Fairbanks by Vega Model X 6 string banjo

Here for sale we have a somewhat unusual mystery banjo guitar Made by the Fairbanks by Vega company. This Banjo made circa 1923 is a lovely old piece of banjo history. These 6-string banjos were not very common but they were used in the day when there were such things as mandolin and banjo orchestras. Now to get to the mystery of it all. This banjo has been taken to several banjo experts/luthiers to try and pin down its origin. This is what we can confirm: it has two serial numbers, one on the dowel that reads 49962 which dates it to 1921 and which also says (Whyte Laydie) but the pot has serial number 59999 which dates it to 1923 and what really is in the pot is a Tub-a-phone tone ring. This leads us and others to believe that this instrument left the Vega factory like this, as the company was known to sometimes throw different parts of banjos together for special orders and or limited runs. In any event, this instrument is nicely preserved for it being almost a century old and the neck is straight and the action is comfortable and the tone is nice and plunky from the original Joesph Conrad skin head. As an added bonus it comes with what appears to be its original hard case in usable condition.