Consider circa 1920's Vega "Little Wonder" instead.

The Vega Little Wonder was a tenor banjo. They made a five string with the same tone ring called the Regent.

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Originally posted by JBDrifter

Pisgah Wonder or Rickard Wonder or Vega Oldtime Wonder? 11 inch or 12 inch? 25.5 or 26.25?

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Pisgah or Rickard Wonder, 11", 26.25"

The Vega Regent is a Plectrum, (I used to own one). I believe the 5 string is the "Senator".

I’d take an original Vega version of that shell (most likely renecked) over any of the modern versions.

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Originally posted by JBDrifter

Pisgah Wonder or Rickard Wonder or Vega Oldtime Wonder? 11 inch or 12 inch? 25.5 or 26.25?

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P.S. the Deering Vega Oldtime Wonder is not a "Little Wonder"; it's a plain 'woodie' like the Goodtime.

Vega made a 5 string "Little Wonder" or "Wonder" in the 1930s. Grandpa Jones played one. There's one for sale at Gruhn's or Carter's in Nashville. It is a "bluegrass" model with resonator. There's video of Bobby Hicks picking on one just like it in the Gannaway Grand Ole Opry films from the 1950s. "Bluegrass" wasn't even a word yet... I wouldn't be surprised if Vega let slip a few open-backs under the "Wonder" name in the 1930s. I agree that in the teens and early 20s it would have been labeled either Regent or Senator. I've never been able to figure out what distinguished one from the other. But both were definitely available in 5 string -- I've owned one. Retrofret has a 1905 5 string Senator right now.

Vega continued to make the "Wonder" model in 5 string right to the end (and after, under CF Martin in the 1970s). If it had a resonator it was called "Wonder", if it did not have resonator it was called "Folk Wonder". You can find "Folk Wonders" from this period under $1000 if you watch classifieds.

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Vega continued to make the "Wonder" model in 5 string right to the end (and after, under CF Martin in the 1970s). If it had a resonator it was called "Wonder", if it did not have resonator it was called "Folk Wonder". You can find "Folk Wonders" from this period under $1000 if you watch classifieds.

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+1. 

These are swell banjos once the funky floating/adjustable neck connection is replaced with a thick wood shim (1/8" neck extension).

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Vega made a 5 string "Little Wonder" or "Wonder" in the 1930s. Grandpa Jones played one. There's one for sale at Gruhn's or Carter's in Nashville. It is a "bluegrass" model with resonator. There's video of Bobby Hicks picking on one just like it in the Gannaway Grand Ole Opry films from the 1950s. "Bluegrass" wasn't even a word yet... I wouldn't be surprised if Vega let slip a few open-backs under the "Wonder" name in the 1930s. I agree that in the teens and early 20s it would have been labeled either Regent or Senator. I've never been able to figure out what distinguished one from the other. But both were definitely available in 5 string -- I've owned one. Retrofret has a 1905 5 string Senator right now.

Vega continued to make the "Wonder" model in 5 string right to the end (and after, under CF Martin in the 1970s). If it had a resonator it was called "Wonder", if it did not have resonator it was called "Folk Wonder". You can find "Folk Wonders" from this period under $1000 if you watch classifieds.

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Vega, under the Bill Nelson era in the 1960s made a "Wonder" model (no "little").  These are from the uninspired orange finish, silkscreen logo era.  These banjos are nothing like the pre-Bill era/pre war Vega banjos. 

Regarding Grandpa Jones' "Little Wonder", the details are a bit more murky.  Reading his exact statement, one could be easily skeptical about what model it was. 

By the accounts from people who knew Bill Nelson, Bill was very disinterested in banjos and could have just as well been making and selling washing machines.  The letter that Jones got from Vega that identified his banjo as a "Little Wonder" was likely sent by Nelson.  So, if it was a 5 string, it was likely not originally a "Little Wonder" and incorrectly identified by Nelson from a photo.  Besides, how could the person from Vega know what was written on the dowel from a photo of Jones holding it?
 

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Originally posted by tdennis

The Vega Regent is a Plectrum, (I used to own one). I believe the 5 string is the "Senator".

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Photos of original 5-string Vega Regent, serial number 79914.

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Thanks, Bob. I didn't think I was wrong about that. Here is a picture of a banjo that is supposed to be a 1917 Vega Regent.

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Originally posted by JBDrifter

Pisgah Wonder or Rickard Wonder or Vega Oldtime Wonder? 11 inch or 12 inch? 25.5 or 26.25?

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I have an 11" Rickard Little Wonder. It's one of my favorite banjos. Sweet tone, cherry neck and rim, Rickard tuners and expert craftsmanship. 

It might not be an original Vega, but it's a really nice banjo. 

I may order one with the 26.25 scale. Seems ordering is the only way to get this particular setup. Nothing wrong with that!