Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral to the modern folk sounds of The Avett Brothers as they were to Pete Seegers personal revolution. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. In the Martin log book, the last six digit (Vega) serial number was 130392 in 1972 after which began the Martin digits. It is not clear why Martin initiated this product line. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. The C.F. Categories . The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided.
!Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . A total of 101 PS-5 instruments were manufactured in Pennsylvania. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years, and the Vega brand was purchased in 1989 by Deering in California who restored the instrument line to greatness. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. 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. In good condition, the range today is $4000-6000 ($4500-5000 is more reasonable); rare that a tenor would sell at high end, as that market is very soft now and more vintage IV tenors from 1930-50s are pursued and better value (those with dowel sticks tend to be more highly sought after today in the tenor crowd). All the best, Barry. All the best from the BRC, Barry. If someone could help her post it on eBay, it would probably get a decent price and a good home. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. 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.
vega banjo identification I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. The earliest reported is F&C #1000. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. I orderedit in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. Zero fret wear. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. Barry- Thanks for your queries and subsequent photos that promt me to revise my initial response. The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. This email will be copied to my Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron for his insights and comments.From the BRC, Barry. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. Martin built only 31 of the V-41 instruments: 28 of the V-41-5 model like yours, 1 plectrum and 2 tenor 4-stringers. Piecing the clues together of this mysterious banjo, I suspect that is was a special order item because of the unusually disparate combination of CFM parts. From the BRC, Barry. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Your 5-stringer was one of seven V-76E instruments manufactured per Shop Order 2310, and the `E` designation indicates that these seven banjos were made for employees. ampleforth college redundancies. Every Martin Vega I have seen has a more dark brown mahogany-colored stain. The serial numbers for the overseas-produced instruments were in the 2000+ range in sequence with the last official VM banjo manufactured in Nazareth, PA, which bore #1969. Barry, I have purchased a Martin Vega V-45 described as 1971 production and a serial number of #327. The `41` engraved on the tailpiece no doubt refers to the model V-41 designation. Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. It looks like a well-preserved and fun mid range banjo waiting to be enjoyed by an appreciative musician like yourself. 17,378. Look for decals and a serial number on the interior of the rim to help document its story.
Smakula Fretted Instruments; Banjos Everywhere! Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim.
Vega Short Scale 4 string banjo neck model? - Mandolin Cafe Thank you for all the information. Vega stamp to yellow stick-on labels between 99369 and 99686. switchover is between #23721 and #23800. Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. My estimate is that the banjo might be worth $500-$700 depending on condition. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. Joshua, Joshua-Thank you for your kind comments and the very detailed pictures. Im now forced to sell several beloved instruments but have no idea how to price this gem. 2 Vega banjo from the early Boston era. Q: At what point did Vega go from ball end to open end bracket nuts? Any help with identifying it (I cant find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. This model appears in the 1972 and 1976 catalogues. However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. Thank You Roger- Thanks much for your query. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. Ive taken a number of hi-res photostoo many to attach to email. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. 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. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St.
Vega De Luxe Electric Plectrum Banjo - Gruhn Guitars The Vega 1961 flyer and 1963 catalogue describe that the Earl Scruggs model had a sunburst finish on the resonator. Theres precious little information about these instruments online. I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. C.F. These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! I received a letter(martin memo) along with my banjo covering head adjustment, plastic Vegalon heads, string action, bridge and nut and neck rod adjustment dated 8/26/71also a warranty card with the phone number 215-759-2837ask for miketelling me to use string type V750.having wanted one all my adult life, this banjo is the pinnacle of my banjo collecting desires. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. The long-neck No. Im sure theres a story behind this banjo and why it was made. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. Of historical interest, when Martin initiated its own four digit serial number system in 1972 to replace the Vega six digit system, banjos SN 2-5 were the V-45(5) model. The Wonder series of instruments featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fingerboard, pearl dots, an armrest, and a factory-installed resonator with four section metal tone flanges. post id: 7593773670. posted: 2023-02-27 00:34. The back of the headstock is blank. The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. 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). Fingerboard engraved pearl inlays in the ebony were going through a transition (modernization) as well, from very elaborate designs that they used since the 1920s to to simplified block styles. VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999. What can you tell me about the history and value of this one. Martin 1970 catalogue described ashaded mahogany finish on the Wonder model, and the 1976 Martin catalogue reported thatthe Wonder banjo bore a mahogany color finish. Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron: Looks like something that might have put together from parts, either insideor outside the factoryI suspect the latter as there have been lots of Voxchop shop conversions going back in time (even to the 1920s). Hence, my theory is that this ornate banjo was assembled overseas after Martin began shipping parts to Japan and Canada for assembly in 1976, and this would explain the mysterious serial number.
Vega Regent 5 String Banjo (1925) | RetroFret FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. This is a stock neck off a Martin-made tenor from that erathe fingerboardblock inlay is what would be found on only the Vox I or Pro. Galaxy marketed its 4 and 5 stringers in the USA via a remarkably unimaginative TMC catalog in which each banjo was identified only with an Item number but no model moniker to give it personality like the Pro-5 or Wonder banjos named by the earlier corporate owners. Enjoy. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? Hope this helps. Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company). The PS-5 appears in the transitional 1970 Vega Martin catalog, and again in the 1972 product brochure; but it is absent from the 1976 catalog. The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. Thanks again. Hi guys, great website. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. The majority of the banjoists appear to be holding examples of the regular Vega electric banjos with dot-inlayed fingerboards and dark wood veneered pegheads.
vega banjo Archives - Seeders Instruments gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. Banjoman- C.F. Other Banjo-Related Topics Collector's Corner ARCHIVED TOPIC: Vega banjo identification Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . It has only a tape serial number inside the pot of 1124. 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. 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. I have a seperate label thats still in the case showing the serial # 1199. The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. Your other VIP-5 with SN 1766 was assembled from parts sent to Japan in 1977 when the Martin company had its difficult luthier strike. My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. Tuned 1-1/2 steps lower than a standard 5-string banjo, the Maple Mountain Series MM-150LN is set up for the best singing keys. There were several old tenor and plectrum Martin neck blanksfor sale a few years ago, but it looks to be factory made condition anddoubt that would be likely a source. In excellent condition and ready to play. Bill- Thanks for your query. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. Martin historian Mike Longworth. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process.
Banjo Parts & Accessories - Elderly Instruments From the BRC, Barry. 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). Your banjo neck is from a Martin Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjoas advertised in a Martin flyer circa 1978, and the potalso looks like a left-over rim inherited from theNazareth, PA, company.