A. C. Fairbanks 5 String Banjo (1898), made in Boston, natural varnish finish, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, spunover rim.
A simple but very attractive Fairbanks banjo, with tastefully plain dot and diamond pearl inlay and elegant lines.
While worlds away from the famously super-fancy engraved pearl-inlaid Electrics and #9 Tubaphones, this banjo is still built to a high level of workmanship and is an excellent playing instrument.
Lovely original faux ivory friction pegs and tailpiece; Fairbanks plaque on dowel stick.
Overall length is 33 5/8 in. (85.4 cm.), 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) deep. Scale length is 24 7/8 in. (632 mm.).
This very well-preserved banjo retains the original celluloid tuners and tailpiece that are often missing 100+ years on. Except for some deterioration of the headstock veneer and a repair to the headstock by the second string peg, it is in very fine condition.
Plays excellent with gut or nylon strings; could handle light steel if desired. A charming 19th century banjo ready fot the next 100 years! Excellent Condition.
