1920 Vega Fairbanks Tubaphone Guitar Banjo Natural

Vega AC Fairbanks Tu-ba-phone Guitar Banjo 1920 | $1950 | (v2413) The A.C. Fairbanks Company began producing high quality banjos in 1875. In 1903 it morphed into the Vega Company in Boston which continued to market instruments bearing both the Vega and Fairbanks names. By 1909, Vega had developed the Tu-ba-phone tone ring, a brass ring with holes drilled on its interior. Many enthusiasts consider the Tu-ba-phone to be the pinnacle of vintage banjo tone rings. This particular guitar-banjo was made circa 1920 and features the Tu-ba-phone tone ring. This tone ring is known to offer bright tones without the typical banjo 'brassiness' or harshness.

The rim of this guitar-banjo is the larger 11 13/16" rim, now a bit oval in shape due to age and string tension. The rim is made of various wood plys and 'ebonized' on the bottom edge. The neck is three-piece laminate: maple, ebony, maple and carved in a modern 'C' shape. The heel sports multiple dark/light layers and is capped with what appears to be rosewood. The headstock features an ebony veneer overlay and a pearl star. The fingerboard is ebony, bound in white celluloid and features five pearl inlays. The stick is embossed with both the Fairbanks and Vega names, Tu-ba-phone, the serial number 47716 and patent dates. The original Grover banjo tuners have locking screws on top to secure the strings. The rim also features an arm rest.

The scale length is 25". The neck measures 1 7/8" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/4" at the saddle.

The guitar-banjo is in well-preserved, original condition with only a few hooks changed out. There appear to be no prior repairs. We recently leveled and dressed the frets, disassembled, cleaned and lubed the tuners, and set the action at 6 & 7/64". There are a few divots in the first position, and some finish wear on the back of the neck. The fingerboard where it meets the rim is slightly askew, possibly in the making, but is so slight as to not effect playability.

The guitar-banjo plays easily and produces a bright, cutting tone without the severe resonance of many banjos. The larger rim gives it a bit more bass thump, too. This is the perfect instrument for old-timey or country blues picking.

Comes with a period and possibly original hard 'bump-out' case. The case is a bit rough around the edges, but functions well enough to protect the instrument, and is rare and desireable enough to warrant some effort to 'pretty it up'.

Check out the sound clip!