Banjoline
Maker
Vega Company
Date1930 ca
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
ModelCylinder back
Serial No.38382
SignedGold label with raised lettering and decoratively cut outline: THE VEGA CO. / 155 COLUMBUS AVE. BOSTON, MASS. / MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSMother-of-pearl inlaid on head: VEGA
Branded on neck block: PAT.NOV.4.1913 / THE VEGA CO.
MarkingsStamped into top of head: 38382
Stamped into tuner covers: ·[planet Saturn] ·Planetary [cursive text]·[planet Saturn] ·PAT. ·PEND. ·
DescriptionEddie Peabody created a new instrument, the banjoline, to mimic the sound of a plectrum banjo with a violin mute on the bridge. Note the beautifully engraved pearl fret markers inlaid into the fingerboard. The Boston banjo industry was known for the skill of its inlay artists.
This instrument appears in the film shorts Hula Heaven (1937) and Strum Fun (1943).
Stringing: eight steel strings
Soundboard: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: fine grain
Back: one-piece ribbon-figured mahogany with pressed longitudinal arching
Ribs: four-piece mahogany
Head: mahogany veneered with black-stained hardwood on both faces; decorative foliate mother-of-pearl inlay on front face; integral with neck
Neck: mahogany; integral with head
Heel cap: none; integral with back
Binding: ivory celluloid; trim comprised of alternating, angled light and dark hardwood trapezoids surrounded on each side by dark hardwood strips
Fretboard: ebony; 28 nickel-silver frets under top two courses; 27 nickel-silver frets under third course; 26 nickel-silver frets under lowest course; various decoratively cut mother-of-pearl fret markers with black-ink-filled engraving inlaid behind 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 22nd frets
Nut: ivory
Bridge: adjustable height ebony with nickel-plated brass adjuster screws
Tailpiece: decoratively engraved nickel-plated brass string holder with scalloped cover; attached with three nickel-plated steel domed, slot-head screws into lower rib and block
Tuners: six Grover patented planetary tuners with mechanisms enclosed in nickel-plated brass, with nickel-plated rollers and ivoroid heads
Soundholes: f-holes
Pick guard: later black celluloid with nickel-plated brass mounting bracket; later philips’ head screws
Lacquer: golden to dark red-brown sunburst; later, in imitation of original
Linings: kerfed mahogany
Neck block: mahogany
End block: mahogany with beveled edges
Top bracing: A-brace, each component with tapered ends, and two lateral braces, one each above soundholes and at bridge position
Back bracing: three lateral spruce braces with tapered ends
DimensionsTotal banjoline length: 979 mm (38-17/32″)
Back length: 439 mm (17-9/32″)
Upper bout width: 168 mm (6-5/8″)
Center bout width: 169 mm (6-21/32″)
Lower bout width: 315 mm (12-13/32″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 81 mm (3-3/16″)
Rib height, at center bout: 63 mm (2-1/2″)
Rib height, at bottom: 78 mm (3-1/16″)
Head length: 140 mm (5-1/2″)
Head width, top: 61 mm (2-13/32″)
Head width, bottom: 51 mm (2″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 417 mm (16-7/16″)
Neck width, nut: 31 mm (1-7/32″)
Neck width, heel: 43 mm (1-11-16″)
Soundhole length: 116 mm (4-9/16″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): upper course: 685 mm (26-31/32″); lower course: 686 mm (27″)
Published ReferencesAppears in the film short Hula Heaven, 1937 and Strum Fun, 1943.
Credit LineEddie Peabody Collection. Gift of George Peabody, 2012
Object number14656
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