vega banjo identification

I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. 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. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. In the final VM 1976 catalogue, the F-VIP is displayed in full advertising detail. Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. THE BRC THANKS YOU FOR VISITING THE VEGA MARTIN BANJO INFO PAGE. ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. From the BRC, Barry. Not quite as universally imitated as, say, Stradivari's violins or Martin's dreadnought guitars, but close. 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. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). There is a star on the 5th fret. The Life & Times of the Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958 - 1970. Per the 1971 price list, the V-45-5 sold for $1650 with case included, and it was available by special order only. The back of the headstock is blank. Thanks for the great information on this page. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. Reverb Homepage Contact Support 539673d7daac40d5a6fd870a259b9813 Shop Gear Categories Brands Shops Deals and Steals Price Drops 0% Financing New and Popular Handpicked Collections Sell on Reverb Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. In the meantime, keep on pickin` that Pro-5. Hope this helps. C.F. Martin acquired Vega. what I know about banjos right now I learned from you!! Roger- Thanks for your challenging follow-up query. Bob- Thank you for your kind words about my website, and I reply with compliments to your luthier shop with which I am familiar. C.F. We've been notified and are looking into it. I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. Martin historian Mike Longworth. For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, Medium Crown (7/16 Inch) $19 USD. I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . Im just getting back into my love of music. The serial number is found on a white tag on the inside of the resonator or if you have an openback banjo, it is a smaller white tag on the inside of the rim. Thanks so much Ill get back to you if any further questions. Martin decal photographed on the back of the VIP Vega peg head. My personal suggestion, however, is to preserve it as a tangible keepsake of the priceless moments spent with your father years ago. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. Thanks again for your post. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. Save This Search Your search returned 20 results View Sold and Expired Ads Matching Your Search Ironically, C.F. pine valley golf auction; what happened to thelma from amen; roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in education; what happens when you meet your twin flame 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. Replyfrom our Vega Vox scholar Dr. RonHi Ernie. Your banjo was manufactured in Pennsylvania in 1976 per Shop Order #2299 just before Martin began to ship parts to Japan for assembly (after which serial numbers became goofy). Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. $260 USD. 10" Rim. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black ,, kemenpppa.go.id 4kjzing@8x47evey1 The year 1970-1971 was a time of transition of tools and parts from Boston to Nazareth, PA. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. Do you have any information on it? Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. 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. 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. C.F. Nowadays, it might fetch around $750 in the online marketplace. What is a spectrum banjo? Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary Bobby Joe Fenster variation. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. 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. Banjo SN 1648 is a `Folk Wonder` model (FW-5) which first appears in the Vega (Boston) catalogue in 1961 per my files. Bill- Thanks for your query. I think Ill go look up a local banjo instructor and take a few lessons. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . The beautiful Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe and its plectrum and open back permutations appear only in a 3 page marketing pamphlet issued by C.F. 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. 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. 721 which I have had a number of years. 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. Note below the C.F. The long neck banjo is less popular nowadays with the surge in Bluegrass music, but I have two of them and value their mellow wife-friendly tone. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? C.F. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Thank you so very much for this information! He is credited with being one of the first banjo-builders to install side brackets with hooks to adjust the tension of the head. Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . Wooden pot resonator. thanks for your help and keep up the good work. Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. 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: Steve in Oz, April 24, 2016 at 1:23 pmSteve- Thanks for your post and glad to hear that a `Wonder` banjo made it `Down Under` during the Vega Martin era. The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. The Item # was VT2NRC. Landis- Thanks for your post. Because so few Pro-5`s were manufactured in Nazareth, it is difficult to gauge the worth of your banjo these days. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. It is a beauty. The tone ring holes are grouped in sets of three rather than equally spaced as on a tubaphone ring. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. 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. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. Ive taken a number of hi-res photostoo many to attach to email. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. The serial number is stamped in the wooden rim below the Martin decal. FREE SHIPPING! tone ring that you have. Thanks again. 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. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. 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. Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. The Vega Vox IV of that era featured burnished gold-plated parts, engraved flanges, an all white pyralin deep resonator with elaborately engraved back and sides, a fretboard with fancy pearl inlays, and an engraved and colored scroll shaped peg head. I actually picked up a banjo that had a resonator that was sitting on the shelf in that 1970-72 period as Martin was transitioning and shutting down the factory there. In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. 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. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. Again, thanks for your query and photos. From the BRC, Barry. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. 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. Q: At what point did Vega go from ball end to open end bracket nuts? He wanted to buy it! Replacing a broken flange on a rare and vintage instrument is a tough task. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. Thought you might enjoy an article in All Frets from my good friend and American Banjo Museum curator, Johnny Baier, An Ode to the Vega VoxId like to think my bad influences have moved him over to the dark side as he is now a happy owner of his own deep resonator tenor with a calfskin head (it sounds fantastic). 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. 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. In May of 1970, C.F. Save on our most popular Goodtime banjos - the Goodtime openback and the Goodtime Two - at your favorite Deering dealer today! Your banjo is item # VB120C which sold for $360 back then. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . 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). 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. 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. Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. I would like to know a little more about it. It may have been removed some time before I got it. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. Thanks you for this great site. I knew nothing about it until I found this site. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. They all had yellow serial number stickers. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/307507 vinman - Posted - 08/09/2015: 18:02:24 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. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. 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. Roger- Thanks much for your query. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. If in poor condition, Ive seen them sell as low as $3000-4000. 219203099161mmDA107 , . Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! C.F. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? Of note, the tubular connecting rod and the Allen head screws seen in your banjo pot are design features left-over from the Vega era in Boston. Barry. 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. 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. If there is any other interesting information about the instrument you care to share from the Martin log book, I would be most appreciative. Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. 403.80. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL is seen in the 1976 catalogue. 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. 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. Thanks again for your time & consideration. Inside your device. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? The Vega era PS-5 banjos sell for up to $3-4K these days. This instrument debuted in 1952, and featured a single cutaway body, a distinctive "fire stripe" tortoiseshell pickguard, and a pair of thin blade-style pickups . The resonator back and sidewall colored engravings are probably the key feature that might bring more value than lessthere were two likely designs at this time a tiffany-style web pattern with a floral vine on the side (first used in 1930) or the late 1940s Indian blanket Art Deco design.I have an original 1948 model that has the older style neck, with the new resonator designso , its a mixed bag during this time as Vega was experimenting with parts off the shelf when banjo sales were extremely low (maybe 20 per year) and their focus was on guitar and ukulule production instead.Pricing for 4 strings (and 5 strings) have dropped considerably over last 2-3 years for vintage banjosVoxes have held more than others. C.F. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. I dont play any instrument right now. Although C.F. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. The hardware on the V-41 is chrome-plated, so maybe a nearby metal shop could patch it for you or at least identify the alloy. Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. All the best from the BRC, Barry. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. vega banjo identification. The local music store said they would give her 120$ for it. I live near Portland, Oregon. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. Your slightly blurry photo of the interior of the pot(not included here)show two tubular connecting rods which are left -over parts from the Vega factory in Boston. Vega Martin banjo SN 324 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. In the Boston era, Pete Seeger was listed as an exclusive Vega product banjoist in a 1961 flyer from their Columbus Avenue business headquarters, and his endorsed PS-5 was featured prominently in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogs. It has only a tape serial number inside the pot of 1124. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Heres a link to a .zip file you can download. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. I orderedit in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. 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. Your comments about the color tone differences of Vega/Boston vs. Martin/Nazareth resonator banjos are curious, and I do not have an accurate answer for it. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? vega banjo identification. 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. The top-of-the-line model that Martin-Vega offered during the 1970s was the special order Ultra Vox V. At the end of the production run in 1979, the MSRP list price in the catalog was $3600 (exactly the same as the Martin D-45 guitar). The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white. Like my dad, I am a musician and physician and treasure his professional and avocational memorabilia. Photos are always welcome, and thanks for your post. 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. Is has a hard case with blue interior. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. set of identifying characteristics can be found at http://www.mugwumps.com. It is the first martin-vega I have ever seen in person, or had in my hands! Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. A total of 101 PS-5 instruments were manufactured in Pennsylvania. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. my Martin/Vega PS5 #481 is about a month into my possession. Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. Hello, The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. 1519. 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. Barry, I have purchased a Martin Vega V-45 described as 1971 production and a serial number of #327. Barry, Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. 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. Vega Banjo Serial Number Lookup Known Problems with Gretsch's Serial Number System: Due to the various renumbering schemes, there are Gretsch-built Bacons and B&D's with 3 digit, 4 digit and 5 digit serial numbers, which confuses identification of instruments made between 1910 and 1940. From the BRC, Barry, Barry, i have an extended neck (25 fretts) Vega/Martin banjo with a serial number of 80. I have photos.Serial No. I will trade for a good Octave Mandolin or Bouzouki 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. Vega Martin models (1970-1979) are less of a collector`s item and fetch about half that price range. Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. rocket and teresa administrative leave; 2 Vega banjo from the early Boston era. wyoming seminary athletic scholarship; Tags . !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. 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. I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. I bought my Vega PS-5 S/N 1046 new in, I believe, late summer of 1974 through Miller Music in Lawton, OK. Dog-bone Tubaphone tone ring, Grover milk bottle guitar tuners. C.F. So heres my question. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. In recent years, Deeringrecreated andmarkets its ownVega Professional 4-stringer model with a classic wooden pie sectioned resonator. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. 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. By early 1971, Martin began to assemble banjos from Boston-made parts in Nazareth using the Vega six digit serial number system prefixed with the letter M for Martin and beginning with Shop Order 2001. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more!