vega banjo identification

Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? - chroniclesdengen.com So, your banjo is likely either a late 1963/early 1964 model (Vega model years ran from Oct 1st-Sept 30th at the time, much like automobiles). It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. As your banjo bears no C.F. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL is seen in the 1976 catalogue. It retailed for $488 without case in the 1970 Vega Martin catalog, and it last appeared in the 1972 VM catalogue without a suggested price. vega banjo identification. In the 1960`s, the PS-5 featured a 3 piece ebony fingerboard and a Tube-a-phone tone ring of bell brass and a 5 ply maple rim. Isgho Votre ducation notre priorit . vega banjo identification - nutrir.cl My guess is that the lugs in your resonator have American (inch fraction) thread features, and it is doubtful that an original VIP thumb screw 4 decades old will appear on eBay- but who knows. Further investigation related to your comments in the abovefirst paragraph might shed some light on the wood tone finish differences. Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? From the BRC, Barry. My aunt gave me a Martin Vega banjo serial number 892 to see what it was worth since she is not internet savy and looking to sell it. Vega Banjos Serial Numbers - spheregenerous Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. According to the C.F. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. Your banjo is an off shoot of the classic No. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. The Style K was Vega's least expensive banjo-mandolin, not having a "tone ring" installed, unlike the pricier Tu-Ba-Phone and Whyte Laydie models. Martin acquired Vega. Vega banjo identification - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Your Vega Martin instrument SN 231 is a Wonder model VW-P (plectrum ) 4 stringer made in Nazareth in late 1972 per Shop Order #2121 just after production was transferred from Boston to the re-tooled Pennsylvania factory. Although a Bluegrass resonator banjo musician, my daily practice exercises are conducted sans picks on one of two long neck Ode 5-stringers that are wife-friendly in tone. The shoes (instead of Vox next nut shoes) and the round hook and nutassemblies are probably from stock, as I have some still lying around athome that I bought from Martin back then to replace on a 1929 Vegaphone(which are slightly different). Linda- Thanks much for your query and hearing about your three vintage banjos. One of the best known Kay electric guitars during the 1950s was the K-161 "Thin Twin", most visibly used by blues artist Jimmy Reed. If anybody can shed some light on what I have. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. The story he told was that it was a distress sale for a friend, and that the banjo was one of 1000 limited editions and had a solid silver tone ring, and was worth at least twice the price. Martin in the 1970s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, parts were shipped overseas to Japan and Canada for assembly. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. Martin built only 29 T2-5 banjos, but no price list is available after 1971 preceding resurrection of the classic Vega T2-5 model for production. FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. Vega Regent Model 5 String Banjo (1925), made in Boston, Mass., natural varnish finish, laminated maple rim and neck, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case. From the BRC, Barry. Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. It was a student model that Eddie convinced long time friend and Vega owner/president to make positioned as a lower cost alternative to the Vox I/Professional IIit was an upgrade over the Little Wonder/Ranger banjos. The resonator back and sidewall colored engravings are probably the key feature that might bring more value than lessthere were two likely designs at this time a tiffany-style web pattern with a floral vine on the side (first used in 1930) or the late 1940s Indian blanket Art Deco design.I have an original 1948 model that has the older style neck, with the new resonator designso , its a mixed bag during this time as Vega was experimenting with parts off the shelf when banjo sales were extremely low (maybe 20 per year) and their focus was on guitar and ukulule production instead.Pricing for 4 strings (and 5 strings) have dropped considerably over last 2-3 years for vintage banjosVoxes have held more than others. Thank you. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . 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. Deering Banjo Company now owns the Vega brand, and you might contact them regarding a custom device if you want parts within the historic Vega lineage. The back of the headstock is blank. C.F. The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. After the original owner, Jack Mistretta, passed away in 1998, this banjo found its way to Japan, where noted jazz-banjoist, Ken Aoki, featured it for many years in his touring act. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. The highly ornate Vega Vox IV banjo with serial number #1969 was the final officially documented banjo manufactured by C. F. Martin in Nazareth, PA. , circa 1978-79. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! Nowadays, the Pro-5 would fetch around $1000-$1500 depending on condition. The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided. Martin built only 101 PS-5 long necks. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. vega banjo identification. From the BRC, Barry. . Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. Your T-2 instrument SN 1603 was one of five Tu-Ba-Phone 5 string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 shortly before the big luthier strike that compelled C. F. Martin to ship parts overseas for assembly. Home; Meet Darlene; ISI Mission; What is Coaching? While published accounts indicate that only 18 plectrums and 3 tenors were made in this series, Martin company officials have shared information from current records that one-third were simply shop orders that were never actually completed in the post-strike period. The rim is 10 ply maple with a top metal tone ring, nickel-plated metal parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. Martin Vega Banjo 5-Strings, Medium Gauge (V740) Check Price at Amazon. I have 3 Vega banjos , 1963 Earl Scruggs model A 10921(Scruggs ST-5, handwritten in red ink under that on yellow label) which I played for 23 years, she has a very mellow sound. I have photos.Serial No. set of identifying characteristics can be found at http://www.mugwumps.com. vega banjo identification - Pamela Hudson The original prototype was designed and built by the Vega Company in 1969, for the legendary King of the Banjo Eddie Peabody to commemorate his 50th year in show business. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. 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. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. It is veryinteresting that it has the non-ebonized finish on the peghead cap, whichcoincided with the move production to Nazareth (adopting stained rosewood asthey used on the guitars). For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999. Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. John, just an old Missouri banjo picker transplanted in Arizona. Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. It is important to note that there are exceptions to every rule and the following is only a general guide for identifying Gibson "A" Style mandolins. Best of luck and thanks for your query, Barry. The Vega era PS-5 banjos sell for up to $3-4K these days. It is a top-of-the-line banjo that was paired with the reissued D-45 Martin guitar as a marketing strategy. Used 5-String Open-Back Banjos | Intermountain Guitar & Banjo The Wonder-5 was an entry level instrument with a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fingerboard, 4 section flanges, nickel plated metal parts, and shaded mahogany finish. The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. In the Martin log book, the last six digit (Vega) serial number was 130392 in 1972 after which began the Martin digits. I recently had a luthier friend do setup on it and he found the pot metal rim flange to be broken and wont allow me to have the head at proper tension. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. The evolution of the Professional model dates back to the Boston 1963 Vega catalogue that featured the first Pro model banjo that looked like an inexpensive version of the Earl Scruggs model that Vega offered at that time. I will trade for a good Octave Mandolin or Bouzouki I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. Most likely, your banjo has a paddle peghead still with Kluson tuners, block MOP engraved fingerboard inlays, and an updated resonator design with black bindings and a fleur-de-lis added under the engraved star De-Luxe Vegavox on the back (brand new on the 1963-model). FREE SHIPPING! Thank you very much for your quick answer. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? My Vega VIP has the Martin decal on the back of the headstock. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. Fairbanks & Cole I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! It sounds like your banjo is maybe a hybrid made overseas after 1976-1977 when Vega Martin parts were shipped to Japan and later Canada for assembly. Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? The Banjo Rehabilitation Center archives contain the serial numbers and dates of manufacture of the Vega-Martin banjos made in Nazareth, PA, during the 1970`s. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Enjoy. rocket and teresa administrative leave; March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. I think it is a Pro-5. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! Its mostly been in storage since I purchased it in the late 1970s. I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. Barry, Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. Just found you today . Please take detailed photos of your banjo inside and outside. The tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Thats a lot of information! Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company). The Vega Company manufactured of this era were assembled at the 40 Leon Street factory in Boston from 1961-1966, and subsequently at the 155 Reservoir Street facility outside Boston in suburban Needham Heights from 1966-1971(C. F. Martin acquired the company in May 1970 and continued some manufacturing/assembly there until moving fully to Martins factory in Nazareth, PA). Vega Banjos - The Mandolin Pages The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholarDr. Ron: The Vega Vox IV was the top of the line banjo in the Vox (deep resonator) line for Vega Co. of Boston in the 1950sthe serial number is consistent with a 1951 model. These days, the Wonder would sell for $700-$1000 depending on condition. vega banjo identification - americanuzbekistan.org Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. It was a student model that Eddie convinced long time friend and Vega owner/president to make positioned as a lower cost alternative to the Vox I/Professional IIit was an upgrade over the Little Wonder/Ranger banjos. I remember seeing a brand new tenor Vox I in a musicstore in late 1973/early 1974 that already had the rosewood cap (memorablefor me as a kid and thought it odd, when compared to the 1972 catalog; aWonder or Ranger were also in the store from Needham Heights and were stillblackened). The local music store said they would give her 120$ for it. The handsome Professional-5 model with an upgraded tone ring and rim re-appeared in the 1972 Vega/Martin banjo catalogue- but no sign ever again of the short lived BJF-5 stringer. Thank You for your time and web site. Barry, I have purchased a Martin Vega V-45 described as 1971 production and a serial number of #327. Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary Bobby Joe Fenster variation. I really appreciate your orientation. These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Buckbee(1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. Martin purchased the Vega brand and briefly marketed the so-called Bobby Joe Fenster banjo which was a thinly disguised Pro-5 endorsed by a fictitious banjoist as a somewhat mirthful marketing ploy. Below are more Letters from the BRC Archives. 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. The differentiating feature is the deeper resonator than the VIP/Pro II/Osborne/Scruggs Mk II/Bobby Joe Fenster standard resonator modelsnot quite as deep as the Vox and not top tension (standard hook and nut with Pro II flanges). TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. My estimate is that your VIP-T would likely fetch in the $700-1100 range these days, and maybe a little more, depending on condition and special appointments. Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. Unbeknownstto most 5 string aficionados, the Martin Guitar Company manufactured Vega banjos from 1970 through 1979. In addition to the unusual R-D-136 serial number, the C.F. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No.2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). 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. I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. 1930 Vega Tenor Banjo - Pure Banjo They all had yellow serial number stickers. Thank you so much!! When C.F. Thanks so much Ill get back to you if any further questions. Martin decal photographed on the back of the VIP Vega peg head. Also, Deering uses a 3-ply 1/2 rock maple rim, compared to the 5/8 10-ply rim typically found in most Martin Nazareth produced Voxes in the 1970s. I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. GoldTone longneck Banjo - musical instruments - by owner - sale Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. Bob- Thank you for your kind words about my website, and I reply with compliments to your luthier shop with which I am familiar. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976.



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