Fairbanks mandolin 1900

Bought from Bernunzio:

A. C. Fairbanks – Style 15. 1 at $375.00 ea. – $375.00

good, quality Neapolitan style instrument with 9 rosewood ribs, and colored purfling around the top. There are no cracks or repairs. The neck is straight and true. Set up with Dogal strings for a charming sound from the past. PRICE REDUCED….was $450 now on sale for only…

  • ca. 1900
  • Condition: VG



It’s a highly playable instrument in good working order. So far it’s been a little tough to learn how to deal with the roundback, which doesn’t sit easily on your lap, but I’m getting more comfortable with it day by day.

This round back style of this mandolin predates the flat back style of bluegrass instruments. I hear the difference in tone as being more antique. The timbre has woody corners, like the nasal quack of a cigar box guitar, but prettier. The mood is carnival or amusement park. If you play bottleneck blues on it the sound is like wailing spirits.

9 thoughts on “Fairbanks mandolin 1900

  1. Lucas Gonze Post author

    It’s more different than switching to bass and less different than switching to violin. 🙂

    A new tuning. Only four strings. A different voice that you have to understand — no sustain, lots of repeated picking, high and sweet, no chunky bass.

    I like the voice of the instrument a lot.

    Reply
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  5. Saxe

    A new tuning. Only four strings. A different voice that you have to understand — no sustain, lots of repeated picking, high and sweet, no chunky bass.
    +1

    Reply
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