Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie #2 Modified 5 String Banjo (1914)
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Item # 10524
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Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie #2 Modified Model 5 String Banjo (1914), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 31732, natural varnish finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This banjo is an interesting and now rather unique player's example of one of the world's classic openback 5-strings, the Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie #2. It was originally built in 1914 but has been extensively modified, probably in the 1960s or '70s when it was considered a "thing to do" to "upgrade" older banjos with modern parts or additional decoration, or in this case both. We used to call these sorts of enthusiastically re-worked pieces "hippie banjos" on the supposition that certain substances were ingested before the act was committed, but in this case the work is actually very well executed and the result an attractive and still excellent playing instrument.
As originally built the #2 was structurally and tonally one of the finest banjos in the world but not the fanciest Whyte Laydie model; someone went to some lengths to rectify that with this one. It has an 11" maple rim and 27" scale laminated maple neck, a standard size for a #2 (several options were available). This configuration is an absolutely classic old-time 5-string banjo and produces a sound that few others, new or old, can match. The Fairbanks "Electric" tone ring is fitted over the bracket-band rim, another patented Fairbanks feature.
Structurally this instrument remains largely original, but there are a number of cosmetic and hardware changes. The neck has been refinished in a slightly darker shaded natural, the dowel and inside of the rim are closer to the original color. The headstock inlay is a reproduction of a later and fancier Vega style, typical of the 1920s Deluxe including a bound edge; the headstock shape is odd for a #2 but we see no evidence of any splices, so that is a bit of a mystery; the neck looks like an original Vega-made piece. The fingerboard is an original #2 bound ebony with some extra Vega-styled engraved inlay added to the pieces already there and some leftover dot holes filled in. the tuners are 1970s era Planets with a non-geared 5th string.
The rim has a LOT of added bling: the bracket band, hoop, shoes, hooks and nuts have all been gold plated, the band and hoop extensively hand engraved. The work is nicely executed but not fully professional (especially 1910s Fairbanks) quality. A heavy band of dramatically colored abalone has been added on the rim cap, and extra binding around it. The tailpiece is of 1960s or '70s vintage, and has also been gold plated and hand engraved. The hooks, nuts and other rim hardware appear original to the banjo, just re-plated.
As with all vintage Fairbanks instruments, when this Whyte Laydie was made the company's exceptional 5-strings were the undisputed standard of the world, which they remain today. This tricked-out #2 is no longer fully original but remains an exceptional player's instrument that instantly justifies a stellar reputation, still one of the finest of "old school" banjos ever made. It is also a very flashy piece with a good story!
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
We can verify the re-working was done to this banjo was decades ago by the considerable wear it has accrued since. The finish and plating show moderately heavy play wear overall with quite a bit of ambering to the finish and a lot of flaking on the headstock face over the inlay; this banjo looks to have seen some outdoor festival weekends and smoky clubs along the way. One bracket show and hook assembly is missing just below the heck heel, otherwise the set is complete.
The neck is quite straight and the apparently original frets in surprisingly good shape, with some wear in the lower positions in the fingerboard but nothing that impedes play. There are railroad spikes at positions 7 and 9, an older plastic head and Grover bridge. This banjo has led an interesting life over the past 100 or so years, and is poised to play for another century or more. We are not sure where or who it has spent time with, but it certainly has vibe (and tone!) to spare. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This banjo is an interesting and now rather unique player's example of one of the world's classic openback 5-strings, the Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie #2. It was originally built in 1914 but has been extensively modified, probably in the 1960s or '70s when it was considered a "thing to do" to "upgrade" older banjos with modern parts or additional decoration, or in this case both. We used to call these sorts of enthusiastically re-worked pieces "hippie banjos" on the supposition that certain substances were ingested before the act was committed, but in this case the work is actually very well executed and the result an attractive and still excellent playing instrument.
As originally built the #2 was structurally and tonally one of the finest banjos in the world but not the fanciest Whyte Laydie model; someone went to some lengths to rectify that with this one. It has an 11" maple rim and 27" scale laminated maple neck, a standard size for a #2 (several options were available). This configuration is an absolutely classic old-time 5-string banjo and produces a sound that few others, new or old, can match. The Fairbanks "Electric" tone ring is fitted over the bracket-band rim, another patented Fairbanks feature.
Structurally this instrument remains largely original, but there are a number of cosmetic and hardware changes. The neck has been refinished in a slightly darker shaded natural, the dowel and inside of the rim are closer to the original color. The headstock inlay is a reproduction of a later and fancier Vega style, typical of the 1920s Deluxe including a bound edge; the headstock shape is odd for a #2 but we see no evidence of any splices, so that is a bit of a mystery; the neck looks like an original Vega-made piece. The fingerboard is an original #2 bound ebony with some extra Vega-styled engraved inlay added to the pieces already there and some leftover dot holes filled in. the tuners are 1970s era Planets with a non-geared 5th string.
The rim has a LOT of added bling: the bracket band, hoop, shoes, hooks and nuts have all been gold plated, the band and hoop extensively hand engraved. The work is nicely executed but not fully professional (especially 1910s Fairbanks) quality. A heavy band of dramatically colored abalone has been added on the rim cap, and extra binding around it. The tailpiece is of 1960s or '70s vintage, and has also been gold plated and hand engraved. The hooks, nuts and other rim hardware appear original to the banjo, just re-plated.
As with all vintage Fairbanks instruments, when this Whyte Laydie was made the company's exceptional 5-strings were the undisputed standard of the world, which they remain today. This tricked-out #2 is no longer fully original but remains an exceptional player's instrument that instantly justifies a stellar reputation, still one of the finest of "old school" banjos ever made. It is also a very flashy piece with a good story!
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
We can verify the re-working was done to this banjo was decades ago by the considerable wear it has accrued since. The finish and plating show moderately heavy play wear overall with quite a bit of ambering to the finish and a lot of flaking on the headstock face over the inlay; this banjo looks to have seen some outdoor festival weekends and smoky clubs along the way. One bracket show and hook assembly is missing just below the heck heel, otherwise the set is complete.
The neck is quite straight and the apparently original frets in surprisingly good shape, with some wear in the lower positions in the fingerboard but nothing that impedes play. There are railroad spikes at positions 7 and 9, an older plastic head and Grover bridge. This banjo has led an interesting life over the past 100 or so years, and is poised to play for another century or more. We are not sure where or who it has spent time with, but it certainly has vibe (and tone!) to spare. Overall Very Good + Condition.