1925 Vega Little Wonder "Big Rim" Openback Tenor Banjo

Overview: This is a nice old Vega tenor banjo with the "big rim" proclivities of the early-to-mid '20s. It's just under 12" in diameter and it gives this instrument a bit more depth of sound, though the modern Renaissance head means it has a lot of good volume and cut to boot. The simple "hoop in sleeve" Little Wonder tonering has the usual warmth and sustain you'd expect and a good crisp snap to the high-end.

Interesting features: Well, the big rim is cool, of course! I have also freshly-fit a set of Gotoh 4:1 geared pegs at the headstock -- vastly better than the original friction pegs which were on it. It has a new, 2-foot bridge and new Renaissance head. The tailpiece is period and all of the rim hardware looks correct, though the hooks and nuts may be period but replacements. Per the usual for Vega, it also has a nice tortoise binding strip on the bottom edge of the rim.

Repairs included: Sarah gave it a level/dress of the frets and I fit the head, tuners, bridge, and set it all up. I also installed a hidden bolt-reinforcement bit at the heel to keep the neck secured better than just using the neck brace would allow. It's playing spot-on and ready to go. I can restring/adjust to whatever tuning the next owner desires.

• Weight: 5 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 21"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 15/16"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1"
• Head diameter: 11 7/8"
• Depth overall at rim: 2 3/4"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: Little Wonder hoop-in-sleeve
• Bridge: ebony/maple modern
• Fretboard: ebonized maple or similar
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 for CGDA tuning
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/small

Condition notes: There's weather-checking to the finish here and there (with small cracks in the headstock veneer) but overall it's in great shape. It's mostly-original, though the head, tuners, and bridge are not. I'm thinking the hooks and nuts on the rim are replacements (but period), too, as the Vega ones are usually thicker and have a differently-sized nut.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: AXBD