Vega Tu-Ba-Phone # 3 5 String Banjo (1910)
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Item # 10487
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Vega Tu-Ba-Phone # 3 Model 5 String Banjo (1910), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 26060, shaded maple finish, laminated maple rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a somewhat played in but very early example of one of the all-time classic openback old-time banjos, the Fairbanks/Vega Tu-Ba-Phone #3. This instrument has an old heel repair that is solid but not pretty, but remains an exceptionally fine player's old-time 5-string. The #3 was the lower grade of two original Tu-Ba-Phone models, plainer than the fancy-as-all-getout #9 but still a pretty deluxe instrument, offering the new and powerful sound of the just-introduced top-line tone ring at a more reasonable price.
Vega had been THE premier banjo builder in the US (and by default, the world) since 1904, when they bought the charred remains of the A. C. Fairbanks factory and all the rights to their name and designs. Fairbanks manager David L. Day stayed on, and Vega prospered marketing the Fairbanks 5-strings which were undisputed leaders in the 1910s market. The Electric and Whyte Laydie models had topped the line, but in 1909 the company offered an even more upscale model.
This original Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string was made in 1910, not long after the model was introduced as the company's new top of the line and perhaps David Day's crowning achievement. Vega had just added their name to previously Fairbanks branded instruments; this would be one of the first with the dowel stamp reading "Fairbanks Banjo Made By The Vega Company".
The #3 model was marketed a mid-line model, fully instrument but the least ornamented banjo fitted with this most elaborate of Vega tone rings. The 10 9/16" laminated rim has standard Tu-Ba-Phone features with the shoes mounted through the bracket band and the namesake elaborate tone ring built on a hollow brass tube. This banjo is built on a the smaller Tu-Ba-Phone rim, giving it a slightly brighter sound than some.
The neck is 3-piece mahogany features a carved heel, ebony heelcap with an engraved pearl star inlay and a bound ebony fingerboard with mixed shaped-and-dot pearl inlay. The headplate is inlaid with a "vase" floral pattern in pearl on the ebonized headpiece, characteristic of the first models.
This is an original early 1910s 5-string instrument with matching numbers on the dowel and rim; many Tu-Ba-Phones found today are conversions from later 1920's 4-string instruments. This banjo has had more player friendly geared tuners added and there is that old visible repair, but it remains as a fine gigging example of one of Fairbanks/Vega's classic banjos with the full measure of that lovely Tu-Ba-Phone sound that is the world standard to many old-time players.
Overall length is 35 3/4 in. (90.8 cm.), 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This 112 year old banjo has had some bumps and scrapes along the way but remans an excellent playing and sounding instrument. It has been played a decent amount through the decades and overall shows general wear. It has had one serious repair, a full split through the heel that looks to have been fixed many decades ago. This was sealed up solidly with no added finish but is plainly visible, unfortunately more so on the top of the heel than the bottom.
Apart from this the finish and plating have typical wear patterns overall with dings, dents and scrapes, notably to the bottom of the rim. No overspray or finish manipulation is evident, so the thin original varnish has worn down to the wood along much of the neck. There is some general plating wear but really the metal parts are in better shape than many from this period.
The original very thin frets are intact, they are fairly low but still quite playable. There is minor divoting to the fingerboard in the first couple of positions. The headstock is fitted with older but not pre-war geared Planet tuners, and the 5th string peg is geared as well. This is not authentic to the period but does mean the banjo is easy to keep in tune with steel strings. The armrest and no-Knot tailpiece are the correct style but appear later vintage than the banjo. There is a single railroad spike added at the 7th fret.
While a bit worn in this is one of the best sounding Tu-Ba-Phones we have recently encountered, set up with a perfectly fitted Fiberskyn head which is the most practical choice for the great majority of contemporary players. Despite suffering some mishap long ago this remains a truly superb old-time banjo with a beautiful sound. It is housed in a modern hardshell case. Very Good + Condition.
This is a somewhat played in but very early example of one of the all-time classic openback old-time banjos, the Fairbanks/Vega Tu-Ba-Phone #3. This instrument has an old heel repair that is solid but not pretty, but remains an exceptionally fine player's old-time 5-string. The #3 was the lower grade of two original Tu-Ba-Phone models, plainer than the fancy-as-all-getout #9 but still a pretty deluxe instrument, offering the new and powerful sound of the just-introduced top-line tone ring at a more reasonable price.
Vega had been THE premier banjo builder in the US (and by default, the world) since 1904, when they bought the charred remains of the A. C. Fairbanks factory and all the rights to their name and designs. Fairbanks manager David L. Day stayed on, and Vega prospered marketing the Fairbanks 5-strings which were undisputed leaders in the 1910s market. The Electric and Whyte Laydie models had topped the line, but in 1909 the company offered an even more upscale model.
This original Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string was made in 1910, not long after the model was introduced as the company's new top of the line and perhaps David Day's crowning achievement. Vega had just added their name to previously Fairbanks branded instruments; this would be one of the first with the dowel stamp reading "Fairbanks Banjo Made By The Vega Company".
The #3 model was marketed a mid-line model, fully instrument but the least ornamented banjo fitted with this most elaborate of Vega tone rings. The 10 9/16" laminated rim has standard Tu-Ba-Phone features with the shoes mounted through the bracket band and the namesake elaborate tone ring built on a hollow brass tube. This banjo is built on a the smaller Tu-Ba-Phone rim, giving it a slightly brighter sound than some.
The neck is 3-piece mahogany features a carved heel, ebony heelcap with an engraved pearl star inlay and a bound ebony fingerboard with mixed shaped-and-dot pearl inlay. The headplate is inlaid with a "vase" floral pattern in pearl on the ebonized headpiece, characteristic of the first models.
This is an original early 1910s 5-string instrument with matching numbers on the dowel and rim; many Tu-Ba-Phones found today are conversions from later 1920's 4-string instruments. This banjo has had more player friendly geared tuners added and there is that old visible repair, but it remains as a fine gigging example of one of Fairbanks/Vega's classic banjos with the full measure of that lovely Tu-Ba-Phone sound that is the world standard to many old-time players.
Overall length is 35 3/4 in. (90.8 cm.), 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This 112 year old banjo has had some bumps and scrapes along the way but remans an excellent playing and sounding instrument. It has been played a decent amount through the decades and overall shows general wear. It has had one serious repair, a full split through the heel that looks to have been fixed many decades ago. This was sealed up solidly with no added finish but is plainly visible, unfortunately more so on the top of the heel than the bottom.
Apart from this the finish and plating have typical wear patterns overall with dings, dents and scrapes, notably to the bottom of the rim. No overspray or finish manipulation is evident, so the thin original varnish has worn down to the wood along much of the neck. There is some general plating wear but really the metal parts are in better shape than many from this period.
The original very thin frets are intact, they are fairly low but still quite playable. There is minor divoting to the fingerboard in the first couple of positions. The headstock is fitted with older but not pre-war geared Planet tuners, and the 5th string peg is geared as well. This is not authentic to the period but does mean the banjo is easy to keep in tune with steel strings. The armrest and no-Knot tailpiece are the correct style but appear later vintage than the banjo. There is a single railroad spike added at the 7th fret.
While a bit worn in this is one of the best sounding Tu-Ba-Phones we have recently encountered, set up with a perfectly fitted Fiberskyn head which is the most practical choice for the great majority of contemporary players. Despite suffering some mishap long ago this remains a truly superb old-time banjo with a beautiful sound. It is housed in a modern hardshell case. Very Good + Condition.