The Session >> Discussions >> Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
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Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
I found a couple of websites which mention a new Deering tenor banjo, seems to be in price range between the Goodtime 2's and the Boston tenors. Selling on one American website n America for about $1100. Ebony fretboard, 17 frets, open back...but no pictures. Does anyone own one of these, and if so, do you have any pictures?
Also, why is no one in America selling the Gold Tone SS-250F model, seems Andysbanjo in the UK is the only site which carries it; is it a discontinued model? The Gold Tone website doesn't even have it.
Is there an American banjo company (OK, Chinese American) marketing only certain tenor banjos in Europe/UK and nowhere else due to the larger popularity of ITM in the UK/Ireland?
Do my sentences run on?
Finally, does anyone out there possess enough currency to plunk down $6000 plus on a Deering Vega Pro tenor? And if so how does it match up to a vintage model which could be had for 17% of that price?
Yes, I am looking for a banjo and had it narrowed down to a Gold tone IT-250 or the 250F (Irish tenor 17 fret); or maybe this new Deering Vega or maybe a Goodtime Classic 19 string, or going the vintage route but honestly I do not possess patience to be playing around with neck tension and string height issues. I know once I walk out of the shop my Deeiring or Gold Tone goes down in value. I've been tooling around on an old Kay 60's tenor banjo and want an instrument I plan to keep and play so loss of value during my stay on this Earth means nothing to me.
But do the vintage BD, Vegas, Orpheums, Langes, etc, really sound that much better than a quality Gold Tone or Deering tenor? Unfortunately there are few banjo stores here in Chicago for me to be making comparisons. The biggest banjo stores I've found here are Andy's Music on the North Side and the Old Town School's music store, also on the north side. Unfortunately, since we're here in America, their on hand stock is about 95% 5-strings. Also, neither of them carry any vintage tenors at all. One carries Deering and has 2 tenors on the floor and the Gold Tone dealer has ZERO tenors on hand for comparisons.
I find it funny that all these tenor banjos, from the new makers like Gold Tone and Deerings to the vintages, are ALL American companies and it seems none of their tenor banjo stock is on showroom floors in the US. Chicago is one of the epicenters of ITM in the States (and let's not forget modern jazz and blues), and I can find 2 tenor banjos on showroom floors, both new Deerings. I always believed it's best to try out an instrument before investing hundreds (thousands?) of dollars for it, but this situation makes it almost impossible. Thank god for the internet, or else I don't think I would even have a chance to see what a vintage tenor looks like.
All that said, it it really more beneficial, sounq quality-wise, to search for a decent vintage over getting a decent new model which would not have any missing brackets, corroded tailpieces, broken skins, bowed necks, rusty strings, tattered cases, etc? Since I seem destined to buy a new one from a local dealer or a vintage one online, these are my concerns. I don't want to be playing my $700 Gold Tone at a session when someone walks in with a 1920s Tubaphone which blows me away. So, is there THAT much difference in sound? I know the question lends itself to much subjective interpretation (I've alrealy scanned previous threads) but I just want a decent tenor for about $700 to $1000 which won't cost me another $150 trip to a luthier shop. I just want an honest answer which is as objective as possible before I take this leap of faith.
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
i cant answer your original question.
you will easily find an old tenor for the price you want.
you need to search old threads here for good US vintage banjo dealers, cant remember the names offhand, but there are some with good reputations.
andybanjo may list a slightly different model number because he tweaks the standard model, adding and removing bits to improve the banjo. i suggest you email him.
buying a gold tone via him, to the us, will be expensive
i have tried a few gold tones, didnt like them at all
theres nothing wrong with the goodtime range, but they are designed to be "affordable" and certain corners are cut (eg on the 5 string, the frets are built straight into the neck-no fingerboard, and the nut is plastic)
i know nothing about the new little wonder.
i assume it is designed around the original (1920s) Vega little wonder.
a good solid tenor, frighteningly loud with razor CUT, unless you damp the head; I fill mine with molasses.
my only critisism of this banjo is that it is perhaps tooooo loud
you will definately find an original vega little wonder in the us for sub $1000,
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
ralphus,
One of the truths about banjos is that there is always a better banjo somewhere :grin:
Gold Tone banjos are pretty good instruments for the money and you can get the same banjo as Andy Perkins sells from Gold Tone as their instruments are modular in design. You might contact Paul Roberts at http://www.banjocrazy.com and ask if he can get one special made for you. He tends to have the lowest prices and is very easy to work with.
Modern high end tenor banjos are very good instruments. They are the culmination of years of experimenting and development and are made from the finest materials. They are also very expensive. If you are willing to learn about setup and fixing older instruments, you can get some very nice banjos for a lot less money, but you have to take a chance in the mean time. I suggest you start with the GT banjo and work from there.
Most banjos need setup when they first arrive. Banjos are assembled from parts and a lot of the parts loosen in transit. In addition heads are still stretching if the banjo is new and heads have to be periodically tightened as they loosen. There is an optimal setup that works for each banjo and as an owner you often have to find it yourself.
Right now I have four banjos considered desireable in Irish music. They are all setup well, they all sound great, and one of them just blows me away. That is a matter of preference, mostly, but there will always be a banjo out there that is better than yours. (You can check mine out on youtube, just put in "Mick Moloney Miss Maxwell" without the quotes and you should find it.)
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
well.
i had this whole thing last year. i went vintage, and i'm happy with my orpheum no. 1. the action / tension is a compromise, but i'm used to it now.
i don't know how much you like driving but there's a place in Rochester called Bernunzio which is like Aladdin's banjo cave. If you want choice and great service i recommend them thoroughly. I've only dealt with them online (i live in orkney) but what i saw on the web was what i got, it was well packaged and they were more than happy to set it the way i wanted at no extra cost - i had them change skin for plastic.
that's what i'd do if i was as (comparativeley) close to Rochester and i had serious cash to spend. check out their website.
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
I can second the Bernuzio recommendation as a good place to shop for vintage banjos, and I 'm sure once Reverend checks this thread, he too will be able to offer loads of good advice on vintage stuff since he has rebuilt many makes and models.
I have a Gold Tone IT-250, and added a snuffy smith bridge and play it with heavy bronze octave mandolin strings from John Pearse. I find the tone quality as good if not better than most vintage players I run into. Granted, most vintage players I run into are in desperate need of a proper set up, but that is another story - For the money (and my skill level) The GT IT-250 is a fine instrument. Furthermore, it doesn't overwhelm my session mates with volume - in fact it sits in the mix rather well with four or five other players.
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
For Mike Keys
re: (You can check mine out on youtube, just put in "Mick Moloney Miss Maxwell" without the quotes and you should find it.)
I checked it out and the banjo sounds great, but I can't tell from the video what kind of banjo it is. Can you enlighten me?
One more question... I have a large pot Tubaphone and am considering a mylar (clear) head. People keep saying it will sound to "tinny" or "thin", but nobody I spoken with has actually HEARD a Tubaphone with a clear head. Any thoughts Mike?
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
That is a Gibson TB-7 and my favorite banjo. Top Tension banjos have a distinct sound and weigh a ton due to all the metal in them.
I just got a large pot tubaphone the other day and have a Remo head on it. This head seems to be fairly thick (as the older Remos tend to be) and I think it stifles the sound a little. The large head (11 13/16") Vega Tubaphones have a lot of bass, a factor that I like, and the one I have is loud. I don' t know what it would sound like with a clear head, in fact I don't know if you can find a clear head for it, but I do know that the smaller (10 15/16" or 10 5/8") heads don't do well with a clear head as they tend to be very bright instruments to begin with.
I am going to put a Ren head on mine to see how it responds. I also have a purpleheart/sapele bridge (which is a little more bassy) and a vintage Waverly tailpiece on it in order to give it more presence which the instrument has in spades.
I think that you can manipulate the large head tubaphone to almost any sound you like even with a clear head, it is mostly in the setup. Vegas will cut through a session pretty easily, it is the nature of the design, but it won't have to be tinny.
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
I purchased a Gold tone IT 250 from the Gold Tone Shop in Titusville a few months back . For the money , I am 100%satisifed with it. It works well for me. I was not knowledgable enough to deal with the 'Vintage Banjo' quest.
The IT 250 is a very decent IT Banjo!!
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
Thanks all for your advice. I have run into several Little Wonders (vintage) online these last couple of weeks and just let one slip through my fingers on eBay which went for $227.50! Pictures were kinda weak, but it looked to be in pretty good shape. Now all I find in decent shape are $500 and up. It seems no one yet has tried the new Deering Little Wonder tenor? From what I've found out it's a 17 fret openback. Best price I've seen is about $1100 which is a little steep for me but if it is getting raves I might dig in the pocket a little deeper. Still haven't discounted the Gold Tone route either, but would really like to try one to check its volume. The session I usually attend has at least 8 players, sometimes more. Does the IT-250 Whyte Ladie ring match up to its vintage counterpart?
Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
I found a couple of websites which mention a new Deering tenor banjo, seems to be in price range between the Goodtime 2's and the Boston tenors. Selling on one American website n America for about $1100. Ebony fretboard, 17 frets, open back...but no pictures. Does anyone own one of these, and if so, do you have any pictures?
Also, why is no one in America selling the Gold Tone SS-250F model, seems Andysbanjo in the UK is the only site which carries it; is it a discontinued model? The Gold Tone website doesn't even have it.
Is there an American banjo company (OK, Chinese American) marketing only certain tenor banjos in Europe/UK and nowhere else due to the larger popularity of ITM in the UK/Ireland?
Do my sentences run on?
Finally, does anyone out there possess enough currency to plunk down $6000 plus on a Deering Vega Pro tenor? And if so how does it match up to a vintage model which could be had for 17% of that price?
Yes, I am looking for a banjo and had it narrowed down to a Gold tone IT-250 or the 250F (Irish tenor 17 fret); or maybe this new Deering Vega or maybe a Goodtime Classic 19 string, or going the vintage route but honestly I do not possess patience to be playing around with neck tension and string height issues. I know once I walk out of the shop my Deeiring or Gold Tone goes down in value. I've been tooling around on an old Kay 60's tenor banjo and want an instrument I plan to keep and play so loss of value during my stay on this Earth means nothing to me.
But do the vintage BD, Vegas, Orpheums, Langes, etc, really sound that much better than a quality Gold Tone or Deering tenor? Unfortunately there are few banjo stores here in Chicago for me to be making comparisons. The biggest banjo stores I've found here are Andy's Music on the North Side and the Old Town School's music store, also on the north side. Unfortunately, since we're here in America, their on hand stock is about 95% 5-strings. Also, neither of them carry any vintage tenors at all. One carries Deering and has 2 tenors on the floor and the Gold Tone dealer has ZERO tenors on hand for comparisons.
I find it funny that all these tenor banjos, from the new makers like Gold Tone and Deerings to the vintages, are ALL American companies and it seems none of their tenor banjo stock is on showroom floors in the US. Chicago is one of the epicenters of ITM in the States (and let's not forget modern jazz and blues), and I can find 2 tenor banjos on showroom floors, both new Deerings. I always believed it's best to try out an instrument before investing hundreds (thousands?) of dollars for it, but this situation makes it almost impossible. Thank god for the internet, or else I don't think I would even have a chance to see what a vintage tenor looks like.
All that said, it it really more beneficial, sounq quality-wise, to search for a decent vintage over getting a decent new model which would not have any missing brackets, corroded tailpieces, broken skins, bowed necks, rusty strings, tattered cases, etc? Since I seem destined to buy a new one from a local dealer or a vintage one online, these are my concerns. I don't want to be playing my $700 Gold Tone at a session when someone walks in with a 1920s Tubaphone which blows me away. So, is there THAT much difference in sound? I know the question lends itself to much subjective interpretation (I've alrealy scanned previous threads) but I just want a decent tenor for about $700 to $1000 which won't cost me another $150 trip to a luthier shop. I just want an honest answer which is as objective as possible before I take this leap of faith.
# Posted on December 8th 2008 by ralphus
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
i cant answer your original question.
you will easily find an old tenor for the price you want.
you need to search old threads here for good US vintage banjo dealers, cant remember the names offhand, but there are some with good reputations.
andybanjo may list a slightly different model number because he tweaks the standard model, adding and removing bits to improve the banjo. i suggest you email him.
buying a gold tone via him, to the us, will be expensive
i have tried a few gold tones, didnt like them at all
theres nothing wrong with the goodtime range, but they are designed to be "affordable" and certain corners are cut (eg on the 5 string, the frets are built straight into the neck-no fingerboard, and the nut is plastic)
i know nothing about the new little wonder.
i assume it is designed around the original (1920s) Vega little wonder.
a good solid tenor, frighteningly loud with razor CUT, unless you damp the head; I fill mine with molasses.
my only critisism of this banjo is that it is perhaps tooooo loud
you will definately find an original vega little wonder in the us for sub $1000,
alan hopkins, a vintage tenor specialist in the UK, has an old little wonder for sale here
http://www.cft-jhopkins.supanet.com/BANJO%204.htm
good luck
# Posted on December 9th 2008 by rumpole
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
ralphus,
One of the truths about banjos is that there is always a better banjo somewhere :grin:
Gold Tone banjos are pretty good instruments for the money and you can get the same banjo as Andy Perkins sells from Gold Tone as their instruments are modular in design. You might contact Paul Roberts at http://www.banjocrazy.com and ask if he can get one special made for you. He tends to have the lowest prices and is very easy to work with.
Modern high end tenor banjos are very good instruments. They are the culmination of years of experimenting and development and are made from the finest materials. They are also very expensive. If you are willing to learn about setup and fixing older instruments, you can get some very nice banjos for a lot less money, but you have to take a chance in the mean time. I suggest you start with the GT banjo and work from there.
Most banjos need setup when they first arrive. Banjos are assembled from parts and a lot of the parts loosen in transit. In addition heads are still stretching if the banjo is new and heads have to be periodically tightened as they loosen. There is an optimal setup that works for each banjo and as an owner you often have to find it yourself.
Right now I have four banjos considered desireable in Irish music. They are all setup well, they all sound great, and one of them just blows me away. That is a matter of preference, mostly, but there will always be a banjo out there that is better than yours. (You can check mine out on youtube, just put in "Mick Moloney Miss Maxwell" without the quotes and you should find it.)
MIke Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on December 9th 2008 by mikeyes
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
well.
i had this whole thing last year. i went vintage, and i'm happy with my orpheum no. 1. the action / tension is a compromise, but i'm used to it now.
i don't know how much you like driving but there's a place in Rochester called Bernunzio which is like Aladdin's banjo cave. If you want choice and great service i recommend them thoroughly. I've only dealt with them online (i live in orkney) but what i saw on the web was what i got, it was well packaged and they were more than happy to set it the way i wanted at no extra cost - i had them change skin for plastic.
that's what i'd do if i was as (comparativeley) close to Rochester and i had serious cash to spend. check out their website.
good luck
# Posted on December 9th 2008 by saltybrian
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
I can second the Bernuzio recommendation as a good place to shop for vintage banjos, and I 'm sure once Reverend checks this thread, he too will be able to offer loads of good advice on vintage stuff since he has rebuilt many makes and models.
For the money (and my skill level) The GT IT-250 is a fine instrument. Furthermore, it doesn't overwhelm my session mates with volume - in fact it sits in the mix rather well with four or five other players.
I have a Gold Tone IT-250, and added a snuffy smith bridge and play it with heavy bronze octave mandolin strings from John Pearse. I find the tone quality as good if not better than most vintage players I run into. Granted, most vintage players I run into are in desperate need of a proper set up, but that is another story -
# Posted on December 9th 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
For Mike Keys
re: (You can check mine out on youtube, just put in "Mick Moloney Miss Maxwell" without the quotes and you should find it.)
I checked it out and the banjo sounds great, but I can't tell from the video what kind of banjo it is. Can you enlighten me?
One more question... I have a large pot Tubaphone and am considering a mylar (clear) head. People keep saying it will sound to "tinny" or "thin", but nobody I spoken with has actually HEARD a Tubaphone with a clear head. Any thoughts Mike?
Thanks very much and keep up the good work!
# Posted on December 10th 2008 by dfost
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
That is a Gibson TB-7 and my favorite banjo. Top Tension banjos have a distinct sound and weigh a ton due to all the metal in them.
I just got a large pot tubaphone the other day and have a Remo head on it. This head seems to be fairly thick (as the older Remos tend to be) and I think it stifles the sound a little. The large head (11 13/16") Vega Tubaphones have a lot of bass, a factor that I like, and the one I have is loud. I don' t know what it would sound like with a clear head, in fact I don't know if you can find a clear head for it, but I do know that the smaller (10 15/16" or 10 5/8") heads don't do well with a clear head as they tend to be very bright instruments to begin with.
I am going to put a Ren head on mine to see how it responds. I also have a purpleheart/sapele bridge (which is a little more bassy) and a vintage Waverly tailpiece on it in order to give it more presence which the instrument has in spades.
I think that you can manipulate the large head tubaphone to almost any sound you like even with a clear head, it is mostly in the setup. Vegas will cut through a session pretty easily, it is the nature of the design, but it won't have to be tinny.
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on December 11th 2008 by mikeyes
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
Thanks very much Mike, for this, and all the other good advice you've shared in the past.
I would sure appreciate hearing how you end up setting up your large pot tubaphone once you get it where you want it.
# Posted on December 12th 2008 by dfost
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
I purchased a Gold tone IT 250 from the Gold Tone Shop in Titusville a few months back . For the money , I am 100%satisifed with it. It works well for me. I was not knowledgable enough to deal with the 'Vintage Banjo' quest.
The IT 250 is a very decent IT Banjo!!
# Posted on December 15th 2008 by firnatine
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
Thanks all for your advice. I have run into several Little Wonders (vintage) online these last couple of weeks and just let one slip through my fingers on eBay which went for $227.50! Pictures were kinda weak, but it looked to be in pretty good shape. Now all I find in decent shape are $500 and up. It seems no one yet has tried the new Deering Little Wonder tenor? From what I've found out it's a 17 fret openback. Best price I've seen is about $1100 which is a little steep for me but if it is getting raves I might dig in the pocket a little deeper. Still haven't discounted the Gold Tone route either, but would really like to try one to check its volume. The session I usually attend has at least 8 players, sometimes more. Does the IT-250 Whyte Ladie ring match up to its vintage counterpart?
# Posted on December 17th 2008 by ralphus
Re: Anyone know anything about the new Deering Vega No. 2 Little Wonder Tenor?
Theres the new Deering on ebay with pics:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Deering-Vega-Little-Wonder-Tenor-4-string-Banjo_W0QQitemZ380095631361QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item380095631361&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
# Posted on January 9th 2009 by ralphus