1923 Vega 4-String Tubaphone No. 3 Pie-Plate Resonator Long Scale 27″ Banjo

1923 Vega 4-String Tubaphone No. 3 Pie-Plate Resonator Long Scale 27″ Banjo

Original price was: $1,725.00.Current price is: $995.00.

In stock

This is a 1923 Vega Tubaphone Resonator 4-String Banjo. This is a long-scale (27″) plectrum banjo made in Boston, MA. It has a beautiful carved neck heel and pie-plate back. This period banjo is a gorgeous and it packs a powerful punch by being both loud and full.

The carving in the heel is outstanding and really adds an elegant flare. The sunburst pie-plate resonator back is great to look at as well. The ebony fingerboard is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. There are tortoise-style bindings on the outside of the pie plate edge and inside the body! 

As far as I can tell almost everything is original, including the bakelite tuners, nut, frets most of the tensioners, tailpiece, rims, pie-plate resonator and more. There are a few tensioners that look newer, and the saddle and head are newer. There is a hairline crack coming around the edge of the resonator back side wall and ends where it is stamped “Vega”.

There is a crack in the heal of the neck that goes around to both sides, which is repaired. A portion of the heal may have come off at some point and was re-attached. It is solid and structurally fine.

Taking the back off will reveal the serial number and model information, which has been stamped in the wood. There is also a Wurlitzer label. The serial number is 66061, which places it in 1923. “No. 3” or “No. 8” is also stamped inside. The resonator back plate is stamped “Reg. U.S. Vega Pat. Off” on the outside edge. Inside, there are two stamps in the wood “Reg. U.S. Vega Pat. Off” and “The Vega Co. Boston MASS USA”.

Size & Specs:

  • Overall length: 38”
  • Scale length: 27”
  • Resonator diameter: 12 1/2″
  • Body depth: 3 1/8”
  • Soft-shell case is included.

Please message me with any other questions. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Shipping is also available to most areas. Stand in pictures is not included.

Description

This is a 1923 Vega Tubaphone Resonator 4-String Banjo. This is a long-scale (27″) plectrum banjo made in Boston, MA. It has a beautiful carved neck heel and pie-plate back. This period banjo is a gorgeous and it packs a powerful punch by being both loud and full.

The carving in the heel is outstanding and really adds an elegant flare. The sunburst pie-plate resonator back is great to look at as well. The ebony fingerboard is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. There are tortoise-style bindings on the outside of the pie plate edge and inside the body! 

As far as I can tell almost everything is original, including the bakelite tuners, nut, frets most of the tensioners, tailpiece, rims, pie-plate resonator and more. There are a few tensioners that look newer, and the saddle and head are newer. There is a hairline crack coming around the edge of the resonator back side wall and ends where it is stamped “Vega”.

There is a crack in the heal of the neck that goes around to both sides, which is repaired. A portion of the heal may have come off at some point and was re-attached. It is solid and structurally fine.

Taking the back off will reveal the serial number and model information, which has been stamped in the wood. There is also a Wurlitzer label. The serial number is 66061, which places it in 1923. “No. 3” or “No. 8” is also stamped inside. The resonator back plate is stamped “Reg. U.S. Vega Pat. Off” on the outside edge. Inside, there are two stamps in the wood “Reg. U.S. Vega Pat. Off” and “The Vega Co. Boston MASS USA”.

Size & Specs:

  • Overall length: 38”
  • Scale length: 27”
  • Resonator diameter: 12 1/2″
  • Body depth: 3 1/8”
  • Soft-shell case is included.

Please message me with any other questions. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Shipping is also available to most areas. Stand in pictures is not included.

Additional information

Weight 24 lbs
Dimensions 45 × 20 × 8 in
Brand

Vega

Model

Tubaphone Resonator Banjo

Year

1923