beezaboy - Posted - 10/26/2009:  12:09:27

Just got a '62 Vega Professional Tenor Banjo.
BTW here's a picture: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Vega-Pr...cmdZViewItem
Very nice player but it has a rather lengthy sustain or ring after striking string.
And there is no dot at 15th fret. Odd.
See identical neck:
http://elderly.com/images/vintage/8...61_front.jpg
Also, would Elderly's Vega Vox sound different than the Professional?
Same neck, rim and tone ring on both. Way deeper resonator on the Vox.
http://elderly.com/images/vintage/8...ase-open.jpg
If the sound is different I wonder in what way?

Beezaboy

Edited by - beezaboy on 10/26/2009 12:25:42

rexhunt - Posted - 10/26/2009:  16:26:09

Besides the deep resonator, the Vox used through the rim bracket shoes so it's not exactly the same rim. I'm no expert on the Vox but I've heard they sound like nothing else.

Rex

clawhammerjazz - Posted - 10/26/2009:  16:43:42

Hi, Beeze. The block and dot inlay pattern Vega used in the early 60's with no inlay on the 15th fret is consistent with the comparable pattern (star, dots, and leaf) used on the Vegaphone Professional model introduced in the '20's. Higher grade Vegaphones and the later 60's Pro II models did have an added inlay at fret 15. A Vega Vox typically has a deeper and fuller sound than a Pro model. In a tenor, this may or may not, of course, be desirable. Jimmy Mazzy is probably the most prominent tenor Vega Vox player. For a plectrum player, on the other hand, the Vox sound is something many covet and is often described as clear, deep, and sweet. As to the issue of your banjo's lengthy sustain, the 60's Vegas are very resonant and bright. You may want to put one of Bill Miller's skin heads on it and to try one of Jim Farquhar's cherry bridges, which he actually recommends normally for the Voxes. Taking note of the price you paid for your Vega, I would say you did quite well. Congratulations! --Cjazz

Edited by - clawhammerjazz on 10/26/2009 17:04:07

beezaboy - Posted - 10/26/2009:  17:07:17

Gentlemen: Thank you for the insights. The banjo is
a delight to play as the neck is straight and the action
is low. I've been playing a Deering Vega (Celtic) Wonder
with 19 frets and the sound is much more mellow and
the notes die rather quickly. The Vega Professional
just seemed unusual to my ear as the notes ring
for quite a while giving it a brassy sound.

Beezaboy