Fairbanks and Cole Clipper (ca. 1885)

Built midway during the ten year banjo building partnership of Albert Fairbanks and William Cole, this is a rare example from the firm's Clipper line of banjos, built around 1885 in Boston. Slickly designed, the rim assembly is wooden, with a"bracket band" which both conceals the shoe screws, and acts as a rim cap, enclosing the back edge of the rim; the nickel plated hardware is all original, with short cobra hooks, grooved tension hoop, rolled/tubular tone ring system, simple neck adjustment hardware, with maker/serial number stamps on dowel stick; plating is in great shape with only light tarnish/chips in a few areas. The 27" scale length one piece mahogany neck has a boat shaped heel, fancy saw cut pearl inlay on the peghead and fingerboard with later frets (may have been a flush fret banjo at onset); checking and wear present on peghead overlay, with some finish added preventably; equipped with bone friction pegs. Some light forward relief present, but plays well.