous owner has also gone "all-out" and painted the interior of the resonator sky blue so that its (later) clear mylar head shows-off all the interior guts.

Let's also not forget about the celluloid wrap over everything -- or the carved heel. It's dressed to impress!

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, cleaning, new bridge, much setup and other adjustments, etc.

Weight: 9 lbs 3 oz

Scale length: 23"

Nut width: 1 1/8"

Neck shape: medium V

Board radius: flat

Head diameter: 11”

Resonator diameter: 13 1/2”

Depth overall at rim: 3 1/2"

Rim wood: multi-ply maple

Tonering: hoopy donut B&D style

Bridge: maple/ebony vintage-style 2-foot

Fretboard: maple with pearloid veneer

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot on)
String gauges: 32w-9 for CGDA tuning

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-lower

Condition notes: it's actually in excellent shape and original except for a replacement clear mylar head, painted interior of the resonator, and a newer bridge. It even has an Oettinger tailpiece! The pickguard (w/pick holder) is non-original but a period addition. Its frets have been leveled and dressed but they were played so hard that some of the (very deep) divots in the middle positions on the neck are still left just slightly after work. It plays nicely, however, and doesn't buzz-out in those positions unless it's wailed-on really hard.

It comes with: an old hard case.

Consignor tag: B52