Banjo-guitar
Maker
Vega Company
Date1924 ca.
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
ModelTu-ba-phone
Serial No.62433
SignedStamped on outward facing side of dowel stick: [Vega logo within 5-point star] / MADE BY / THE VEGA COMPANY / BOSTON, MASS. USA. / [Vega logo within 5-point star] / STYLE MStamped into side of dowel stick, set inside banner: TU-BA-PHONE
MarkingsStamped on dowel stick: PAT. / DEC. 30, 1890 / JAN. 10, 1898 / JULY 27, 1809
Serial number stamped into rim: 62433
Serial number stamped into dowel stick: 62433
DescriptionStrings: Six (tuned and played like a six string guitar)
Neck: Three-piece laminated neck of maple/mahogany/maple
Peghead: Three piece laminated peghead of maple/mahogany/maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood with eighteen nickel-silver frets.
Nut: Bone
Heel cap: Rosewood veneer
Rim: Laminated maple
Head: Calf Skin
Bridge: Maple with rosewood top
Tuning machines: Geared metal tuners with open backs
Tailpiece: Nickel plated metal
Hardware: Nickel-plated bracket shoe band with 30 bracket shoes, tension hooks and nuts
Tension Hoop: Nickel-plated grooved hoop
DimensionsOverall Length: 910 mm (35-7/8 inches)
Vibrating String Length: 421 mm (25-1/16 inches)
Fingerboard Length: 421 mm (16-9/16 inches)
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 47 mm (1-27/32 inches)
Fingerboard Width at Body: 60 mm (2-3/8 inches)
Width of head: 300 mm (11-13/16 inches)
ProvenanceOriginally, owned by Walter Mitchell, Jr., (1898-1951), who remembered purchasing it between 1915 and 1917; however, based on the dowel stamp and serial number, it was purchased later.
By inheritance to his son, Walter Mitchell III, Dunedin, Florida, who donated it to the NMM.
Credit LineGift of Walter Mitchell III, in memory of his father, Walter Mitchell II, 1986
Object number04018
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