WS15-15

Fairbanks                     Imperial Special Electric No. 0             5 String

 

S/N: 19428      1900                      10 3/4 x 27"                5 1/4 lb.

 

Fully original except a replacement of a small piece of the peghead cap.

 

Condition: Near mint except the repair mentioned above.

 

Background: Technically, all banjos with Electric tone rings should produce the same quality of sound. After the early period, as models were designated with numbers, higher ones referred to more elaborate ornamentation and modifying terms such as Special and Imperial before the word, Electric, seem to have no consistent meaning.

 

Features of this model: In the fairly early part of the Fairbanks era, No. 0 Electrics typically had full spun pots and twist tuners of celluloid. Necks tended to be thin and dainty. While not elaborate, peghead and board inlays were plentiful and attractive for the lowest grade of Electrics and almost equal to those on the No. 1 model.

 

About this instrument:

1) Ex-Bollman Collection.

2) Doubly intriguing when one reflects on what is stamped on the dowel stick. First is the word Electric. While the inlays are correct for an Electric No.0, the banjo has no Electric tone ring. The correct fit of all the parts testifies that tone ring was not removed but the banjo left the factory without it. It is possible that this was a custom instrument ordered without it to economize. Secondly, it is quite rare to find any Fairbanks product stamped with both words, Special and Imperial. ( Could this have been done to denote the missing tone ring? )
 

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