Vega (used, 1921) "Fairbanks by Vega" #3 Tu-ba-phone banjo

This version of the quintessential prewar original 5-string open back Vega bears the “Fairbanks by” stamp on the dowel that Vega used from 1910 to 1925. This particular serial number dates to 1921 and, being this old it shows normal signs of use and wear including a few small dents in the metal band that encircles the rim, dings, scrapes, scratches and scuffs. The headstock tuners have Planetary “Pat. Pend” with grained ivoroid buttons (we seriously doubt these are original but . . . maybe) and the fifth string is a newer Kroll style with a matching grained ivoroid peg. There is extensive heel carving, a gryphon, star & acorn inlaid headplate; this  pearwood headplate shows signs of aging and so does the pear wood heel cap. The fingerboard is ebony, bound in crème ivoroid. There is a star at fret 5 and the rest of the inlays are 9 etched and blackened dots. There are skin oils on the replaced Remo Weather King Mylar head. There are two bridges provided, one unsigned and one Snuffy Smith. This is a 28-bracket banjo, with the wooden square dowel running through the middle; said dowel has two Vega-in-a-star stamps, the “Fairbanks Banjo Made by the Vega Company, Boston, Mass” stamp; it has the number “3” stamped into the front of the dowel and three patent dates: “Pat. Dec. 30, 1890, Jan. 10, 1893, July 27, 1909.” Of course each of those represent the day that a specific component of their line was patented.