Following its original form as an A.C Fairbanks product, the Fairbanks Vega Whyte Laydie featured a natural finish on the maple neck and pot which provided its name. However, the real innovation was the Whyte Ladyie tone ring and bracket band, reducing the number of holes drilled and adding mass to the pot.
Whyte Laydie
The originals of the Whyte Laydie style banjos were made by the Fairbanks company around the turn of the 20th century, with a particular type of tone ring. The Whyte Laydie tone ring is a scalloped brass ring with a steel tone hoop, which provides higher volume, sustain and ‘ringing’ tone. A C Fairbanks was a large musical instrument manufacturer in Boston, but in 1904 suffered a devastating workshop fire, for which they were under insured.
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MORE →The Gold Tone WL-250 Whyte Laydie produces the plunky yet focused tone that’s long been a standard for Old Time and folk music. This banjo features an accurate replica of the classic three-piece Whyte Laydie tone ring, mated with a half-inch maple rim for maximum air chamber volume. The maple neck has a vintage heel design, a Fairbanks-style headstock shape, GT Master planetary tuners. Stylized cloud inlays adorn the bound ebony fretboard which terminates in a frailing scoop. The eleven-inch pot carries a Remo Renaissance head, a No-Knot tailpiece and dual coordinator rods for a solid neck fit and easy adjustments.
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