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1931 Vega Artist 19 fret tenor banjo made in Boston, Mass. SN 97648. Flamed shaded maple 3 piece neck, piecrust resonator with tortoiseshell walls all in splendid condition. The Artist is second in a 3-banjo line, although a fourth, the Soloist, was added below it not long after. The Artist was quite a high-priced instrument for the time, selling originally for $250.00. It features all of Vega’s high-grade construction features and fairly fancy decoration, including gold-plated metal parts and elaborate engraved pearl inlay on the headstock, fingerboard, and heelcap.

All workmanship is to the highest level, as is common with Vega. The pie-section resonator back has beautifully shaded figured maple sections and a tortoise celluloid-bound outer edge. There is elaborate engraved varied shaped pearl inlay in the heavy bound ebony fingerboard, with a 3-piece shaded maple neck featuring a carved heel. The pearl headplate inlay is Vega’s fanciest floral pattern and the headstock is fitted with upgraded with quality German made Gold plated ABM geared tuners. The gold-plated Richelieu (Oettinger style) adjustable tension tailpiece is also an added upgrade as is the patented pick holder.

They are arguably the best-sounding instruments of their type ever made, and from the beginning were extremely popular with period jazz musicians and can be seen in many old photographs, as well as heard on literally thousands of early dance band and jazz recordings. Overall length is 33 1/2 in. (85.1 cm.), 10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm).

The fretboard has had new frets installed at some time with years of life still in them. The engraving are still crisp with very little wear on the fingerboard and the overall gold plating remains in good/fair condition. This banjo has been a workhorse by its current owner for many years, so expect a little wear in places. Overall I have given it a full velour and service including some refinishing to the neck, new Remo white smooth top head & new strings. Its had a life on the Jazz circuit and now its time for the Trad scene!!

Comes with a new Canadian made TKL hardshell case with thick inner padding and grey fur lining.

For Sale £1800

Click on the link below to hear this Vega Artist being played by its owner Horst Pantel. Horst is a renowned jazz banjoist from Germany.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GS9NbP1cJ4

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Vega Professional tenor banjo, circa 1928 in excellent condition. The resonator side walls are decorated in dark red tortoise shell ivoroid  and maple bound pie-section to rear. All metal is nickel plated in excellent condition, including the shoes, hooks,nuts, flange plates etc. The rim is made from 1/2″ maple ply  with 28 brackets and flanges, 19 fret ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays (star inlay at 5th fret and scroll inlay at first fret), Vega armrest, “VEGAPHONE – PROFESSIONAL” engraved Presto tailpiece, “VEGA” logo and fancy pearl inlays on headstock, modern geared tuners installed with ivoroid buttons, 30mm nut width and 23″ scale length. The neck is straight and plays beautifully up the fret board. It has been very well cared for over its life time, so why not own a classic. The banjo comes with original vintage case in good condition.

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