Vega 20 string

[Tim Logan]

There is a Vega 10 string mandolin in the classifieds. Does anyone know if the body size on such mandolins were bigger than a standard mandolin? If not, was the standard body size sufficient to allow the two additional strings to resonate without any issues? It is an interesting mandolin. Thank you in advance.

[Jim Garber]

Wow! a 20 string! Must be a zither...

IIRC the one I had many years ago had the body of the regular 202 (mahogany back and sides) mandolin. There was a version with longer scale which may have used a mandola body. I am not sure.

[rcc56]

They made them both ways: mandolin body with mandolin scale; mandola body with mandola scale. I've seen at least two or three of the larger instruments.

To complicate matters, Vega's catalog called one a "mandolin-mandola" and the other a "mandola-mandolin." I don't recall which name fit which size, but it must have caused a real [@#$%] any time anyone tried to inquire about one.

[BradKlein]

Bob Page is a seller that you can have confidence dealing with. I've found him to be knowledgeable and informative and thoroughly professional.

[Tim Logan]

Thank you all!! Yes, I have communicated with Bob - very nice straight forward gentleman. I continue to drool over the Lyon & Healy mandola he has for sale - but alas there is only so much in the wallet. Thanks again for the input on the Vega.

[rcc56]

Warning--

If you purchase this instrument, string it lightly or it will collapse.
If it is on the mandola body, none of the D'Addario sets will be suitable.
If it is on the mandolin body with ~13 5/8" scale, you could try the EJ72 set for the C-G-D-A strings, and use 10's for the E's, but tune a step low to start with and watch the instrument carefully for several days.

One of my old students had one of the large body instruments with mandola scale and strung it as an 8 string, CGDA. I believe we settled on 12-20w-32-46 or 48 for that one.

For reference, I use a similar set for my old Gibson.

[Tim Logan]

Rcc56, I am not looking to buy. I'm just a huge fan of, and very curious about, both Vega and L&H instruments. But that's a good reminder re. potentially delicate tops. Thank you.

PS I am curious - are old Vega catalogues available? Is there a "history of Vega mandolins" book available to your knowledge?

[rcc56]

I don't know of a comprehensive Vega book. That would be a good project for someone.
A c. 1920 Vega mandolin catalog is currently available from Bernunzio Uptown Music.

[Tim Logan]

I don't know of a comprehensive Vega book. That would be a good project for someone.
A c. 1920 Vega mandolin catalog is currently available from Bernunzio Uptown Music.

Super - thank you!