View Full Version : Fred Martin / A. C. Fairbanks - all original c1900 mandolin
Nothing much to do on this one except give it a good clean and a touch of setup work: as far as I can tell it's never been worked on, nor needed working on which says a lot for original maker.
Makers plate is "Fred Martin, maker, Boston Mass" who appears to have been a well known banjo player who both promoted A. C. Fairbanks' instruments, and had his own brand line of Fairbanks's to sell to his students.
I'm enjoying this one, it's a proper quality instrument :)
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Audio test:
https://soundcloud.com/john-maddock/ac-fairbanks-mandolin-demo
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl61XRE7MIk&feature=youtu.be
Nothing much to do on this one except give it a good clean and a touch of setup work: as far as I can tell it's never been worked on, nor needed working on which says a lot for original maker.
Makers plate is "Fred Martin, maker, Boston Mass" who appears to have been a well known banjo player who both promoted A. C. Fairbanks' instruments, and had his own brand line of Fairbanks's to sell to his students.
I'm enjoying this one, it's a proper quality instrument :)
112771112772112773112774112775112776112777
Audio test:
https://soundcloud.com/john-maddock/ac-fairbanks-mandolin-demo
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl61XRE7MIk&feature=youtu.be
Beautiful instrument John. If that is original condition it's in amazing condition. Sounds great too. One that you don't have to perform your restoration miracles on for a change?
Thanks for showing.
Brandon Sumner
Jan-18-2014, 2:54pm
VERY nice! Forgive my ignorance but what is the name of that tune you were playing??
Jim Garber
Jan-18-2014, 4:19pm
VERY nice! Forgive my ignorance but what is the name of that tune you were playing??
Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from The Godfather)
VERY nice! Forgive my ignorance but what is the name of that tune you were playing??
Audio clip is Over the Rainbow, video starts off with the Godfather (love) theme, finishes off with Stone's Rag.
Jake Wildwood
Jan-19-2014, 5:15pm
I love it. :D Great work!
brunello97
Jan-19-2014, 6:43pm
Really a sweet sounding mandolin, John. With you restoration it looks right-out-of-the-box.
What are you plans for it? A keeper?
This kissin' cousin of a Vega (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360834022087&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:3160) is closing out its auction on Ebay. Though not as nice as your Fairbanks, if the price holds someone may be getting a nice deal.
Mick
PS That Vega went for $208, which would make me think John's would be in the +$4C range, easy.
Really a sweet sounding mandolin, John. With you restoration it looks right-out-of-the-box.
What are you plans for it? A keeper?
I'll have to put it up for sale at some point, but in the near term I plan to enjoy it a bit, record some tunes (if I can ever get past the old red-light-fever!), and probably take some measurements too ;)