1898 Fairbanks Special Electric 5-String Openback Banjo

Overview: It's very rare to get a nice old Fairbanks 5-string in the shop and this one, with its Electric tonering and copious, folksy pearl inlay, is quite the looker. Like other period 5-strings, it was intended for gut strings when built and so we've strung it with Aquila Nylgut after repairs. It's in great shape, has that snappy, clean, and sweet tone that these are known for, and looks gorgeous. It has a date stamp that puts it at 1898 and its design features are very close to what Fairbanks/Vega instruments become within 5-10 years of its build. The most interesting bit for banjo geeks, of course, is the Electric tonering fit on a spunover rim -- the Electric tonering is more or less a Whyte Laydie ring and it has much the same sound.

Repairs included: It's had a level/dress of the frets done by Max, and a lot of cleaning and setup and adjustment work done by Tim. Tim also had a to replace a few missing pearl inlays in the fretboard. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 4 lbs 15 oz
• Scale length: 27 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/4"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 7/8"
• Depth at seventh fret: 63/64"
• Head diameter: 10 3/4"
• Depth overall at rim: 2 1/2"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: Electric (very much like Whyte Laydie)
• Bridge: maple/ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: Aquila Nylgut light tension
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/low

Condition notes: The pegs are swapped for a mix of '50s and '60s friction pegs. The head and bridge are newer. There may be a hook or two that are replacements. The heel cap is newer. Otherwise, it's original throughout and in good order, with just light-medium playwear/usewear throughout the finish.

It comes with: It has an older chip case as I recall.

Consignor tag: PMUR