John Gough based this banjo on an instrument he once owned. The original Fairbanks banjo was a Whyte Laydie #7 calmed down with diamonds and a star on the finger board instead of the more commonly known #7 fingerboard pattern. One could say this is a "players" #7. The original banjo also has a carved heel which this banjo does not. This banjo has a figured white oak neck instead of figured maple. The rim on this banjo is a thinned down 11 13/16" 1920's Vega Little Wonder rim. John Gough is a master Fairbanks style banjo artisan. Enjoy!