WS19-2

Fairbanks                     Un-designated  model                      5 String Piccolo Banjo

 

S/N: 9509        1890                                       7 5/8 x 15 “                                   2 5/8 lb.

 

Fully original.

 

Condition: Near mint.

 

Background: As banjo popularity soared in the 1880s, musical arrangements were written in four parts and the piccolo banjo was made to play the soprano parts. Rims are usually around 7" in diameter with necks to scale. Like those by most makers, Fairbanks piccolos are quite rare and very few had Electric tone rings or any model designation.

 

Features of Note:

1) Ex-Bollman Collection.

2) The dowel stick is stamped “F. & Cole” but this is an example of one of those instruments made by Fairbanks in the period that he was continuing the F. & Cole serial numbers and occasionally either using the old stamp or dowel sticks that were already so stamped. The S/N is definitely too high to be a F. &Cole product.

3) Lovely saw-cut inlays.

4) Ivory tuners and Tailpiece.

 

Click to enlarge: