WS17-2
Vega Tubaphone DeLuxe 5 String
S/N- 67411 1925 10 15/16 x 27 1/4" 7 ˝ lb.
Originality: Tuners are
geared Planets and probably added later. The peghead overlay has been
refinished and perhaps the entire neck as well. Tailpiece is a reproduction
Oettinger.
Condition: Restored to mint
state.
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 top-of-the-line
was the DeLuxe. Changes in musical tastes that led to the popularity of 4 string
banjos resulted in very few 5 strings being made in the 1920s and 30s and thus
these models are very rare.
Features of the model: When the DeLuxe model was introduced, tuners were
gold plated patents ( I am not certain when they started being issued with
geared Planet tuners) with large chubby pearl knobs. All metal parts were gold
plated and the bracket band and tension hoop were beautifully engraved. The
bottom edge of the rim was covered with abalone pearl. The neck was curly maple
of 3-piece construction with a moderately wide walnut veneer thru to the board
and with multiple decorative veneers under the board and all 3 caps. The peghead
was ivoroid bound and inlaid with an elaborate torch and feathers pattern
covering the whole surface except the area just above the nut, which displays a
large triangular inlay. The back strap, heel cap, and board had large
beautifully engraved inlays. The heel was elaborately and superbly carved.
About this instrument: I have never had the opportunity to acquire a nice
original DeLuxe 5 string from the 1909-15 era. Very few probably exist. Wanting
to have an example of the fanciest standard model produced by the Fairbanks
'family” of companies led me to include this mid-1920s banjo despite its several
non-original aspects. Collectors interested in the DeLuxe model and/or the
plectral style of playing should be sure to check out S/N-59331 in this grouping
and S/N- 27817 in the "Fairbanks by Vega" grouping..
Click to enlarge:
