Here is a Vega "Wonder" from the 1960s. I bought this at an ABF rally to hang on my office wall at work and play at lunch. I used it for that for a couple of years and now it is time for it to go to a new home (I have replaced my "at work" banjo with a SSS).

These 60s Vega banjos are not known for having the highest level of craftsmanship. In fact, it seems that most construction details were based on saving money. How they managed to make banjos that play and feel as good as they do is beyond me. The necks feel great and they are clear and in tune all the way up (despite a couple of the frets being installed a little wonky from the factory).

This banjo is worn. Most of the finish is worn off of the back of the neck. This is common with this era of Vega banjos (they used a stain finish combination that would wear down). On the plus side this is now basically a "speed neck!" There are scratches all over. There is one big gouge in the edge of the resonator binding. The fingerboard (ebony) shows some slight shrinkage. Edge binding looks tight. It looks like there was a small shrinkage related crack in the fingerboard that was filled with glue at one time. The frets show wear but I don't notice buzzing (see the photo).

Vega during this era decided to not fit heels to banjos. They just hoped for the best. They nailed a piece of brass to the heel and used Allen set screws to adjust the neck pitch. I had a friend fit the heel better than it was. He set the brass plate into the heel so it could still be used as adjustment of one wanted to. As I play "classic banjo" I have is set up for very light nylon strings. It has a pretty low action (lower than I am used to) with a 5/8" bridge. I have no idea what the action would be with steel strings. It might need heel work or it might not. I am selling the banjo at a great price "as is" so that is for the buyer to deal with.

The metal is tarnished but clean. The peg tuners have been replaced with Chinese planetary pegs that work fine. The 5th peg is still the original friction peg (if the buyer replaces this I would love to have it back).

The Tailpiece is in great condition. The armrest is a "Vega style" of import make, the Elton armrest had been broken and the posts JB welded on so many times that I decided it needed to be replaced (I did not do the JB welding, just the replacing). The head is a recent (about 2 years old) Remo Renaissance head.

Included will be the original Vega warranty card and Vegalon head (in dirty, worn and poor condition with separation at the "flesh hoop" but you get it anyway).

Please look at the photos and ask questions. This is sold "as is." When it leaves me to a new home it does not come back to mine. I don't sell banjos for a living (or even a hobby) so I am not interested in getting into shipping banjos back and forth for trials.

I'll be happy to answer questions eastern time zone @ 214-500-0527. If you call during working hours I might not answer so please leave a message.

Based on recent ebay auctions my asking price is reasonably low and what I feel is a good price for the current market.

It will come set up with light nylon strings. Expect to need to change them and do a complete set up. My personal set up is very different from what other banjoists like. I might have a "modern" three foot bridge that I could include but you will have to ask me. I will also throw in one of my banjo thimbles (again, ask me if you want it).

Ships in a junky case that should be disposed of upon arrival.

Thanks for looking!