Early 1890’s Fairbanks & Cole – A.C. Fairbanks N.O. 0 Special, As-Is Project
Early 1890’s Fairbanks & Cole – A.C. Fairbanks N.O. 0 Special, As-Is Project. From the early 1890’s when the A.C. Fairbanks company owned, and used, both the AC Fairbanks and the Fairbanks & Cole trade names. A small number of banjos, this one included, are stamped on the dowelstick with both of those pre and post 1890 trade names. Repair was started on this banjo a number of years ago and the previous owner lost momentum, and it’s now up to you to make this banjo play again. The neck is mahogany and a new 26-1/4” scale ebony fretboard has been glued on, trimmed, and shaped to the neck. A new ebony heel cap has also been installed. The peghead overlay has been prepped, but not glued on. It will be included with the purchase. The bottom spun over rim (metal below the tension hoop, bare wood under the calf skin head) is 10-7/8” diameter. The 20 shoes are original, with the 20 hooks and nuts being modern replacements. The tailpiece endbolt and the neck tensioner are original and present. Sure, this banjo needs work, but for $300 you can have an original 125-year-old 5-string Fairbanks banjo that you can tweak to your specifications. No doubt it will be a great sounding and playing banjo when you are finished.