WS19-3

Fairbanks                     Un-designated Piccolo                 5 String

 

S/N: 2128              1892               7 5/8 x 15"                  2 7/8 lb.

 

Fully original.

 

Condition: Near mint.

 

Background: As banjo popularity soared in the 1880s, musical arrangements were written in 4 parts and the piccolo banjo was developed to play the soprano parts. Rims were usually around 7" with necks to scale. Like those by most makers, Fairbanks piccolos are quite rare and very few have Electric tone rings or any model designation.

 

Features of Note:

1) Ex-Bollman Collection.

2) This serial number would be after they were recycled. The dowel stick is stamped with both “F. & Cole” and “Fairbanks Co.”. Knowing that he now had his own stamp, it seems highly likely that Fairbanks was economizing and using a previously stamped dowel stick.

3) Celluloid tuners and tailpiece.

 

Click to enlarge: