The Style X N0.9 with its elegant workmanship, beautiful appearance and amazing tone quality put this short scale tenor banjo in the hands of the top musicians of the roaring 20’s. The Vega factory could not keep up with the demands for high end quality banjos from around 1918 – 1923 according to sources. There were 3 tubaphone style models introduced namely Style M, Style X No. 9, and Style De Luxe. According to the ‘1923’ catalogue, all three styles came is two sizes: Regular, 10 3/4 inches (which today fit 10 15/16 inch heads) and Professional, 12 inches (which today fit 11 13/16 inch heads), The Style Xs and De Luxes are always sporting 11 13/16 inch heads.

This little beauty is in very good condition with no damage or repairs, the back of the resonator is also unstratched, although some indentes are visable around the tension hoop. The serial number is # which makes the year build around 1923. The neck is made from select ornate figured maple with centre ebony strip and stained dark walnut overlay from the back of the head stock down the neck. The style X has a floral mother of pearl design on the rear of the headstock and the classic Vega MOP to the front. The fretboard is ebony with good frets and straight neck and has the Vega MOP position markers down the fretboard and cream celluloid binding on the sides. The style X must have one of the most beautiful carved heels and complimented with a ebony heel with another beautiful intricate MOP inlay.

The 11″ maple rim has a outer metal band which houses the 28 x two point shoes, hooks and ball end nuts. It has long been known that the metal structure that supports a banjo head can have a real influence on the responsiveness and tone of the instrument. Starting around 1900, the Vega banjo company was among the most prolific and successful at perfecting the banjo “tone ring.” The endpoint of Vega’s tone ring development was called “Tu-Ba-Phone,” which referred to the appearance of the square section tubular tone ring perforated by holes and clearly visible on the inside of the banjo. This particular tone ring was one of the most successful with its bright ringing sound and was fitted to all of Vega’s professional grade instruments for 6 decades or more.

Inside the rim you can see the beautiful checkered wood marquetry, this banjo can be played as an open back or by simply removing the pie crust resonator held in place by a screw bolt. This particular resonator has the dark red pyralin banding around the sides. I recently fitted the banjo with a new Remo white head which has tremendously enhanced the volume and clarity of this banjo. If you are looking for a beautiful high end short scale tenor banjo in great condition this is a great choice. Has to be played to be appreciated.