Slocode - Posted - 07/15/2018:  01:11:09

I am re-learning to play Old Time Banjo and really enjoy playing this Bacon but I have a feeling that it could be better owned by someone who collects quality banjos for their historic value. I appreciate how nice this is but I do not believe that this is the instrument that I should take to bars or camp outs. It is a little dirty or dusty but is in otherwise excellent condition. The tuners and bridge are probably not original while everything else a appears to be in it's original condition. The dowel is stamped "BACON PROFESSIONAL FF" "FJ BACON HARTFORD CONN." "212".

I would like to determine what type of a different open backed banjo I could trade this one for. I am hoping to replace it with a very high end, newer banjo that I wouldn't have to fuss over. I don't need fancy inlays, just something sturdy with great sound.

Bacon Neck - Head (rear)

Bacon Head

Bacon Tail Piece

Bacon Arm Rest

Bacon Banjo back of body

Bacon Dowel w/SN

Bacon Professional FF #212 5 string banjo

 

Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 07/15/2018:  04:13:57

A nice-looking example of a Vega-built FF. I doubt that you'll have a hard time finding a dealer or individual who would want to make a trade.

Andy

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 07/15/2018:  07:28:14

Have you considered selling this one and using the money made on a more recent high end banjo? I would suspect that there might be more people interested in this one who do not presently have a banjo to trade.

rcc56 - Posted - 07/15/2018:  08:31:27

That's a Fairbanks/Vega made Bacon ff Professional #1. A very good instrument, made in small numbers.

No, I wouldn't take it to the local bar, but you might want to consider holding on to it. You can buy an Asian open back of very good quality for under $1000 new, or get Zach Hoyt to build you one.

If you sell or trade your Bacon, you might regret it later. You would not have an easy time finding another like it in such nice condition.

rcc56 - Posted - 07/15/2018:  09:43:41

A little more information on your banjo. It is an "internal resonator" banjo made by Fairbanks/Vega for the Bacon company circa 1908. Fairbanks made a few hundred of these banjos over a period of perhaps 5 or 6 years. They were available in 3 models. Yours is the plainest model.

After Fairbanks stopped making them, the manufacturing was done by Lange and possibly by others until Bacon set up their own factory.

Although the Fairbanks/Bacons are instruments of very high quality, the #1 and #2 models do not command very high prices. I don't think that a clean #1 will bring more than a couple of thousand dollars. Considering their quality and rarity, they "should" be worth more, but . . .

Leslie R - Posted - 07/15/2018:  09:55:36

I would keep it.

rcc56 - Posted - 07/15/2018:  17:55:55

So would I.

Some of us think that these are among the best frailing banjos ever made, and they didn't make many of them. I've played some well made modern copies, but have yet to play a modern one with as full a tone and as strong a projection as the originals.

olddirtybanjo - Posted - 07/15/2018:  19:26:16

Any interest in an Eastman Whyte Ladie? :) I have one available with the nice bump case.

Slocode - Posted - 07/16/2018:  00:02:29

Thanks for all your input regarding my indecisive relationship with this Bacon banjo. I have decided to try to get a dollar value for it from Elderly Instruments and then, to, hopefully, trade it for a banjo more suited to my lifestyle.

I certainly would like to keep it and to acquire dozens of other fantastic banjos but I also have an old resonator banjo and two is all I can play at the same time. Especially when I am also blowing on a harmonica. Really I have been trying to divest myself of several collections of other types of things and I won't just trade one collection for another.

I appreciate all of your thoughts.

Joshua

PrairieSchooner - Posted - 07/16/2018:  07:07:32

Do what's best for you of course, but I wouldn't think of getting rid of my ff...

 

csacwp - Posted - 07/16/2018:  07:48:32

Originally your banjo was intended for classic style playing with gut strings, and the replaced tuners plus the neck reset for a modern bridge and steel strings hurts the value as far as collectability and historic value is concerned. You may want to simply hold onto it, though I would advise that you do away with the steel strings if you care about preserving it.

Slocode - Posted - 07/16/2018:  14:20:34

Thanks John,

It came with steel strings and I wasn't aware that this Banjo was built for gut strings. I did know better than to add capo spikes or drill any holes into the unblemished Bacon FF. These are some of the reasons I want to trade it away.

Joshua

csacwp - Posted - 07/16/2018:  14:37:12

What in particular are you looking for in a trade?

Slocode - Posted - 07/16/2018:  16:13:53

I'm looking for a relatively modern open backed... with an adjustable truss rod, ebony fretboard, metal tone ring, adjustable co-ordinator rod(s), geared pegs, Quality brand (OHM, Deering, Vega, Gibson, etc.) with a hard case. Between the value of the Bacon FF & what I may be able to add, something in between $1800 to $2500. A scooped out fretboard (above 17th fret) might be useful. I don't desire a lot of fancy inlay work or carving & would accept a resonator banjo but I will probably remove the resonator & flange. As long as it is play ready (no issues), new or used is OK.



I don't have a music store within 150 miles of home so I can't try out a variety of instruments. I am mainly wanting a quality clawhammer banjo that will retain it's value and not require a lot of tweaking and adjusting.

Edited by - Slocode on 07/16/2018 16:14:57