1910 Fairbanks by Vega #3 Tu-Ba-Phone banjo 26759
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1910 Fairbanks by Vega Tu-Ba-Phone #3 26759 original 5-string banjo: This is a masterpiece of pre-WWI craftsmanship! A terrific sounding and beautiful banjo with no cracks, breakage, warpage or other flaws that so often plague instruments that have endured over a century. For classical banjo, clawhammer, round-peak drop thumb or Charlie Poole finger style, this is by far my favorite choice. It is a banjo that not only has graceful lines and appointments, but the highly sought after Tu-Ba-Phone tone-ring really delivers the tone! Features include a beautifully carved mahogany neck heel; fingerboard with engraved inlays, peg head with engraved pearl flowerpot and, as is the case with style 3 Fairbanks/Vega, the Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring. All original condition (except case); original tuners are supplied, planets have been installed for tuning precision. Original Geib and Schafer case with green lining is also in excellent condition. A rare treasure of early American banjo manufacture for sale at $4950, includes free shipping in continental US. Video/audio content below, after a full account of specifications. Enjoy!
specifications:
1910 Fairbanks by Vega Tu-Ba-Phone #3 26759 (measurements in inches)
10 3/4 inch head
5-string Honduran mahogany neck with varnish finish;
Ebony fingerboard engraved star and dot position markers;
scale: 26 inch
Grover tuners (with planet replacements);
“Flower-pot” peg head inlay in abalone and mother of pearl
Tu-Ba-phone tone ring
nickel plated hardware
notched stretcher band
bracket shoes
no-knot tailpiece
nut width of fingerboard at nut: 1 9/32
width of fingerboard at 12th fret: 1 13/16
thickness of neck at 1st fret: 31/32
thickness of neck at 12th fret: 1 3/32
height of strings at 12 fret (action): .110
relief (measured at 12th fret): .020
bridge height: 1/2 (modern Grover)
Finish original; normal play wear on fingerboard and on engraving on pearl