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The following specs were provided by our repair and appraisal teams. 

For a more detailed description please call (517) 372-7880.

  • 1898
  • SN 19679
  • A.C. Fairbanks Co. Special Electric No.5
  • 10-15/16" clad rim on black painted wood core
  • Maple neck with carved heel (back strap delaminating, prior heel break and repair)
  • 1-9/32" nut, ~26-1/4" scale
  • Ebony headstock layers, heel cap, and fretboard
  • No.5 Style MOP inlays on fretboard and headstock (several missing pieces, similar to No.9)
  • Newer hide head
  • Grooved tension hoop
  • 30 brackets (all new nuts, hooks may have been replated)
  • Reproduction Cook's Patented Sure-Grip cammed 'No-Knot style' tailpiece
  • Modern compensated bridge
  • Newer Waverly tuners with ivoroid buttons
  • Ivoroid-bound fingerboard and rim
  • 1-9/32" nut, ~26" scale
  • Modern-style hardshell case (blue lining, very musty)
  • Made in USA

Fairbanks Special Electric No.5 Openback Banjo (1898)

Fairbanks Special Electric No.5 Openback Banjo (1898)

Intl. Fees
AS-IS
Used

SKU: 60U-223795

Regular price $2,500 USD
Regular price Sale price $2,500.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Experience the Elderly Difference

A wireless Electric Banjo? Nope, just a Special Electric No.5 model from The A.C. Fairbanks Co. You can tell this banjo has seen somethings over it's 128 years. Will make for an excellent restoration candidate. With a 10-15/16" spun over rim on black painted wood core, it has the Electric tone ring (inverted), and a newer hide head. Some of the bracket hardware is non-original, and has a reproduction Cook's Patented Sure-Grip cammed 'No-Knot-Style' tailpiece. The neck shows signs of bowing, but features fancy engraved pearl inlays (some missing) on the bound ebony fretboard that shows separation in spots. It has a carved heel that has a previous break and repair. The back strap is separating from the neck as is the heel cap. Has the classic mother of pearl gryphon on the peghead back and vine floral inlay on front overlay. Replacement Waverly tuners installed. Includes a hardshell case. Made in USA.

This product is in Project Condition (Learn More)

Condition Notes: Needs dowel stick reset, re-fret, fingerboard is loose in the middle, repaired heel, some missing inlays (This item is sold As-Is)
More Details

More Details

The following specs were provided by our repair and appraisal teams. 

For a more detailed description please call (517) 372-7880.

  • 1898
  • SN 19679
  • A.C. Fairbanks Co. Special Electric No.5
  • 10-15/16" clad rim on black painted wood core
  • Maple neck with carved heel (back strap delaminating, prior heel break and repair)
  • 1-9/32" nut, ~26-1/4" scale
  • Ebony headstock layers, heel cap, and fretboard
  • No.5 Style MOP inlays on fretboard and headstock (several missing pieces, similar to No.9)
  • Newer hide head
  • Grooved tension hoop
  • 30 brackets (all new nuts, hooks may have been replated)
  • Reproduction Cook's Patented Sure-Grip cammed 'No-Knot style' tailpiece
  • Modern compensated bridge
  • Newer Waverly tuners with ivoroid buttons
  • Ivoroid-bound fingerboard and rim
  • 1-9/32" nut, ~26" scale
  • Modern-style hardshell case (blue lining, very musty)
  • Made in USA
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