Vega Little Wonder Model Tenor Banjo (1922), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 54512, natural finish, laminated maple neck and rim; ebonized fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
The Little Wonder was Vega's budget tenor of the 1920s, their most basic model with simple maple rim and plain tone ring construction. Although priced as a good student value, this model still feels and plays like the higher grade Vegas, with a bit less volume and "ring" due to the plain tone ring. The materials are plain but top grade; the neck is laminated maple with an ebonized fingerboard, the rim and resonator laminated maple. All are finished in natural.
It has simple 1900's style friction tuners and a period "Eagle claw" tailpiece, with the only ornament being the pearl dots on the bound fingerboard. The head is the original Vega branded calfskin that has somehow survived over 100 years, and the original Vega bridge is still intact as well. This makes a dandy little Irish banjo and is currently set up that way. "A beauty in appearance, a wonder for tone and the highest quality for the price" read Vega's catalog description, and in this case they are not really gilding the lily.
Overall length is 29 1/2 in. (74.9 cm.), 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 20 in. (508 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This banjo shows very little wear overall, still an excellent value in a period tenor banjo. It remains nicely original except the fingerboard has been rebound and the nut replaced. The original finish is intact with fine checking and very minor dings and dents. The banjo remains quite attractive with all original hardware except the slightly later tailpiece with the plating also showing only some minor wear.
The original frets have some very light wear but not enough to affect playability. The banjo is set up with the original skin head with one small patch added. On the underside "Kathy Sorento August 18 1959" is neatly written in pen, with some musical notes. At that time the banjo was already over 35 years old! This is a lovely little instrument, plain but beautifully made still housed in the original HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
