Early open back banjo by Fairbanks & Cole Makers, Boston Mass, the team that brought us some of the fanciest banjos ever produced. A complete and playable instrument that is over 140 years old, this banjo has a 25.5" scale mahogany neck, inlayed flush maple frets into an ebony fingerboard; early multi pointed peghead shape with friction pegs and pearwood overlay. The spunover rim measures 10-1/8" in diameter with simple rolled tonering, with wooden interior; equipped with original hardware but for a few nuts, with slightly later Elite tailpiece. A nice player for frailing, with light forward relief, setup with a 1/2" bridge; lightweight, rich but poppy tone.