1930 Vega Artist 19 fret tenor banjo made in Boston, Mass. SN 00000. Flamed shaded maple 3 piece neck, piecrust resonator with tortoiseshell walls all in perfect condition. The Artist is second in a 3-banjo line, although a fourth, the Soloist, was added below it not long after. The Artist was quite a high-priced instrument for the time, selling originally for $250.00. It features all of Vega’s high-grade construction features and fairly fancy decoration, including gold-plated metal parts and elaborate engraved pearl inlay on the headstock, fingerboard, and heelcap.

All workmanship is to the highest level, as is common with Vega. The pie-section resonator back has beautifully shaded figured maple sections and a tortoise celluloid-bound outer edge. There is elaborate engraved varied shaped pearl inlay in the heavy bound ebony fingerboard, with a 3-piece shaded maple neck featuring a carved heel. The pearl head plate inlay is Vega’s fanciest floral pattern and the headstock is fitted with upgraded with quality German made Gold plated ABM geared tuners. The gold-plated Richelieu (Oettinger style) adjustable tension tailpiece is also an added upgrade.

They are arguably the best-sounding instruments of their type ever made, and from the beginning were extremely popular with period jazz musicians and can be seen in many old photographs, as well as heard on literally thousands of early dance band and jazz recordings. Overall length is 33 1/2 in. (85.1 cm.), 10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm).

The fretboard is in great condition with little play wear and the neck is straight. The engraving are still crisp with very little wear on the fingerboard and the overall gold plating remains in good/fair condition. Overall I have given it a full velour and its ready for a new owner. Comes with hardshell case.