Item # 9126. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. vega banjo identification. P.S. It is indeed a sweet banjo with plenty of talk in it. set of identifying characteristics can be found at http://www.mugwumps.com. The Wonder was an entry level resonator instrument that featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, 3 piece maple neck, blackwood fretboard, pearl dots, nickel-pate parts and a shaded mahogany finish. Another side note, Greg Deering has made two prototype Voxes alreadyI have played one of them, which is basically an identical design to the 1967 Vox I with a paddle peghead and crown inlays. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Vega style k mandolin banjo Thanks for your reply. The circular connecting rod is left over from the Vega inventory and shipped from Boston to Nazareth after C. F. Martin acquired the brand in May of 1970. The construction features were changing on the Vox IV (most different from catalog images), but at this point Vega was still using dowel stick (rather than metal coordinator rods) to attach and adjust the neck, and adjustable truss rods in the neck were not added until 1955the early prewar type-construction was desired by many collectors. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! The Pro II model was advertised in the 1966 Vega catalogue with an up-graded and fancy mother of pearl inlay pattern as seen on your banjo. Evidently, there was a marketing strategy to partner the 5-string V-41 instrument with Martin`s popular D-41 guitar, but this ploy did not come to fruition. The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. This uniquestyle resonator was verypopular for many years, and it still hasvalue as a vintage part. I cant find that picture, but Ill see if I can locate it, as someone else may have sent it to me playing the banjo out at afestival in Arizona. In regards to the endorsed banjo models cited in your final paragraph, my files show that the Sonny Osborne model appears only in the 1968 Vega/Boston catalogue. This design of banjo retailed for $285 back then, and it was popularized by Erik Darling and Pete Seegar (who had his own Vega endorsed model for awhile). Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. The V-45 appears on the cover of the 1972 catalogue, and it was billed as our finest Bluegrass banjo in the 1976 catalogue. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. vega banjo identification. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. Good luck with your vintage Seeger long neck and photos of this prize would be most welcome for posting here if you are so inclined. Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. Allen screws at the neck/pot junction and a tube connecting rod (not shown) are design features from the 1960`s in Boston . Again, thank youmuchfor your post. Ive owned one for 30 yrs though I dont play it very well. built in 1971, my long neck looks like it was built yesterday and all I added was a geared 5th string pegstuck it in an American Vintage case and screwed a CF Martin brass medallion to the side. If there is any other interesting information about the instrument you care to share from the Martin log book, I would be most appreciative. What is it worth today, and what did it sell for when new? Photos would be necessary to give an accurate price range, as design styles were still changing in the post war period and overall condition (all original parts) would bring a higher price. C.F. My suggestion would be to take you banjo down to the local hardware store and cobble together a workable thumb screw (some have collars) and washer combination. Vega Banjo Identification - azgardcn My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. 28 de mayo de 2018. vega serial numbers - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. Is 887 also a Pro5? The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. It is a beauty. Any model F-V or Vega banjo with serial #s between 52669 and 52684 (a 15 number range), when the switch from "Fairbanks Banjo, Made by Vega" stamp to the "Made by Vega" stamp seems to have occurred. Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. George Gruhn might also know. 3, Serial #50232, with a patented brass top hoop and bracket band over a seven-lap sectional maple hoop, 28 brackets, mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard with22 frets and inlaid pearloid dots and star position marks, carved heel, peghead with flowerpot inlay . The long-neck No. Ed Britt, Jim Bollman, or Bob Smakula would be the most likely people to be able to give you the most exact identification of the model possible. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Idoubt it matches the rim, unless they changed from a plectrum to tenor atlast minute. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. It looked like it belonged on a Gibson. Vega Banjo Identification Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers Chart Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers Vintage Mandolin Banjo Fairbanks Vega Company Boston USA 1920 6 Saiten Einige der Spanner samt Schrauben und sowie die Saiten sind nicht vorhanden. Serial numbers became unreliable during that era. Some C.F. A fabulous example of one of the finest banjos ever made, the Vega 5-string Pete Seeger long-necked folk banjo, produced as a result of the folk craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The banjo features a rim and resonator rosewood veneered with white binding, The tone ring was brass, and there was abalone pearl around the back edge of the resonator. The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. Your banjo is item # VB120C which sold for $360 back then. Martin markings, my impression is that it was put together overseas from left-over Martin parts after the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading purchased the Vega brand in 1979. Bob- Thanks for the remembrance narrative about you and your Dad learning music together- your are a lucky father and son. Lastly, the banjo could be cleaned-up and refitted at a local music shop, or referred by the shop to a nearby luthier for repairs; and you would have a workable starter banjo for taking some exploratory music lessons. Your F-VIP (Folk-Very Important Player) banjo #1456 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1975 in a lot of 3 such instruments per Shop Order 2274. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. Great sound and in excellent condition. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white. Although the Martin Company did not manufacture Vega banjos till a century later, a solitary banjo from the mid 19th century is appended to the exhibit to display parallel innovation in the instrument because of its increasing popularity during that era. These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. It first appeared in 1923 and was also the first Vega with the scrambled eggs inlay and the Vega name in the headstock.Although the Vegaphone is supposed to have a maple neck - and the tenors do, most Vegaphone plectrums have surplus Tubaphone Style 3 necks in mahogany with carved heels. As your banjo bears no C.F. So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks CL. Serial # 1795. Data from these logbooks are available per e-mail request from the BRC founder. Martin built only 20 F-VIP 5 stringers, and to my count 11 were made in Pennsylvania per the shop log book. Martin briefly built a lightweight tenor banjo between 1923-26 to compete with Vega and other manufacturers whose heavier and more popular banjos had greater tone, volume, and sales. C.F. In excellent condition and ready to play. It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. it has five strings and if you would be so kind let me know something about it and if someone you know wants to play it, I guess it would be better off with them; or I will go take lessons I suppose. C.F. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. Rettberg & Lange(1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made Vega - Elderly Instruments Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) The VIP model featured a unique `audio-sonic` bell brass tone ring, a scrolled peg head with ultra filagree pearl work, engraved pearl inlay in the ebony fretboard, a 10 ply maple rim with a heavy notched tension hoop, geared tuners, a walnut finish, and marquetry around the resonator. C.F. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. vega banjo identification. Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. While the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, retooled to build banjos, interim yellow stickers were affixed to the inner rims of Boston banjos citing the merger and identifying the model of the instrument (which was inscribed by pen). vega banjo identification. Any and all information you may have on my little banjo will be greatly appreciated! The BRC Archives contain the serial numbers of these unique Vega-Martin banjos. Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. It is number E-5 in a limited edition of 16 instruments made in 1976. For several years, the Vega Martin banjo was an amalgam of parts from Massachusetts and Nazareth, PA. Old 6 digit Vega serial numbers persisted on a yellow sticker on the inner pot until production was moved to Pennsylvania in 1972. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. Thanks again. The information looks just finethere were yet a number of the Mxxxxxx series banjos still made in the Needham Heights factory outside Boston. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black ,, kemenpppa.go.id 4kjzing@8x47evey1 Your banjo SN 990 is indeed a Pro-5, and it was one of the last five Professional banjos built by VM in 1974 per Shop Order 2211. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC recently showcased an exhibit of pre-1900 Martin guitars. The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). We've been notified and are looking into it. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. To unravel most of the curious mystery of the legendary Bobby Joe Fenster, please scroll back to the Sept. 12, 2014 homepage posting devoted to this interesting figure from the annals of Vega Martin banjo history, or just enter fenster in the search engine on the home page. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . It has dual rods running through the pot and it has the tubaphone tone ring. Vega Banjos - The Mandolin Pages I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. Thanks from all of us! What a wealth of information! Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Vega Martin long neck PS-5 banjo SN 80 is one of eleven Pete Seeger 5-stringers manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1972 per Shop Order 2098. Enjoy. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. used speakers for sale craigslist; pioneer woman carne guisada; vega banjo identification; By . Martin purchased the Vega brand line. For Sale - Vega Earl Scruggs Banjo and Original hard case Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. He was told that it was made by Martin, but I do not find any Martin labels. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. In the final VM 1976 catalogue, the F-VIP is displayed in full advertising detail. . I have attached photos comparing the label printing difference. The F-VIP is first mentioned briefly on a front page of the 1970 Vega Martin catalogue, and it retailed for $490 in the VM price list of 1971. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading Company in March of 1979. In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. The more affordable V-41-5 banjo was partnered with the D-41 guitar, but this marketing ploy did not work as anticipated for either of the aforementioned guitar/banjo combinations. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. It turned out the owner had another banjo that also resembled a Vega but had the same lack of Vega ID, turns our the name "W Fawly" was on the wooden center dowel . With appreciation, Barry, S.C.-Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your banjo. The 1968 Vega catalogue described the Pro II appointments as including a bell brass tone ring with exclusively designed audio apertures, a ten ply wood rim, a three-piece maple neck, a resonator of curly maple, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel-plated hardware, and a shaded mahogany finish. I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999. Inside your device. Both the VW-5 and FW-5 appear in the 1961 Vega ((155 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA) catalogue but featuring a 5 ply rim in the early design. I have recently acquired from Florida another VEGA Martin VIP model #845, which sounds totally different than the other 2, almost a rich full old timey sound yet with a resonator. Very interesting to get to know all this details. Martin`s beloved historian). Your Vega Wonder (VW) plectrum banjo SN 129 was one of six `VW-Plec` 4 string banjos made in Nazareth, PA, by C. F. Martin per Shop Order #2105 in mid 1972. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin. The open back Folk Wonder 5-stringer does not appear in the 1976 Vega/Martin catalogue where the Vega Wonder resonator series is still advertised featuring a brass tone ring and ebony fingerboard. Every Martin Vega I have seen has a more dark brown mahogany-colored stain. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. The banjo listed for $556 in the 1971 price list without case. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. The inside of the banjo is also blank except for the painted serial number 2207. Hopes this helps. Martin in Nazareth, PA. Barry. These days, the Wonder would sell for $700-$1000 depending on condition. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! Informacje o Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 w archiwum Allegro. This fascinating collection of vintage stringed instruments chronicles luthier C.F. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers in between are considered the number of that model we have made since we started the formal serial number system in 1987. According to the C.F. Categories . Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. Thanks Again! But, the neck had the upgraded crown inlay pattern like their mid range banjos, and originally a paddle peghead design (the new scroll design appeared in 1968). - ORDERS OVER $199 SHIPPED TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Add to cart SKU: 2959 Categories: 5-String Openback Banjos, Banjos, Vega Description Additional information Reviews (1) Shipping, Returns & Exchanges About this Banjo