.
Banjo Hangout Logo
Banjo Hangout Logo

Premier Sponsors

332
Banjo Lovers Online


Oct 2, 2024 - 7:29:58 PM
2 posts since 10/2/2024

I’m helping an elderly widowed neighbor sell her recently deceased husband’s things.
He had this Vegaphone Professional tenor banjo and I’m trying to find out what it’s worth and the best place to sell it.
I took it to a local music store and the resident banjo guru took the back off and said looks to be made in 1924 and probably worth in the neighborhood of $500 - $800.
Does this seem right to you guys?
I appreciate the help. Just trying to help out a very nice elderly neighbor.


 

Oct 2, 2024 - 7:44:41 PM
like this

15928 posts since 10/30/2008

I would have guessed no higher than $1000. The market for even very nice Vega tenors is thin. There are a LOT of them in the market.

If you can get $800 take it to the bank.

This seems like a nice package, with that nice hardshell case included.

Oct 3, 2024 - 10:09:50 AM
likes this

830 posts since 7/10/2012

I picked up a very similar instrument about 6 months ago for $450, but I had to drive a ways for a "local pick up and cash only" situation. I would think a lot of folks in the market for these would be luthiers looking to put a 5-string neck on the pot. Sometimes the price on instruments like these is set based on how quickly/easily folks want to unload them. If you post it for $500 plus shipping, it will likely go pretty quickly. If you set it for $800, it will likely hang out longer...

A little advice, though. First off, take the resonator off (it is very easy and non invasive) and take some pictures of the metal tone ring on the inside of the pot, it should be a tubaphone, which is a very popular tone ring, it is one the main selling point of an instrument like this. Mention the tubaphone in the listing as people search just for that word. Here is an example, note the tubaphone front and center: https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/106591 Also, note the serial number that will be on the dowel stick while you have the resonator off. Buyers will use that the see what year it was made, which can also be a selling point.

Good luck and good on ya for helping your neighbor.

David

Edited by - dpgetman on 10/03/2024 10:12:11

Oct 3, 2024 - 3:30:41 PM
like this

DSmoke

USA

1476 posts since 11/30/2015

I currently have 3 of these for sale in good condition ready to be setup for the buyers preferences and I am getting no interest at $950. The Vega Professional is one of the best bargains in the tenor world right now. A few years ago they were selling at $1,000 to $1,200 in good condition and setup ready to play, now they are hard to move. A private seller not being able to guarantee playability I would agree with the $500 to $800.

Oct 3, 2024 - 7:42:17 PM

2 posts since 10/2/2024

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I know a little about guitars but I’m lost on banjos.
I put it on CL and FB Marketplace for $750. Hopefully it sells.

Oct 5, 2024 - 6:18:32 PM

13267 posts since 10/27/2006

A Vegaphone Professional will often part out for more than one can sell the banjo as a whole. I would pay up to $100 for the tailpiece if the cover is hand-engraved (post a picture of it and I will know).

Dealers are getting in the $1,100–$1,300 range for complete banjos. They're asking for more, of course.

If you want to remove the resonator, do not use a screwdriver as that can bung up the screw. The correct tool costs exactly 1¢ and looks like this:


 

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent
Copyright 2025 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.





0.1879883