Deering Vega Scott Avett Signature Star 5-String Open-Back Banjo

Designed in collaboration with folk-rock icon Scott Avett, the Deering Vega Scott Avett Signature Star open-back banjo pairs old-time warmth and nuanced response with handcrafted visual artistry and time-honored craftsmanship. Inspired by the classic Vega Vintage Star, this signature open-back banjo is built around a Dobson tone ring and 12" violin-grade maple rim that produce a warm, rounded voice with soft attack, natural sustain and remarkable tonal depth. A quartersawn maple neck, ebony fingerboard and hand-rubbed satin finish provide a smooth, organic playing feel, while custom inlays designed by Scott give the instrument a highly personal visual identity. Intimate, expressive and rich in character, the Vega Scott Avett Star offers a reflective open-back voice shaped by one of the modern Americana movement’s most inspiring artists.

Dobson Tone Ring With Warm, Reflective Open-Back Tone

The Vega Scott Avett Star open-back banjo is designed around a Dobson tone ring, prized for its warm, rounded tonal response and naturally musical sustain. Compared to brighter, more aggressive resonator banjo designs, the Dobson ring produces a softer attack and woodier character that responds beautifully to nuanced dynamics and expressive playing. A 12" three-ply violin-grade maple rim adds depth, fullness and low-end warmth, giving the instrument a rich, open acoustic presence that feels equally suited for solo performance, songwriting and ensemble playing. Together, the open-back construction and tonal architecture create a banjo voice that is intimate, balanced and highly responsive to touch.

Comfortable Maple Neck With Smooth Ebony Fingerboard

A quartersawn maple neck gives the Vega Scott Avett Star excellent stability and a smooth, balanced playing response, while the comfortable D-shaped neck profile sits naturally in the hand for relaxed fretting across all 22 nickel-silver frets. The ebony fingerboard adds crisp articulation and fluid note response under the fingers, helping melodic passages and fingerpicked textures remain clear and controlled. A hand-rubbed satin polyurethane finish further enhances the instrument’s organic feel, keeping the neck fast and comfortable during long playing sessions.

Scott Avett-Designed Inlays and Distinctive Visual Character

Visual artistry is central to the Vega Scott Avett Star, with custom inlays designed by Scott himself appearing on both the peghead and fingerboard. These highly personal details give the instrument an instantly recognizable artistic identity that reflects the Grammy winner’s creative sensibilities as much as his musicianship. Additional appointments including a maple-capped Deering armrest, understated nickel hardware and a hand-rubbed satin finish reinforce the banjo’s refined, organic aesthetic while preserving the understated elegance that defines the design.

An Open-Back Banjo for a Modern Folk Troubadour

As a founding member of The Avett Brothers, Scott Avett has helped shape the sound of modern Americana by blending traditional folk and bluegrass with punk energy and pop sensibility. While that signature high-energy sound has earned the band a devoted worldwide following, Scott has continued to explore old-time traditions and stripped-back acoustic songwriting through quieter, more introspective songs like “January Wedding” and “Salvation Song.” With its intimate open-back tone, handcrafted visual identity and old-time-inspired design, the Scott Avett Signature Star offers a more reflective and nuanced expression of Scott’s musical identity.