WS16-11
Fairbanks (by Vega) Tubaphone No. 9 ( Vine Peghead)
5 String
Professional Artist Model
S/N- 25566 1909 11 ˝ x 28” 7 3/8 lb.
Originality: The neck may
have been lightly over-sprayed.
Condition: Excellent.
Background: From the 1904
buyout on, Vega continued lines that had been offered by Fairbanks and added a
few new models of relatively minor importance. In 1909 they introduced their
new premier line featuring the Tubaphone tone ring. The intermediate of 3
models was the No. 9. After the initial year, the peghead and neck were
modified to fairly closely resemble the maple-necked DeLuxe model but with a
somewhat simpler heel carving.
Features of the model: In
1909 alone, this model was quite distinctive. The crowning attribute was the
intricate and beautiful vine inlay pattern on the peghead. The neck was curly
mahogany with 3 central veneers perpendicular to the fingerboard creating a 5
piece neck. It is truly a shame that this 1909 version was so short-lived. Even
after the No. 9 model was “watered down”, it still carried many nice features.
Tuners were gold plated patents with handsome chubby pearl knobs. The bottom of
the rim was decorated with fancy wood marquetry. Multiple decorative veneers
were present under the fingerboard, peghead overlay, back strap, and heel cap.
The ebony back strap and heel cap displayed large engraved inlays. The
contemporary Vega catalog listed
“regular” and “professional” rim sizes and this 11 ˝" size was called
the “ Professional Artist” model.
About this instrument:
1) The 1909 version with the
vine inlay peghead, 5 piece curly mahogany neck, and metal Fairbanks plate. One
of perhaps 5 or 6 known.
2) Inside the rim is stamped,
“ Jul. 27, 1909"; possibly the date assembled.
3) Attached to the banjo
(non- invasively) is the highly desirable mute assembly, the Hartnett Adjustable Tone-Lever, which
was advertised in early Vega catalogs for $ 2.50. Several of the photos below
show this fascinating and ingenious contraption in full detail.
4) Whether intentional or by
accident, the engraving on the 6 point star on the back of the peghead gives
the delightful effect of 6 “angel faces” staring from the design.
5) Rim size called
“Professional Artist” in the catalog.
6) When I acquired this banjo
and again when I took the photos, I was disappointed with the lack of engraving
detail in several inlays and contemplated whether I should ask Doug Unger to
work his magic and spruce it up a bit. Recently he was kind enough to look it
over and advised doing nothing since all the inlays are original and explained
that the major reason for what I was noticing was the rather typical faster
deterioration of the engraved colored pearl compared to the white pearl.
Click to enlarge: