A. C. Fairbanks # 4 Special 5 String Banjo (1909)
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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 like this for less well-heeled customers.
This banjo 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 entire banjo has a more archaic feel than the "Modern" Boston banjos of the early 20th century.
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 (and less loud) than the typical Whyte Laydie but charming nonetheless.
The well-made Fairbanks is currently strung with Nylon strings for a 19th century sound and feel; The neck can also hold 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 and minor repair but no major alterations. There is only light wear to the finish and typical tarnish to the plating, but really for 115 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. There is a small repair at the treble side end of the fingerboard where the board lifted, very inconspicuous. The nut and 5th string nut are newer. The banjo is set up with a modern plastic head and later Grover Non-Tip bridge; otherwise it is little changed from 1909. It rings with a lively and sweet 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 like this for less well-heeled customers.
This banjo 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 entire banjo has a more archaic feel than the "Modern" Boston banjos of the early 20th century.
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 (and less loud) than the typical Whyte Laydie but charming nonetheless.
The well-made Fairbanks is currently strung with Nylon strings for a 19th century sound and feel; The neck can also hold 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 and minor repair but no major alterations. There is only light wear to the finish and typical tarnish to the plating, but really for 115 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. There is a small repair at the treble side end of the fingerboard where the board lifted, very inconspicuous. The nut and 5th string nut are newer. The banjo is set up with a modern plastic head and later Grover Non-Tip bridge; otherwise it is little changed from 1909. It rings with a lively and sweet 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.