Vega TU-Ba-Phone Style X #9 Model Tenor Banjo (1922), made in Boston, Mass., shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
The classic short-neck early Tu-Ba-Phone tenor, with top-line engraved inlay, a lovely carved heel and the inimitable (if oft imitated!) original Fairbanks/Vega Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring. This example combines an 11 13/16 large rim coupled with a short 20 3/4' scale neck with an overhanging fingerboard extension. It is also fitted with an original Vega close-fitting pie-section resonator that is easily removed for open back playing (if the trumpet player complains the banjo is too loud!). A really fine example of what is by nearly all accounts the best short-neck tenor banjo ever produced.
Overall length is 31 in. (78.7 cm.), 11 13/16 in. (30 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 20 3/4 in. (527 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.). A lovely example-geared Planet tuners were added (likely in the 1960's or '70's) but otherwise all original finish and hardware. The engraved inlay is still nice and crisp, not much fret wear, the plating is still shiny and while there is light wear to the finish overall in general this #9 is very well preserved for a banjo of this age. Set up with a renaissance head, very powerful sound, a truly exceptional Irish or early Jazz banjo! Excellent - Condition.
