Description

Bacon & Day Silver Bell Sultana (specifically the Style #1) is a highly collectible vintage 4-string tenor banjo produced during the pre-war Jazz Age by the Fred Bacon Banjo Company in Groton, Connecticut. Widely celebrated as one of the most flamboyant and visually striking banjos ever made, featuring extensive two-tone engraved pearloid overlays on the fingerboard, headstock, and pot, paired with a flamed maple neck and resonator. Equipped with the legendary Silver Bell tone ring, prized by jazz and traditional Irish musicians for its bright, powerful, and cutting acoustic projection. Features the patented Bacon internal lever mute system connected to a knee-operated pedal, allowing players to dynamically dampen the sound while performing. As far as we can tell, other than the strings, this banjo may be entirely original. It even has the Oettinger tailpiece with fine tuners and a working mute! Obviously, there is a lot of good, honest wear to it, mostly on the head, some finish chipping on the back of the neck and some pearloid discoloration. The banjo is set up nicely and plays easily. An Olson guitar microphone from the 1950s, with it’s mount and cable. The knob for the potentiometer is missing. This super cool banjo is in very good condition and comes with what is likely it’s original hard case (handle missing, has a rope handle on it now. Don’t miss this rare banjo!

• Made in Groton, Connecticut c.1930’s
• Maple neck and rim
• Pearloid covering on rim, fretboard and headstock
• Planetary tuners
• Oettinger tailpiece with fine tuners
• B&D knee-lever mute
• 23″ scale length
• 1 1/8″ nut width
• Hard case