Fairbanks & Cole
Clipper
S/N 5735 ca. 1885
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The Banjo
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The Neck
(NOTE: These pics may be opened in a separate window
for more detail.)
These simple but unusual inlays give just a hint of
the
glory that is
Clipper #1916.
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The Pot
This early banjo is possibly unique in its lack of
bolts
securing the outside brackets,
a feature that was included in the catalog description
of the higher grade Clippers.
This is the earliest example that I have seen of A.C.
Fairbanks' concept of a
separate band with the brackets attached directly to
it.
The Clippers have a fairly long sharp "boat" heel,
later
associated with the
banjos made by Cole.
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Other decorative features
The higher grade Fairbanks banjos typically had
ivory
tuning pegs and
tailpieces. The higher the grade, the more extravagant
these accessories.
These pegs, tailpiece and bridge are not original to
this instrument,
but the fittings shown on Clipper #3279 are the
original
ones.
The long very thin backstrap is just barely discernable in the picture below.
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