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Vega Style X N0.9 with the fancier extended fretboard and short 21″ scale length. The 20 frets extend over the skin but the beauty of this banjo is there are only 15 frets to the edge of the resonator, so its easy to reach those high B’s.Beautiful tiger maple three piece neck with carved heel and ornate pearl inlay makers on ebony fretboard. Vega banjos probably had one the best pearl inlay designs of all the vintage banjo makers in the 1920’s. The headstock has the beautifully designed Vega Style X MOP which I think is one of the best headstock designs ever created. The MOP high details position markers continue from the first fret through to the extended fretboard. The tiger maple neck is usually only seen in expensive fiddles, but on this banjo neck it is really quite stunning. What makes this banjo even more appetizing is the ornate carved heel, complete with engraved MOP ebony heel cap. The rear of the head stock has ebony veneer with MOP flower, this extends down to a point near the beginning of the heel carving. The original friction peg tuners have been upgraded to quality gold plated ‘5 Star’ geared tuners.

At some point in the life of this banjo the ‘Artist’ model gold plated flange and cad yellow resonator have been added to the banjo. Why didn’t Vega ever think of this before!! The maple rim supports a tubaphone tone ring which delivers a crisp, bright, long sustaining sound, with loud projection. The serial number 96589 indicates it was built around 1935. The nickel and gold plating throughout are in top condition, complete with a Tubaphone Artist Oettinger gold plated tail piece and Vega armrest.

Comes with Canadian made solid hardshell case

For Sale £1850

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Gibson banjos don’t need no introduction they were at the centre of the banjo universe for decades. Unfortunately for now and for a variety of reasons (including the devastating 2010 Nashville flood), Gibson has stopped producing banjos with no announced plans to restart.  This fine example of a 1960’s Gibson Mastertone TB-250 Tenor Banjo is in great condition, with no significant wear — especially given its age. The rarity of this banjo in itself is enough to want it for a collection, as there were only 84 TB-250’s made in 1960. This banjo packs quite a punch with great power and resonance and low action. 19-fret Brazilian rosewood fretboard with pearl bowtie inlays, block inlay on 19th fret engraved “MASTERTONE”, 11″ head, double coordinator rods, flathead tone ring, one piece flange, 24 brackets, stairstep tuners (working perfectly and keeping in tune) with chrome buttons, peghead features “Gibson” logo and crown inlay, ~22-3/4″ scale length. The finish has weather checked nicely to give it that patina that is so desirable on a vintage piece the pictures speak for themselves. I know the owner personally who purchased it from new and has looked after it over its lifetime.

Recently fitted with a new Remo clear head and new strings, this banjo will cut through any instrument in a trad session. Comes complete with yellow lined original Gibson hardshell case in excellent condition also. The banjo is quite heavy weighing in at 5.8KG

Banjo features

• Mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, 19 frets. Mother of pearl ‘Bowtie’ position marker inlays, leaf and Gibson headstock logos.
• Original frets with minor wear.
• All original, nickel plated hardware.
• Gibson black hardshell case included.

For Sale £1950