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”
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Scale length: 27”
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Resonator diameter: 12 1/2″
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Body depth: 3 1/8”
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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.
Return Policy
Overview
Our refund and returns policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and it must be returned within 14 days of your purchase. It must also be in the original packaging.
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted:
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery
Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days. There will be a 3% return fee deducted from the original amount. For example, if the purchase price was $100, you will receive $97.
Late or missing refunds
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us.
Sale items
Only regular priced items may be refunded. Sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges
Exchanges are not offered on returns.
Shipping returns
To return your product, you should mail your product to the address on your product box, or contact us for a return address.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Shipping insurance must be obtained on returned items. You may want to consider using a service that offers shipment tracking.
We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Need help?
Contact us for questions related to refunds and returns.
Shipping Info (Free Shipping)
FREE SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE ON THIS ITEM.
All sold guitars are handled and shipped within 2 days of purchase. For most deliveries in the United States, we use UPS.
Packing process:
- Guitar is inspected
- Strings loosened
- Neck and head wrapped and supported
- Body wrapped and supported
- Inserted into guitar case (if sold with guitar)
- Inserted into box
- Taped/sealed
- UPS pickup
