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I very highly ranked tenor banjo from the 1920’s era made by the puntillio Company, New York and featured in the famous Akira Tsumura 1001 banjo collection.

Its archtop tonering patent was issued in 1920 to Gaetano F. Puntolillo and it is this which gives this instrument its unique tonal qualities. It has a sweet sustain with bass resonance and a rich soft tone. I have it set up with a Remo 10-12/16″ white mylar head but if you are looking a brighter sound a clear head would certainly do the job.

Banjo details

The nine piece neck is constructed from brazillian rosewood with maple and green dyed pear wood either side and is perfectly straight with nice low playing action. The ebony heal cap also is sandwiched with maple and pear wood. The head stock has inlaid floral design and the Magestic name both in mother of pearl. The 19 fret ebony fret board is inlaid with mother of pearl position markers and the frets are all good. The resonator is crafted from pie crust style rosewood sections with ornate inlaid wood marquetry along the side.

The rim is 3/4″ thick multiply maple with mahogany veneer to the outside walls and maple to the inner walls. the tension hoop is held in place by 18 shoe brackets/hooks and nuts which pass through the curved nickel plated flange plate. Care and detailed attention has been put into the finish of the inside rim when you consider a calf skin head would hide it from view. The patented brass/nickel plated arch top tone ring rests on the rim and this is what gives this banjo its real sound. The inner resonator is curved and when attached to the rim the sound is projected through the holes in the flange plate. The neck is attached by a single 1/2″ thick nickel plated rod, all metal plating is in excellent condition and lacquered wood is also very good. I have since changed over the frosted top head to a new clear head. Comes with new TGI plywood hard shell case.

Sold

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1928 Bacon & Day Silver Bell N0.2 four string tenor banjo made in Groton, CT. The Bacon and Day company was the collaboration of David Day, former plant manager of the Vega Banjo Company and Fred Bacon. Designed for their cutting power in the 1920’s jazz era, they are loud, but have great tone. This Silver Bell has an ivoroid bound 23″ scale figured maple 5 piece neck and maple resonator finished in a beautiful sunburst finish. The neck is 100% straight with low playing action with hardly any wear to frets. Ivoroid-bound extended fretboard has 19 frets up to the rim and 5 frets extended over the skin. The ebony fingerboard has varied mother of pearl inlays,  and “B&D / SILVER / BELL” and fancy pearl leaf inlays on headstock overlay. It weighs in at 8.2 pounds. The overall lacquer finish to the neck and resonator are in excellent condition for an instrument of its age as is the polished nickel plated metal parts, White Lady tone ring, 24 brackets, Oettinger adjustable fingers tailpiece, and an eye catching f hole flange. 5 star geared tuners with ivoroid buttons. The nickel plated flange, hooks & nuts are in mint condition including the arm rest.
This banjo has the serial number 25232 which dates the instrument build to 1928. There is a beautiful tone to this banjo and the action is set low perfect for playing Irish trad or jazz. Comes with original vintage B&D hard shell case with plush inner green velvet interior and leather carrying handle. A great classy collectable tenor banjo for you to own and treasure.

For Sale £1650