WS15-24

Fairbanks                     Whyte-Laydie No. 2                                5 String

 

S/N: 22895       1903                                  10 3/4 x 26"                     6 1/4 lb.

 

Fully original.

 

Condition: Mint.

 

( NOTE: The text of the next two sections is identical to what appears with the earlier-discussed Whyte-Laydie No. 2 , S/N- 22274).

Background: All earlier Fairbanks & Cole and Fairbanks necks were dark and of a one piece construction. In 1901 the new Whyte-Laydie line was introduced with 3 piece necks of maple that were finished naturally. On the No. 7 models the maple used was of the curly variety with obvious grain. Minor changes transformed the Electric tone ring into the Whyte-Laydie ring but the most significant change was the addition of the bracket band. With the bracket shoes mounted to it, rims were not perforated. The combination of these features took the banjo world by storm and a full century later collectors and players still rank Whyte-Laydies amongst their favorites. Before the 1904 fire the Fairbanks company offered only 2 models, the No. 2 and the No. 7. (For clarification purposes, soon after the buyout the Vega company marketed a third model which is discussed in that grouping.) The absolute zenith of quality engraving is seen on these instruments made about 1903 just before the fire. 

 

Features of this model: No. 2 models were not fancy but have an understated elegance. The back of the peghead has no cap and those on the front and on the heel were made of dyed pear wood.  This marginal economy move has become very conspicuous over the last 75- 100 years. Black when made, time and the chemical treatments of the wood eventually tend to produce a striated brown and black appearance that has a certain charm. Not charming, however, is the propensity of the caps to crack and even shed pieces. (Caps on the No. 7 models were usually of ebony.)  Heel caps were not inlaid. Pegheads carried 3 inlays: a star at the top, the central figure of a griffin, and a trefoil design just above the nut that was an inverted twin to the inlay in the first fret. All were finely engraved. The fingerboard was of ebony with a prominent engraved star in fret 5.  Numerous other, smaller engraved position markers changed in shape and size over a few years.  Initially they were lightly engraved and very small diamond-shaped. Shortly before the fire they became bigger with curved sides and bold engraving. Tuners were patents with ivoroid knobs. Dowel sticks carried the metal Fairbanks name plate and the long decorative stick cover. Inside the rim the upper and lower portions were bound with celluloid imitation tortoise shell. Tailpieces were the “No Knot” style and hooks were round with long ball-end nuts.

 

About this instrument:

1) Made just before the fire.

2) Superb “1903 engraving” ; especially noticeable on the peghead griffin.

3) Diamond- shaped position markers of the intermediate size, boldly engraved.

4) Likely the finest extant pre- fire example.

 

Click to enlarge: