1920s Bacon Amateur Mandolin
(Serial No. 403) Excellent cosmetic condition with a well repaired heel crack. Everyone knows about Gibson; most people know about Lyon & Healy; but fewer people recall that the Bacon Banjo Company of Groton, Ct., also competed in the carved mandolin market, at least for a brief time. With their own aesthetic and a good sound, these rare mandolins are of interest to both collectors and players. They were endorsed by classical player/teacher William Place Jr., making them the first signature model carved mandolins. This one is the entry level A style model called the Amateur. The others were the two point "Artist and the four point Professional. No fancy pearl or bling, it is similar in look and feel to a Gibson A style. To my ears it has more focus than a Gibson oval hole and none of the tubbiness. It actually has a pretty decent bark and chop. You could play bluegrass on this if your F5 is down. It would also be great for ragtime, jazz, or blues. Dark brown top and back finish is original. Has an Adirondack spruce top with single-ply binding, mahogany neck, ebony bridge, black celluloid pickguard, and a two piece birch back and sides. fitted with a cloud type tailpiece, with a strap button added at the back screw hole of the tailpiece. The mandolin is pretty clean except for the well repaired heel crack. Modern glues are stronger than wood, so this repair should pose no problems in the future. Other than that repair, the mandolin is in excellent shape. The neck is straight, the neck set is good and the frets are fine. Just set up by my luthier and the action is low and comfortable. Very good sounding mandolin with good response all across the strings and up and down the neck. Comes with an old possibly original hardshell case.
Click for pricing and to return to the main page
Click the picture for a very large high resolution pic. Use your back browser button to return.
