Lark in the Morning

B&D Special Tenor Banjo

Name: B&D Special Tenor Banjo
Brand: Lark in the Morning
SKU: BAN104
Price: 1399.0 USD
Availability: InStock

SKU:BAN104

$1,399.00

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In this Bacon & 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.

Construction & Materials

This is an open-back tenor banjo built to the exacting standards that made B&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.

Sound & Playability

Tenor 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.

About This Instrument

B&D, short for Bacon & 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&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.

Care & Maintenance

Store 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.