Primo Pots


updated 3/5/2010

Click on any image for a larger view
Offering a selection of primo banjo pots for those who believe that the very best sounding banjos might just be those that have already been made. Why settle for "sounds as good as" when you can have the mystical pre-war sound from a genuine pre-war banjo pot? Life is short. Work Hard, Do Your Best, Keep Your Word, Never Get Too Big For Your Britches, Trust In God and Never Forget a Friend.

Always seeking old banjos, guitars, guitar parts, etc. Been known to trade primo banjo pots for leads resulting in the purchase of high quality vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukes, etc..Top Prices Paid for clean original stuff.

The "more photos" link will bring up a page with more photos and Paypal BUY NOW button for convenient online purchases.
Photo Notes Photo
1929 Vega "VEGAPHONE PROFESSIONAL"- original 10 15/16" tubaphone with original hardware and original finish. Factory dowel marked "Vegaphone Professional", numbers match, tarnished original hooks, orig closed end nuts, one hole in rim..includes endbolt, neckbrace.$675. More Photos
1925 Vega "VEGAPHONE"- clean 10 15/16" tubaphone with ALL original hardware and original finish. Factory dowel marked "Vegaphone" retained so the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...original calfskin head.. includes endbolt, neckbrace. closed end nuts.$700. More Photos
1931 Vega "WHYTE LAYDIE"- clean 10 15/16" Whyte Laydie with ALL original hardware and rare original dark finish. Factory dowel marked "Whyte Laydie Style R" retained so the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace. More Photos
1926 Vega "VEGAPHONE"- clean 10 15/16" tubaphone with ALL original hardware and original finish. Factory dowel marked "Vegaphone" retained so the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace. CLOSED end nuts. $725 More Photos
1927 Vega "TUBAPHONE" M Oversize pot- original 11 13/16" tubaphone M with original finish. Factory dowel marked "Tubaphone Style M" retained so the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace. OPEN end nuts. Remo Fiberskyn head. $895. More Photos

1912 Fairbanks-Vega "WHYTE LAYDIE"- rare 10 1/8" Whyte Laydie with ALL original hardware and original finish. Factory dowel marked "WHYTE LAYDIE" retained so the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace. CLOSED end nuts. $775. More Photos
1927 Vega "REGENT" pot- original 10 15/16" REGENT with original finish. Factory dowel marked "REGENT" retained so the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace & hardware. calfskin head. $375. More Photos

1960s Vega "WONDER" - Neat post-war 10 15/16" WONDER pot with original finish. Factory label with serial number and model intact so the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, lag bolts, coordinator rods & all clean original hardware....$325. More Photos
1920s 10 3/4" VEGA-style Bracket Band banjo pot - original 10 3/4" mystery bracket-band banjo pot made in the Vega Style but unmarked. Original dowel and ferrule....includes endbolt, neckbrace, orig round hooks & closed end nuts...$375. More Photos
Pre War Bacon "Orchestra" Open Back Banjo Pot- Neat old 11" diameter Bacon with original fittings. Factory dowel retained (flush with rim so will need new tenon).. the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace. original hooks & nuts...$300. More Photos
1920s B&D "Peerless" Resonator Banjo Pot- Neat old 11" diameter B&D with original fittings ,finish and "bell" resonator flange! Factory dowel retained (little "ouch" to the tenon so it may need to be rebuilt) .. the numbers match and the integrity of the pot is maintained for posterity sake...not an "orphan"...includes endbolt, neckbrace. original hooks & nuts. Orig resonator & flange..$325. More Photos
1920s 10 3/4" SLINGERLAND banjo pot (unmarked)- original 10 3/4" open back maple banjo pot attributed to Slingerland but unmarked. Original dowel stick, endbolt, neckbrace, orig finish...$125. More Photos
1920s 11" GRETSCH banjo pot (unmarked)- original 11" wood banjo pot attributed to Gretsch but unmarked. Similar to Little Wonder in construction. Original dowel stick (flush with rim), endbolt, neckbrace, worn orig finish...$125. More Photos
1920s 11" CLAROPHONE banjo pot (unmarked)- original 11" banjo pot attributed to Gretsch but unmarked. Nifty built-in resonator back with port holes.. Original dowel stick, endbolt, neckbrace, orig finish...$150. More Photos
1920s 11" Closed Back Banjo Pot (unmarked)- original 11" unmarked banjo pot with very neat flush fit resonator back with F-holes.. Original dowel stick, endbolt, neckbrace, orig finish...$175. More Photos
1930s 11" Closed Back Banjo Pot (unmarked)- original 11" unmarked banjo pot with very neat flush fit figured maple resonator back.. Original dowel stick, endbolt, neckbrace, orig finish...$125. More Photos
1950s KAY OPEN BACK banjo pot - original US made Kay banjo pot with original mounting rod & calfskin head! Complete! $60. More Photos
1950s KAY Resonator banjo pot - original US made Kay banjo pot with original resonator & intact calfskin head! Complete! $90. More Photos
1940s KAY Resonator banjo pot - original US made BLONDE Kay 1-piece flange pot, original resonator & intact calfskin head! Complete! $125. More Photos
1960s KAY Resonator banjo pot - original US made Mahogany Kay 1-piece flange pot, original deep mahogany resonator & tight new head! Complete! $135. More Photos
circa 1900 spun banjo rim - original US made spun metal over wood banjo RIM ONLY with open seam tension hoop. AS IS $40. More Photos
Original Vega Two Point Shoe - limited supply of hard to find (i.e. expensive) original nickel plated brass "2 point" shoes original to all Vega bracket band models (whyte laydie, tubaphone) as well as many electric models. Available with either the special small brass screw for use with bracket band banjos OR the longer thru-rim screw for Electric models. $14.99 each postpaid. More Photos
Bacon Banjo Catalog- fine reprint of the orig 12 pg catalog from the Forest Dale, Vermont days. Features 5 string "Professional" and "Grand Concert" (internal resonator) models as well as accessories ("No Knot", Kerschner tpc) etc. Truly a "must have" reprint $3.50 (add $2.00 postage) More Photos



"Ungerphone" using Primo 10 3/4" Tubaphone Pot



I recently took a hit on a banjo purchased from Bill's Music in Maryland. (Ebay user ID: billsmusic) The photos , strategically provided to keep undisclosed damage hidden, did not show obvious, extensive damage to the interior of the banjo. Contacted the seller who claimed all sales were "final with no returns". Not the kind of folks I want to do business with again.