Deering Vega Vintage Star 5-String Banjo - Cherry with Hardshell Case

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This brand new 5.6 lb Deering will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD.

Buy risk free with our 14 day - full refund, less shipping, return policy.  Check out our shop policies for more details.

A banjo built for players chasing authentic old-time tone without sacrificing modern craftsmanship, the Deering Vega Vintage Star delivers a rich, expressive voice rooted in tradition. Available right now at Haggerty’s Music, this beautifully crafted 5-string banjo draws inspiration from late 19th-century design while offering the reliability and playability today’s musicians demand.

At the heart of the Vintage Star is the historic Dobson tone ring — originally patented in 1881 — known for its warm, rounded low end, articulate highs, and balanced sustain. Paired with a 12" thinner 3-ply cherry rim and a renaissance head, this banjo produces a woody, open tone that’s ideal for clawhammer, frailing, and old-time styles. The quartersawn cherry neck not only adds visual warmth with its rich reddish hue, but also contributes to a slightly softer, more mellow tonal character compared to maple, all while maintaining clarity and projection.

Thoughtful design touches elevate both comfort and aesthetics, including a satin-finished Vega “D” profile neck, smoky ebony fingerboard with engraved hardwood inlays, and hypoallergenic frosted bronze hardware. A matching wooden armrest and knotless tailpiece round out the vintage-inspired build. Complete with a hardshell case, this instrument is ready for stage, studio, or front porch picking alike.

Features / Specs

General

• Number of Strings: 5-String
• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Build Style: Open Back Banjo
• Tone Ring: Dobson Tone Ring
• Case Included: Hardshell Case

Body / Pot

• Rim Material: 3-Ply Cherry
• Rim Diameter: 12"
• Tone Ring: Dobson
• Head: 12" Renaissance Low Crown
• Tension Hoop: Beveled Steel
• Hooks & Nuts: 24 Flat J-Hooks with 9/32" Hex Nuts
• Armrest: Matching Wooden Armrest
• Hardware Finish: Frosted Bronze (Hypoallergenic)
• Bridge: 5/8" Deering Smile Bridge
• Tailpiece: Deering Knotless
• Finish: Satin Polyurethane

Neck

• Neck Material: Quartersawn Cherry
• Neck Shape: Vega “D” Shape
• Neck Finish: Satin
• Neck Depth: 0.852" at 1st Fret, 0.840" at 12th Fret
• Scale Length: 26.25"
• Nut Width: 1.25"
• Fingerboard Material: Smoky Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlay: Exotic Engraved Hardwood Inlays
• Frets: 22 Nickel Silver

Hardware

• Tuners: Deering Planetary Tuners with Cream Buttons
• 5th String Tuner: Deering Gotoh Geared
• Nut Material: Ebony

Miscellaneous

• Strings: Deering Light Gauge
• Overall Length: 38"
• Serial Number: BE12
• Manufacture Date: 2025