Brand: Vega
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD
Here’s a real treat – a Vega Style X No. 9 Tenor Banjo from 1926, and in great, almost all original condition with hard shell case.
The Vega banjo company was one of the oldest American builders, opening its doors in Boston during 1881 to make guitars, mandolins and horns. In 1904, the company purchased the distressed assets of the A C Fairbanks company following a devastating fire, and this moved Vega solidly into the banjo business. Eventually, Vega’s star faded as banjo players moved to guitar. In the 1970s, the Martin Guitar Company purchased the brand, using it on a line of banjos, but in 1989 it was again sold to the Deering Banjo Company, who use the name on historic and historically influenced banjos.
Here, we’re looking at a Vega Style X Number 9 Tenor Banjo, built in Boston during 1926. Typical of higher end banjos of the era, it is adorned with engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays which are in lovely condition, and the engravings have been re-filled. The banjo features a tube-a-phone tone ring and Maple is used for the neck and dowel. The heel is hand carved, also typical of the era. The backstrap, the wood covering the back of the head, plus the head plate, are dyed Maple.
This wonderful Vega Style X No.9 is in good condition, and is in original condition except for the re-waxing of the inlay engravings and replacement tuning machines. Unfortunately, these 90-plus year old tuners don’t always last forever; one of the original Grover Simplex tuners is bent, with a broken Mother of Pearl button, and not usable. There is fingerboard and fret wear but it plays well.
The original hard shell case is included, and contains the original Vega wrench.
- Model: Style X No.9 Tenor
- Year: 1926
- Finish Nickel
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 68835
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Brand New
- Date Posted: 25/11/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 7.26lbs 3.3kg
- Scale Length: 21in 533.4mm
- Nut Width: 1.18in 30mm
