Here, we’re looking at a Vega Style X Number 9 Tenor Banjo, built in Boston during 1926. Typical of higher end banjos of the era, it is adorned with engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays which are in lovely condition, and the engravings have been re-filled. The banjo features a tube-a-phone tone ring and Maple is used for the neck and dowel. The heel is hand carved, also typical of the era. The backstrap, the wood covering the back of the head, plus the head plate, are Rosewood.
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For many years, the Vega company was a prominent musical instrument builder, and the Vega Senator 5-string open back banjo was a typical offering. Market and management changes led to Vega’s decline, and the name has now become a valued Deering brand, recalling the historic banjos of the early part of the 20th century.
This instrument has sold
MORE →This is an interesting piece – a Frank Neat Bean Blossom 5-string banjo, built as one of 22 Bean Blossom banjos, with the neck and resonator using walnut from a tree that grew next to Bill Monroe’s stage at the Bean Blossom festival grounds. Working from his shop in Russel Spring, central Kentucky, Frank Neat builds some of the world’s finest banjos. He’s run his shop since 1980.
This instrument has sold
MORE →We’ve received a new Brass Spunover Dobson 12-inch, open back banjo from Rickard Banjos in Aurora, just north of Toronto, and it’s a real peach, as Rickard products tend to be. Bill Rickard has been developing his line of banjos and banjo components for several years and his output is impressive. This Brass Spunover Dobson Ring open back 5-string banjo is a great example of the quality of his work.
This instrument has sold
MORE →The Gold Star GF 100JD is a re-creation of the prewar Gibson RB-3 five string banjo used by J D Crowe on the highly influential 1980 recording ‘The Bluegrass Album'”. That album also featured Tony Rice on Mandolin, Bobby Hicks on Fiddle, Doyle Lawson on Mandolin and vocals, and Todd Phillips on bass.
This instrument has sold
MORE →THere we have a Gibson TB250 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, built during 1969 at the historic Parsons Street shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This model was built from 1994 to 1996, and models from 1960 on bear the Mastertone name. Gibson banjos were the center of the banjo universe for decades, but with the rise of serious amplification and rock music, the banjo as an instrument fell out of popular favour. It was still found in various music genres, particularly Irish, traditional jazz and bluegrass, but not much beyond them.
This instrument has sold
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