A. C. Fairbanks "Columbian"
No. 2, 5-string banjo, S/N 16109, Circa
1896
A. C. Fairbanks "Columbian"
No. 2, 5-string banjo, S/N 16109, Circa
1896
This is a rare example of the Fairbanks "Columbian" model banjo, which fell somewhere in the middle the Fairbanks line quality wise. This example has beautiful engraved pearl and very unusual tuners, which I believe are original. They are intended to fit into tapered holes like violin tuners, and they are tightened by inserting a rod through a hole in the collar into the main shaft and turning the two together until the desired tightness is achieved. A photo of a similar peg sent to me by Phil Ellis is shown below. Thanks to Phil and to Hank Schwartz for providing this information (and to Hank for selling me this very nice banjo).
