Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2 Banjo Conversion with Wyatt Fawley Neck

This instrument pairs a Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2 pot with a neck made by Wyatt Fawley, a respected contemporary luthier whose work is well regarded among serious old-time banjo players. Combination instruments of this type have a long tradition in the banjo world, where players have always been willing to mix and match components in pursuit of a specific sound or feel.

Build & Materials

• Pot: Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2, with the distinctive tone ring that the design is celebrated for
• Neck: 5-string neck by Wyatt Fawley — precise fretwork, a comfortable profile, and the quality of execution you get from a skilled maker who understands what players actually need

Sound Profile: The Whyte Laydie pot brings a bright, clear, and singing tone with excellent note separation, the quality of Fairbanks construction, and the decades of aging that give these vintage pots their particular character. The Fawley neck adds a modern, player-focused sensibility, resulting in an instrument that is both historically rooted and entirely practical.

The Details

• Pot built by A.C. Fairbanks (Whyte Laydie No. 2)
• Neck built by Wyatt Fawley, a respected contemporary luthier
• Very good condition
• From the Marvin Rosenberg Collection

The Marvin Rosenberg Collection: This banjo comes from the collection of Marvin Rosenberg — patriarch, attorney, corporate counsel, competitive sports car racer, and lifelong lover of folk and Americana music. For decades, Marvin showed up to jam sessions and bluegrass venues with friends, and that same passion shaped his instrument collection. He sought out player-grade instruments — vintage pieces with real, honest wear from a life of actual use — over pristine collector-shelf pieces, assembling a personal collection of guitars, mandolins, and banjos meant to be enjoyed rather than admired behind glass. Each piece was a tool of a passionate musician, chosen with the discerning eye of someone who understood exactly what made it special.

In stock now at Wood & Wire. A thoughtful pairing that gives you the best of both worlds.

* The information presented here was collected from the estate of Marvin Rosenberg and independent research. It is accurate to the best of our ability.