Fairbanks/Vega Style K Model Tango/Melody Banjo, c. 1919, made in Boston, brown varnish finish, mahogany neck and rim.

This small Vega is one of the more unusual 1910-20's configurations -- a four-string Melody, Mandolin, or Tango Banjo, depending on how one defines those terms.

Essentially it is a 10" pot with a short 13" scale neck, originally intended to be strung with four mandolin strings for melody playing ("solo or with orchestra") but equally adaptable to being played in ukulele tuning with either gut or steel strings. In either configuration, it is one loud and sweet-sounding little banjo, and quite capable of making itself heard!

The rim is the standard mahogany Vega Style K, bound with tortoise celluloid on the bottom rim. The neck is mahogany with an unbound ebony board and pearl dot inlay; headstock plain rosewood veneered. Original banjo-style friction tuners with ivoroid buttons.

The Style K was a lower grade Fairbanks/Vega, but still built to an unsurpassed standard of quality for the quality minded but lower budgeted banjoist! The four-string variant of any mandolin-sized banjo is far rarer than the eight string version, and more useful to most players!
 
Overall length is 22 3/4 in. (57.8 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).

Completely original except newer bridge, including wire armrest and oft-missing tailpiece cover. General light plating and play wear.

Set up with an old skin head and steel strings in mandolin tuning; plays and sounds excellent.