As received, restoring this Fairbanks Special No.1 was not an economical option; instead, it has been rebuilt by me to reflect the needs of today’s player.
The neck received a carbon fiber reinforcement and was leveled before installing a new ebony fingerboard and headstock overlay. The dowel stick was reset to provide a 1/8” action at the 12th fret with a 5/8” bridge. Pegheds brand planetary tuners finish the modifications.
The fingerboard has mother of pearl inlay patterns typical of a Fairbanks Special No 4. Inlays were not engraved on the Special models, but this banjo looks better with it.
The 10-11/16” rim is in good condition and almost looks new. The Fiberskyn is new. All the hardware, except the tuners and nameplate, came with the banjo. The missing Fairbanks nameplate has been replaced with a reproduction.
The banjo is strung with heavyweight nylon strings. The string notches in the nuts and bridge are “V” shaped so steel strings can be used with no modifications. The scale length is 25-1/2”. The neck is 1-1/4" wide at the nut and 1-7/8" at the rim.
If you're seriously considering this banjo (and to avoid any possible disappointment) please look at the pictures carefully and ask questions. You’ll have 14 days after receipt of the instrument to decide if you want to keep the banjo. Please let me know if you are returning the instrument. For returns, the purchase price, less the cost to repair any damage that may have occurred while the instrument was in your possession, will be refunded. Shipping costs will not be refunded.
There is no case, but the banjo will be well packed in a cardboard shipping container.
