1920 Vega Style 202 Cylinder-Back Mandolin

I love cylinder-back mandolins. They're like a mix of the best bowlback mandos and best flatback mandos rolled into one -- they have projection, clarity, and volume but with a sweet, open, lower-end sound rather than a woofy one. Once properly adjusted, they practically play themselves, too, and even though they seem rather lightweight and fragile, they can certainly take a bunch of adversity. I'm personal witness to a number of them that have been abused for decades by their owners yet the instruments keep on ticking!

Anyhow, this Boston-made Vega is a Style 202 model -- mahogany back and sides and simple binding and trim. It's completely original except that someone hit the whole instrument with a shot of nitro clearcoat probably back in the '60s or early '70s considering how yellowed it's gotten over time and the amount of light weather-check that's run through it. Update:  yes, this includes a hit of finish to all of the hardware and fretboard, too.

Despite that, it's a handsome instrument and sounds exactly as I describe above. I also have a maple-backed one in the shop right now, too, and compared to that one, this one is slightly woodier and warmer overall but with less straight-up bite and snap.

After a little light work it's playing spot-on and ready to go.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, minor bridge compensation, and setup.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: ebony

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" (fast)
String gauges: 36w-10 or similar

Neck shape: slim-medium soft V

Board radius: flat

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: low/small

Scale length: 13 3/4"

Nut width: 1 1/8"

Body width: 9 7/8"

Body depth: 2 3/4"

Weight: 1 lb 10 oz

Condition notes: aside from the overspray clearcoat on the whole instrument, it's in great shape and otherwise all-original throughout otherwise. There's of course finish weather-checking and light pickwear and usewear throughout, too. Update: an eagle-eyed viewer noted a hairline crack about 1" just below the soundhole on the center seam. I thought it was just some weather-check. She's right! I cleated it just this morning and it's good to go.

It comes with: a somewhat ratty old chip case, though it does work fine for light use and storage.