jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/12/2012:  09:11:22

Hello all, I'm new here and to playing the banjo. I got interested in learning the banjo after years of guitar and kind of got burned/bored with it. I picked up my grandfathers banjo and book and started to play it a little here and there. I'm getting more serious about playing and I would like to get a little more info on what I'm playing. 

The banjo is a B&D tenor banjo 4 string Schiedlmeier special. I've looked on various websites for info on it and can't find anything specific to this one. I found a picture of a custom that was made for Schiedlmeier but that isn't what I have. I can't find a serial number on it anywhere. I'm told that my Grandfather bought it in the 20's or 30's.

It doesn't look like anything I have been able to find on the internet or the Bacon and Day pages. 

Any information would help me greatly. 

Thanks, Scott

jbalch - Posted - 01/12/2012:  09:36:42

There are numerous examples of banjos Bacon built and labelled for players or teachers.  Yours may be one such banjo.

If it is marked "Special".  It may conform to the specifications of other "Special" models.  Those were mid-grade banjos that did not have a Silver bell tone ring.  The decoration and style of the Special models changed a bit over time.  The photos below are a Special #2 from 1934

Of you are able to post photos, I'm sure we can help you know exactly what you have. 

Here is a database of serial numbers for dating: acoustudio.dk/BD_and_Bacon_database.html

Here is an archived thread on various brands used by B&D banjohangout.org/archive/183870

Edited by - jbalch on 01/12/2012 09:40:32

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/12/2012:  09:52:26

Where would I find the serial number?

jbalch - Posted - 01/12/2012:  10:03:21

If you remove the resonator (wood back) the serial number should be stamped on the inside in a couple of places...see examples below:

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/19/2012:  08:12:45

I finally had a chance to pull the resonator off last night to see the serial number. The number is 29050. I did taek some pics and I will post them tonight when I get home from work.

NYCJazz - Posted - 01/19/2012:  11:28:12

M. J. Scheidlmeier was an important figure in Bacon history... as I recall, he debuted the Silver Bell.

According to Polle's database, that was manufactured in 1930.

Since it is marked "B&D", it sounds like it isn't a normal private label. It may be a Silver Bell level banjo.

I'm looking forward to seeing photos!

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/20/2012:  14:53:20

I posted some pictures up to my photos on here. I took them at night in th ehouse so they aren't great I should be home early today so I can put it out in the daylight and take some better ones.

B&D scheidlmeier special

beezaboy - Posted - 01/20/2012:  16:06:16

Please contact Polle Flaunoe about your banjo. polle@acoustudio.dk.  I think he will be excited to see it!

acoustudio.dk/BD_and_Bacon_database.html 

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/20/2012:  23:08:02

Scott,



Welcome to BHO and thanks for starting with this indeed interesting and exciting news.



I have always wondered why Bacon didn´t name a banjo after their great star in the 20s M. J. Scheidlmeier - in the same way as another star Roy Smeck - now it turns out, that they in fact did so - at least ONE example.

This is indeed great news for Bacon/B&D lovers - I´m looking forward for better pics, that can show us the details and features of your banjo.

The serial number puts the manufacturing year to 1930 - I and most likely others will try to dig down in the archives - maybe Mr. Sceidlmeier was having an anniversary or so that year.

This is indeed a great week for me - earlier we found out some stuff about the "strange" Le Mar model - yesterday I got my new dog, a fantastic 2½ year old female Grand Danois (Great Dane) (I´m a Dane myself) -and now your very interesting banjo pops up.  LOL!

Polle

beezaboy - Posted - 01/21/2012:  03:17:48

Pardon me.  I'm in a speculatve mood.  And have a prediction for Polle and others to confirm or debunk.

The Scheidlmeier Special banjo will not prove to be a Silver Bell.

It will be fashioned along the line of the Senorita line.

This because it was made to be an affordable model for sale in Scheidlmeier's Music Store, Pittsburgh, Penna.

mtr.arcade-museum.com/MTR-1925...2-130.pdf 

It would also be a good starter banjo for Mr. Scheidlmeier's students at his teaching studio in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Scheidlmeier's more promising banjo students could upgrade to one of the regular Silver Bell models as required.

Mr. Scheidlmeier's (the Pittsburgh banjo scientist) personal banjo, of course, was a Silver Bell.  In fact, a Silver Bell Ne Plus Ultra: mtr.arcade-museum.com/MTR-1927...12-31.pdf 

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/21/2012:  06:24:33

John,

Yes, I´m pretty sure, that you´re right.

Roy Smeck had a complete series of a Silver Bell variant named after him - Mr. Scheidlmeier didn´t - like you I guess, that banjos with his name attached were meant for students etc. of his.

I´m looking forward for detailed pics of the Scheidlmeier Special - maybe these can tell somewhat more (?)

Polle

NYCJazz - Posted - 01/21/2012:  07:09:11

From the photos, it appears to to not be a Silver Bell, but the level of engraving on the headstock is way above the usual student level instrument.

Either way, it is a "Special"!

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/21/2012:  07:35:01

I was able to take more pictures yesterday. I have kid sports commitments most of the day today I'll try and upload them later today or tonight.

Slingerland - Posted - 01/21/2012:  08:42:36

Scott- Did you grandfather spend any time around Pittsburgh?

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/21/2012:  10:22:19

Not that I know of. He graduated from Caltech. My dad doesn't think he was ever on the east coast for more than a vacation or two. It's possible that he picked it up on a trip just out of college, but we're not sure.

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/21/2012:  10:42:58

Had a couple of minutes between games so here are more pictures.

Slingerland - Posted - 01/21/2012:  11:13:34

Very nice!

jbalch - Posted - 01/21/2012:  12:20:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by Slingerland



Very nice!

---

 Indeed!

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/21/2012:  15:28:14

Scott,

Beautiful!

I take, that also the neck is made of walnut. And the neck will most likely be reinforced with a glued-in bar of surgical steel.

Will it be possible for you posting some extra pics - of the peghead back side and of the inside of the pot - I would like to know about any peghead backstrapping, tuner types and "tone ring".

Thanks in advance - I´ll include this most likely very rare banjo in the database.

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 01/21/2012 15:33:44

Slingerland - Posted - 01/21/2012:  16:29:54

Polle-

Do you think the rim is walnut? It is difficult for me to tell from the pictures. The resonator is Brazilian rosewood and is quite beautiful, IMO.

Paul

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/21/2012:  16:45:02

Paul,

To me the wood looks like Brazillian (not US) Walnut - as used for the SPECIAL model - this banjo has many things in common with the SPECIAL, it seems - hence my remark about the neck reinforcement.

Only - the resonator flange is beveled - that´s something special!

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 01/21/2012 16:45:39

Slingerland - Posted - 01/21/2012:  16:49:26

Polle- Thanks for the explanation and for setting me straight. Upon closer inspection, I agree that the resonator is Brazilian walnut.

Paul

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 01/21/2012:  16:53:32

Paul,

And thanks to you for the nice co-work regarding this and other banjos - I do really appreciate your efforts and am looking forward for up-coming specialities. LOL!

Polle

Slingerland - Posted - 01/21/2012:  16:59:47

Glad to contribute what I can!

jeepnut1 - Posted - 01/24/2012:  09:18:55

Ok I'm getting the feeling I need to include my banjo on my homeowners insurance as a seperately insured item.
Is there a place on the west coast that would be able to give a fair appraisal of it for insurance purposes?

I want to be clear here: I am not and never will be interested in selling it, this is a piece of my family history and it will be passed down to my sons like it was to me.

I did take some more pictures of the inside and tuner head, when I have a free minute I'll post them up. I did not see any bracing on the peghead, but I don't really know what I'm looking for either. I'll try and post the pictures tonight when I get home.

beezaboy - Posted - 01/24/2012:  16:30:37

There are some folks that will make a written insurance appraisal from photographs and a description of the banjo for a fee.  These folks are recognized nationally (internationally?) so have some clout regarding value.  For example:

John Bernunzio: bernunzio.com/ 

George Gruhn: gruhn.com/ 

I'll bet they've never seen a Schneidlmeier Special - but you never know.