PLease help Identifying this Banjo

[piratelou]

Hi,

I recently acquired this Vega Banjo. I would like to know more info about it. I can't find the serial # on it (actually I don't even know where to look) and I'm pretty sure it's a Tenor 4-string Banjo and that's about it. Any additional info such as year, type etc. would be greatly appreciated. I also have a mandolin I need help ID'ing on another thread. Thanks!

[Ray(T)]

Remove the resonator - the screw in the middle of the back - and look to see if anything is written on the perch pole (the internal rod running from the neck across the main body). All may be revealed!

[piratelou]

Ok, here are the other photos. There are patent years, but no year of when it was made.

[houseworker]

The serial number dates it to 1924, give or take a year.

[Dave Hanson]

Last but one photo says it's a Tube-U-Phone, a great banjo.

Dave H

[8ch(pl)]

This looks like a real keeper. A lot of these have been converted to 5 string, so a good one like this is hard to find.

[piratelou]

Thanks for your help guys. I'm looking to sell it, probably ebay, and I wanted to make sure I described it accurately. I'm not interested in giving out wrong info. I don't know if you guys are interested, but it's going up on Sunday and I'll make sure to post it in the eBay section of this forum. Thank you.

[houseworker]

I'll make sure to post it in the eBay section of this forum.

Not allowed, I'm afraid. But I'm sure anyone who's interested from reading this thread will know what to do.

[Jim Garber]

You might try listing it in the classifieds first before you bother with eBay. You may actually sell it quicker, you can list it free and just pay the voluntary fee if it sells. I use eBay as last resort these days: more fees and you never know if someone will scam you. The classified here are moderated and we have a relatively solid community here. Besides a good portion of those folks who are looking on eBay might very well be Cafe-ers anyway.

[allenhopkins]

Similar banjo (Vega Professional, Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring, "pie" resonator) at Bernunzio's. He's asking $1450.

[houseworker]

Similar banjo (Vega Professional, Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring, "pie" resonator) at Bernunzio's. He's asking $1450.

piratelou should have thanked you for the link Allen, seeing as how he's appropriated Bernunzio's "All the professionals have a discernable tone and this one rings that out like a bell" for his eBay listing. The Bernunzio's banjo looks the better buy to me.

[allenhopkins]

piratelou should have thanked you for the link Allen, seeing as how he's appropriated Bernunzio's "All the professionals have a discernable tone and this one rings that out like a bell" for his eBay listing...

I exist only to serve the greater good.

[piratelou]

@houseworker - I do appreciate allenhopkins' and everybody else's help from this forum. I come across a lot of items in my industry and can't be knowledgeable about everything. So when I reach out to guys like you that are "in the know" not only do I learn from ya' but I find myself contributing to the forums that I learned from. I always leave about 5% of the total sale as a donation to the forum. I guess I should have voiced that, but didn't want to be THAT guy.

Cheers,
Lou

[piratelou]

So I posted this banjo in the classifieds here and it sold. I held true to my promise and donated 5% of the total to the Mandolin Cafe. Thanks again for all your help.