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

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. Shipping in the lower 48 states. Shipping available elsewhere, please ask. Please feel free to ask any questions. Stand in pictures is not included. The environment is important to us. At Golden Pickups, our packaging will be made of recycled materials and recyclable materials. We use the following recyclable packing material or recycled packing material:Cardboard boxes for larger items or recycled-paper padded envelopes for small part or flat items. We do not use plastic envelopes or plastic containers.Paper packing tape is used to seal boxes. Clear packing tape (plastic) may be used in a limited way to join pieces of bubble wrap or for affixing a label.Kraft paper for padding and space/void filling: is made from 100% recycled paper and is fully recyclable.Biodegradable peanuts for padding: are made from organic starch and decomposes in water leaving no toxic waste. Simply dissolve in water or place loosely in a garbage bag since they will decompose in a landfill.Recycled green bubble wrap, that is made from up to 40% recycled content with up to 20% from post-consumer sources.

Price: 995 USD

Location: Red Hook, New York

End Time: 2024-10-18T18:40:15.000Z

Shipping Cost: 45 USD