1930s Vega Style B Cylinder-Top Guitar

May 06, 2025

1930s Vega Style B Cylinder-Top Guitar

Overview: A customer sent this in for repair and return-home. I've only had three other cylinder-top Vega guitars in the shop (they're pretty rare) and this one is by far in the best condition. It's got no cracks and is entirely original except for a replacement saddle I added. These have an interesting, sparkly, slightly-woody, open tone to them that -- not surprisingly -- is halfway between an archtop and flattop sound, though leaning more towards a Taylor-like flattop voice.

Interesting features: The neck is a little faster than many period competitors and it has a radiused fretboard to boot. It's very lightweight and comfy to hold and the reverse sunburst finish is a killer look. It's ladder-brace but with scalloped, thin bracing.

Repairs included: I gave it a neck reset and modified the bridge to accept an oversize, compensated, rosewood saddle. Jose leveled and dressed the frets. It's playing spot-on and fit to serve. The bridge had already been modified at the saddle slot before and Vega, unfortunately, installed the bridge so that the intonation point for the high E string was actually at the front edge of the bridge. This is why I recut the slot wider and used an oversize wood saddle with good compensation instead of the usual bone insert saddle.