1920s William Schmick (Vega) Resonator Top-Tension Tenor Banjo

Overview: I've worked on a couple of very similar Schmick banjos with these inline, top-tension, zither-style rims. They were build by Vega for the firm and have a lot of Vega-style appointments, though the rim/resonator and tonering design is completely different from anything they offered until the later VegaVox instruments. This one was in for work for its owner and, after work, it has a lovely, chimey, almost breathy sound that's clean and without any shrieky pop or snap.

Repairs included: Sarah gave it a level/dress of the frets and I gave it a setup. She had to work a bit to get the frets tidy (the neck had some twist) but it's now playing bang-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz
• Scale length: 20"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 29/32"
• Depth at seventh fret: 15/16"
• Head diameter: 9"
• Resonator diameter: 11 7/8"
• Depth overall at rim: 2 5/8"
• Rim wood: maple
• Tonering: hoop/integrated
• Bridge: maple/ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 for CGDA tuning (at the moment)
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: narrow/tiny

Condition notes: It's in rather good shape, with only minor wear and tear to the finish, save at the headstock where someone's older installation of newer geared pegs damaged the headstock veneer. It's missing its Waverly "cloud" tailpiece cover, too. Other than the pegs, it's original throughout. We did add side dots, though.