Check out the Deering Vega banjos. They make several Vega banjos with Tubaphone tone rings. Very pricey, but top quality banjos.

You might also want to search for one of Bart Reiter's banjos. He's retired, but his banjos seem to be available on the pre owned market.

Also look for used Wildwoods. Many models featured Tubaphone tone rings.

Don't think you'll find many(any) Bart Reiter tenor banjos. I might have seen a Wildwood tenor but I'm thinking they will be hard to source also.

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Originally posted by malarz

I am thinking of buying a Vega Tubaphone tenor banjo as a different sound to my B & D Silver Bell. Is there a banjo being made now that comes close in sound to the Tubaphone? I would buy an original Vega but thought I would look at contemporary options.

Thanks for any help.

Ken

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Hi Ken,

If you are considering a tubby, it's not much of a leap to consider a bronze/brass flathead and only pay a moderate weight penalty.  This would increase the available instruments and still be very different from a 'Silver Bell'.

Here is a decent example from the "marketplace":  https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/115027

I think Prucha in Prague will build you a Tubaphone tenor banjo, either with resonator or openback.

This is a Deering open-back example from the "marketplace":  https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/115027

Here is a Chuck Ogsbury, it should have a little sweeter tone because of the multiply rim and a resonator for focus:  https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/114506

I’m unsure why you would consider a new banjo when you could find an old Vega for less.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and the links. As for buying a new banjo I thought being able to go into a store and have the chance to play a banjo similar-sounding to a Vega Tubaphone would give me a better idea of the difference between it and the B & D.

What years of Vega Tubaphones do you suggest I start looking for? When I bought the B & D a friend told me that the Silver Bell was the one to get. I did and have been happy.

Thanks for any recommendations.

The 1920s Vega Style M may be the most common tubaphone tenor in the used market. In open back they seem to have asking prices around $900-$1000. If you want a resonator you can buy Vega brand aftermarket vintage resonators and the hardware to attach them is simple and inexpensive.

If you want to go whole hog there are plenty of Vega No 9 tubaphones. Same story on resonators.

In resonator banjos the same period included the Vega Professional in tenor.

These banjos are plentiful and less expensive than original 5 string versions.

There are a couple of 1920s Vega Professional tubaphones in the BHO Classifieds right now.

Thanks for your replies with that information.

Speaking from an Irish trad perspective - Vega Professional is probably the best bargain in the tenor banjo market right now. They are great banjos and readily available. The large pot Tubaphones are also great.

I have 2 Wildwood tenors, one with his Tubaphone tone ring and it's fantastic. It does not sound like a Vega though because the construction is very different with his thick block rim. The other is a flat top and currently for sale as I prefer the Tubaphone.

Thanks for your Irish Trad perspective. Exactly the point of view and opinion I am looking for.

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

I’m unsure why you would consider a new banjo when you could find an old Vega for less.

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Exactly. Look for a Vegaphone Professional tenor from the 1920s. These have a 23" scale and go for $1,000–$1,300 in the used market and show to frequently. Deering can make you one but the price was $7,500 last I looked.

The Vega Style M has a scale of 20"–23" depending on the year and can be found open backed and with resonators.

Vega was still making tenors through the 1960s and into the '70s when the company was owned by Martin. All Vegavox tenors are based around Tubaphone rings but with deep resonators designed with Eddie Peabody—some of those can cost a small fortune.

Gold Tone can make a Tubaphone tenor but it won't be less expensive than the real deal.