Fairbanks/Vega Special #2 Model 5 String Banjo (1922), made in Boston, Mass., brown stain finish, laminated maple rim, maple neck with ebonized maple fingerboard.
The Special #2 is one of Vega's simplest Fairbanks-branded 5-string banjos, but still built to the highest standards of workmanship -- Vega were generally considered the world's premier banjo makers at the time. The plain maple rim and neck carry a light mahogany stain; the fingerboard is ebonized maple with a simple dot inlay. The headstock is a simple ebonized cap and the hardware basic, with no elaborate tone ring. The sound is superb, with 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.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 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.).
Very nice playing condition; set up with a plastic head, steel strings, and repro No-Knot tailpiece. Tuners original except for added planetary 5th string peg; all other finish and hardware original. A strap-pin hole is drilled in the side of the heel and two railroad spikes added, and the dowel end has been set back slightly in the rim. A fine frailer with a very clear and bright tone. Overall Excellent Condition.
