banjotrader - Posted - 02/15/2016:  14:13:41

This picture was taken at the Allensberry banjo event this last week end. 

Where are you going to see 5 #6 Bacon and Day NPUs!The dates range from 1924 to 1927.

3 Tenors, 1 Plectrum and a 5-String. All of them are original. No fakes here!

The owners are Mike Hashem, Bill Birtles, Drew Freck and Robert Van Renesse. ​

Edited by - banjotrader on 02/15/2016 14:15:05

turbocoupe2-3 - Posted - 02/15/2016:  15:30:33

Excuse me...I have to go change my shirt....I just drooled on it !

rudykizuty - Posted - 02/15/2016:  16:09:37

I was there and saw them with my own eyes. Never would have imagined such a thing could be possible. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the first time five were in the same place since the Groton facility was in operation. 

Interesting to note that Drew Frech's 5 string #6 has Silver misspelled on the arm rest engraving. It reads SILVR BELL. He said he had the banjo for years before he ever noticed!

Edited by - rudykizuty on 02/15/2016 16:10:18

jims38134 - Posted - 02/15/2016:  18:01:09

Awesome, thanks for sharing. 

Gordy Ohliger - Posted - 02/16/2016:  12:38:45

Dream Time!

Serious Stuff here! Boy, to play a few......

GSCarson - Posted - 02/16/2016:  14:20:54

Sorry to have missed this, I would have enjoyed seeing them but I was away this past weekend.  I live less than 3 miles from Allenberry,have fly fished behind it hundreds of times, and I'm a banjo builder (part time).  I first saw and heard several of these while at the 1981 or 82 FIGA Chicago convention with Gene Myers, they are incredible banjos.  Thanks for sharing and hopefully next time!  Glenn C

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/17/2016:  05:31:22

Do have a look at pictures of Guenter Amendt´s displays in the past and later for example in the big book 1001 BANJOS - you´ll see plenty more examples of this fantastic model assembled at the same time.

I hope that many of you had the chance experiencing the 5 examples shown above being played - I do personally not like their set-up´s - but the banjos themselves do most likely not care - both they and their owners are most likely aware of their extreme performance qualities - in spite of various set-up´s.

Do however have in mind - the fantastic Mr. David L. Day continued improving the performance of these Darlings over the years - by 1930 a final and rather plain version popped up - of this only a handful of plectrums, no 5-stringers and only one tenor are for now known. A pity that the depression era caused an almost total stop for the production - this last version is in the opinion of me and many experts/masters considered unsurpassed by all other brands/models/versions.

Thanks for posting the picture - how about some recordings of the assembly?

Polle

turbocoupe2-3 - Posted - 02/17/2016:  09:28:23

Polle, I sent you a PM regarding my SB #1 Plectrum for your database (I kept forgetting to do that)

Turns out the serial number on my SB #1 means it was produced in 1924 just 19 banjos before Mike Hashem's #6 NPU Tenor above !  Wow.... Wonder if Mike would trade me even up ?

MikeHashem - Posted - 02/17/2016:  10:24:34

Dan; I,m sorry but I cannot trade even up. But I appreciate the offer. MH PS But I am fascinated by Polle,s opinion that the Bacons were not set up correctly by his standards! WTF!! Has he got super vision? !The owners were some of the best players around and usually can set up an instrument correctly. I know I can . Can he see this from Denmark? I have appreciated Polle,s past posts on serial numbers and Bacon models, but his comments on the #6s was assinine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also I have heard his playing. I think Steve Caddick was correct. I would suggest comments like this be kept to himself. People who live in "fragile" glass houses, should not throw rocks. IMHO Mike Hashem

MikeHashem - Posted - 02/17/2016:  11:28:58

I did forget to mention that all the NPU 6s were original. No fake pieces or parts or out right fake banjos. Mike Hashem

BanjoLink - Posted - 02/17/2016:  19:33:18

Dittos Mike......great to see all original banjos!

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/18/2016:  03:57:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by MikeHashem



I did forget to mention that all the NPU 6s were original. No fake pieces or parts or out right fake banjos. Mike Hashem

---

Mike - on basis of your personal inspections - please tell me and others about these issues:

- how many of the five No.6 NPU´s do still have the original ROGERS calf skin head?

- how many do still have the original BACON Ne Plus Ultra bridge?

- how many do still have an un-lacquered neck - as original to this model/style? Meaning - how many have afterwards un-correctly been lacquered?

- how many have been re-plated in the past - using a non-factory correct plating sequence?

- how many have had their insides gold painted or re-painted in a non-factory and/or time correct manner? Besides - what happened to the original resonator labels?

Polle

MikeHashem - Posted - 02/18/2016:  07:45:37

Anwswers to Polle,s Poll; As follows-------- #1 none. #2 3---#3 2----#4 3----#5 2 Mike Hashem

rudykizuty - Posted - 02/18/2016:  08:26:03

This popcorn is making me thirsty. 

MikeHashem - Posted - 02/18/2016:  08:34:50

Anthony; I'll buy the first one. Regards Mike

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/18/2016:  09:04:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by MikeHashem

Anwswers to Polle,s Poll; As follows-------- #1 none. #2 3---#3 2----#4 3----#5 2 Mike Hashem

---

Thanks Mike - for studying/inspecting these rare banjos and passing on your observations.

Most of these Darlings have not been kept totally original - and many have been altered to a certain degree over time - do here have their vintages in mind - personally I don´t care so much about this - to me it´s first of all about keeping up or maybe even/especially improving their extraordinary performances. Hence my remark about the set-up´s.

Polle