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:

 

                           

 

                             

 

                             

 

                             

 

                             

 

                             

 

                   

 

 

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