Vega Tu-Ba-Phone # 3 Model 5 String Banjo (1923), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 54540, shaded maple finish, laminated maple rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a lightly played in but beautifully original example of one of the all-time classic openback old-time banjos, the Fairbanks/Vega Tu-Ba-Phone #3. Vega had been THE premier banjo builder since 1904, when they bought the charred remains of the A. C. Fairbanks factory and the rights to their designs. Fairbanks manager David L. Day stayed on, and Vega prospered marketing the Fairbanks Whyte Laydie and Tu-Ba-Phone 5-strings which were undisputed leaders in the 1910s market.
This original Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string was made in 1923, not long after Vega dropped the Fairbanks name with banjos henceforth appearing under the parent company logo. Whether this is related to the concurrent departure of David Day is unknown. At the time the tenor and plectrum banjos were ascendant, and higher grade 5-strings like this were far less in demand. Vega were still the pretty much undisputed best traditional banjo maker on the planet, but going forward into the jazz age they would, like everyone else, primarily produce 4-string instruments.
This #3 model was marketed a mid-line model, a fully professional instrument but the least ornamented banjo fitted with this most elaborate of Vega tone rings. The 10 7/8" laminated rim has standard Tu-Ba-Phone features with the shoes mounted through the bracket band and the namesake elaborate tone ring built on a hollow brass tube. This banjo is built on a the smaller standard Tu-Ba-Phones rim, giving it a slightly brighter sound than some. The tailpiece is a long-plate adjustable Kershner Unique with the same small string cams as the earlier No-Knot, indicating it was originally designed for gut strings.
The neck is 3-piece mahogany featuring a carved heel and bound ebony fingerboard. The headplate is inlaid with a neat floral pattern in pearl on the ebonized headpiece. The headstock carries interesting spring-loaded Grover friction tuners with ivoroid buttons specific to this period, just before geared banjo tuners were introduced. The top of the shaft has a knurled cam that can lock the string in place, foreshadowing developments from the 1980's!
This is a completely original 5-string instrument with matching numbers on the dowel and rim; many found today are later conversions from 4-string. It is fairly rare to find one of these in this fully original condition, and it remains as a fine example of one of Fairbanks/Vega's classic banjos, with the lovely Tu-Ba-Phone sound that is the world standard to many old-time players.
Overall length is 37 1/4 in. (94.6 cm.), 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This nearly 100 year old banjo remans in lovely original condition, which is fairly unusual for these older Vega/Fairbanks models which have often been heavily used and rarely escape being modified over the years. It has been played and shows some general wear but retains all original finish and hardware, including the spring-loaded string-locking friction tuners and a rare cammed Kershner "Unique" tailpiece.
The finish and plating have typical wear patterns overall with small dings, dents and scrapes. No overspray or finish manipulation is evident, so the thin original varnish has worn down to the wood along the spine of the neck. There is some plating flaked off the tailpiece and worn through on the armrest. There is a minor pressure scar from an old resonator mounting on the dowel stick, but no old drill holes! A tiny piece of binding is missing off the treble side of the fingerboard at the body end.
The frets are original, the first couple look to have been pulled and raised up a bit some time back showing some tiny chips along the edges. There is minor divoting to the fingerboard in the first position, which is where this banjo appears to have been mostly played. The first fret has a notch in it just above the third string that is not under the string itself and so not an issue when playing.
The banjo is set up with an older skin head, a Rogers Soo Brand that would be at least 60+ years old. It is stretched a bit low but fully functional and we are loath to replace it as the sound is wonderful; it is very hard to replicate the tone of these older skins today. While a bit worn in this is one of the most original Tu-Ba-Phones we have recently encountered, a truly superb old-time banjo with a truly beautiful sound. It is housed in a modern hardshell case. Overall Excellent - Condition.
