Bell Banjos

[Meade A. Breese]

Considering buying a Bell banjo. Any thoughts on the sound or quality of build? 

[Strumelia]

Will, is that the banjo shown in your avatar?  If so... what a beauty!  You should post a photo of it for us.   :)

[Will Bickart]

Here is the one I bought from Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg, VA. I love the look of the maple. I don't know the banjo's story, but the guy at the store said it was from a collector's estate and it came with a 2004 purchase receipt from Elderly in Lansing.

[Chris Prieto]

Some silky flame right thar!

[Meade A. Breese]

That is a really nice one. The one I bought on eBay is oak. I wonder if they sound different.

Will Bickart said:

Here is the one I bought from Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg, VA. I love the look of the maple. I don't know the banjo's story, but the guy at the store said it was from a collector's estate and it came with a 2004 purchase receipt from Elderly in Lansing.

[Chris Prieto]

I am fairly sure he uses oak on the rims and uses maple for the necks.

I am currently building an oak neck and it's a heavy rock like object. Solid like rock. I don't use power tools and it has been a challenge. Hopefully it sounds nice but I will prolly never do it again haha.

[Meade A. Breese]

Maybe the neck I have is maple but not the curly type like yours. I know the rim is oak. I really like the deep sound especially for modal tunes.

Chris Prieto said:

I am fairly sure he uses oak on the rims and uses maple for the necks.

I am currently building an oak neck and it's a heavy rock like object. Solid like rock. I don't use power tools and it has been a challenge. Hopefully it sounds nice but I will prolly never do it again haha.

[Chris Prieto]

Oh yeah that makes sense, one of mine is plain Maple. Still sounds good tho :)

I love the sound too, big rumbly in the belly. Like a big top circus

[Will Bickart]

Meade, I believe Chris is correct, the necks are maple and the rims are oak, so I would guess your Bell and mine sound alike. Enjoy your new instrument...they are fun to play tho the learning curve is steep at first.

[Meade A. Breese]

I have never played fretless before but really enjoy sliding to the note if you don't hit it just right the first time

[Parker Buckley]

This might be a good place to insert a message about selling my Bell Boucher, built by Terry (not a kit).  It's a little over two years old and played very little.  Comes with a like-new Alpine gig bag.  Please pm me if interested. Located in Yellow Springs, OH

Thanks,
Parker