Banjoline
Maker
Vega Company
Date1930 ca.
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
Modelcylinder back
Serial No.38165
SignedPrinted on oval paper label the center with black background and white lettering: GUITARS·MANDOLINS·ZITHERS·BANDURRIAS / -·- VEGA -·- / [VCo. Logo] / THE VEGA CO. BOSTON, MASS.U.S.A.Mother-of-pearl inlaid on head: Vega
MarkingsStamped into top of head: 381 65
Typed on paper label with cut corners: Patented June 10, 1930
DescriptionEddie Peabody created a new instrument, the banjoline, to mimic the sound of a plectrum banjo with a violin mute on the bridge.
This instrument appears in the film shorts Hula Heaven (1937) and Strum Fun (1943).
Stringing: eight steel strings
Soundboard: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain broadening toward the flanks
Back: one-piece mahogany with pressed longitudinal arching
Ribs: four-piece mahogany
Head: mahogany veneered with black-stained hardwood on face; integral with neck
Neck: mahogany; integral with head
Heel cap: none; integral with back
Binding: ivoroid; trim on top comprised of five-ply alternating light and black hardwood strips
Fretboard: ebony; 30 nickel-silver frets under top two courses; 28 nickel-silver frets under third course; 27 nickel-silver frets under lowest course; ivoroid blocks with geometic and black-ink-filled engraving inlaid behind 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, and 22nd frets, the blocks behind the 1st, 3rd, and 10th frets angled
Nut: bone
Bridge: ebony
Tailpiece: 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 steel rollers and ivoroid heads
Rosette: oval soundhole bound with ivoroid; rosette comprised of light and black hardwood herringbone inlay surrounded on each side by red and black hardwood checkerboard inlay
Pick guard: black celluloid with nickel-plated brass mounting bracket; later philips’ head screws
Lacquer: dark brown with subtle sunburst; possibly later or oversprayed
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: 985 mm (38-25/32″)
Back length: 439 mm (17-9/32″)
Upper bout width: 170 mm (6-11/16″)
Center bout width: 167 mm (6-9/16″)
Lower bout width: 317 mm (12-1/2″)
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 76 mm (3″)
Rib height, at center bout: 64 mm (2-17/32″)
Rib height, at bottom: 92 mm (3-5/8″)
Head length: 148 mm (5-13/16″)
Head width, top: 68 mm (2-21/32″)
Head width, bottom: 56 mm (2-3/16″)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 411 mm (16-3/16″)
Neck width, nut: 31 mm (1-7/32″)
Neck width, heel: 42 mm (1-21/32″)
Soundhole length: 117 mm (4-19/32″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 684 mm (26-15/16″)
Published ReferencesAppears in the film short Hula Heaven, 1937
Anthony Lis, “The Peabody Instruments,” B. M. G. No. 868, Winter 2012, pp. 100-101.
Credit LineEddie Peabody Collection. Gift of George Peabody, 2012
Object number14655
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