brunomathilda - Posted - 09/25/2012:  09:16:38

Hi all.

I am doing some search on B&D Silver bell.

I found some information on the net,but I know there is a vast source of knowledge in here that I would like to tap on.

In the attach pictures we can see there is a tone ring on this banjo,is the original came with one?

What are the specs on the Silver Bell 5 string.

When were they built?

What would be the value of one of those in todays market?

Hi and low.

Thank you for your help.

Best regards.

Bruno

brunomathilda - Posted - 09/25/2012:  11:13:18

The tone ring picture is not of the one on the banjo,it is just to demonstrate what kind of TR is on this model.

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 09/25/2012:  13:02:20

Hello,

I'm not sure about the tone ring, but I do have some comment on the banjo pictured. Early this year, I purchased a 1932 B&D Medalist Plectrum. Based on information included with the banjo, I located and spoke to the present owner of the shop where it was restored around 1975. and was told that the then owner had a Medalist tenor and wanted it converted to a plectrum. That being the case, a new neck and fingerboard were built using the original peghead overlay and neck heel cap. The neck is a premium piece of American Walnut and the fingerboard is ebony with inlay that is close to an original B&D style.

I mention this because the banjo that is pictured appears to have a one-piece neck, in that there is no center reinforcement of either rosewood or ebony as would have been used on an original neck.

Polle Flaunoe looked at the pictures of my neck (not my neck, but the one on the banjo, LOL) and told me that all B&D models were built with three-piece necks and therefore mine couldn't be original. I'm sure that he will come on and comment about this with regard to the banjo in question..

From what I understand, original B&D plectrums and five strings are as rare as hens' teeth. Thus, apparently someone decided that they wanted a five-string banjo and had a neck made.

I'm in good company, though. From what I've been able to learn on this website since I joined, it's no big deal to change necks on a banjo, say to build a five-string out of a pre-war tenor or plectrum. Necks built by Mr. Frank Neat come to mind and others I can't recall right now.

So, don't let that stop you. But if I hear from someone  now that says that one-piece necks are original on some B&D's then the whole issue is up for grabs.

Just thought I'd comment. I sure love my B&D plectrum, original or not!

Edited by - TB-4 Guy on 09/25/2012 13:08:05

brunomathilda - Posted - 09/25/2012:  13:38:00

TB..

You are right about the original B&D necks,they are not a one piece.

A couple of members contacted me and pointed that to me.

Pictures were provided.

An original 5 string would be an extraordinary find for sure.

For what I read so far the Silver bell is great instrument.

The value of that banjo according to a knowledgeable member should be equal as a Plectrum,800 to 1500.

Now if it is a new neck,the tail piece would have to be not an original either.

B&D had Oettinger tail piece on their banjo,correct?

5 string Oettinger are also quite rare,and most of them were gold plated,if I remember well what I read.

skip sail - Posted - 09/25/2012:  14:28:38

I have an original B+D 5 string,and the neck profile seems quite different. Still,even if its a repro neck,buy it! They sound fantastic.

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 09/25/2012:  18:27:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by brunomathilda

TB..

You are right about the original B&D necks,they are not a one piece.

A couple of members contacted me and pointed that to me.

Pictures were provided.

An original 5 string would be an extraordinary find for sure.

For what I read so far the Silver bell is great instrument.

The value of that banjo according to a knowledgeable member should be equal as a Plectrum,800 to 1500.

Now if it is a new neck,the tail piece would have to be not an original either.

B&D had Oettinger tail piece on their banjo,correct?

5 string Oettinger are also quite rare,and most of them were gold plated,if I remember well what I read.

---

 Hi,

I understand that the Silver Bells were fitted with an Oettinger tailpiece. In the case of my banjo, it's still a four-string so they simply used the Oettinger tailpiece. If you buy that banjo, I would bet that it sounds nice.

Edited by - TB-4 Guy on 09/25/2012 18:28:04

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 09/26/2012:  00:56:24

Bruno,

Only 1-2% of the classic Silver Bell´s are original 5-stringers - and the majority of these are of Style No. 1.

A rough/wild guess will be, that (far) less than 100 examples do still exist.

The pot assembly as shown by you is most likely from a Silver Bell Style No. 1 from mid 20s - it does most likely have a Type II tone ring - the one as also shown.

The neck is of course a replica - the tailpiece is most likely an Oettinger replica - as marketed by Richelieu till recently.

Regarding a value for a converted example - I can´t tell - only an auction can, I guess.

Polle

brunomathilda - Posted - 09/26/2012:  07:34:17

Here is a couple of the neck

brunomathilda - Posted - 09/26/2012:  07:37:09

I was told that the neck has tension rods.

The serial # is 16881

skip sail - Posted - 09/26/2012:  13:49:25

Not even close to an original B+D neck,in fact,considering the trouble they went to using an original headstock veneer and fingerboard,the neck is a bit dissapointing. Still, bet it sounds great.
Maybe $1000-1200?

banjopaul100 - Posted - 09/26/2012:  17:54:33

i`ve just bought a silver bell 3 thats why i`m reading this forum,



I have an Epiphone Artist with a repro neck fitted it was a plectrum banjo and is now a tenor and it sounds and looks fantastic



if your banjo sounds good then you have what you wanted at a lot cheaper price



I live in england and people buy Clifford essex and Epiphone plectrum banjos for conversion to tenors there`s not enough tenors around



there were loads of people interested in buying my Epiphone with the converted neck, luckily i got it.



enjoy your banjo !!

Edited by - banjopaul100 on 09/26/2012 18:03:48

Epiphone Artist

brunomathilda - Posted - 09/26/2012:  17:55:10

Skip.

Your banjo is absolutely gorgeous