1899 Fairbanks Electric Openback 5-String Banjo

Overview: How about them apples? Original, earlier Fairbanks Electric banjos do not show up here very often in 5-string format. We get all sorts of tenor and banjo-mandolins but the original-neck 5-strings are hard to acquire. This banjo is essentially identical, in many respects, to Vega Whyte Laydie instruments that come-up shortly after this one was built (as they're built in the same factory). The differences, however, stack up a little. This one has a spunover rim design as opposed to a heavier ply-maple rim with a "half-skirt" cladding, like on a proper Whyte Laydie. Otherwise, the tone ring and installation is identical to a Whyte Laydie build and it has the same bright and clean but sweet and sustained tone that you'd expect from this style of banjo.

A buddy of mine has owned this for some time and, at some point, he had someone fit 4:1 geared Pegheds tuners to replace the original celluloid friction pegs this would have originally come with. Aside from that and the bridge, it appears otherwise original.

Did I mention it's gorgeous? Bound fretboard, lots of engraved pearl inlay? Lots of hooks?

Repairs included: Jose gave it a fret level/dress job, fit a new (compensated) bridge, and set it up. It's playing spot-on and ready to go. Action is fingerpicking-friendly at 1/16" currently, but a taller bridge could easily be fit for 3/32" clawhammer-centric string height. This was built for gut/nylon strings when it was made and I suggest nothing heavier than steel 9s on it.

• Weight: 5 lbs 6 oz
• Scale length: 27 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.87"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.92"
• Head diameter: 11”
• Resonator diameter: 11 1/2”
• Depth overall at rim: 3 3/4"
• Rim wood: maple w/spunover cladding
• Tonering: Electric (like Whtyte Laydie)
• Bridge: maple/ebony compensated
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 9s steel
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/low

Condition notes: It appears to be all-original save the 4:1 geared Pegheds tuners fit at the headstock and 5th peg. There's minor wear and tear and hardware plating-wear throughout. The (presumably-original) head shows wear. The back of the neck has a bunch of long gouges that run with the grain. I almost wonder if someone with sweaty hands played the heck out of it to the point where he or she sucked the softer part of the grain out of the wood and left the heavier rings in place. Maybe -- because that's what it looks like with the wear pattern/darker staining around that area. My other guess would be extreme capo use with that old, spring-backed style from the '20s and '30s. The heel cap also has some chip-out/rubbing at its edges.

It comes with: It has a nice, newer hard case.

Consignor tag: FNTN