Fairbanks/Vega No. 2 Special Model 5 String Banjo (1915), made in Boston, Mass., natural mahogany finish, laminated maple rim, mahogany neck with ebonized maple fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The Special#2 is just about Vega's simplest Fairbanks-branded 5 string banjo, unassuming to look at but still built to the Company's highest standards of workmanship. Fairbanks were generally considered the world's premier banjo brand at the time, so even their basic instruments were professional quality. The #2's plain maple rim carries a light mahogany stain, the neck is natural mahogany capped with a fingerboard made of ebonized maple with a simple dot inlay. The headstock face is a plain ebonized wood with no inlay and the hardware is high grade but basic, with a thin 3/8" rim carrying no elaborate tone ring. The sound is still superb, sweeter than many banjos with a bit less volume and over-ring than the more complex Vega models but plenty of clarity and punch. A fine-quality authentic 1920's old-time and frailing banjo, ready for then next 100 years.
Overall length is 35 3/4 in. (90.8 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 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.). This old Fairbanks is in nice original condition overall; there is some light wear overall but really for its 99 years on earth this banjo has survived better than most! A little finish is rubbed off the back of the neck in the first position area and some old dryness cracks in the fingerboard, visible but stable. All hardware is original; there is an added armrest (easily removable if desired) and the instrument is fitted with an older Barcus-Berry pickup with a mini-jack clamped to a hook on the rim (no drilling involved!). Fitted out with an older Remo plastic head; an excellent frailer and the perfect definition on an "Old time" banjo. Includes a deluxe TKL Hard Case. Excellent - Condition.
