“The guitar was well packed and is set up to my liking! I would definitely do business with this company again!”
Deering Vega Vintage Star 5-String Banjo with Kavanjo Pickup and Hardshell Case
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$3,048.00
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Pickup available at 2520 W Main St
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Changed your mind? Return it undamaged within 14 days.
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Ships from Rapid City, SD. Free on orders over $100.
11,000+ five-star reviews on Reverb
Trusted by players nationwide since 1963.
Ships same or next day
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This brand new 6 lb 0 oz 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.
Built for the banjo player who wants the character and warmth of a late-19th-century instrument without giving up the consistency and playability of modern construction, the Deering Vega Vintage Star brings those two worlds together in a distinctive American-made banjo. Its design looks back to an important period in banjo history, centering on a Dobson-style tone ring whose origins trace to Henry Dobson's 1881 patent. Deering combines that historic concept with a large 12" rim, Renaissance head, knotless tailpiece, and contemporary construction to create an instrument intended to capture an unmistakably old-time personality.
The Dobson tone ring is fundamental to the Vintage Star's voice. Its brass construction is designed to balance a substantial low end with clear highs while introducing enough sustain to give individual notes dimension without sacrificing the rhythmic definition old-time players depend on. A thinner-walled, three-ply violin-grade wood rim and 12" head contribute to the banjo's broad, open response, while the Deering Smile bridge and Knot-Less tailpiece complete a setup created specifically around a traditional old-time sound. That makes the Vintage Star particularly compelling for clawhammer, frailing, fiddle-and-banjo arrangements, folk, old-time ensembles, Americana, and solo playing where warmth, depth, and note character are as important as sheer volume.
Visually, the Vintage Star carries the same balance of vintage influence and modern refinement. Its smoky ebony fingerboard is decorated with exotic engraved hardwood inlays, while frosted bronze hypoallergenic hardware gives the metalwork an understated aged character and is complemented by a matched wooden Deering armrest. A Vega D-shaped neck, satin finish, planetary tuners, and geared fifth-string tuner provide the familiar functionality of a contemporary professional banjo without disrupting the instrument's deliberately traditional aesthetic.
This instrument also expands the Vintage Star's usefulness beyond purely acoustic settings with an installed Deering Kavanjo pickup system. The Kavanjo uses a magnetic humbucking pickup and output jack integrated with a customized Mylar head, allowing the banjo to be amplified without requiring an external preamp. Its purpose is straightforward: retain more of the banjo's tonal warmth, depth, and power while providing the output needed for amplified ensembles and larger performance environments. For a player moving between old-time acoustic sessions and the stage, the combination of the Vintage Star's Dobson-inspired acoustic character and the Kavanjo system creates an unusually versatile approach to a historically rooted five-string banjo. Available now at Haggerty’s Music, this banjo ships with a sturdy hardshell case.
Features / Specs
Highlights
- Instrument Type: 5-String Open-Back Banjo
- Series: Vega
- Model: Vintage Star
- Orientation: Right-Handed
- Electronics: Deering Kavanjo Pickup System
- Tone Ring: Dobson Tone Ring
- Scale Length: 26.25"
- Rim Diameter: 12"
Neck
- Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
- Neck Shape: Vega D Shape
- Neck Stain: Dark Walnut-Stained Maple
- Neck Finish: Satin
- Fingerboard Material: Smoky Ebony
- Fingerboard Inlays: Exotic Engraved Hardwood
- Number of Frets: 22
- Fret Material: Nickel Silver
- Nut Material: Ebony
- Nut Width: 1.25"
- Scale Length: 26.25"
Pot Assembly
- Rim Material: Thinner 3-Ply Violin-Grade Maple
- Rim Diameter: 12"
- Tone Ring: Dobson Tone Ring
- Head: 12" Renaissance Low Crown / Customized for Kavanjo Pickup System
- Tension Hoop: Beveled Steel
- Hooks & Nuts: 24 Flat J-Hooks with 0.281" Hex Nuts
- Armrest: Matched Wooden Deering Armrest
- Hardware Finish: Frosted Bronze Hypoallergenic Finish
- Pot Finish: Hand-Finished Satin Polyurethane
Hardware
- Tuning Machines: Deering Planetary Tuners with Black Buttons
- 5th String Tuner: Deering Gotoh Geared 5th String Tuner
- Bridge: 0.625" Deering Smile Bridge
- Tailpiece: Deering Knot-Less Tailpiece
- Hardware Finish: Frosted Bronze Hypoallergenic Finish
Electronics
- Pickup System: Deering Kavanjo
- Pickup Type: Magnetic Humbucking Banjo Pickup
- Installation: Pickup and Output Jack Integrated with Customized Mylar Head
- Preamp Required: No
Miscellaneous
- Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
- Serial Number: VUS-KU-BH48
- Manufacture Date: 2026
VUS-KU-BH48
Deering Vega Vintage Star 5-String Banjo with Kavanjo Pickup and Hardshell Case
$3,048.00
Customer reviews
11,000+ Five-Star Reviews On Reverb
What players say after the guitar arrives
“This is a beautiful guitar…appreciate the free setup and quick ship! Would purchase from this seller again…THANKS!”
“Thank you too for a wonderful experience and an amazing guitar. I appreciate the quick shipment and great customer service.”
“Very fast shipping, arrived in perfect condition, extremely well set up, no adjustments needed at all! Plays and looks great, exactly as advertised.”
“Fast shipping, and great communication from the seller. Pedal arrived quickly and was packaged really well. Would not hesitate to buy again.”
Very well packed! Would be happy to do business again! Thanks!
“Another masterpiece from Taylor. Great service and communication from Haggerty’s crew. Thanks!!!”
“Beautiful guitar, easy txn! Thank you so much! Looking forward to playing this guitar far into the future.”
“Fast shipping, great pedal. Buy with confidence these guys are great to work with!”
“Great shop! Awesome price, super fast shipping, and great packaging of an awesome new pedal! Thanks!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you set up every guitar before it ships?
Yes. Every guitar that leaves our store has been professionally inspected, set up, and signed off by the technician who worked on it. You will find a signed checklist inside the box when your order arrives.
How accurate are your condition descriptions?
We treat condition grading as a contractual promise, not an approximation. When we list something as excellent, that reflects a specific, consistent standard we apply across every instrument. We encourage you to call us before purchasing if you want a detailed in-hand description of any specific guitar.
Can I call and speak to someone about a guitar before I buy?
Yes, and we encourage it. Our team are working musicians, not order-takers. Call us at 605-348-6737 and ask about any instrument in our inventory. We will physically pull it off the wall and describe it to you in detail.
What is your return policy?
We offer a 14-day return policy if you change your mind and the item is returned undamaged. You are responsible for return shipping costs.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Financing options are available at checkout. Monthly payment options are designed to make high-ticket purchases more accessible without requiring full payment upfront.
How do you ship instruments?
Every instrument ships fully insured from our store in Rapid City, South Dakota. We offer free shipping on all website orders over $100. Guitars are packaged to survive transit, properly cased, braced, and protected.
Are you an authorized dealer?
Yes. We are an authorized dealer for Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Fender, and many other brands. We are currently the number one independent Taylor Guitars dealer in the world, an award we have received two years running for 2024 and 2025. We are also a Top 10 premium dealer for Martin, Gibson, and Fender.
Do you sell on Reverb and Amazon as well as your own site?
Yes. We are one of the top 15 resellers globally on Reverb, where we have accumulated over 11,000 five-star reviews. We are also one of the only independent premium dealers in the world authorized to sell Taylor and Martin on Amazon.
How long have you been in business?
Haggerty's Music has been open since 1963. Our store is located at 515 Mount Rushmore Road, Rapid City, South Dakota.
Do you offer instrument repair?
Yes. Our certified technicians handle everything from routine setups to full restorations across fretted, orchestral, and band instruments. Our team holds certifications from Taylor Guitars, Yamaha, and other leading brands. Learn more HERE.
What brands do you carry?
Our core guitar brands include Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Fender, PRS, Epiphone, Suhr, Eastman, Gretsch, Luxxtone, Novo, Jackson, Charvel, Legator, and Yamaha among others. These are also the most searched brands on our site, so each has a dedicated collection page.
Do you offer music lessons?
Yes. We offer music lessons. You can find out more HERE.
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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