This is an original Bacon Professional “Special” made by Vega between about 1910 and 1915. I acquired it in 1963 from a country house near Schenectady NY. It is identical to the “Special” illustrated in Bacon's 1914 catalog (reprints on eBay from time to time). It came in an old leather case like that shown in the catalog. Rodents had gnawed a hole in the case and a small chunk from the front top of the peghead as can be seen in one of the photos. Vega made these banjos for Bacon from about 1906 to shortly after this one was made, when Rettberg and Lange began to make them for Bacon. Vega began to use the notched tension hoop visible here about 1910. The only markings are the “Special” designation and the serial number 2078 on the dowel stick. I installed the Grover fifth-peg, the armrest, and one hook-and-nut next to the heel: otherwise, the hardware is original. The banjo comes with a like-new plush case. The rim is 10-15/16 inches in diameter. The 27-inch scale neck is straight with typical Vega number 2 or 3 “Flowerpot” inlays. The marquetry or purfling is typical of early higher-end Bacon Professionals. The strings clear the 12th fret by about 3/16 inch with a 1/2 inch bridge, typical of banjos of the early 1900s. Price $3500.
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