1920s Bacon & Day Silver Bell Resonator Banjo-Mandolin

Who doesn't like something so cute? It's like a scaled-down Silver Bell tenor with smaller head and flange. It even has a smaller knee-mute mechanism! This one is all-original save the bridge, tailpiece, and head, to boot. As you might expect, being a B&D, it's alarmingly-loud and up-front and earplugs might be something to consider if you're playing it all night.

Friend of the shop Michael B. brought this in and we juuuust finished it before he had to leave for the day. It wound-up getting a neck-angle adjustment, level/dress of the frets, and a new (1920s, compensated) maple bridge fit and setup. It plays like a champ, though, now!

I love that these aftermarket Elton metal pickguards have built-in pick holders...