2000s Antonio Tsai 5-String Openback Banjo

This is a fancy, Vega-inspired (neck style, handling, and shape) openback banjo and the neck's inlay, at least, was made by Antonio Tsai's shop in Vietnam (the owner is not quite sure). The rim has a "Little Wonder"-style tonering and uses vintage hardware throughout but does not look like Vega equipment. It reminds me more of Slingerland-style instruments from the '20s. It's a quality instrument and has remained stable in service since it was built (around Y2K).

We just needed to do a little bit of work to it to get it playing spot-on and now that it is, it's sounding nice and mellow and suits old-time and clawhammer styles well. Players who are used to a "scoop" will want to avoid this, however, as it definitely handles more like a 1910s/1920s Vega in the hands than it does a "modern old-time banjo." Oh, world!

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

Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz

Scale length: 26 1/2"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Neck shape: medium V into bigger C

Board radius: flat

Head diameter: 10 5/8"

Depth overall at rim: 2 7/8"

Rim wood: ply maple

Tonering: Little Wonder (hoop in sleeve)

Bridge: maple/ebony

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 9s

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Condition notes: I'm not sure exactly what's going on with this banjo but it appears to be a mixed build. It has a Vega-style "Little Wonder" tonering type and 10 5/8" head size, however, which suggests the rim is a vintage tenor banjo pot from the '20s and the rim hardware suggests that, too, but the styling on the bottom of the rim is not quite Vega. It's more Slingerland/Regal-esque. It's curious! The neck is, of course, made in Vietnam by Antonio Tsai's shop and has the profuse pearl inlay associated with his work. It's perfectly stable and has been so since manufacture (around Y2K). There's light usewear throughout the neck and rim but overall it's nice and clean. It has geared pegs for the headstock but, frustratingly, the 5th-peg tuner is a simple friction unit.

It comes with: no case, sorry!