Vega Style N Tenor to 5-String Fretted Conversion

Banjo #038

 

 

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CONVERSION:

Converted from a vintage Vega Style N tenor (SN 81473 on dowel & pot) to 5-string by adding walnut molding (wings) to both sides of neck,  1/4" fretted walnut fingerboard on top of existing fingerboard, 1/4 in deep brass-floored frailing scoop just below octave. 

This is a short-scale banjo, since it uses the original tenor neck.  Scale length = 21 3/8".  Bridge height is about 1", due to the additional thickness of the added fingerboard.  This seems to improve down-pressure on the bridge.

Vintage friction peg tuners, tenor med-gage strings (wound #3&4), calfskin head.  26 hooks, shoes & nuts, all of which appear to be original.

MOP inlay @ 5th fret.  I installed a Stewart-MacDonald 5th string peg, threw away the new button, and fitted an old ivoroid button.

I didn't brand the dowel with my logo, wrote #038 in pen on dowel & pot, ink-stamped my logo - these can easily be removed.

DIMENSIONS:

Head dia. = 11"

String span @ nut=11/4  in

String span @ heel = 1  5/8 in.

SETUP:

*  action @ scoop  = 5/16 in.

*  action @ octave =  3/16 in.

FLAWS:

Normal scuffing due to age. 

A repaired hole on the 4th string side of the neck near the 3rd fret, see photo.

ON THE PLUS SIDE:

Good sound, good playability, overall in nice shape.