WS15-10
Fairbanks Un-designated Electric 5
String
S/N: 9986
1890 12 x 27 3/8" 4 5/8 lb.
Original except inlays at
frets #1, #3, and 1 piece in the terminal space were missing and replaced.
Condition: Near mint.
Background: After the 1890 invention of the
Electric tone ring, Fairbanks began producing banjos with that feature and
stamped “Electric” 1 or 2 places on the dowel stick. Only later did they become
standardized enough to also be designated with names and /or model numbers. As
might be predicted these very early Electrics show considerable variation.
Serial numbers can be very confusing. Hovering around 9,000 at the time of the
partnership breakup, Fairbanks seems to have continued them up to about 10,000
before starting over at a very low number. Careful attention to details of
construction and decoration will usually allow collectors to decide if numbers
between 9,000 and 10,000 are by Fairbanks & Cole, early Fairbanks, or later
Fairbanks.
Features of this instrument:
1) Ex- Bollman Collection.
2) S/N and details reveal it
to be a very early Fairbanks just before he recycled the numbers.
3) Mahogany neck.
4) Very unusual rim design.
The interior surface near the head has a thicker portion that has been painted
or stained red and appears to be as made. Bollman has never seen this on other
banjos and I have wondered if it was an
early experimental design.
5) The heel has a boat hull
shape and the carving is a relatively rare variant that has been seen on a few
early Coles and a few early Fairbanks.
6) Rare Fairbanks “ claw
design” metal tailpiece that seems to have been discontinued soon.
7) Tension hoop has a higher
inner surface that sticks up above the hooks and a lower outer surface that
hides the flesh hoop.
8) The end of the dowel stick
has a short metal stick cover which is unusual this early.
9) Lovely saw-cut inlays with
the only engraving being a single straight line on 2 inlays.
10) Hand carved ivory tuners
with beaded edges.
Click to enlarge:
