Fairbanks/Vega Senator 5 String Banjo (1920), ser. #44802, black hard shell case.

Fairbanks/Vega Senator Model 5 String Banjo (1920), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 44802, shaded maple and natural varnish finish, laminated maple rim; mahogany neck with eponized maple fingerboard, black hard shell case.

The Senator was the plainest banjo in the 1910s-'20s Fairbanks/Vega line but a fine quality instrument nonetheless. Built with a simple sheathed metal tone ring and plain mahogany finish, the Senator was a no-nonsense student banjo that is nonetheless highly prized today as a stellar old-time and frailing instrument.

The neck is one-piece mahogany; the ebonized fingerboard is unbound with dot-and-dash pearl inlay. The laminated maple rim is finished dark to match with simple but solid hardware. While the materials and finish are Spartan, all construction and fitting is to a typically high level as with all Fairbanks/Vega banjos from this era.

This Senator has had some more modern fittings added for player convenience; all geared tuners and a couple of railroad spikes at the 7th and 9th frets. It has the absolutely classic old-time sound of these basic Fairbanks/Vega banjos, a lovely player and fine example of a 100+ year old Boston made instrument which is no more expensive today than many reproductions.

Overall length is 37 3/8 in. (94.9 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).

This century+ old banjo shows some general wear but remains in excellent playing condition. The all original thin varnish finish is heavily worn along the bottom of the rim, with lighter wear elsewhere. Original hardware includes the hooks, nuts, hoop, dowel retainer and cool original No-Knot tailpiece; the plating on these shows light general wear. Newer hardware includes a complete set of geared Grover style tuners (the original were un-geared friction types) and a modern Vega-style armrest. The banjo is set up with a recent genuine calfskin head and compensated bridge. This is a gig-ready fine playing and sounding old-time banjo, plain but effective housed in a somewhat oversized but functional modern HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.