1929 Vega Little Wonder Resonator Tenor Banjo

Overview: This is an all-original (save bridge), very clean, Little Wonder from 1929. It's got the "pie" resonator back, natural-maple finish, and all of the nice, heavy-duty, original hardware that you'd want to see on it. These guys make superb players and have the classic Vega look that's copied so thoroughly these days. This one arrived in good order but needing glorified setup work -- now that it's done, it's playing like a champ.

Tone: The original skin head tempers and mellows the usual brash/up-front/slightly jangly Little Wonder sound that this would have with, say, a Renaissance or frosted-top Remo head. It's thus both warm and bright at the moment.

Interesting features: I love that the nickel-silver plating has worn to straight brass on some of the hardware. It's always nice to see things getting careworn. I suppose one can't argue too much with the lightly-flamed maple used on the resonator or its tortoise trim.

Repairs included: It's had a level/dress of the frets, cleaning, and setup work done. The bridge got swapped. It's playing bang-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz
• Scale length: 23"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 10 7/8"
• Resonator diameter: 12 3/8"
• Depth overall at rim: 3"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: Little Wonder (hoop in sleeve)
• Bridge: maple/ebony
• 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/narrower

Condition notes: It's pretty clean throughout but does have edge rubbing and light scratching here and there. There's a bit of weather-check to the finish in spots, too. The original tuners are friction pegs and so operate at a 1:1 ratio like fiddle pegs. They're not hard to get used to but if you plan to play this regularly at sessions and gigging I would suggest geared pegs of some sort (I like Gotohs, myself). It's all-original except for the bridge which is older but from my parts-bins.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: COMT