Extremely interesting transitional banjo from Fairbanks-Vega, employing an original Fairbanks & Cole model name, Imperial, to sell the firm's Electric tonering, resulting in a lighter weight Whyte Laydie, with no bracket band. The 10-15/16" diameter multi-ply maple rim assembly bears matching stamps and serial numbers, is equipped with the famous Whyte Laydie or Electric tonering, with exterior tortoise binding, original hardware, but for a reproduction No Knot tailpiece, and a few nuts; some tarnish is present on metal, with cosmetic wear, some surface scratches; both the neck and rim assembly were likely refinished, and show hairline finish checks, surface separations, with streaky dark hues beneath. The 27" scale three piece maple neck has fully bound ebony fingerboard with mildly worn original fret wire, engraved pearl markers on the board (X mas tree dots, with star and first fret floral), with engraved Gryphon on peghead overlay; the heel cap and peghead overlay are ebony replacements from pearwood, though the inlays themselves do appear correct; equipped with Champion friction tuners with pearloid buttons.