{"product_id":"b-d-special-banjo","title":"B\u0026D Special Tenor Banjo","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this Bacon \u0026amp; Day banjo, the ornate fleur-de-lis headstock inlay, the deep ebony fingerboard, and the chrome hardware all speak to a level of craft that defined the golden age of American banjo building. Add a professional restoration by Monty Hendricks in 2012 and a fitted tone ring, and what you have is a vintage instrument that plays as good as it looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eConstruction \u0026amp; Materials\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an open-back tenor banjo built to the exacting standards that made B\u0026amp;D instruments so prized during their era. The headstock features an elaborate fleur-de-lis inlay in what appears to be mother-of-pearl or a similar shell material, set into a dark ebony or ebonized overlay. The fingerboard is dark and smooth, dressed with dot and diamond position markers at regular intervals. The pot assembly is fitted with a chrome tension hoop and approximately 24 bracket hooks in a nickel or chrome finish. Notably, a tone ring was added during the 2012 restoration, enhancing the resonance and sustain characteristics typical of higher-grade banjos of this style. Hard case included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSound \u0026amp; Playability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTenor banjos are built for melody and chord work across Irish traditional, jazz, and early American popular music, and this instrument carries all the tonal hallmarks of a well-made vintage example. The added tone ring contributes warmth and projection beyond what the original open-back configuration would have delivered on its own. The full restoration by Monty Hendricks in 2012 ensures the neck geometry, fret condition, and action are all set to playable standards — this is not a display piece but a working instrument ready for sessions, recording, or serious practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout This Instrument\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eB\u0026amp;D, short for Bacon \u0026amp; Day, was a prominent American instrument brand that produced a range of stringed instruments through the early and mid twentieth century. The Special designation typically indicated a step up in appointments and finish quality within the B\u0026amp;D lineup. This example has been consigned through Lark in the Morning and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fully restored vintage American tenor banjo with documented professional work. The hearts and flowers style headstock inlay connects this instrument visually to the broader tradition of high-craft American banjo making that peaked in the 1920s and 1930s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStore this banjo in a hard case when not in use and aim to keep relative humidity between 45 and 55 percent to protect the wood and head. Wipe down the strings and hardware with a soft dry cloth after playing. The head tension can be fine-tuned by adjusting the bracket hooks evenly around the pot — small adjustments make a meaningful difference in tone. Have the neck and action checked periodically by a qualified technician, particularly if you notice changes in playability with seasonal shifts in temperature or humidity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lark in the Morning","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49369513853102,"sku":"BAN104","price":1399.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1814\/0429\/files\/IMG_3577.jpg?v=1789589137","url":"https:\/\/larkinthemorning.com\/ja\/products\/b-d-special-banjo","provider":"Lark in the Morning","version":"1.0","type":"link"}