Top of the range Vega Artist Style X N0.9 tenor banjo. Vegaphone Artist tenor banjos are a very high level product and as such, few were sold, and few circulate today. The chosen woods in construction are top A grade fiddle maple or tiger maple which you can see clearly in the 3 piece neck.
Banjo details
Recently fitted and set up with a Remo 10-15/16″ white smooth top head, three-piece maple neck with centre ebony strip and ornate carved heal, ivoroid-bound 19 fret ebony fingerboard with fancy engraved pearl inlays, 1-5/32″ nut width, ~22-15/16″ scale length. The head stock features one of the most exquisite mother of pearl inlay designs found on any vintage banjo of its time. This banjo has 28 individual nickel-plated flat flange pieces around the rim, brackets, hooks and nuts. The back of the rim is capped with a ring of multicolored wood parquetry with “rope” (alternating light and dark) mosaic at center and red, crème and black lines and parallelograms surrounding it. “GROVER PAT.” geared tuners with pearl buttons, tortoise plastic-bound maple pie-crust resonator. The clamshell tailpiece is spring loaded and a replacement to the original presto, it was fitted to my Joe Foley banjo for 25 years and is of solid brass construction (not the cheap tin type). Also has the original ‘Vega’ stamped arm rest.
comes with original hard shell case (green lining), in very good restored condition,both neck and pot have matching serial numbers (SN: 86177)
Equipped with Tubaphone tone ring, extensive floral carving at the heel of the neck, elaborate, large floral fingerboard inlays which are hand etched and blackened to show details of the flower engravings. Large inlaid and etched star on the back of the headstock, and also an etched inlay on the heel cap. The neck is straight with good frets and low playing action. The neck has been refinished to a good standard although there are surface scratches to the resonator, which is natural to its age and good nickel plating throughout. Definitely both a players and collectors vintage banjo to own and be proud of.
For Sale £1600
Check out the video of the vega artist
