Vega Tu-Ba-Phone Guitar Banjo (1927)
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Item # 9962
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Vega Tu-Ba-Phone Model Guitar Banjo (1927), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 71069, natural varnish finish, laminated maple rim and neck, ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a relatively rare Vega Tu-ba-phone Guitar-Banjo, absolutely one of the best-sounding "Guit-jo's" ever made. Vega in Boston built these from the 1910s into the late '20s (initially under the Fairbanks name) but only in fairly small numbers compared to 5 and then 4 string banjos. The heavy laminated maple rim is fitted with the patented Fairbanks bracket band and tortoise celluloid edge capping, and of course the incomparable Tub-a-phone tone ring. This one was made after the Fairbanks name was discontinued so the dowel carries the Vega star stamp, as well as three patents. Pinned to the stick is a celluloid plate indicating it was originally sold by Carl Fischer of New York.
The laminated maple neck has an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard inlaid with dots, small diamond and oblong shaped pearl pieces. The headstock has a star inlay and decal letters spelling "VEGA" vertically, which are most likely an aftermarket -- if wholly appropriate -- addition. The original Tu-Ba-Phone is always a very classy instrument; this one shows wear overall but is a rare find in any condition. These 1920's Vegas, and particularly the top-of-the-line Tu-ba-phones, are as fine a banjo-guitar as has ever been made and great instruments for anything from vintage Jazz and Ragtime to Old-Time country styles.
"Play that thing, Mr. St Cyr!" - while with Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, Johnny St Cyr used a six-string Vega very similar to this one, as did New Orleans great Danny Barker for much of his career. This one has all the sound needed for everything from solo fingerpicking to small-group ragtime to orchestral jazz.
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This "Git-jo" is in fairly well-worn condition but remains mostly original, the only notable alteration being modern Planet geared tuners installed in place of the original non-geared variety. There is a decent amount of wear overall, most notably to the finish on the back of the neck. Some pieces of the neck binding have been neatly replaced.
The plating has average wear but with the exception of the tuners and the metal shaft securing the neck adjustor the hardware is original, including the special 6-string tailpiece and a full set of hooks and nuts. The fingerboard and frets show signs of work but remain original and this instrument plays very well. It is set up with a newer plastic head and beautiful properly spaced hand-made ebony-capped maple bridge and includes a modern hard case. Very Good + Condition.
This is a relatively rare Vega Tu-ba-phone Guitar-Banjo, absolutely one of the best-sounding "Guit-jo's" ever made. Vega in Boston built these from the 1910s into the late '20s (initially under the Fairbanks name) but only in fairly small numbers compared to 5 and then 4 string banjos. The heavy laminated maple rim is fitted with the patented Fairbanks bracket band and tortoise celluloid edge capping, and of course the incomparable Tub-a-phone tone ring. This one was made after the Fairbanks name was discontinued so the dowel carries the Vega star stamp, as well as three patents. Pinned to the stick is a celluloid plate indicating it was originally sold by Carl Fischer of New York.
The laminated maple neck has an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard inlaid with dots, small diamond and oblong shaped pearl pieces. The headstock has a star inlay and decal letters spelling "VEGA" vertically, which are most likely an aftermarket -- if wholly appropriate -- addition. The original Tu-Ba-Phone is always a very classy instrument; this one shows wear overall but is a rare find in any condition. These 1920's Vegas, and particularly the top-of-the-line Tu-ba-phones, are as fine a banjo-guitar as has ever been made and great instruments for anything from vintage Jazz and Ragtime to Old-Time country styles.
"Play that thing, Mr. St Cyr!" - while with Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, Johnny St Cyr used a six-string Vega very similar to this one, as did New Orleans great Danny Barker for much of his career. This one has all the sound needed for everything from solo fingerpicking to small-group ragtime to orchestral jazz.
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This "Git-jo" is in fairly well-worn condition but remains mostly original, the only notable alteration being modern Planet geared tuners installed in place of the original non-geared variety. There is a decent amount of wear overall, most notably to the finish on the back of the neck. Some pieces of the neck binding have been neatly replaced.
The plating has average wear but with the exception of the tuners and the metal shaft securing the neck adjustor the hardware is original, including the special 6-string tailpiece and a full set of hooks and nuts. The fingerboard and frets show signs of work but remain original and this instrument plays very well. It is set up with a newer plastic head and beautiful properly spaced hand-made ebony-capped maple bridge and includes a modern hard case. Very Good + Condition.