Fairbanks Banjos
SERIAL NUMBERS
A.C. Fairbanks - Maker
~1875 - 1880
Sporadic numbers have been found written in the wooden hoops of 5 of
these earliest Fairbanks banjos.
They are 230, 243, 353, LVII (57?) and CXXVI (126?).
Fairbanks & Cole
Note: After considering the Pickin' list of known F&C serial
numbers
where the total number
produced was evenly divided among the 10 years of producton, I decided
that it was not
unlikely that F&C actually started a new series with each passing
year.
The following adjusted designation by year is, like the prior
authoritative
list, probably
accurate within 1 year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.C. Fairbanks & Co.
Note: I made the same considered adjustment to the following serial numbers table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
replaces Metal Name Plate |
|
|
|
|
For continuing serial numbers please refer to the Pickin' article.
Mike Holmes has done a superb job of tracking down
the
serial numbers of various
transitions in the construction of Fairbanks and Vega
banjos. He focussed, in particular,
on the change from grooved to notched tension hoops,
from the metal name plate
to the F-V stamp, from thin Whyte Laydie rims to
thicker
rims....
His findings (a work in progress) are generously
presented
at this link
which also contains his link to a page with conclusions
drawn from his research.
- Return to main
Fairbanks
Banjos page -
Please contact me with any additions, corrections or comments in general.