Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie #7 Composite Model 5 String Banjo (1921), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 51976, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This banjo is an older Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie 5-string composite, with a rim and dowel stick original to the 1920s and a later replica neck made sometime between the 1970s and 1990s. The rim is an original Fairbanks era 11" Whyte Laydie dating to 1921, with the serial number intact but appearing to be overfinished on the inside darker than the traditional blonde maple. The dowel stick is from a slightly later Style R Whyte Laydie tenor, with a Vega stamp but no Fairbanks logo. The serial number has been carefully overstamped in an attempt to match it to the rim, and the "Style R" overstamped to read "No. 7" somewhat less convincingly.
The replica neck is very well made in correct Fairbanks/Vega 37 style. The shaded maple finish is nicely done, a bit heavier than 1920-era Vega varnish and the darker look would technically be more correct for a Tu-Ba-Phone model. The overall feel is otherwise quite authentic, the craftsmanship excellent; this was not an amateur conversion but a high grade replica job. The delicately engraved inlay is decently done, by 1921 even Vega's standards had slipped a bit but this work while attractive is still not an exact match for a period original. The tuners are geared Planets from the 1970s or '80s while the 5th string peg appears original period; all have genuine pearl buttons that look to be from the 1929s or '30s.
The original rim is built with Fairbanks' patented bracket band with the shoes mounted to that, not drilled through the rim and capped with the "Electric" tone ring that was the finest of its time and still a standard fitting today, over 125 years on. The bottom of the rim is capped with tortoise celluloid on both edges and has elaborate herringbone marquetry between.
This instrument is a fine player with a wonderful tone, the authentic and classic old-time Fairbanks/Vega sound that few other banjos, new or old, can match. The Fairbanks #7 was the highest grade cataloged Whyte Laydie model and has remained one of the favored patterns for top-line fancy 5-strings since; partial replicas like this were not uncommon as demand has usually exceed ed the supply of originals since the 1960s. These days it is more difficult to get this sort of repro neck made, partially for legal reasons. With its rim and sound intact and excellent reproduction neck this is a superb player's instrument that justifies the model's longstanding stellar reputation as one of the finest banjos ever made.
Overall length is 37 1/4 in. (94.6 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 1/4 in. (692 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This banjo is in excellent playing condition, showing not too much wear since it was likely assembled 40-60 years ago. The original 1920s Vega components (the rim and dowel stick) have had a light varnish overcoat on the exposed wood areas to darken them to more the appearance of a Tu-Ba-Phone from the period, likely done to make the serial number and style stamp alterations on the stick less visible. Other than that these parts remain original; the Whyte Laydie" tone ring, sheath, hoop, bracket band, shoes, hooks and nuts, neck anchor and resonator mount are all original Vega parts. The "eagle claw" style 5-string tailpiece is of later vintage.
The neck is very well made and shows minimal wear to the finish (which is a bit thicker than a 1921 Vega standard) with some very light wear to the frets. The 5th string tuner and the pearl buttons on all 5 tuners appear to be 1920s vintage, while the four tuners on the headstock are later Planets. While not a fully original Vega instrument this banjo looks and absolutely sounds like one, set up with a Fiberskyn 2 head and Snuffy Smith bridge. It resides in a modern HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
