Bacon Tenor Banjo

Bacon Tenor Banjo

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Description

This banjo was made by the Bacon Banjo Company, Inc. of Groton, Connecticut, about 1932. It is a Four-String Tenor Banjo, “B&D Senorita” model, serial #31245 with 24 brackets and a pearloid covered resonator, fretboard, and peghead. “Senorita” models were the lower priced, medium grade, banjos made by the company. There is an inscribed metal plate on the back of the resonator and stamped on the dowel stick:

MADE BY
BACON BANJO CO. INC.
GROTON, CONN

Fred J. Bacon started the company in 1920. Two years later, David L. Day left the Vega Company to join the Bacon Banjo Company. By 1940, the Bacon Banjo Company had been purchased by the Gretsch Company who continued to make Bacon and B&D banjos until the late 1960s.

Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
banjo
date made
1932
1932
maker
Bacon Banjo Co., Inc.
place made
United States: Connecticut, Groton
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
animal skin (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 33 1/2 in x 13 in x 3 1/2 in; 85.09 cm x 33.02 cm x 8.89 cm
ID Number
MI.71.15
catalog number
71.15
accession number
297495
Credit Line
Gift of Ivan T. Lorenzen
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Banjos
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

We have a B&D Senorita tenor that also says "Weiser Special" on the headstock. Trying to find if this had anything to do with the Weiser National Fiddle Contest? Thanks for your help.

Rich Parker

Wed, 2018-02-21 16:28

We have a B&D Seniorita with original case but can find no serial number. How do we determine the age?? Thanks very much for your help.

Linda

Thu, 2015-03-05 14:20

"You will find the serial number etched or stamped inside the banjo on the metal flange (rim). You will have to remove the wooden resonator (the back of the banjo) by unscrewing the thumb .screws on the outside of the metal flange. When you find the serial number, you can find the approximate year of manufacture at the following website: http://www.acoustudio.dk/BD_and_Bacon_database.html"

Albert Swint

Tue, 2015-10-13 20:11

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