Top of the line offering from Vega's post-war period, a gleaming Vox IV Deluxe model plectrum banjo, one of the most desirable instruments for four string players for decades; a great playing banjo, with rich and dynamic tone...impressive. This banjo was comprised of parts from the early 1960s and were likely assembled and recolored by Barney Bernard, with slightly earlier metal parts (Tubaphone tonering, bracket band, large shoes/posts, hexagonal shoe screws, Elton armrest), with later Oettinger style tailpiece; transitional lightly stained maple/holly dowel stick with only serial number stamp from 1950s (no make or model) with repaired hairline cracks on either end; gorgeous painted white plastic resonator in style IV motif with floral and model designs; two replaced mounting screws; costume diamonds adorn the front of the flange and look fantastic; back of resonator has extra pieces of binding replaced. The multi piece maple plectrum neck has a bound ebony fingerboard, mild fret wear, engraved pearl block inlays (etching worn in many areas), with emblematic peghead overlay, four gold plated reverse gear Firebird tuners on back of peghead; the neck was converted from the small single rod style of the late 50s and early 60s to a dowel stick; no truss rod, but banjo plays fantastically with little relief present. Some cosmetic wear present on back of neck, with some chipping/roughness on resonator. A nice playing banjo with low action, some minor fret wear