vega banjo identification

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. How do you date a banjo? I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. Your banjo with SN 1046 was one of five PS-5 instruments manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 per Shop Order 2218, and after that C.F. Wow! Go online to `Images for Vega Folk Ranger banjo and enjoy (but don`t confuse your FR-5 with its cousin the Folk Wonder model FW-5). By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. In the the 1971 Vega Martin price list, the VW-Plec retailed at $345. Of note, my Vega Martin VIP-5 banjo built in 1975 also came with a `Care of Your Banjo` memo dated 8/26/71 and a warranty that instructed the owner to call 215-759-2837 and ask for Mike (probably Mike Longworth who was C.F. Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. 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. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . By my count, twelve VV IV-tenor banjos were built in Nazareth with the last one, #1678, in 1976. What A great and informative site .. In the Vega Martin shop files, banjo SN 916 is a VVI-P (Vega Vox Style 1 plectrum) resonator banjo made in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Plectrum 4 stringers have 22 frets compared to the tenors that have 17 to 19 frets. From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. These three top-of-the-line instruments were sent to Japan for assembly. Your VW-5 resonator banjo is not to be confused with its cousin the open back FW-5 model Folk Wonder which retailed for $280. 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. Inside your device. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. 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. 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). Thanks for your reply. 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. On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. 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. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. Thanks for your post. Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. Subject: Help with ID of Vega Banjo please. VT2NRC in its 1979 catalogue, and Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Where to find your serial number. Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. 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. The Vega No.2 is a banjo made of top grade curly maple stained light amber and buffed to a high gloss. 0 bids. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. 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. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. Thanks for your query, Barry. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. Theres precious little information about these instruments online. 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. 17,378. Aside a changed bridge it remained un-modified and rarely played until about two years ago, as by the time I had bought it, I more and more began concentrating on the guitar. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. It listed for $1310 in the 1971 VM price brochure and a carved heel was extra. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. It is a top-of-the-line banjo that was paired with the reissued D-45 Martin guitar as a marketing strategy. 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 apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. Please take detailed photos of your banjo inside and outside. During this transitional period, Boston parts were shipped to Nazareth for assembly, and Martin pre-fixed the traditional six digit Vega serial number with the letter `M`. Further investigation related to your comments in the abovefirst paragraph might shed some light on the wood tone finish differences. I would appreciate it very much. 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. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. The C.F. All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. 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. From the BRC, Barry. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. The tone ring holes are grouped in sets of three rather than equally spaced as on a tubaphone ring. 219203099161mmDA107 , . They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. The other 9 were likely shipped to Canada or Japan for assembly after 1977. 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. It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. 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. Thank You Thanks again for your time & consideration. Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? brian kim, cpa clearvalue tax net worth . The VW tenor 4 stringer was available in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogue, but the plectrum model did not appear in the Boston catalogue until 1968 when it listed for $325. 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. Learning how to play the banjo is no different. It is a VEGA MARTIN tenor 4 string on which is written a number: 1040 .On the handle, it is engraved VIP and the back of the handle, there is the CF Martin logo.I want to know the date of construction , its positioning in the range of tenor banjos and possibly the price it may be worth now .Thank you in advance and best wishes !Bernard, BRC Banjo Replies:June 1, 2016 at 2:33 pm, Bonjour Bernard- Your VIP (Very Important Player) tenor banjo serial number 1040 was one of three VIP-T banjos manufactured by C.F. In the final Martin price listed published in 1971, it listed for $345 without case. What a wealth of banjo information you have.I have a VV IV T tenor SN: M130298 which I purchase used about twenty-five years ago for $2,000. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) It looks like a well-preserved and fun mid range banjo waiting to be enjoyed by an appreciative musician like yourself. These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. fender american professional ii vs ultra. Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. I think im in heaven. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. 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. Martin and Co., Est. 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. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. best of . No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. Martin in Nazareth, PA. I am assuming someone may have penciled in an extra 1 on yours, but my best guess is that it was made sometime in the last half of 1963 (A12130 was the first banjo produced in Jan 64). 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. Zero fret wear. Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! 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 . Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? 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 rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. 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. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. P.S. Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. Thats a lot of information! Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. 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. Excellent condition. Being unable to find anything on the internet, I began to think I had been scammed. Thanks to BRC Consultant and Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron from everyone at the BRC for providing representative images typical of this historic crowning jewel (see below correspondences #24). Bill's Banjos The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. I ordered. Thank You for your time and web site. Categories . The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. Your tenor 4-stringer was built in early 1972 per Shop Order 2051. The Item # was VT2NRC. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. In excellent condition and ready to play. So cool to have this historical data. Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary Bobby Joe Fenster variation. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. Martin built only 22 such instruments which featured a brass tone ring, gold-plating, an engraved tail piece, an ebony fretboard, and a mahogany neck. The C.F. My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. As C.F. 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). The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). After its Martin Guitar era, the Vega brand name ownership was sold overseas, and the banjo line fellinto obscurity. Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 # 1713? The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. 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. Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. What is a spectrum banjo? VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. From the BRC, Barry. VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. Thanks from all of us! Vega banjo identification - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout The mother of pearl inlay fretboard pattern in your Pro-5 is similar to that found in the popular VIP-5 banjo, but the latter has single-stripe engraving in the mother of pearl. Per the 1971 price list, the V-45-5 sold for $1650 with case included, and it was available by special order only. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. 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. Banjoman- C.F. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. port melbourne players; fair lawn high school graduation; vega banjo identification; By . The Folk Ranger was a no-frills entry level banjo that Vega made in response to the folk music revival era. Item # 9126. Rochester NY 14610. As such, it is also unique in that is the only Ultra Vox V to be modified and finished by Peabodys other ex-Marine buddy and master luthier, Larry Kellens (widely known as the Vega Doctor during the 1950-70s). A part of the C.F. Save on our most popular Goodtime banjos - the Goodtime openback and the Goodtime Two - at your favorite Deering dealer today! Vega Long Neck Banjo $5,399.00 Vega White Oak Long Neck Banjo 11" from $2,599.00 Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo $15,599.00 Vega Woodsongs Campfire Long Neck Banjo $2,399.00 Sold Out Vega Professional 19-Fret Tenor Banjo $7,499.00 Vega Kingston Trio Long Neck Banjo $6,299.00 Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo On the neck, there usually should be a pencil written serial number at theheel where it meets the rim (at least all my Martins have one there). Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. 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). All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. Barry, I have purchased a Martin Vega V-45 described as 1971 production and a serial number of #327. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. This is a beautiful banjo! from BRC: Wim- Thanks for the great photo of your busy workshop. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone model which is part of an historic production series started in the 1920`s in Boston, continued in Nazareth, PA, and sustained today by Deering in Spring Valley, CA. From the BRC, Barry. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! In 1979, Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. Give it a try and good luck. Therefore it became dissembled. vega banjo identification. model serial number 1990. Vega Banjos Serial Numbers - spheregenerous 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. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. The tone ring really had me confused! 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. 1930 Vega Tenor Banjo - Pure Banjo Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. C.F. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Device Search - VEGA 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. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. Thank you. When C. F. Martin Co. bought the Vega banjo line in May of 1970, hundreds of parts were inherited from the Needham Heights factory near Boston. I love the story. For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1922. I was lucky enough to buy one but, as my music and and the type of music I had to play to get work changed, I hardly played this, near mint condition, banjo. 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. I cannot find any pictures remotely close online. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. CL. 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. The Vega White Oak Banjo is ideal for achieving the classic clawhammer and folk, with bright tone and distinct note clarity and weighs less than 6 lbs! William- Thanks for your post. The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. 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. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. Thanks again for your query, Barry. Kay Musical Instrument Company - Wikipedia vega banjo identification. Enjoy. The rim and shoe screws/washer are likely homemade/cut down and tone ring is not Galaxy stock, but more of a Gibson knockoff. Vega Martin models (1970-1979) are less of a collector`s item and fetch about half that price range. vega banjo Archives - Seeders Instruments 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. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. Yes, the VVI banjos have the same inlay pattern as the VM Pro (Professional) 5 string model. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo.

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