The Bacon Banjo Company operated in Groton, Connecticut from 1906 until 1940 when Gretsch purchased the company. In 1922, David Day left Vega to work for Bacon, and shortly afterwards his move was immortalized by the B&D trademark that appeared on the headstocks of the company’s instruments. Bacon specialized primarily in building banjos, but the company also offered a variety of mandolins and guitars that likely were made by other manufacturers.


With its jumbo body and 14-fret neck, the B&D Señorita, built by Regal, was designed to compete with guitars like the Martin dreadnought and Gibson Jumbo. The scalloped X-braced top produces impressive volume output and rich tone. John Fahey played a B&D Señorita and was pictured with one on the cover of his album Requia.

Serial number: 34887
Top: Spruce, sunburst finish
Back and sides: Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
Frets: 19
Bridge: Rectangular pin
Tuners: Nickel-plated Grover G-98 open gear with butter bean buttons