Name: Vega® Old Time Wonder Banjo
Brand: Deering® Banjo Company
SKU: VOTW-12
Price: 2239.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Deering Knotless Tail Piece and Smile Banjo Bridge

$2,239.00

Please note that all our Upperline models are built to order when ordering directly through us. We recommend using the CHECK DEALER STOCK button below to find a Deering Dealer that should have this model in stock and ready to ship or contact us to discuss options.

Made In U.S.A.

The Old Time Wonder Banjo is made for clawhammer players who know that life sounds better with a little frailing. With a scooped neck, you’ve got the freedom to dance your fingers over the fretboard for that warm, plunky tone we all love. The 12” three-ply violin-grade maple rim, carefully steamed and bent in-house, pairs with a Fiberskyn head to deliver that deep, old-timey sound that makes fiddlers grin and bass players nod approvingly.

Please note that all our Upperline models are built to order when ordering directly through us. We recommend using the CHECK DEALER STOCK button above to find a Deering Dealer that should have this model in stock and ready to ship or contact us to discuss options.

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Lightweight yet full of character, this banjo is perfect for front porch pickin’, backyard jams, stage performances, or just impressing your cat. And with a Deering-designed "Knot-Less" tailpiece, you get a smooth, modern touch on a classic design—because even tradition deserves an upgrade now and then. If you’re looking for a banjo that feels like an old friend from the first strum, the Old Time Wonder is ready to join your jam.

Specs

Neck

Neck Wood: Quartersawn Maple
Neck Shape: Vega "D" Shape
Stain: Brown Mahogany
Finish: Satin
Nut Material: Ebony
Tuners: Deering Planetary Tuners
5th String Tuner: Deering Gotoh Geared 5th String Tuner
Frets: 22 Nickel Silver Frets
Fingerboard: A Grade Ebony
Inlays: Italian Pearloid Dot Inlays

Specs

Pot

Rim: 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple
Rim Diameter: 12"
Tone Ring: None Required
Head: 12" Fiberskyn Low Crown
Tension Hoop: Beveled Tension Hoop
Hooks & Nuts: 24 Flat J-Hooks and 9/32″ Hex Nuts
Armrest: Traditional Vega Armrest
Hardware Plating: Nickel
Bridge: 5/8" Deering Smile Bridge
Tailpiece: Deering Knot-Less Tailpiece
Finish: Hand Finished Satin Polyurethane

Specs

Dimensions

Neck Width at the Nut: 1 1/4"
Scale Length Nut to Bridge: 26 1/4"
Rim Diameter: 12"
Overall Instrument Length: 37 1/2"
Weight Approx.: 5 lbs

Specs

Warranty

The trust and pride we share in our product gives us the confidence to grant every owner of a Deering banjo a lifetime warranty ensuring thequality of our materials and workmanship.

Click below for more information

Click Here

Specs

Strings, Tuning, Etc.

Comes strung with Deering Light Gauge Strings

Comes tuned: G, D, G, B, D
Can easily be tuned in other tunings as well.

Comes with a hardshell case.
NB: Due to current supply constraints, case brand may vary.

Buy strings here

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6 Reviews

3 Questions \ 3 Answers

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Reviews (6)
Questions (3)

Updating Results

04/04/25

RyZen

01/06/21

Fantastic!

I have the 11” model Old Tyme Wonder with the two coordinator rods. I love this banjo! It sounds great! It plays great! And, I love the lighter weight! I own a Reiter banjo, a Ramsey banjo, two Ome banjos, a Goodtime Artisan, and the Old Tyme Wonder. Since I received it, I have only been playing the Old Tyme Wonder! I love this banjo!

Blake E.

09/25/17

Old time wonder

I haven't received the banjo yet . Looking forward to it . Blake Emerson

Tom J.

08/24/17

Vega Old Time

2nd Deering banjo and my favorite! Great sound, feel and look. Nice job Deering!

John Z.

05/19/16

Wonderful Banjo.

I am a fairly new banjo player, for an old guy, and had graduated to a Goodtime open back 5 string. After touring the factory in California, I played more than a dozen banjos in their showroom. The 12 Vega Old Tyme Wonder was the one that stood out, and I couldn't leave without buying one. After it showed up at my home and I really got a chance to...Read More

play it, how amazed I am at the wonderful, full, loud tone it has. It is also very easy to play, even compared to the Goodtime banjo. My banjo teacher was very impressed as well and she has 17 years of experience rolling on the ol' banjo. I am so glad I did the upgrade, the Goodtime will still be around, but may be used more for trips and loaning to new students of my teacher. Thank you Deering for resurrecting this wonderful instrument.

ps. If anyone lives near or travels to the San Diego area, visit the factory, it is a cool tour, but be warned, leaving without a new banjo is nearly impossible. Read Less

John B.

07/02/14

Love it!

This is a wonderful banjo. The mellow tone really takes you back! Brilliant piece of work by the Deering. This is a must have banjo for a connoisseur of a mellow tone with a taste of the old time banjo tunes.

Frank H.

12/14/13

Among The Best I've Owned

The Old Tyme Wonder, in its workmanship, is in the same class as my Vega/Vega and my Ome. I really enjoy the soft and mellow tone of the Old Tyme Wonder (my Vega/Vega has a Tubaphone tone ring and can produce substantial volume). When I want to produce a warmer and more personal tone, I pick up the Old Tyme Wonder; it doesn't disappoint me.
...Read More

Numerous times, people have asked me about it. "Didn't Vega go out of business?", they'll ask. "Yes", I tell them, "but they've been re-born at Deering. Read Less

Ted

04/10/17

Q: Hi, what weight strings does the old tyme wonder come with? Light or medium? Thanks .

Deering Banjos

04/12/17

A: We send it out with our private label light gauge strings: 10,11,13,21w,10. Thanks for asking.

Randy R.

09/09/15

Q: Am I able to buy directly from the company, or do I have to go through a dealer?

Deering Banjos

11/17/15

A: You can order through both channels. Factory direct would be through our website or by calling our toll free number 800-845-7791.

Bill M.

11/01/14

Q: Hi I am looking at an old tyme wonder on ebay, looks good but it does not have the star under the vega name, the owner says it is about 1 year old....this right?. Looks like a nice banjo for under $1000. I would appreciate your opinion here, many thanks Bill