WS15-25

Fairbanks                     Whyte-Laydie No. 7                                  5 String

 

S/N: 22296        1903                                 10 3/4 x 26                       6 1/4 lb.

 

Fully original.

 

Condition: Mint.

 

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: The neck of curly maple is finished naturally with 3 piece construction and ivoroid binding along an ebony fingerboard. Caps on the peghead and heel are ebony and the back strap appears to be walnut. The peghead inlay is the elaborate torch and feathers design with an inverted trefoil to match the inlay in the first fret. The back strap inlay is a griffin and the bottom end of the cap is rounded (in contrast to those on Electrics). The heel cap inlay is crest shaped. Under the board and all 3 caps are multiple thin veneers one of which is red. Board inlays are large with lovely shapes. Engraving is exceptional on every inlay on the entire instrument. This is especially noticeable in the 1903 period. Tuners are gold plated patents with pearl knobs. The heel has a superb floral carving. Below the bracket band, the lower portion of the rim is bound with celluloid imitation tortoise shell and the bottom edge is covered with beautiful fancy marquetry. Inside the pot, the maple rim is un-perforated and the upper and lower surfaces are bound with imitation tortoise shell. The dowel stick has the metal Fairbanks name plate plus the long decorative stick cover. Hooks are flat (Cobra) with long ball-end nuts.

 

About this instrument:

1) Ex-Bollman Collection.

2) It displays every feature mentioned above.

 

Click to enlarge: