Smakula Restored
Posted By: ben s | Rate Member
$1,495 USD
1915 Fairbanks by Vega Tubaphone style M Tenor Banjo. Manufactured only a few years after Vega first started producing tenor banjos. This one, like most style M's, has a maple neck. The scale length is 21" and has a freshly re-fretted ebony fretboard. The rim diameter is 11-13/16" and has all the original hardware with the exception of the reproduction No-Knot tailpiece. Set up for Irish playing, with low tuning and the Remo Fiberskyn head, this banjo has a full tone that is sure to please. The low G string just plain growels. 2 minor alterations worth mentioning; a filled hole on the back of the peghead & refinished headstock (good work) and new Gotoh tuners. In very good to excellent condition with an original hard case, which is not in great condition, but serviceable. Also including padded gig bag. More pics available here: photos.app.goo.gl/PUK8S1JEm4H2EJTdA
Video of me playing, not very well, is here: youtu.be/CrekPs5SsqY
You can hear a recording of the instrument here: benshear.bandcamp.com/track/si...h-of-july
All restoration work done on this banjo was done by the legendary Bob Smakula. He's about as good as it gets. This would also be a great banjo to convert to 5 string. You could keep the original neck (so it's reversible) and have a vintage open back tubaphone.
I'm only selling because I don't play it enough, and I'd rather have another open back banjo. I'm not really looking to trade, but if you have a decent open back banjo, either wood tone ring or Whyte Laydie, 11" pot, frailing scoop, maybe we could arrange a trade.
Location:
United States, Oceanside, CA, 92056
Shipping:
Buyer Pays shipping and chooses method
Payment Methods:
Paypal
Payment Option Notes:
Venmo preferred
Return Policy:
Returns accepted. Buyer must contact seller within 2 days to arrange return. Refund will be given as Money Back. Buyer pays return shipping.
Condition of Item(s):
Used - Good Condition
Category:
Make:
Vega
Ad Status:
Active
Listing No:
117255
Contact Info:
Feel free to text, please no calls: 757-771-1035
Page Views:
223
This ad will automatically expire 12/27/2026 7:33:45 PM unless updated before that date. To keep the system current, ads expire if not updated for more than 60 days.
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