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stanger - Posted - 02/23/2012: 14:44:45
A friend of mine who's an instrument repairman called this morning, and an old buddy of his is bringing over his B&D to look over.
1968 was very late for the Gretsch Bacons- I think it was the last year of production. I don't know much about the models that were produced in those last few years. Could anyone tell me which models of the Silver Bell were still being produced at that time?
regards,
Stanger
beezaboy - Posted - 02/23/2012: 15:21:52
Mike - The attached 4 page brochure is reputed to be ca 1969. You see this brochure on ebay now and then. Banjos available in 5-string, tenor and plectrum except the Folk models which are 5-strings and Senorita with no plectrum.
It lists: 1. Bacon Serenader - $275; 2. Bacon Senorita - $180; Bacon Symphonie - $400; Bacon Ne Plus Ultra- $600. The Bacon Folk - $135; Bacon Long Neck Folk - $175 and Gretsch 5-string Folk Banjo - $79.
Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/23/2012: 15:58:36
John,
This brochure is going back to 1960/11 - it did then have a green background on the colored pages. I have an example here.
It may have been re-printed late 60s - with the blue background - but Gretsch didn´t build all of these models at that time. BTW - the re-prints do normally not have the prices mentioned.
Polle
Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/23/2012: 16:53:44
Mike,
If possible do post or mail me some pics - I´ll then maybe be able determining its vintage. And yes - productions stopped 1968, I think - Gretsch however tried re-introducing the Silver Bell somewhat later, but failed.
John.
Correction - typing error - the years above will have to be 1960/61.
Polle
Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/23/2012: 17:11:39
John,
Yes - that´s how you most of the time see this brochure. As mentioned it´s a re-print from a time, when Gretsch in fact didn´t build all of the models.
I´ve only once or twice seen the original brochure (with the green background) - like the one I have.
Polle
jims38134 - Posted - 02/23/2012: 17:47:06
Still made Symphonie in '68, i have one. Pics on my homepage. jim
Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/23/2012: 18:15:17
Jim,
I´ve had a look at your Symphonie - to me this seems much much earlier!
Do you have its history / provenance at hand - or are you just guessing about its vintage?
If any doubts - do mail me its stampings plus maybe some detailed pics - maybe I then can determine its vintage.
Polle
jims38134 - Posted - 02/23/2012: 18:44:32
sn 6840, and "Made in USA" stamped, I chatted with original owner a few years back (I got it from second owner). He indicated he purchased it in '68 or so. jim
Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/24/2012: 00:08:54
Jim,
Well - these stamps do indicate a 1968 build.
The long peghead backstrapping cheated me at first hand - this became shorter and shorter over the years. Plus the Oettinger style tailpiece - Gretsch used this per standard for only a few years in the beginning - but of course this can be a later addition.
Polle
stanger - Posted - 02/24/2012: 18:51:52
Thanks for the replies, folks! Much appreciated!
The owner's dad ran a big swing band throughout the 60's, and bought the banjo for his son, who was just a teen at the time. The owner was more or less drafted into the band, but loved it.
I definitely will take some pictures of the banjo. Judging from the catalogs, it will probably be either a Ne Plus Ultra or a Symphonie. I was unsure if Gretsch was making the #1 at the time- when the company was bought back from the remains of the Baldwin organization in the 80's, the #1 was the failed banjo that was advertised, but never went into production.
During the 60's, I saw quite a few of the longneck Belmont models, and a friend used to play a Ne Plus Ultra 5-string that was owned by a naval base's rec center all the time. He was in service in the early 70's, so I presumed that banjo was a late one. But I've never seen a 60's made Silver Bell personally so far.
thanks again.
regards,
stanger
