This is one of several models in the “Electric” series of A. C. Fairbanks. This one has the inverted Whyte Laydie style tone ring, a scalloped device of nickel-plated brass that abuts a nickel-plated brass tube that, itself, abuts the newer Mylar frosted top banjo head. It is this tone ring that imparts the flowing, lyrical sonic attributes that makes the phrase “Fairbanks Electric” so welcome to old time players. This has the metal clad rim and, as well, the standard wooden dowel, stamped both “Special” and “Electric” with the matching serial number on dowel and inside of the rim, with a “The A. C. Fairbanks Co. Makers – Boston, Mass” plaque attached to the center of said dowel, and a metal sheath over the bottom end where it joins the body at the tailpiece lug.
The metal tensioner still remains at the neck end of the dowel. This is a 28 bracket banjo having an 11” diameter, an apparently original simple tailpiece, and an ivoroid bound ebony fingerboard that hosts mother of pearl fingerboard inlays in 8 positions, many of which are etched and blackened flowers, ovals and a matching acorn both above and below the bone nut. The headstock features 8 engraved and etched mother of pearl inlays. In three sections the ivoroid binding on the neck was replaced with small pieces where the original had fallen away and was lost, and the remaining binding shows small but uneventful hairline cracks at each fret at both sides and also hairline cracks in the headstock overlay and chips around its perimeter. The four headstock machines have black celluloid buttons and a matching fifth string peg remains in the case pocket, but the current fifth peg has an ivoroid button.
There are scratches on the stained pear wood heel cap. It is quite likely that none of the tuners on this instrument are original although the headstock tuners are quite old. The bridge is rosewood and definitely non-original, but it works fine. The back of the neck shows normal wear, scratches, dings, some chips and, um, marks. Our set of four skilled and highly trained fangists have glued the frets into their proper position and this has made them even and well-behaved. A remarkable sounding, fully pedigreed instrument whose sound and playability is sufficient to throw most players into the arms of Euphoria, or “ε?φορ?α” in the original Greek, the goddess of mindless pleasure -- a goddess we'd sure like to see more of. WAS $5671 BUT IS NOW ON SALE FOR: