Object Details
maker
Vega Instrument Co., Inc.
Description
This banjo was made by the Vega Instrument Company Inc. of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1965. It is a Four-String Tenor Banjo, "Vega-Vox IV" model, serial #A-125768, maple neck with mahogany inlay, carved heel, 19-fret ebony fretboard with 8 square pearl inlays, headstock with “Vega” and star motif, gold-tone tuners with white plastic buttons, gold-tone metal hardware, Tu-ba-phone tone ring with “barbell” cutouts, and resonator with “De-Luxe Vegavox” star, with flowers and intricate designs.
As listed in a 1964 Vega banjo flyer, the Vega-Vox IV banjos are custom-built on special order only. This model banjo sold for $930.00 plus $75.00 extra for the carved neck.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Sharon L. Faina, In loving memory of H. E. Burton from his family
date made
1965
ID Number
1998.0074.01
catalog number
1998.0074.01
accession number
1998.0074
serial number
A-125768
Object Name
banjo
Physical Description
maple (overall material)
mahogany (overall material)
metal (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 34 1/2 in x 13 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in; 87.63 cm x 34.29 cm x 8.89 cm
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Boston
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Banjos
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_608166