1931 Vega Vegaphone Artist Resonator Tenor Banjo

Overview: By 1930, Vega banjos had matured into a functional, sturdy, professional form that would endure for the rest of the decade. This one also happens to be gorgeous as well. A 4-piece flange simplifies the hardware compared to earlier Vegas and the design is overall streamlined as well. This is a loud, pro-level, punchy, snappy banjo that's ready for stage use and would excel for trad jazz.

Tone: It's bright, clean, even, and has a mellow crispness to it that makes it fun to play and listen to even when you dig-in a bit hard.

Feel: The neck is bog-standard for the time and pretty quick.

Interesting features: It has lovely engraved inlay in the fretboard, a carved heel, flamed maple wedges for the resonator's rear, gold hardware everywhere, and general looks that are hard to beat. The synthetic head, modern 2-foot bridge, and modern geared pegs at the headstock make it easy-peasy to use day-in and day-out. It has a Tubaphone tonering under the hood.

Repairs included: Tim gave it a level/dress of the frets and a good setup and it's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 23"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium C/V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 11”
• Resonator diameter: 13 3/8”
• Depth overall at rim: 3"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: Tubaphone
• Bridge: maple/ebony 2-foot
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w, 20w, 13, 9 for CGDA tuning
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: It's pretty dang clean for its age. There's some finish wear (rubbing) on the back of the neck in the usual playing positions and small scratches/scuffs here and there throughout but overall it looks great. The head is a replacement and the bridge and tuners are, too, but the rest appears all-original. The plating is in good shape on the hardware and has lovingly-worn where the arm comes in contact with it.

It comes with: It has a decent, original hard case (not pictured).

Consignor tag: MBO