This banjo is composed of all period components, but may be an old composite instrument, as the rim and neck serial numbers are close but not matching. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. The Plectrum version is far rarer than the Tenor, making this an excellent find for the long-neck player. The gold-plated clamshell tailpiece has the cover engraved 'Vegaphone.' These Vegaphone banjos were extremely popular with period jazz musicians and can be seen in many period photographs, and heard on literally thousands of early dance band and jazz recordings. The pearl headstock inlay is Vega's fanciest floral pattern with the logo on a banner in the center, and carries gold Grover tuners with celluloid buttons. There is engraved varied pearl inlay in the bound ebony fingerboard, with a 3-piece shaded maple neck. The pie-section resonator has beautifully shaded figured maple sections on the back and white celluloid outer edge binding.

The Soloist is unusual in featuring a mix of gold and nickel-plated hardware - the hoop, hooks, tuners, tailpiece, and four-piece flange are gold the tone ring, bracket band, and nuts are not. The Soloist was the second model up the ladder in a 4-banjo line, above the 'Professional' and under the 'Artist' and 'Deluxe.' The Soloist was professionally priced at $200.00 when new with Vega's high-grade construction features and a medium-fancy level decoration. These were a response to William Lange's Paramount line, the first 'Modern' resonator banjos that defined the new Orchestra player's market. Vega's 'Vegaphone' line was essentially a long-scale Tubaphone with a flange and resonator, introduced in 1923-4. This is a good player's example of one of the finest 'Industry Standard' Orchestra banjos from the 1920s in fairly rare Plectrum configuration. Vega Vegaphone Soloist Model Plectrum Banjo (1930), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 94949, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck rim and resonator, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

Vega mandolin banjo serial numbers