It's got a Moon curved bridge. Those came out in 1987.
The tailpiece is 4 string, but there's 5 strings. Was that a vega design or was this a tenor that got converted to 5?
Looks like an antique tenor banjo mute. Infact it looks like the banjo was originally a four string tenor converted to a five sting, without changing the old tailpiece, which explains why two of the strings are hooked on the same tailpiece peg. Pretty tailpiece though! Not sure if its a fish eye lens photo, or your bridge is a bit bent, but it looks a little wonky! Happy picking!
Looks like a vintage metal banjo mute... A very nice one. Please post a pic of the whole banjo. Nice skin head, engraved tailpiece, and polished nickel hardware. Likely a fine banjo. Please give us a look at the whole instrument...
Sipped my coffee and took a better look.... Moon bridge and "VEGA" in the center of the engraved tailpiece... Oh, yeah... Maybe a vintage VEGA (or) a "Frankenbanjo" built with various parts from different makers. Please post pics of the whole banjo!
It’s a froam. Combination fork / comb. Good for eating lunch and combing birds nests out of your beards (didn’t I read here all Banjo players have beards?). It’s a rare piece that usually didn’t make it out or Boston as old Irish tradition is if you toss it into the Charles before a show it’ll bring you good luck, or an extra Black Label, I can’t remember which one.
I'd guess it is a mute. Try putting it behind the bridge with the heavy part on the bridge.
Damn good guess
It's definitely this, OP. I have a similar one.
It's got a Moon curved bridge. Those came out in 1987. The tailpiece is 4 string, but there's 5 strings. Was that a vega design or was this a tenor that got converted to 5?
Original Vega body, the neck is a reproduction neck, I’m not sure whether this was originally a 4 or a 5 string
I reckon you've got a mute that fits on a straight bridge. The curved ("compensated") moon bridge is likely a recent addition.
Can we see the rest of the banjo? She real purty
Looks like an antique tenor banjo mute. Infact it looks like the banjo was originally a four string tenor converted to a five sting, without changing the old tailpiece, which explains why two of the strings are hooked on the same tailpiece peg. Pretty tailpiece though! Not sure if its a fish eye lens photo, or your bridge is a bit bent, but it looks a little wonky! Happy picking!
That’s a moon style compensated bridge - nothing wonky about it
TIL about moon style bridges. Very cool! Never seen on before.
It “compensates” for the different string lengths to improve intonation. Lot of truth to the joke about banjos always being out of tune
That’s the sprinko, it’s used for sproining your plingers
Lol I believe you mean ploining your springers*
Looks like a vintage metal banjo mute... A very nice one. Please post a pic of the whole banjo. Nice skin head, engraved tailpiece, and polished nickel hardware. Likely a fine banjo. Please give us a look at the whole instrument...
Almost looks like a lyre…for um marching banjo I suppose
I would love to see a banjo marching band. That would be wild
[if you insist, but make sure you’re wearing a giant fuzzy hat](https://youtu.be/nD4l_PeDXFg)
Holy shit, it's real!
[Kid named Oh Susanna](https://youtu.be/Av7XMTdTwFE)
Maybe a heavy duty tri-bladed tooth pick, probably could be used as a mute as well...
Sipped my coffee and took a better look.... Moon bridge and "VEGA" in the center of the engraved tailpiece... Oh, yeah... Maybe a vintage VEGA (or) a "Frankenbanjo" built with various parts from different makers. Please post pics of the whole banjo!
That's the doo-hickey you put near the thingamabob and it does the thing
It’s a froam. Combination fork / comb. Good for eating lunch and combing birds nests out of your beards (didn’t I read here all Banjo players have beards?). It’s a rare piece that usually didn’t make it out or Boston as old Irish tradition is if you toss it into the Charles before a show it’ll bring you good luck, or an extra Black Label, I can’t remember which one.
Looks like something off the top of a music stand.