1911 Custom Fairbanks by Vega Octave Mando-Banjo
1911 Custom Fairbanks by Vega Octave Mando-Banjo. Unusual banjos have always attracted me and as I play instruments tuned in 5ths as well as 5-string banjo with dozens of tunings, I was immediately attracted to this instrument. The 8 strings and 14” diameter head sure had me looking twice. The specs are similar to a Vega Little Wonder. The neck is maple, with a blond finish. The ebony fretboard has a 24-1/2” scale with dot inlays at frets 3, 5, 8 & 10. We’ll get to that that unusual position mark pattern shortly. The 14” rim is maple with 28 original brackets. The original tailpiece is riveted on and has 5 string lugs. The strings are doubled up on four of them with the center lug unused. When first acquiring this banjo, we were a bit perplexed by the position marker locations and the exceptionally well-done grafted headstock. On purchasing an un-altered Vega mando-cello banjo, we were able to determine that a skilled craftsman had shortened the neck with a 27” scale by two frets, converting it to a 24-1/8” string length. One other alteration was the banjo had a neck reset by moving the dowelstick at the tailpiece towards the head. That modification has been corrected and the neck reset properly here at SFI. This is a fun instrument to play with a bassy, growly tone. If you want the double strings in an Irish tenor banjo tuning, this is the one for you. $1,500, with a light weight gig bag.