Posted -: 08:28:44 I just bought a Vega LW openback (on eBay) and was wondering how old it is. (& if I paid too much -$400) I haven't received it yet, (hoping to sometime next week). The pix that were sent to me show that it has a square wood truss bar with 96744 stamped on it.

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It also has the Vega Co -Boston USA- and 'Little Wonder' stamped into the bar. It looks as if it is 21 or 22 frets to the rim (I had heard that the original LW's were only 17 or 19 frets to the pot.) with a double dot inlays at 7, 12 & at the last fret. The 5th peg is Grover solid steel (looks like) a friction, but the peghead tuners are white and look to be the offset straight peg machine tuners. (Someone installed a sliding 5th string capo at some time). Can anyone tell me anything about this banjo? Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum Edited by - Nide44 on 08:42:18.

Posted -: 08:39:48 Bob - if you aren't acquainted with Mugwumps. 7 Days To Die Crack Download on this page. com, they're a wonderful resource for info on vintage banjos. They have a page on Vega - Fairbanks at this URL. Looks like yours was made between 1930 and 1935. Little Wonder banjos (and similar tone ring Style N's) are, in my opinion, one of the best-value (based on what they sell for on eBay) vintage banjos.

Mark Ralston A man comes to this world naked and bare; He goes through life with troubles and care; He departs this life and goes we don’t know where; But he’ll be all right there if he lives all right here...... Uncle Dave Macon. Posted -: 09:53:39 quote: Originally posted by mralston Bob - if you aren't acquainted with Mugwumps.com, they're a wonderful resource for info on vintage banjos. They have a page on Vega - Fairbanks at this URL.

Looks like yours was made between 1930 and 1935. Little Wonder banjos (and similar tone ring Style N's) are, in my opinion, one of the best-value (based on what they sell for on eBay) vintage banjos. Mark Ralston Thanks Msrk I'd had that link, before I had a crash last Xmas- and forgot about it.

Thanks for giving it to me. Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum. Posted -: 14:57:13 quote: Originally posted by Bill Rogers That's a good price for a 5-string LW. The neck may or may not be original. The 17- and 19-fret banjos were tenors. Vega made 5-string LWs, but not very many.

Those Grover permatension pegs were used in the 60s and 70s. They screw in.

If you replace it, be sure to remove the little setscrew that keeps it from turning, then carefully back the peg out using appropriate pliers or wrench. If you can put some pix up, we might be able to tell you more.

Bill Bill, I've got 9 or 10 close up pix in.jpg format, and all of them pasted in a Word file as well, but am 'puiter illiterate & don't know how to put them up here at BHO. They're on my work 'puter (that's where I was this morinin when I put the topic up). I tried to copy/paste in the original topic, but that didn't work.

If ya tell me how, when I get to work on Mon. I'll try to put them up. Thanks for all the info and help, everyone. Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum. Posted -: 15:25:40 quote: Originally posted by wfawley Vega's 5 string 'LIttle Wonder' model, was marketed and branded as the 'Regent'.so if it's got a 5 string neck, it's not original.

I'd say if the work was nicely done, you got a great deal. Wyatt Correct but incomplete. I will fill in the rest: The original five string and 4 string plectrum versions of the Little Wonder are the Regent. These have ebony fretboards, heavy duty round hooks and notched stretcher bands. The Senator was the 5 string and plectrum version of the Style N. These have grooved stretcher bands, lighter hooks and mystery wood (dyed pear?) fretboards.

All the above have Little Wonder tone rings. These are 'half-clad' nickel plated brass sleeves over a 1/4' steel hoop.

I have one each: Little Wonder and N tenors, Senator plectrum and Regent original 5 string. Also a 1919 TU-BA-Phone plectrum, a Vegaphone plectrum converted to 5 string and a 60s Pete Seeger. I sold my mid '20s Style 3 Tubaphone original 5 string. $400 is a good price for a Little Wonder tenor.

Already converted to 5 string, I'll say that you made out -- assuming that the neck is good. Mike Halloran Edited by - mikehalloran on 15:27:34.

Posted -: 07:53:10 quote: Originally posted by mikehalloran $400 is a good price for a Little Wonder tenor. Already converted to 5 string, I'll say that you made out -- assuming that the neck is good. Mike Halloran If it is a 1931 LW, would it be a conversion? Who did the conversion? I don't think it was aftermarket, but I don't know. The dowel is stamped with the Vega name & it also is stamped Little Wonder. Did Vega take the 4 string pot and put a Vega 5 string neck on it, then sell it?

This one has the inlaid star at the peghead, not the name Vega spelled out. Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum. Posted -: 07:23:42 >If it is a 1931 LW, would it be a conversion?Did Vega take the 4 string pot and put a Vega 5 string neck on it, then sell it?This one has the inlaid star at the peghead, not the name Vega spelled out. Posted -: 08:22:58 quote: Originally posted by mikehalloran. Someone made a reproduction of an older style Whyte Laydie or Regent neck.

It is not likely that they would have put an original Vega neck on a Little Wonder. Whoever did the conversion re-used the original dowel stick.. >This one has the inlaid star at the peghead, not the name Vega spelled out. Posted -: 09:44:58 >I guess I'll have to wait til its delivered, to be able to answer these questions. Posted -: 10:04:37 Well, its delivered!!

Gotta put new strings on, tho- these are rusty and terrible. Gotta change the bridge ansd clean it up some, but it looks in good condition. Mike, I took your posting advice and put the pix on my home page, here at BHO.

If you can go there, and look at my pix - its 'Vega LW' album? Dunno if I can get them onto this page tho-I'll haveta play with that. The rim has a different serial # than the dowel. Dowel is 96744 Rim is 97933 Scale from nut to bridge seems to be 27 (I'll haveta re-measure with a tape, it. Did it with a plastic 12' ruler) Thanks, gotta go- I'm at work. Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum.

Posted -: 08:44:09 The dowel is not original to the neck and it is older than the rim. The neck is interesting. It is not a Vega neck. It is the correct scale for a Professional sized (10 15/16') pot and has a truss rod (Vega didn't use those for another 20 years). Although at first glance, it looks like it came from an Asian banjo, the 27' scale and the fairly nice workmanship indicate that it was hand made to fit a Vega banjo, probably this one. As many have indicated, you made out at $400 -- even if the neck was junk. I am a big fan of matching the correct scale to the right pot on a Vega.

And 27' - 27 1/4' is correct for this banjo. The reason that no one outbid you is that the headstock, in my opinion, is ugly and inappropriate for this instrument.

That is easily fixed and wouldn't cost very much. If you are good with a coping saw, you could do it yourself. The peg head has enough real estate that it can be re-shaped into one of the Vega shapes and have a dyed pearwood overlay glued to the top. The correct inlay is none at all but many like the old Whyte Laydie #2 star in the correct place - easily done. I would get a matching wood truss rod cover.

The only issue that I see is that the peg spacing might not allow re-shaping without plugging and re-drilling but the overlay would cover that up. There are many on this board who could do the work and it would be far less expensive than a new neck -- assuming you like the feel of that neck. If you like the sound but don't like the neck -- well there are many other options, too.

You can also leave it as-is at no cost at all and enjoy the heck out of it. Mike Halloran. Posted -: 11:26:14 Thank you, Mike. New strings and a changed, heavier 5/8' Grover bridge (I am 99.9% CH style), made it warm and rich sounding..I like it, so far. The bridge it came with musta been for BG player cuz it had overtones and a ringy sound in the high range. I think I might loosen the head a bit to bring it to a bit of a thunk fer CH. I definitely need an arm rest and mebbe will put a no-knot TP on it.

This one is very difficult to re-string. (PIA) The action is still close enough for easy hammers and pull-offs. I'll haveta see if I get used to it as its slightly different (but then all of mine are slightly different- that's what makes playing them fun enough that the change is a welcome one) This one seems to be set up pretty well. It doesn't seem to have a tone ring, though. But it has a lot of volume and projection so that it sounds as if it does have one. Is that normal for a '30's LW - no tone ring?

I'm learning a lot about this little 'find' of mine. Think I'll keep it Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum Edited by - Nide44 on 11:31:59.

Posted -: 14:26:07 Like I said, rich and warm. Good highs and lows. Projection almost as good as my alum. Pot 'Christy'. Dunno if the diameter is different at the head or the bottom. Haven't thought to measure that.

It looks like a 10 15/16 pot if measure is O.D. Of rim, but I measured across the drum head. Of the bottom of the rim supposed to be different?

'Curiouser & Curiouser'.' Alice' (in Wonderland). Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum - 1930-1935 Vega 'Little Wonder', w/custom 5 string neck Edited by - Nide44 on 14:29:40. Posted -: 06:14:07 Well, I guess this isn't technically a LW w/o the tone ring. Just the dowel and the rim (with two different serial #'s), but she sure sounds sweet to me.

It's a conversion of some sort, but I sure wish the neck had a Vega pattern to the peghead. (Just a cosmetic thing). Bob B - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum - 1930-1935 Vega ('Little Wonder'!?!), w/custom 5 string neck Edited by - Nide44 on 10:22:11.

Posted -: 07:54:57 Update: Just wanted to thank all of you for the kind help and assistance on identifying and background on this banjo. Thank you very much. I have one more question though. If I wanted to change the tuners (all 5) on this neck, do you think I'd have to drill/ream out the holes to accept what I can get on the market today (at a reasonable price).

StewMac, Elderly, & JDM sells replacement tuner sets, but they require 1/4' holes. I haven't tried to take a tuner off, yet-to see what size holes are there, but I had to open the holes on my 'Christy' and my old student model Gretsch when I put machine tuners in to replace the friction ones.

The 5th string tuner was a 'b*tch' to remove.! I followed instructions given here, to do it-but nothing would work on the Christy & the Gretsch was too big a hole to start with. It falls out, every time I change strings or loosen it, & I'm unsure about how to properly re-set it without permanently gluing it, and be unable to change it if I need/want to. Maybe I should start a new thread on this repair, in the repair forum. Anyhow, thanks to all who helped me. This is a great site, with really caring people. Bob B My Level?

- '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum - 1930-1935 Vega ('Little Wonder'!?!), w/custom 5 string neck. Posted -: 15:02:37 The 4 regular tuners look pretty standard and any modern peg should fit. The 5th peg looks like an old Grover that actually screws into the neck and then has a tiny set screw to lock it in place.

If I recall, the hole it's in may be too big for a modern geared peg. Unless you're a good woodworker, I'd leave the 5th string replacement to a pro. I did it on my 1969 Vega and did a lousy job - it's still in there but it ain't pretty. Is there anything wrong with the others? They look like regular pancake style tuners.

Posted -: 17:36:56 The assertion that 'Little Wonder' is a monicker attached to the tone ring itself.is incorrect. The 'Little Wonder' was always blonde in color, and always a tenor. Later examples have flanges and resonators.but are blonde and do have what we call a little wonder ring today. The style N also used this same tone ring.but it's a style N.not a little wonder.because of the other appointments.mahogany tenor neck and rim stained to match.4 dots in a dyed pearwood fingerboard, and lesser tension hoop (without notches). The banjo models took all appointments into consideration.where today some tend to just consider the tone ring. An othrwise 'Little Wonder' appointed banjo.but in a plectrum or 5 string version was dubbed 'Regent'.while a 'Style N' in plectrum or 5 string was called the 'Senator'.

Neither model name refers to the tone ring. That's something that modern day collectors use as an identifier.and it's partially correct at best. Wyatt If you happen to be down at Wall Street.pick me up a dozen eggs. Posted -: 06:29:36 quote: Originally posted by rexhunt The 4 regular tuners look pretty standard and any modern peg should fit. The 5th peg looks like an old Grover that actually screws into the neck and then has a tiny set screw to lock it in place. If I recall, the hole it's in may be too big for a modern geared peg.

Unless you're a good woodworker, I'd leave the 5th string replacement to a pro. I did it on my 1969 Vega and did a lousy job - it's still in there but it ain't pretty. Is there anything wrong with the others? They look like regular pancake style tuners.Rex 2 of the 4 slip badly unless I tighten so much that its difficult to turn.

But then they loosen up again fairly quickly. Lock-Tite (or similar)?

I use it regularly at work, but never have put it on a tuner screw before. Actually the 5th holds tune- pretty well, if I tighten down.just a 'tad'. But it isn't as easy to get in tune, as a geared tuner. I've looked at the 5th and it does seem to have a 'key' on the side of it, and has a hex-nut flange for a turning type installation. Bob B My Level? - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum - 1930-1935 Vega ('Little Wonder'!?!), w/custom 5 string neck Edited by - Nide44 on 06:40:07. Posted -: 08:14:35 quote: Originally posted by rexhunt Those tuners that are slipping probably just need new washers.

4 to 1 or the old 2 to 1 tuners are going to slip under tension and are partialy friction anyway. You can get replacement leather washers cheaper than new tuners.

Rex Thanx, Rex, OK-I'll go to the repair forum to find out where to get them & how to do it- unless you have any info for me. Bob B My Level? - '66 Gretsch openback - modified - Late 60's 'Christy' Open Back, Long-neck - 1921 Ludwig 'Dixie' plectrum - 1930-1935 Vega ('Little Wonder'!?!), w/custom 5 string neck.