Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want

Subject: Tech: Montana Silverton banjo information want
From: GUEST,PAC
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 06:38 PM

I RECENTLY INHERITED A BEAUTIFUL FOUR STRING IVORY INLAID SILVERTONE MONTANA BANJO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ANY & ALL INFORMATION ABOUT IT. IT IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE BUT NEEDS A NEW HEAD. IS IT CONSIDERED AN ANTIQUE? MY DAD PLAYED IT FOR 70 YEARS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

Subject: RE: Tech: Montana Silverton banjo information want
From: open mike
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 06:50 PM

If it has been played for 70 years it should be considered an antique.
Some Silvertone Banjos had a back ("POT") made from an early type of
plastic..Bakelite. these were originally sold by Sears and
Roebuck, i believe, and is a brand name of theirs.

It sounds like a lovely instruement, and must be well loved!

I recently sold mine to another mudcat thru this list.

welcome Annie, PAC, and feel free to join--it is free,

and i hope you get lots of answers to your questions.

You will find the poeple on this list very well informed

and very willing to share information, whether it is true

or not (just kidding) P,S, some folks are offended by

all capital letters and may accuse you of yelling.

Subject: RE: Montana Silvertone banjo information want
From: open mike
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 10:37 PM

over 1,000 listings on e-bay for banjos..

one of which is 2 new heads..10" and 11"

e-bay banjo listings

Subject: RE: Montana Silvertone banjo information want
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 12:08 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Montana Silvertone banjo information want
From: Jon W.
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 12:32 PM

Silvertone was indeed a brand name marketed by Sears Roebuck. They were manufactured by at least a couple of different makers, however. The Bakelite pot style banjos were manufactured by Harmony. I think Kay may have been another manufacturer.

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information w
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:06 PM

PAC says, thanks, folks, for your replies.

A couple of things: it is a "Montana B&D Silver Bell #1." We thought the back was ivory, but now are wondering if it is the Bakelite.

With her permission, I've removed her email addy. If anyone would like to get in touch with her, please PM me. Any info posted is greatly appreciated.

All the best,

kat/joe clone

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information w
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:21 PM

Click here for pictures of the same model, I believe.

click here for a review of one bought last year from Elderly Instruments for just over $1,000.

From what I am finding, this was the first of the Montana Silver Bells which the #1 denotes, of course. It looks as though they came out in 1928 and were made in Groton, CT where my daughter and grandsons live! Now, I wish I'd known...I would've looked for the old factory site while living nearby!

Good luck,

kat

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: Jon W.
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:30 PM

Okay, that's a whole different kettle of fish. B&D stands for Bacon and Day - they are much higher end than Silvertone. If what you thought was ivory is pearlescent, then it is what was known as pearloid, now often called mother-of-toilet-seat (MOTS). This is not to disparage it at all. Plastic of any type, in those years, was rare and valuable and a lot of instrument makers experimented with using it as decoration. Bacon and Day were among the foremost in that movement. They frequently covered the entire fretboard, headstock, and resonator of banjos with MOTS. I believe that Silver Bell was the name of the banjo tone ring. Here is a link to some information


Frank Ford's site has a gallery of pictures of this model here

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: Jon W.
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:35 PM

On closer examination of those pictures, it appears that that plastic laminations are ivroid, not pearloid. Still, I think you can be assured that no elephants or walruses were harmed to manufacture that banjo.

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information w
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 05:43 PM

Thanks, Jon! Have sent this info and links on to PAC.

Anyone else have any other info?

Thanks a bunch,

kat

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: GUEST,JC
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 03:14 PM

I have a Bacon Montana Silverbell #1. Don't know how old exactly, but it's at least from the early 40s, late 30s, if not older. Not in bad condition, but not anywhere "mint" at all. Needs strings. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure of its worth? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 04:24 PM

JC, get to a banjo forum also. It's worth some money if what I've read on the www is any indication, but I don't know about banjos. There are a few people who do though, so hang tough.

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: GUEST,Sue Rock
Date: 05 Oct 14 - 06:10 PM

Hi! I am learning about this ol banjo that my Grampa played and I now have. It's a B &D Montana Silverbell No.1. I should probably sell it because I'm sure she wants to be played by now. I keep seeing values on the internet but not really clear what the value is. She was played pretty hard (wear on the neck) but I think she needs a good cleaning and some strings.   I can't find a serial number on it but it has a lil silverplate that says MONTANA B & D Silverbell No 1 The Bacon Co Inc. Groton Conn. She's pretty and with a nice polish would be beautiful. More importantly I want to find her a good home. Pretty sure it has a soul. I remember my Pop's playing and it has such a beautiful, memorable sound. Any more info would be useful. I'm in the Dallas area.

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 14 - 06:32 PM

Year of manufacture is important. Try asking at the Banjo Hangout. Lots of people there whose thing is banjo.

Subject: RE: Montana B&D Silver Bell #1 banjo information want
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 05 Oct 14 - 07:55 PM

Yep, Banjohangout is the place there are a number of experts on Silver Bells there. Search Silver Bell #1. Click here