Stunning Vega Vegaphone / Tubaphone Artist Tenor Banjo c.1926 (94 years old!)

Absolutely stunning blast from the past, up for your consideration today is an EPIC example of one of the finest tenor banjos ever made. This vega tenor dates to circa 1926, bought originally by my grandfather in NY before he moved to California. As you can see, he hardly ever played it and its in absolutely absurd condition, especially considering its 94 years old!!! I am a guitar player, and while I love that this instrument has been in my family for almost 100 years, I hate the thought of it sitting unplayed in my studio. This deserves to be in the hands of a banjo player who can appreciate its epic glory. Here is a writeup that Antiquity Music did for me as part of an appraisal. 

Vega Vegaphone Artist Model Tenor Banjo, c. 1926, made in Boston, Mass., serial # 72815, shaded maple finish, curly maple neck, rim and resonator, original black hard shell case. This is a completely original example of one of the finest "Industry Standard" Orchestra tenor banjos from the 1920s, the Vegaphone Artist. Vega's "Vegaphone" line was introduced in 1923 as an answer to the Paramount line of resonator-and-flange banjos. Essentially a long-scale tenor Tubaphone with a resonator and multi-flange system, the Vegaphones were an instant success, and along with the Paramounts established the basic design of the modern banjo. 

The Artist was quite a high-priced instrument for the time, selling originally for $250.00. It features all of Vega's high-grade construction features and fairly fancy decoration, including gold-plated metal parts and elaborate engraved pearl inlay on the headstock, fingerboard, and heelcap. All workmanship is to the highest level, as is common with Vega. The pie-section resonator back has beautifully shaded figured maple sections and a tortoise celluloid-bound outer edge. There is elaborate engraved varied shaped pearl inlay in the heavy bound ebony fingerboard, with a 3-piece shaded curly maple neck featuring a carved heel. The pearl headplate inlay is Vega's fanciest floral pattern with no logo, and the headstock carries real pearl tuner buttons. These Vegaphone banjos were classier than many of their celluloid-swathed peers, with the old-line flavor of their 5-string Fairbanks ancestors continued into the flashier jazz age. They are arguably the best-sounding instruments of their type ever made, and from the beginning were extremely popular with period jazz musicians and can be seen in many old photographs, as well as heard on literally thousands of early dance band and jazz recordings.Overall length is 33 1/2 in. (85.1 cm.), 10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).

This banjo is in completely original condition. It shows some general light wear overall. Absolutely stunning, and 94 years old. Comes with a variety of strings and tools / accessories. Comes in its original hardshell case.