I have had this Vega banjo since a friend of mine passed away and his sons gave me this banjo. I have done a bit of research using Google and AI. This is what I found and please correct me if I'm wrong, and all opinions are welcome:
The number inside the pot is 94708 indicating it was made in 1928. From the photo looking under the head it appears to have a Tubaphone tone ring. My guess is that this was originally a tenor banjo and was converted to a 5-string later on. The neck is flamed maple with no marking on the head-stock. The neck must have been made by whoever did the conversion. The dowel rod says “Vega Little Wonder” but the pot is not a Little Wonder. I believe the pot was a higher end model of tenor banjo. Maybe the dowel rod was just laying around in a parts bin and was used when the neck was made for the 5 string conversion. Do the resonator or flange add any additional clues about this banjo's info or model? Thanks in advance for any observations you may add.
Edited by - JG_Banjo on 10/16/2026 12:36:38
Thank you.
Edited by - JG_Banjo on 10/16/2026 12:37:51
You and AI got it correct. Is there a serial number on the dowel which matches the serial number on the side of the rim?
Also, the tuners may be a better grade of tuner.
The neck looks nice but is not an attempt to replicate a Vega neck.
The finish on the back of the resonator looks different from disparate angles. The resonator has probably been refinished?
The pot appears to be from a Professional.
I agree that the resonator looks to have been refinished
I don't know if the resonator was refinished. The number on the dowel does not match the number inside the rim. The number on the dowel is 62516. According to AI this indicates the dowel was made in 1921 but the number inside the rim indicates the pot was made in 1928 (see my original comments). The dowel says "Little Wonder" so I guess an older dowel was used later when the neck was changed. As stated, the pot is not from a Little Wonder. I will add more pictures if I can. Would anyone estimate the value of this banjo?
Edited by - JG_Banjo on 10/16/2026 18:37:27
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
