Stogie D - Posted - 08/12/2012:  08:15:13

---

Morning all - new here - trying to gather info on a recently acquired instrument - the ONLY info I have been able to find is that Gordon instruments were made by Bacon & Day - I have a Gordon banjo mandolin (am I even on the right forum??) - an old one for sure - I would like any info on this that I can get - when were they made, are they decent instruments, are they worth anything, etc. - thanks in advance - I can take & post pics if needed - D.

Cottonmouth - Posted - 08/12/2012:  08:22:59

---

Hi Stogie, You are definitely in the right place. You may start receiving a few responses soon, but fewer on the week-ends it seems. Is your instrument 4 or 8 string?

 

jbalch - Posted - 08/12/2012:  17:04:27

---

Gordon was a brand of a music distributor called: the Progressive Music Co.  They sourced banjos from several makers, including Bacon.  If you post photos, I'm sure someone here can help you identify the actual maker.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 08/15/2012:  05:38:28

---

David,

Bacon did build plenty of Gordon´s for the company as mentioned by John - during 1928-33. These banjos are very close to Bacon´s own Senorita model and are having Bacon´s maker stamp plus stamped serial numbers following Bacon´s consistent sequence inside.

However I´ve never seen a mandolin banjo among these - so maybe yours was built by one of the other makers.

Do post some pics, if possible.

Regards

Polle

Stogie D - Posted - 08/18/2012:  05:21:53

---

well hey guys, thanks for the response - I have a few pics here - it does say Bacon/Day inside with the number 33041 (I think thats correct, will have to open it up again to make sure) in 2 places - I acquired the banjo/mandolin & 2 banjo's all together as seen in one of the pics - take a look at the Gordon & give me your thoughts - D.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 08/18/2012:  07:41:53

---

David,

Thanks for posting the pics - an indeed beautiful banjo!   And yes - it´s for sure built by Bacon - if the serial number is correct - in early 1933.  I´ll include it in my database:

acoustudio.dk/BD_and_Bacon_database.html

Please check the SN.  I´m trying to keep the DB as correct as possible.

Regards

Polle

 

Stogie D - Posted - 08/26/2012:  08:07:31

---

I was close, sort of -  - the serial # is 33481 - I have disassembled it just to clean as it was sitting in a corner at my dad's house for at least 40 years and was REALLY dirty - I do need a new head - the one that was on it looks to be a high crown - I'm thinking it really needs a medium crown - how would I know the correct crown height - the notched ring is 9/16 tall - if I'm not mistaken, the top of the ring should end up just above the top of the head under tension - is this true? - the parts cleaned up pretty decent - most of the nickel plating is still there although some of the lugs look like they never were plated - just brass castings - these may be replacements from long ago - I had to disassemble the machine heads as some did not turn at all - most work pretty good now - 2 are kind of tight - I'm trying to leave it original - or at least as original as I received it - no banjo head at either of the local music stores so it's an online order I guess - the only place I have been able to find 10" heads is at Elderly - very limited selection & I'm still not clear on the crown height - a couple more pics during reassembly - machine heads back together & on & the lugs & tone ring (I think that's what it's called - I'm a guitar tech, this is new for me) back on - just need to find a head - D.

jbalch - Posted - 08/26/2012:  15:48:58

---

Congratulations.  That is a great looking mandolin /banjo.  I would bet it is rare too.

Regarding crown height, I prefer the tension hoop to rise above the head 1/8" to 3/16".  I imaging a medium crown is the best choice for that instrument.  But you may have limited selection in that rim size. 

 

rudykizuty - Posted - 08/26/2012:  16:12:07

---

Congratulations. It is a beautiful specimen and definitely looks like the work of Bacon Banjo Co. of Groton, Conn.

Gordy Ohliger - Posted - 08/26/2012:  16:17:47

---

SWEET!
You got yourself a good one. I bet it barks!
Please make every effort to keep to the original parts... I'm glad that you are the right fellow it went to.
I think Polle is correct.
As an aside; Yow! Nice Harp-guitar. Made by________? I'm jealous.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 08/27/2012:  00:26:58

---

David,

Database revised - the new SN puts the banjo to early 1934.

Regarding head - Bob Smakula may have some in stock - personally I would go for a Remo Renaissance Medium Crown: smakula.com/BanjoHeads.html

Polle

Stogie D - Posted - 08/27/2012:  10:59:46

---

Thanks for the response guys - Gordy, you threw me there for a moment - had to look at my own pics to see what you were talking about - yeah, it's a bute - one of the nicest ones I have ever seen - I am told it's called a Concert Zither because it has a fretboard - Let me know if thats not right -  I'll take some good pics & post them for you along with maker info, etc. - Polle, I agree on the Medium Crown - I noticed that the ring on the head that was on it was almost touching the lugs - didnt think that was right but I'm not a banjo guy - that will probably change, give me a stringed thing & I WILL make noise with it - maybe even music ! - D.

BrittDLD1 - Posted - 09/19/2012:  15:00:47

---

Hi Dave-

.

It seems I'm a bit late to the party. But I see you've been in good,

knowledgeable hands, so far.

.

John told you WHO it was made for. And Polle has given you the time-

period. I'll just add three things:

.

1. Polle is correct that a lot of "Gordon" instruments were made at the

"B&D Senorita" level. But your Gordon is actually somewhat HIGHER than

the Senorita level. It has a rod-&-skirt tonering -- similar to the Vega

"Little Wonder", Bacon "Peerless" or "B&D Special" banjos of the 1930s.

.

The neck is a NICE curly maple, it also has an ebony fingerboard, with cut
pearl inlay.

.

.

2. The Bacon Banjo Co. Inc. (incorporated 1921) MADE "Bacon" banjos AND

"B&D" banjos. The "Bacon" line of the 1920s and '30s consisted mostly of

the older designs, done prior to David Day's arrival at Bacon, on 9/18/1922.

.

Initially, the "B&D" Line was JUST the high-end instruments -- designed

collaboratively by BOTH Fred Bacon AND David Day: the "B&D Silver Bell"

"B&D Super Banjo", and "B&D Blue Bell" (very rare).

.

As Fred and Dave continued to collaborate, more models were added to

the "B&D" Line.

.

.

3. Finally...

Although the term "Bacon & Day" has been spoken since the two men

began their professional relationship, the instruments themselves were

ALMOST never referred to -- in print -- as "Bacon & Day" on any official

Bacon Company literature, or advertisements. It was ALWAYS "B&D".

.

There are two rare exceptions, that I'm aware of:

.

A. A very EARLY, mid-1923 ad for "The Bacon and Day Silver Bell".

Shown shortly after the Silver Bell's introduction, in June 1923.

.

B. A LATE-'30's (1938?) catalog/folder for:

. "Bacon & Day Guitars, Banjos, and Mandolins"

. "Bacon & Day -- Groton, Conn."

. (4 pages -- 11"x17" folded in half)

In effect, it appears to be the LAST-KNOWN catalog for the

Groton works.

.

It is the only BACON Co. literature I've seen, which lists:

The Seville, Emperor, Rajah, and "Swing" Silver Bell, models.

.

The only photos are shown on the front cover -- a guitar, a banjo,

and a mandolin. The inside page gives general descriptions of:

. "Bacon & Day Guitars"

. "Bacon Banjos" ............ [Huh? What!?]

. "Bacon & Day Mandolins"

.

Obviously, guitars and mandolins had become MUCH more popular --

than banjos -- during the late-'30s.

.

.

Best- Ed Britt

(©2012)

---

Edited by - BrittDLD1 on 09/19/2012 15:06:26

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 09/20/2012:  00:51:34

---

Ed,

The last Bacon catalog/folder was also included in a catalog from CHICAGO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CO. - this is at the back marked Copyright 1937.

Polle

Stogie D - Posted - 09/20/2012:  05:28:25

---

Hey guys, Got her back together & lookin sweeeet - pic attached - the mediun crown head is perfect - a Remo Renaissance from Bob Smakula - thank you for that tip Polle - Ed, I'm a info junkie - thank you much - this one does have Bacon & Day / Groton, Conn. stamped on the inside - Gordy, i've included a couple pics of my Zither/Guitar Harp for you - enjoy -
you guys have been a big help & I really appreciate it -

sorry for the fuzzy pics - their off my phone -

David

BrittDLD1 - Posted - 09/20/2012:  12:41:17

---

Hi Polle --

.

Yes, That's the catalog I described. Thanks for the clarification on the date,
as 1937. (All I have are a few fuzzy photos from an ebay auction.)
.

.

Best-
Ed Britt

Trapshot - Posted - 09/21/2012:  03:55:57

---

Hello All , Just joined, The reason I join was to find out more about a B&D Rajah I  have  The serial # on it is 32358, made in Groton,Conn , I will post some pic later. I think is was made before the 38' hurricane that closed the Groton Shop

Any more info would be great!

Thanks

Ed K

PS        Polle    This you might want to add to your data base

---

Edited by - Trapshot on 09/21/2012 04:00:07