A. C. Fairbanks # 4 Special 5 String Banjo (1909)
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Item # 9964
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A. C. Fairbanks # 4 Special Model 5 String Banjo (1909), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 25504, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, mahogany neck with ebonized fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is an interesting if fairly low-line banjo from the Fairbanks company, pretty much a 19th century instrument built well into the 20th! In 1909 the highly esteemed and sophisticated Tu-Ba-Phone models joined the Whyte Laydie in the Fairbanks line at the top, but the company still made plain older-style instruments for less well-heeled customers. This one is stamped "#4 Special" on the dowel, with the familiar Fairbanks metal nameplate pinned there as well. The metal-over-wood spunover rim is quite similar to what Fairbanks & Cole had been making 20 or so years before, with a minimal integral tone ring under the sheathing.
The hardware is typical for Fairbanks of the time with open-end nuts on plain hooks, an original No-Knot tailpiece and celluloid button friction tuners. The neck is fairly plain, neatly made of mahogany with an ebonized fingerboard. The headstock has a single pearl star inlay, while the fingerboard has a dot and elongated diamond pattern. The 10 5/8" rim and 26" scale neck combine to provide a classic old-time feel and sound, perhaps less sophisticated than the typical Whyte Laydie but charming nonetheless.
The well-made Fairbanks neck holds steel strings without a problem, something many other spunover rim banjos are not suited for. This is a simple but elegant banjo, proof that even the lower grade products of Fairbanks/Vega's Boston factory in 1909 were the best that could be made.
Overall length is 35 7/8 in. (91.1 cm.), 10 5/8 in. (27 cm.) diameter head, and 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This is a relatively clean and surprisingly original 112 year old banjo, showing some general wear but no major alterations. There is only light wear to the finish and typical tarnish to the plating, but really for 110+ years along this banjo is doing very well. The headstock facing has the typical veneer cracking seen on these old dyed wood pieces, but remains fully intact. The 5th string nut is basically a screw, likely replacing something else that was once there. The banjo is set up with a modern plastic head and later (but still old) Grover Non-Tip bridge; otherwise it is little changed from 1909. It rings with a lively if somewhat unsophisticated sound, and is lighter and easier handling than most Fairbanks banjos, thanks to the thinner rim. Ready to gig, this #4 resides in a more recent HSC that is also lighter than most. Overall Excellent Condition.
This is an interesting if fairly low-line banjo from the Fairbanks company, pretty much a 19th century instrument built well into the 20th! In 1909 the highly esteemed and sophisticated Tu-Ba-Phone models joined the Whyte Laydie in the Fairbanks line at the top, but the company still made plain older-style instruments for less well-heeled customers. This one is stamped "#4 Special" on the dowel, with the familiar Fairbanks metal nameplate pinned there as well. The metal-over-wood spunover rim is quite similar to what Fairbanks & Cole had been making 20 or so years before, with a minimal integral tone ring under the sheathing.
The hardware is typical for Fairbanks of the time with open-end nuts on plain hooks, an original No-Knot tailpiece and celluloid button friction tuners. The neck is fairly plain, neatly made of mahogany with an ebonized fingerboard. The headstock has a single pearl star inlay, while the fingerboard has a dot and elongated diamond pattern. The 10 5/8" rim and 26" scale neck combine to provide a classic old-time feel and sound, perhaps less sophisticated than the typical Whyte Laydie but charming nonetheless.
The well-made Fairbanks neck holds steel strings without a problem, something many other spunover rim banjos are not suited for. This is a simple but elegant banjo, proof that even the lower grade products of Fairbanks/Vega's Boston factory in 1909 were the best that could be made.
Overall length is 35 7/8 in. (91.1 cm.), 10 5/8 in. (27 cm.) diameter head, and 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This is a relatively clean and surprisingly original 112 year old banjo, showing some general wear but no major alterations. There is only light wear to the finish and typical tarnish to the plating, but really for 110+ years along this banjo is doing very well. The headstock facing has the typical veneer cracking seen on these old dyed wood pieces, but remains fully intact. The 5th string nut is basically a screw, likely replacing something else that was once there. The banjo is set up with a modern plastic head and later (but still old) Grover Non-Tip bridge; otherwise it is little changed from 1909. It rings with a lively if somewhat unsophisticated sound, and is lighter and easier handling than most Fairbanks banjos, thanks to the thinner rim. Ready to gig, this #4 resides in a more recent HSC that is also lighter than most. Overall Excellent Condition.