Vega Soloist 1927

Built in Boston in 1927, the Soloist sits in Vega’s professional Vegaphone line: resonator-equipped Tubaphone banjos designed for dance-band and orchestra work. The Soloist grade combines the company’s proven Tubaphone tone ring and bracket-band rim with upscale trim and gold-plated hardware. As a tenor model it carries four strings and a shorter scale than 5-string or plectrum variants, suiting chord-melody rhythm and melodic single-note lines.

This example shows plenty of playwear consistent with nearly a century of use – it is nearly 100 years old! Surfaces, edges, and hardware exhibit honest wear from long service, but the gold plating remains in good condition. The original hard case is well worn but works great. Structurally, the Soloist platform is robust: a 3-ply maple rim with bracket band, a Tubaphone ring for clarity and sustain, and a flanged, maple-backed resonator for projection.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Configuration: 4-string tenor; 19 frets
• Scale length: 23″
• Rim: 3-ply maple; bracket-band construction; ~28 hooks
• Tone ring: Tubaphone ring (hollow square section with internal perforations)
• Head/Rim diameter: 11″
• Resonator/Flange: Maple resonator, bound; Vegaphone flange system
• Neck: Maple neck; ebony fingerboard; pearl inlays; bound; adjustable dowel-stick fit
• Nut width/string spacing: 1 1/8″ nut; vintage tenor spacing
• Hardware/Finish: Gold-plated tension hoop, hooks/nuts, armrest, flange, and tailpiece
• Tuners: 4 planetary-style geared tuners
• Tailpiece: Clamshell/Presto-style common
• Bridge: Maple/ebony, ~1/2″–5/8″
• Head material: Later synthetic
• Finish: Period lacquer on neck, rim, and resonator
• Case: Original hard shell; cosmetically worn, fully functional