A. C. Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2 (ca. 1902, 10-3/4")

A tour-de-force banjo for collectors and players, this is a prime early example of an A. C. Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2, with a thin 10-3/4" diameter rim, featuring the artistry of master pearl engraver Icilio Consalvi. Setup with nylon/skin head, this is a rich and powerful banjo, just as exceptional 125 years later. The lightly stained maple rim is all original, including nickel plated metal parts; scalloped Whyte Laydie (Electric) tonering, long ferule, plate, neck adjustment harware, bracket band, grooved tension hoop, hooks/closed-end nuts, and front-stamped No Knot tailpiece; thick band of tortoise material binds exterior edge of rim, with matching serial numbers and model stamps inside; some tarnish/cosmetic dings/scuffs present. The 26" scale three piece maple neck has a robust early profile, fully bound ebony fingerboard, original 1-5/16" wide bone nut, equipped with Champion friction pegs, with delicately engraved Gryphon on pearwood peghead overlay. The binding appears original, though has shrunken/has been reglued in some areas, with a very small replaced portion next to last fret, and has slight roughness in some areas; some dings/cosmetic play wear present on back of neck, with glued hairline separations on peghead overlay. A nice player with just some forward relief, the thin frets appear original and intonate well despite moderate wear. Included in sale is original bump hard case with green interior