1924 Vega Imperial Electric Guitar Banjo. As Is
1924 Vega Imperial Electric Guitar Banjo. As Is. If you are looking for a classic Vega guitar banjo project, or a large rim Vega imperial Electric pot this is the banjo for you! Yes, this instrument has had a lot of fun over the years, so we know it will sound good. It will be up to you to decide how it lands. The maple neck has a 25” scale ebony fretboard with 18 frets. The finish is worn and likely over coated. The heel has a few wood pins going from side to side and the heel cap is cracked. The (presumed) original straight through banjo tuners have been replaced with 1950’s Kluson Deluxe 3-on-a-plate guitar tuners, making it much more tunable. The frets are in good shape and could likely be used for another 101 years. The 11-13/16 rim is maple with the ever-popular Electric Truss tonering. There are 30 brackets. The 2-point shoes are original and the hooks and nuts are modern replacements. The blond finish, with black painted bottom of rim is all original and in worn condition. The tailpiece is likely a functional cobbled invention of a previous owner. To keep the banjo as a 6-sting guitar banjo, you will likely have to reset the neck. Or have your favorite old time neck maker create a new 5-string neck. Vega Imperial Electric banjos are some of my favorite vintage banjos ever made. They have a warm precision that is not captured by any other make or model. And though there are Whyte Laydie-Electric truss style tone rings available from modern parts manufacturers, the quality from the original innovator has never been equaled. As-Is, this banjo is $650 and included a serviceable chip board case.