rubyb - Posted - 06/05/2014:  13:49:24

I plan to check out an AC Fairbanks Special Electric Banjo.   From the photos it appears to be in rough condition missing the 5th peg, torn head, no bridge, etc.   Apparently not very well cared for.   Any advice as to what I should look for to confirm authenticity?   Any suggestions as to what would be a fair price for a banjo in poor condition?   How difficult would it be to find someone able to "fix" it and how expensive that could be?    Thanks in advance for any advice. 

The Old Timer - Posted - 06/05/2014:  14:57:02

The things you describe are VERY easy to fix. What you have to look deeper for is mismatched parts, repairs/replacements to anything that was ever broken, that kind of thing. This may require some expertise.



If you can get lots of detailed photos, put them here on BHO and there are plenty of Fairbanks experts who'll help (I'm not a Fairbanks expert). Take a tape and measure the head diameter, distance from the nut to the 12th fret, etc.



Photos of the inside are crucial. Serial # on rim and neck stick (they should match), model number, other stampings. Get good detailed photos of the metal parts on the outside of the rim, close up of the peghead front and back, tuners, condition of fretboard/frets, etc.



5th peg, head and bridge are literally the least of your concerns.



You're on a good quest!

Oh yeah, go on line and find photos of similar banjos and familiarize yourself to the minutest detail!

Edited by - The Old Timer on 06/05/2014 14:57:37

rubyb - Posted - 06/05/2014:  15:33:12

the photos do not show a serial number, only the words special electric and a metal tag with AC Fairbanks.   I plan to take a physical look at the banjo in a day or two.  Where would the serial # be on the rim?    Being a novice, I'm somewhat excited about but I also want to be cautious.  Thank you for your input. 

The Old Timer - Posted - 06/05/2014:  17:22:05

Well! This photo looks fairly exciting!!!



The serial number is stamped on the inner face of the wooden hoop/rim, also on the squarish "dowel stick" that spans the back/inside of the rim. The 2 numbers hopefully will match.  See especially if there is a "number" after the banjo model name like Special Electric No 2, or something like that.



The case is nearly as exciting as the banjo, by the way!



Everything "appears" more or less right from the front. Inspect the neck from the back, carefully looking for:



cracks, unrepaired

cracks, repaired

is the black fingerboard on the front loose or unglued from the brown wood of the neck? (hopefully not)

is the peghead (up where the 4 white tuners are) split lengthwise in any spots?



Ahem, presuming you don't find anything broken, if you like this banjo BUY IT and hotfoot it out of there. This is a quite collectible instrument if all original.



Don't try to clean it or do anything to it. Find a friend or banjo expert to put a head, bridge and 5th string tuner on it, or resell it for a profit.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, you'll certainly find someone who can help you.



Be advised this banjo is so old it should not be played with steel/metal strings. Those white ivoroid tuning pegs were made for gut strings. Modern versions are under the brand name "Nylgut". Easily available.   This banjo would be played for old time music, or old fashioned "classical" banjo from around 1900.



Do you play? If not, you may want to sell this banjo (it may be QUITE valuable) and spend some of your earnings on a more beginner oriented instrument that can use modern metal strings.

If you decide not to buy, I would appreciate it if you send me an email with the details of this offering, I might follow up on it.

Good luck.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 06/05/2014 17:25:38