1920s Bacon "Blue Ribbon" Banjo

[@taontl1]

The neck looks exactly like the Vega reproduction neck I have that was made by Wyatt Fawley around 1999. Excellent workmanship on those repro necks.

[@prushimush]

Bacon made a ton of 4 string banjos in the 20s, it was in style at the time, often chromed out professional models with pearloid inlays. There are are also a few original 5 string Bacon/B&D banjos out there. Us plectrum/tenor players absolutely love these things. Ironically Fred Bacon was an old 5 string professional, but the majority of banjos with his name on them are 4 strings. They do make great 5 string banjos, and bluegrassers tend to avoid them because they don't have the Scruggs sound. That's a win-win to me, lol!

[@jackdaw9487]

Just discovered this channel,,What a really nice guy..In my humble opinion this is the closest you can get to real mountain banjo playing.. A true craftsman... Jackdaw 🕊

[@timtoner1411]

A unique sounding banjo.

[@LoneRevD]

Thats pretty neat. Looks like they rolled brass over a wood tubaphone ring with holes, thats pretty interesting. Its got a cool sound to it especially when you were digging. You do find some interesting ones Sir!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Interested in banjos & banjo history? Consider supporting this project at patreon.com/cliftonhicks

[@toadeepants]

I love those little extra holes around the rim, what a neat little touch. Cool bridge too. I think my banjer is a 1920-something Frankenstein as well, Lol. Love it!

[@prushimush]

1923 and 1924 Bacon &. Day Silver Bell banjos(not to be confused with the earlier Dobson Silver Bell) have the same ring. It's a neat design. Very bright and loud, minimal sustain. It's probably the most popular ring for 4 string players.

[@jhenderson750]

Cool banjo, Clifton. Would like to hear you expound more on the subject of "Frankenstein" banjos, maybe so e examples. Do you find that by and large most banjo parts are interchangeable? Thanks for your interesting videos. Keep em coming!

[@clockguy2]

Mmmm...Bacon!

[@davestambaugh7282]

It probably was a tenor, hence the new neck.

[@DovidM]

I suppose many banjos that started out as tenors or plectrums became 5 strings with time.

[@Rick_Cleland]

Should I buy a Banjo and learn to play it?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I recommend it.

[@shelbycriswellart]

Hey! I'd love to know what the second song you play in this in, with the nice harmonics? Thanks

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

That is "Coke Oven March" from Dock Boggs. f#DF#AD

[@roroapple]

Intro song??

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

"Jay Gould's Daughter" f#DF#AD

[@rudigervolke3995]

🙂🙂🙂

[@danmoth5126]

Is that tone ring a variation on a tubaphone design?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I have no idea, but was thinking that myself! It does vaguely resemble a wooden tubaphone.

[@prushimush]

Sort of, it's got some Vega design heritage in it. David L. Day left Vega to work with Fred Bacon; he designed the Whyte Laydie and Tubaphone rings at Vega, and later designed tone rings on 1920s Bacon banjos, including this one. I have a 1923 Bacon B&D Silver Bell No. 1 plectrum with a tone ring similar to this, but it's got a resonator.

[@benhaley7557]

What to you have it tuned to?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

f#DF#AD