Martin files indicate that only one Scruggs Mark II banjo and only one Scruggs Soloist banjo were manufactured at the Martin factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in the 1970`s. With hard case. It also features the four digit SN imprinted into the outside of the holes in groups of three tone ring, clearly done before the plating, and visible only when dissembled. Thanks Again! The overseas conglomerate Galaxy purchased the Vega line in 1979 and offered the T2-5 for $775 before going bankrupt in the mid 1980`s. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used - banjobarn.com 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. Look for decals and a serial number on the interior of the rim to help document its story. My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. 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. 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. thanks for the very informative web site 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. The serial number is stamped in the wooden rim below the Martin decal. Bob- Thank you for your kind words about my website, and I reply with compliments to your luthier shop with which I am familiar. vega banjo identification. Banjoman- C.F. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. Be safe, be well, keep on picking. A.C. Fairbanks (by Vega) "Regent" 5-string banjo, S/N 25121, Circa 1909 A.C. Fairbanks (by Vega) "Tubaphone" #9, 5-string banjo, S/N 25516, Circa 1909 . It looks like the banjo is in ok/decent condition. This uniquestyle resonator was verypopular for many years, and it still hasvalue as a vintage part. Martin was winding-down its banjo production, the metal engraving was subcontracted to Liberty Banjos. As you have observed, the VIP tonering has holes grouped in threes, so maybe yours might be a lucky survivor from the early days of the VIP line when the model first appeared in the 1970 Vega Martin catalogue. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale - banjobuyer.com Thanks! Categories . Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. Of note, the PS-5 had the `famous Vega Tube-a-phone tone ring rim`, a 3 piece ebony fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck-tension rod, nickel-plated rim parts, a shaded mahogany neck, and a 10 ply maple rim. The BRC Archives contain the serial numbers of these unique Vega-Martin banjos. In recent years, Deeringrecreated andmarkets its ownVega Professional 4-stringer model with a classic wooden pie sectioned resonator. The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. This fascinating collection of vintage stringed instruments chronicles luthier C.F. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. Thanks again for your query, Barry. Vega Banjo Identification Professional Had Black. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. The Seeger endorsed 5-stringer had the famous Vega Tube-a phone tone ring, a three piece ebony fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck-tension rod, a 10 ply maple rim, and a brass bracket band and notched tension hoop. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. 26" Scale Length Serial: #21601 Condition: Excellent Case: gig bag Price: $Reduced Price $1395.00 Read More Gatcomb | Lansing Model #325 Index: 10566 Maker: Gatcomb Year: 1890's Notes: This instrument was a special order for banjoist, Jack Mistretta, from Grand Rapids, Michiganwho happened to be a friend of Eddie Peabody. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. Thanks from all of us! Further investigation related to your comments in the abovefirst paragraph might shed some light on the wood tone finish differences. A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. The tonering, bracket band, and notched tension hoop were all made of vibrant bell brass (Not die cast metal). "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Martin decal, is the original pot for the plectrum 4 stringer SN 1450, but the neck was replaced after production with a 5 string neck by a previous owner. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1929 Vega Tubaphone Longneck Conversion Banjo This banjo started its life in 1929 as a Vega Vegaphone tenor banjo. 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). The Vega Company reportedlyintroduced the first wooden sectioned pie resonator in mid 1923 for their Vega Professional 4-stringer. The Martin Co. dropped the 6 digit serial number system in mid 1971 and then began again with #2- #1945, although a few special banjos up to #1969 were produced. In the Vega Martin price list of 1971, the last publication in which VM retail prices were cited, the VM-5 was listed at $345 without case. Wow, I glad to find your website! The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? Thanks so much! 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. 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. Barry. Hey, Ive got a Martin Vega Tubaphone 5 string banjo sn# 1603 that I acquired in the mid-1980s. 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. Thank you so much!! 5. Thanks for the great information on this page. Vega Banjo Serial Numbers - cleverapex Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. Martin in Nazareth, PA. Vega Martin banjo SN 1795 was one of three special order V-45 5-string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1977 per Shop Order 2335. 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. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. Again, thanks for your query and photos. It was recommended by Bob Smakula that I send some photos to you and that you might have more information. Barry, My Vega VIP 5-string has S/N 2316 painted inside the rim, which I presume means it was assembled by Galaxy in Asia. The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. Barry. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. 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. Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company). Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? Any help with identifying it (I cant find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). The well preserved CFM decals on the rim and back of the peg head clearly document that the parts were made in Nazareth, PA, circa 1974. In my files, the PS-5 model first appears in a 1961 Vega product flyer from Boston, but it may have been manufactured there starting in 1958. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. 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. Ironically, C.F. Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. Is this an old genuine Vega in the lower price class, Sten- Thanks for your query about the FR-5 banjo. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. safety tips; prohibited items; product recalls; The Martin log book in Nazareth, PA, begins with #130248 later in 1971. Im hoping you can check both in your archives and tell me the going prices. Ending Thursday at 9:33PM GMT 2d 23h. Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! From the BRC, Barry, Barry, i have an extended neck (25 fretts) Vega/Martin banjo with a serial number of 80. Thanks from the BRC, Barry, Hi Barry! It was advertised to feature a rosewood veneered rim and resonator trimmed in abalone pearl like the C.F. PA. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. 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. port melbourne players; fair lawn high school graduation; vega banjo identification; By . My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. my Martin/Vega PS5 #481 is about a month into my possession. 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. Again, thanks for your post. vega banjo identification. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. My estimate is that it would fetch up to $900 these days depending on condition Hope this helps and thanks from the BRC, Barry, Hello , I am writing from France where I found a banjo that I want to buy, but which I have no information. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . It has the famous Vega `Tu-Ba-Phone` tone ring and notched tension hoop both made of bell brass, an ebony fingerboard, and a 10 ply maple rim. Barry, I have purchased a Martin Vega V-45 described as 1971 production and a serial number of #327. Vega Banjos by Deering | Huge Selection | Lowest Prices Guaranteed The C.F. Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins - Acoustic Music Great sound and in excellent condition. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. From the BRC, Barry. 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. . I think im in heaven. Vega Banjos - The Mandolin Pages It looks like a well-preserved and fun mid range banjo waiting to be enjoyed by an appreciative musician like yourself. The #24 on the tone ring is probably an assembly feature to separate the V-41 parts from its upscale gold-plated cousin the V-45 top of the line banjo. SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). Its mostly been in storage since I purchased it in the late 1970s. Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. Your peghead and resonator are clearly marked with C.F. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. Please try again. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. The Folk Wonder is an open-back banjo that features a maple neck, a white bound ebony fretboard with pearl dots, and geared pegs in the headstock. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. fender american professional ii vs ultra. I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. Greg Deering acquired rights to the Vega brand name in 1989 and restored the banjo line to greatness. Vega banjo identification - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. Replyfrom our Vega Vox scholar Dr. RonHi Ernie. Despite showing its age as a workhorse performance instrument with extensive wear-and-tear, a friend of mine in San Diego purchased this one-of-a-kind banjo in Vega and Martin history in 2007 and had it beautifully restored to its current condition by the American Banjo Hall-of-Fame member, Renee Karnes. This is a beautiful banjo! For those interested in the genealogy of banjo manufacturers, I have included a page summarizing some important relationships between manufacturers, . Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. A nice banjo- enjoy. I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1922. Being unable to find anything on the internet, I began to think I had been scammed. Your banjo is item # VB120C which sold for $360 back then. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. Vintage Vega Style M Tubaphone Banjo 1921 Boston Mass W Case Inlay TU BA PHONE C $1,714.08 Was: C $1,904.53 or Best Offer SPONSORED Banjo made by Tokai T600R T-600R vintage 5 strings acoustic w/ hardcase C $1,021.01 Free shipping or Best Offer Only 1 left! The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Dear Per- In May of 1970, C.F. Yes, the VVI banjos have the same inlay pattern as the VM Pro (Professional) 5 string model. vega banjo identification - Pamela Hudson When C. F. Martin took over Vega in 1970, they dropped the A-xxxxxx serial numbers and replaced it with M-xxxxxx series, until starting a new four digit numbering system in 1972 at the Nazareth factory. FREE SHIPPING! It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Your instrument SN 999 was one of five VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjos was made in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1974 per Shop Order # 2212. For Sale - Vega Earl Scruggs Banjo and Original hard case C.F. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . From the BRC, Barry. Per the 1971 Martin price list, the recommended retail price back then was $545 with out case which cost another $68 for the hard shell version. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. Bob- Thanks for your query and kind words about my website. what I know about banjos right now I learned from you!! Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black chuya Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. 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. The V-45 appears on the cover of the 1972 catalogue, and it was billed as our finest Bluegrass banjo in the 1976 catalogue. Enjoy. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. Is has a hard case with blue interior. i replaced the head but it still sounds the same. Hi there Folks.A few weeks ago i bought a Vega martin 5 string banjo, tubaphone tonering, the screws to attach the shoes to the bracket band go through the bracketband but also through the rim.The banjo is almost in unplayed condition, sounds wonderfull, the original case is also there.serial numer is 1707. The tone ring holes are grouped in sets of three rather than equally spaced as on a tubaphone ring. Of note, when the Professional 5-stringer was made in Boston in the early 1960`s, it had square MOP inlays with dots on the neck compared to the nicely designed inlays on your fretboard and seen in the 1966 catalogue. Note the unique cluster of 3 sound apertures spaced around the tone ring of the below VIP-5 model owned by the BRC founder (SN 1364). If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. As C.F. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Thanks again for your time & consideration. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Reply from our BRC Vega Vox consultant and scholar Dr. Ron: The timeline, serial number and pricing in 1970-71 seem rightit was probably in final assembly at Nazareth with a #7 new series serial number; the last of the M139400 yellow labels came out of the old Needham Heights Vega factory sometime in November 1971. Martin built only 101 PS-5 long necks. 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. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. So, the rim and rods appear be from a Vox I, and dogbone Tubaphone tonering would be typical of the 1970s period under Martin (some the later Voxesmade by Vega in Needham Heights before moving to Nazareth used these, aswell as slotted Tubaphones). Sold out. Kay Musical Instrument Company - Wikipedia Dot inlay fret board. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. As your banjo bears no C.F. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. set of identifying characteristics can be found at http://www.mugwumps.com. Ernie- It would be helpful if you could send a photo of your yellow sticker, as I suspect that your Vega Vox IV was manufactured in Boston in 1964 after Vega reconverted to a six digit serial number during the pre- C.F. Vega Martin banjo SN 324 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973. If you could give me your thought about what its worth, I would appreciate it. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. There are no other identification markings on the instrument and it definitely does not say Martin anywhere. Can you tell me about it? It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. New and used generic flanges can be found on eBay, but getting one to fit your pot outer diameter and bracket hook sequence is tricky. S.C.- Thank you for your query to the BRC. Vega - Elderly Instruments I has Vega and a single star on the front of the headstock. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for your query to the BRC and the abovephoto link. Hopes this helps. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. The Martin Co. sold the Vega franchise to the Asian conglomerate `Galaxy Trading Company` in 1979, and thereafter Vega banjos were manufactured in South Korea. 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. Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. Not quite as universally imitated as, say, Stradivari's violins or Martin's dreadnought guitars, but close. Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. I was fortunate enough to visit the Needham factory (actually a cement-block garage-like building) in the mid-late 1960s and saw some early VIPs under construction. Can you tell me more like age and value? They all had yellow serial number stickers. Do you have any information on it? Thanks for your post. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. All the best, Barry. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. It may have been removed some time before I got it. 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). Hope this helps and thanks for your post. $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. By my count, twelve VV IV-tenor banjos were built in Nazareth with the last one, #1678, in 1976. 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. June 7, 2022; homes for sale by owner in berwick, pa . very carefully, I did and its four digits # 1450. it looks very good to me as far as the condition, its just old and kind of dirty. The V-45(5) featured a heavy one-piece flat head tone ring of brass so popular among Bluegrass pickers. 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. A part of the C.F. A couple of years ago I started to develop increased interest in clawhammer style, and with all the lessons available online nowadays, finally Im finding myself back on the tracks. 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. Barry, Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. 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. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. P.S. How do you date a banjo? 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. 6. Serial numbers became unreliable during that era. Martin students believe that it was a market ploy to attract owners of the legendary Martin D-45 guitar to purchase a partner banjo, but the strategy did not succeed. By history, C.F. Ive owned one for 30 yrs though I dont play it very well. I have 5 different stringed instruments that just keep finding me, and I was nervous to take it apart so I could look at the serial number. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. Unfortunately, many 4-string players of a certain generation seem to think that their banjos will command higher priceseven the Gibson flat heads used for 5 string conversion have taken a tumble and are are half on what they were 5 years ago. Still as wonderful as the day I got it. vega banjo identification. I got an old Vega banjo from my father. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated).

Peter Luger Salad Dressing Recipe, Soho House San Francisco 2021, How Did Lauren Wirkus Meet David Raih, Dirty Monkey Drink Oregano's, Akhlys Band Controversy, Articles V