1966 Vega Excel Banjo
This rare variant of the famed "Pete Seeger" long neck banjo features a blond finished neck, a geared fifth peg by Kroll, and a factory installed fifth string capo in addition to the famous Tubaphone tone ring and extended length neck. But wait, there's more. Where the usual long neck five string has the fifth peg mounted a the eighth fret, this one is at the ninth! Wow! Imagine the possibilities. Actually, I'd better leave it up to you to imagine, because I don't have a clue. . .
Notice the four set screws used to align the neck. They're the reason the neck doesn't appear to touch the shell in the photo above.
Interestingly the 1966 Vega catalog has this model spelled "Xcel."