5-string resonator banjo
Maker
Bacon & Day
Date1935 - 1950 ca.
Place MadeGroton, Connecticut, United States, North America
Place MadeBrooklyn, New York, United States, North America
ModelSilver Bell Serenader
Bacon & Day Silver Bell Serenader
Serial No.24987
SignedEngraved on head: B&D / SERENADER / SILVER / BellMarkingsStamped on bottom side of dowel stick: 24987
DescriptionNeck: two-piece maple divided thin maple strip
Peghead: two-piece maple divided thin maple strip, integral with neck; veneered with pearloid, with engraved decorative design and signature, painted with sheer orange and green paints, the engraved lines filled with gold paint
Fingerboard: ebony bound in ivory celluloid; 22 nickel-silver frets; mother-of-pearl “bowtie” inlays of individually varied forms behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 19th frets; mother-of-pearl foliate inlays behind 1st, 15th, and 17th frets; single red celluloid side dots behind 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 15th, 17th, and 19th frets; double red celluloid side dots behind 12th fret; nickel-silver, bent-wire capos under 5th string behind 2nd, 4th, and 5th frets, counting from 5th string nut
Heel cap: pearloid with engraved flower decoration, painted in orange and green sheer paints, the engraved lines filled with gold ink
Head: clear plastic; metal flesh hoop
Tone ring: nickel-plated
Rim: 7-ply maple; inside painted silver
Bracket hooks: 25 chrome-plated steel
Tension hoop: chrome-plated brass with 25 notches
Resonator: arched, maple plywoodbound on lower edge with pearloid; inside painted silver; chrome-plated steel flange with abstract, lobed openings
Armrest: chrome-plated brass
Nut: white plastic; domed, slot-head steel screw under 5th string
Tuners: nickel-plated, enclosed geared pegs with ivory plastic heads; later 5th string tuner chrome-plated with pearloid head
Tailpiece: chrome-plated steel
Finish: very dark brown to medium red-orange shaded lacquer
DimensionsTotal instrument length: 935 mm (37-13/16″)
Vibrating string length: 672 mm (26-15/32″); 5th string: 494 mm (19-15/32″)
Fingerboard length: 482 mm (19″)
Fingerboard width at nut: 26 mm (1″)
Fingerboard width at body: 45 mm (1-25/32″)
Head diameter: 279 mm (11″)
Resonator diameter: 342 mm (13-15/32″)
Rim and resonator depth: 100 mm (3-15/16″)
Credit LineGift of Patty Looman, 2010
Object number14493
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