Rare, pre March 1904 fire, A. C. Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 7, that was custom ordered, probably for a professional level banjoist, without a carved heel or marquetry on the rim cap to improve high register playability. The 10-15/16" diameter rim assembly was made with thin maple, and has tortoise binding on the interior of the rim; equipped with scalloped Whyte Laydie tonering, and original hardware including No Knot tailpiece; metal bezel from mute attachment present on dowel; some binding is pulling away from rim a bit. The 27 scale length three piece flamed maple neck features an ebony fingerboard w/ Consalvi engravings in #7 variety, with thin original frets, and 1-3/16" nut width. Peghead has nice Gryphon on back on long ferrule, has positively lovely original high grade friction tuners with carved bone buttons. The neck actually has a little back-bow but is leveling out.