WS15-4

Fairbanks                     Expert                                 5 String

 

S/N: 77           1890                      11 x 24 3/8 “                       3 3/4 lb.

 

Originality: The lower third of the peghead overlay had been harshly abraded and strange circles had been gouged out around the tuners ( not just the typical scratches seen from the ends of strings when tuning). I had the peghead overlay professionally restored.

 

Condition: Fine to excellent.

 

Background: After the split, Fairbanks chose to continue some Fairbanks & Cole models of which this Expert is an example ( this collection also includes a Fairbanks & Cole example). I have no idea how long they were made and in what numbers and am not aware of another example. The dowel stick is stamped “Fairbanks & Cole” but the banjo’s characteristics clearly show it to be made by Fairbanks soon after he recycled the serial numbers. It was made just at the time period when saw-cut inlays were starting to be engraved.

 

Features of Note:

1) Ex-Bollman Collection and pictured in his section of the first Tsumura book ( page 108, lower left corner) where it was mistakenly listed as a Fairbanks & Cole due to the dowel stick confusion.
2) The saw-cut inlays reveal minimal ( i. e. early ) engraving.
3) The short scale length makes it likely to be a ladies banjo as mentioned for Experts in the Fairbanks & Cole catalog.
4) The heel “cap” is artificial and merely painted black which is very unusual for a Fairbanks product.
5) Inlaid Maltese Cross celluloid tuners.
 

Click to enlarge: