1923 Vega Tubaphone w/ Rickard Neck 5-String Banjo Used

This Vega Tubaphone was built as a four string tenor in 1923 at the height of the Jazz Age. Sometime in the past, the neck was separated from the shell and was lost. We opted to have a new five-string neck made for this fine old shell. Happily Rickard, one of our favorite contemporary banjo makers, was up to the task and this 1923 Tubaphone has a new maple neck and a new lease on life. There are nods to contemporary open back banjo style, such as the S-scoop fingerboard, the shorter 25 1/2″ string scale, and high-ratio cycloidal tuners, but the new neck has the classic Vega headstock and heel shape and a pleasing antique natural stain. Thanks to the shorter scale, it’s an easy banjo to play and has a somewhat deeper, plunkier tone since the bridge is closer to the center of the head thanks to the shorter scale. Part old Vega of Boston, part Rickard of Aurora, Ontario (Canada), this old/new hybrid is ready for its next round of banjo music!