Vega Tenor Banjo

Object Details

Description

This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1929. It is a Four-String Banjo, Soloist Model, Serial #87500, with a seven-lap laminated maple rim, gold-finish top hoop and hooks, new design flanges and 28 brackets, patented Tu-ba phone tone tube and bracket band in a nickel finish. The neck is made of maple, peghead with mother of pearl inlay, ebony fingerboard with pearl inlay position marks, and 22 frets. Gold-finish gear pegs with white pearloid buttons, gold-finish tailpiece. The resonator is made of a maple five ply laminated shell and rim. The dowel stick is stamped:

[Vega star]
MADE BY
THE VEGA COMPANY
BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A.
[Vega star]
PAT.
DEC 30.1890
JAN 10. 1893
JULY 27.1909

This banjo features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #443510 dated December 30, 1890, by Albert C. Fairbanks, for new and useful improvements in banjos.

U. S. Patent #489470 dated January 10, 1893, by Albert C. Fairbanks, for new and useful improvements in banjos.

U. S. Patent #928948 dated July 27, 1909, by David L. Day, assignor to the Vega Company, for an improved means for stretching and retaining the head of a banjo.

The ”Soloist” banjo is described in a 1928 Vega catalog:

“The new Soloist model is designed to offer the finest tonal qualities, characteristic of all Vegaphones, with an attractive flashing appearance. This model is the ideal instrument for the player who desires a combination of superior tone and a flashing golden appearance.”

This make and style of the Soloist Vegaphone banjo was listed for $200.00.

Location

Currently not on view

Data Source

National Museum of American History

maker

Vega Company

Date made

1909-1925

date made

ca 1929

Credit Line

Gift of Adam Gallan

Physical Description

maple (overall material)

metal (overall material)

ebony (overall material)

mother of pearl (overall material)

animal skin (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 34 in x 13 1/2 in x 3 1/4 in; 86.36 cm x 34.29 cm x 8.255 cm

Object Name

banjo