Extraordinarily rare, the most desirable FF Professional model/spec. banjo ever produced for Bacon by Vega as the world famous performer transitioned to manufacturing and marketing his own models of banjos. The FF Professional No. 3 was the top of the line catalog offering, featuring Bacon's internal resonator design, and exceptionally beautiful appointments including the famous Chubby Dragon pearl peghead inlay. Featuring blonde maple construction, the 10-3/4" diameter rim assembly is outfitted with the curved tonering/internal resonator design with small wave cutouts trimmed with delicate marquetry, with tortoise bound exterior; wire armrests on either side, with extremely grand original long No Knot tailpiece with decorate engravings/initials (FMC) in script on face (likely original owner); equipped with old Rogers skin head, hairline checking/several small surface cracks on back repaired. The 26" scale curly white maple neck has a long fancy multiple veneer/backstrap, with more veneers under the heavy/fully bound ebony fingerboard, with ornately carved heel; "handsome" inlaid and engraved Dragon on peghead face, with more pearlwork on the backstrap, heel cap, and down fingerboard in typical style. Equipped with original gold plated pearl button friction tuners, with lightly worn thin original fret wire. A fine playing banjo with little at all relief present, wonderful rich tonality.