Why it's a Whyte Laydie

The Whyte Laydie was so called because it wasn't stained in the traditional dark brown. But Whyte Laydie banjos had something more -- the Fairbanks "Electric" tone ring. Electricity had nothing to do with it -- nowadays, the inventor might call it the "digital" tone ring -- but the heavy brass ring, scalloped as it is, produces a beautiful, bell-like tone, which is why these instruments are highly sought after. Vega put tortoise-shell binding even where it would seldom be seen.