I'm looking for any information on the A.C Fairbanks style 30 mandolin. I was told it was from around 1895-1900? Not sure how to post pictures. Lol
I'm looking for any information on the A.C Fairbanks style 30 mandolin. I was told it was from around 1895-1900? Not sure how to post pictures. Lol
The A.C. Fairbanks company did indeed make mandolins in very small numbers prior to the acquisition of the company by Vega in 1904. Fairbanks is primarily remembered today as a banjo maker, and was a pioneer in the development of high quality banjo tone rings.
Any pre-Vega Fairbanks mandolin can be considered to be quite rare and historically interesting, though not necessarily valuable.
Somewhat interesting, though banjo-centric, brief history of Fairbanks.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Guys thanks for the responses. The article was an interesting read. My mandolin is getting some minor repairs on loose bindings and a small crack. I'll post some pictures when I get it back.
I've had one Fairbanks pass through here - it was my favourite bowlback by far!
So I would say nice mandolins that are greatly undervalued.
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