Boston

Vega C56 Archtop Guitar Natural, 1940

On December 21, 2020 /

Built to compete with the Gibson L-7 and Epiphone Triumph, the Vega C56 Archtop was built from the 1930s until 1950. It was was Vega’s most popular full sized guitar and featured a solid Spruce top with Maple sides and back, Mahogany neck and Rosewood fingerboard. Here we have a Vega C56 archtop in the natural finish introduced in 1940. The serial number is somewhat below other models known to have been produced in 1940, so there’s a possibility this example was built in 1939. The top is solid Spruce, likely Adirondack.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

SOLD!! Vega Professional Tubaphone Openback Banjo, 1920s Pot 1960s Neck

On June 1, 2020 /

This is a Vega Professional Tubaphone openback banjo, with a neck from the 1960s and the pot from a 1923 Vega Tubaphone banjo, a conversion common in the 1960s. Vega, now owned by Deering Banjos, is one of the oldest American banjo brands, founded in 1881 in Boston, Massachusetts. This lovely old banjo is a mix of two Vega banjos: a product of 1960s Hootenanny era.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Deering Boston 5-String Banjo, 2007

On April 21, 2020 /

The Deering Boston 5-String Banjo was one of Deering’s earlier original designs and aimed to deliver the tonal effects of a quality heavy wood rim and tone ring at a significantly lower price. To do this, Deering uses a rolled steel rim with a mass equivalent to the traditional components. As well, traditional Banjo style planetary tuners have been replaced with standard guitar-type tuners.

Used

This instrument has sold

SOLD!! Vega Style X No.9 Tenor Banjo, 1926

On November 25, 2019 /

Here, we’re looking at a Vega Style X Number 9 Tenor Banjo, built in Boston during 1926. Typical of higher end banjos of the era, it is adorned with engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays which are in lovely condition, and the engravings have been re-filled. The banjo features a tube-a-phone tone ring and Maple is used for the neck and dowel. The heel is hand carved, also typical of the era. The backstrap, the wood covering the back of the head, plus the head plate, are Rosewood.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Vega Senator 5-String Open Back Banjo, 1925

On November 25, 2019 /

For many years, the Vega company was a prominent musical instrument builder, and the Vega Senator 5-string open back banjo was a typical offering. Market and management changes led to Vega’s decline, and the name has now become a valued Deering brand, recalling the historic banjos of the early part of the 20th century.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

SOLD!! Bacon and Day Super Tenor Banjo, 1927

On August 26, 2019 /

It’s always interesting to see vintage pieces like this Bacon and Day Super Tenor banjo, built around 1927 at the Bacon Banjos shop in Boston, Massachusetts. The Super Tenor was built from 1920 to 1927. From 1906 to 1920, noted musician Fredrick Bacon sold banjos under his own name. In 1921, he partnered with David Day and while the company name remained Bacon, many instruments were branded Bacon and Day. Bacon, and Bacon and Day, operated independently until 1940 when they were purchased by Gretsch; the line was discontinued in 1967.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Boston

Vega C56 Archtop Guitar Natural, 1940

SOLD!! Vega Professional Tubaphone Openback Banjo, 1920s Pot 1960s Neck

Deering Boston 5-String Banjo, 2007

SOLD!! Vega Style X No.9 Tenor Banjo, 1926

Vega Senator 5-String Open Back Banjo, 1925

SOLD!! Bacon and Day Super Tenor Banjo, 1927

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