1923 Vega Tubaphone No. 9 Five String Banjo – Serial #45097

Offered here is a beautiful vintage Vega Tubaphone No. 9 five-string banjo, serial number 45097, dating to 1923, from the golden era of Vega banjo production.

The No. 9 was Vega’s finest open-back model, featuring the legendary Tubaphone tone ring that has made these instruments favorites among old-time and fingerstyle players for more than a century. Renowned for its exceptional volume, clarity, sustain, and rich tonal complexity, the Tubaphone design remains one of the most celebrated banjo tone ring systems ever produced.

This instrument showcases the craftsmanship that made Vega famous, with its beautifully figured maple construction, ebony fingerboard, elaborate engraved pearl inlays, decorative marquetry, and finely carved heel. Every detail reflects the artistry and quality of Vega’s highest-grade instruments from this period.

Serial number 45097 places this banjo in the early 1920s, a highly desirable period before the widespread adoption of factory resonator models. The No. 9 represents the pinnacle of Vega’s traditional open-back banjo design and remains one of the company’s most collectible and respected models.

Whether you’re a serious old-time player, collector, or investor in fine vintage American instruments, this Vega Tubaphone No. 9 is an outstanding example of one of the greatest banjos ever built. Original bump case.

Serial Number: 45097

Year: 1923

Model: Vega Tubaphone No. 9

Configuration: 5-String Open-Back

Made in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Nut width : 1 13/16 inches

Scale : 26.872 inches

Head size : 10.875 inches

(All measurements match historical measurements and records of this banjo)