{"product_id":"vega-vegaphone-soloist-tenor-banjo-1930-5611","title":"Vega Vegaphone Soloist Tenor Banjo (1930)","description":"Vega Vegaphone Soloist Model Tenor Banjo (1930), made in Boston, serial # 91334, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck rim and resonator, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA very well played put very original example of one of the finest \"Industry Standard\" Orchestra tenor banjos from the 1920's. Vega's \"Vegaphone\" line was essentially a long-scale Tubaphone with a resonator, and the Soloist was the second model up the ladder in a 4-banjo line. The Soloist was solidly professionally priced, selling originally for $200.00 with Vega's high-grade construction features and a medium-fancy level decoration. Many parts were gold-plated including the hoop, tuners and multi-piece flange (with \"Pat. Appl. For\" marked on one flange piece). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe soloist is unusual in featuring a mix of gold and nickel plated hardware. The pie-section resonator with beautifully shaded figured maple sections and white celluloid outer edge. There is engraved varied pearl inlay in the bound ebony fingerboard, with a 3-piece shaded maple neck. The pearl headstock inlay is Vega's fanciest floral pattern with the logo on a banner in the center, and carries gold Grover tuners. The gold-plated tailpiece has the cover engraved \"Soloist\". These Vegaphone banjos were extremely popular with period Jazz musicians and can be seen in many period photographs, and heard on literally thousands of early dance band and jazz recordings.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 33 9\/16 in. (85.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/16 in. (30 mm.). We'd love to know the places this banjo has been�Speakeasies, dance halls, smoky gin joints-it has been played over hundreds if not thousands of nights, yet remains in original condition (well, we did have to put a new bridge on�) and is still an extremely fine sounding instrument. The finish on the maple neck is mostly worn away leaving that perfect smooth feel (just like those old 1950's Fender necks). There is handling wear to the resonator and the gold plating is mostly intact but fairly well worn into. The head is rather dirty, but is the original Rodgers calfskin with \"that\" sound-they don't make anything like these anymore, so we left it intact. It has been refretted in the correct style, and most of the engraving is gone from the fingerboard inlay. This banjo resonates with jazz age spirit, and is ready to go back to work pumping out the rhythm tonight! Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Vega","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853008097420,"sku":"5611","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_58186bed-0336-440f-8949-25fcd7694c8e.jpg?v=1774330387","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/vega-vegaphone-soloist-tenor-banjo-1930-5611","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}