Bluegrass

Vega Deluxe Electric Tenor Banjo Sunburst Restored, 1937

On July 29, 2019 /

Here we have a real rarity from around 1937 – a restored, refinished and replated Vega Deluxe Electric Tenor Banjo, and they meant ‘Electric’ – this has a pickup! The Vega company was one of the older banjo builders in the USA, having started during 1881 in Boston, Massachusetts and acquiring the A C Fairbanks company assets in 1904 following a devastating fire at the Fairbanks plant. By the 1040s Vega was fading, and in the 1970s C F Martin purchased the company and held it until 1989 when Greg Deering bought it and re-created the Vega line.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1926

On July 12, 2019 /

Built from 1925 to 1937, the Gibson TB 3 Mastertone tenor banjo was a popular though relatively unadorned instrument, used in jazz and banjo orchestras. As the popularity of tenor instruments waned, many of these banjos were converted with 5-string necks. This example is in largely original condition, save for the tuners.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1927-28

On July 12, 2019 /

The Gibson TB 3 Mastertone tenor banjo – the TB actually stands for Tenor Banjo – features a plain Maple rim and resonator, with Mahogany for the neck and Rosewood, likely Brazilian given the date, for the fingerboard. The tone ring and flange designs changed at least three times during the TB 3’s production. Initial 1925 and early 1926 models used a classic ball-bearing tone ring, then for later 1926-1928 a solid archtop tone ring, and finally the flathead tone ring for 1929.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

National El Trovador Resophonic Guitar with Hot Plate, Mahogany, 2015

On July 11, 2019 /

The National El Trovador goes back to the 1930’s wood bodied, single cone resophonic guitars by National, and this one comes with a HotPlate installed! The El Trovador uses a Mahogany laminate for the body and solid Mahogany for the neck, with a bound Ebony fingerboard. The peg head is slotted, which increases the pressure of the strings on the nut while reducing the required tip-back angle of the head.

Used

This instrument has sold

Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star Banjo

On June 18, 2019 /

Tags: Banjo, Deering, Jens Kruger, saratoga star, Tenbrooks

The Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star banjo is the top of the Deering line and one of the finest banjos in the world. This banjo is named after Ten Broeks, the famous American race horse – winner of the July 4 1878 race at what is now Churchill Downs, and the subject of the traditional song ‘Molly and Tenbrooks’.

New

Vega Old Tyme Wonder Frailing / Clawhammer Banjo

On June 10, 2019 /

Tags: Clawhammer, Deering banjos, Frailing, Old Tyme, olde tyme, vega, Wonder

The Deering company of Lemon Grove California has been one of the most respected manufacturer of high-end banjos for decades. Their Vega line of open-back clawhammer banjos including the Vega Old Tyme Wonder are packed with features and priced very modestly. The latest model in the Vega banjo line is the “Old Tyme Wonder” which features a hand applied ‘Warm Brown’ stain over highly flamed maple finished with a matte lacquer.

New

Bluegrass

Vega Deluxe Electric Tenor Banjo Sunburst Restored, 1937

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1926

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1927-28

National El Trovador Resophonic Guitar with Hot Plate, Mahogany, 2015

Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star Banjo

Vega Old Tyme Wonder Frailing / Clawhammer Banjo

THE TWELFTH FRET

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