vega banjo identification

Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Wooden pot resonator. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May of 1970, the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, began to re-tool for banjo production. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. Martin acquired Vega. While the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, retooled to build banjos, interim yellow stickers were affixed to the inner rims of Boston banjos citing the merger and identifying the model of the instrument (which was inscribed by pen). But with original Whyte Laydie banjo rims being in demand for converting to 5-string instruments, this one is an ideal candidate. In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. A: There are a very few Fairbanks made banjos (several of them Regents) with pre-fire serial numbers circa 22900, stamped simply "Vega" in an oval border. Hello. Im now forced to sell several beloved instruments but have no idea how to price this gem. Barry, Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. rocket and teresa administrative leave; I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. 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. Informacje o Martin V740 StringsVega strun banjo RETRO 10-23,10 - 11109692503 w archiwum Allegro. The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. This Vox uses brass (rather than the late model Vega/Martin aluminum) hex nut shoes for the tension bolts, and thinner dual brass coordinator rods (again, instead of aluminum). Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary Bobby Joe Fenster variation. Im hoping you can check both in your archives and tell me the going prices. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. Do you know how many Scruggs or Scruggs Soloists, and Sonny Osborne models were made under the Martin ownership and where made? From the BRC, Barry, Sir: What kind of info can you give me on a V-76E banjo, Ser. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. Zero fret wear. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. SOLD Vega Earl Scruggs Banjo and Original hard case Price: $695.00 USD a 1969 Earl Scruggs on rim inside :TRB 13746 . After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. From the BRC, Barry. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999. Any idea where I might find one? Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. Thanks! Martin shortly after its bitter 1977 luthier strike following which their banjo production dwindled to almost nothing in Nazareth, PA. Those few Tubaphones which were made in Pennsylvania bore SN`s in the 1600-1945 range per the shop log book. Best wishes with your VIP and thanks again for your post, Barry. model serial number 1990. From the BRC, Barry. 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). Is has a hard case with blue interior. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. I really appreciate your orientation. 22 frets. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. 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. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Hey, Ive got a Martin Vega Tubaphone 5 string banjo sn# 1603 that I acquired in the mid-1980s. Thanks for your post. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA Martin stamp. best of . Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. Thanks again for your query. 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 Martin long neck PS-5 banjo SN 80 is one of eleven Pete Seeger 5-stringers manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1972 per Shop Order 2098. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. The Pro II model was advertised in the 1966 Vega catalogue with an up-graded and fancy mother of pearl inlay pattern as seen on your banjo. I have found it helpful over the years. After the difficult 1977 luthier strike at the C.F. Both are in wonderful condition. gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. Great sound and in excellent condition. The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. Hope this helps, and all the best picking, Barry. The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. Hello there, what a terrific Web page you guys have put together so interesting, i have a open back tenor banjo with the Martin logo and nos 916 it has the same pearl inlay as the 5 string pro it has 19 frets , i have no idea of its value but it has a beautiful slim neck just so easy to finger chords, cheers Rob. From the BRC, Barry, I inquired on Banjo Hangout about information on a Vega banjo acquired from a friend. One of the 2 rods inside rim is a larger diameter then the other one. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. 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. Barry. Vega stamp to yellow stick-on labels between 99369 and 99686. switchover is between #23721 and #23800. Thats a lot of information! MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. Banjos were simply stamped 'The Vega Company' From 1913, the firm started using style designations instead of names: * The banjorine (or banjeaurine) was a 5 string banjo, but with a shorter neck like a banjolin It would have been around this time that Tenor Banjos first appeared, as the Tango craze hit America between 1910 and 1914. 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. From the BRC, Barry. Check Price at Amazon. Martin was winding-down its banjo production, the metal engraving was subcontracted to Liberty Banjos. Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. 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. Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. 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. 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. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. The use of a brass band on the wood rim also appeared on some models at this time, to improve sound.What would be more telling is the peghead (where strings are attached) design at the time as they were in the process of changing from a scrolled shape to paddle peg head. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. 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. C.F. Your description of your FR-5 sounds like you have a genuine Boston-made Folk Ranger. 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. Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. $42 USD. It is number E-5 in a limited edition of 16 instruments made in 1976. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. Jim _Thanks for your query. 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. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. There is no evidence that Vega actually made banjos prior to buying out Fairbanks. They all had yellow serial number stickers. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. 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). from BRC: Wim- Thanks for the great photo of your busy workshop. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. Barry. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! 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. Not quite as universally imitated as, say, Stradivari's violins or Martin's dreadnought guitars, but close. Thanks for letting us see this fascinating and unique instrument. Really sounds and pays great. 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 estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. Martins acquisition of Vega of Bostonand, the only other one completed in the old Needham Heights factory before banjo production finally moved to Nazareth. 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. How much would it be worth? 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). Bob- Thanks for the remembrance narrative about you and your Dad learning music together- your are a lucky father and son. 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. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. Further investigation related to your comments in the abovefirst paragraph might shed some light on the wood tone finish differences. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. safety tips; prohibited items; product recalls; 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. ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. The serial # is 448. The rare T-2 and T-2XL had serial numbers in the #1607-1945 range. My Dad left me a Martin VegaIm thinking I want to pass it on to someone wholl play it and care for it more than I can. Enjoy. Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. Barry. 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). Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. 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. The story of how Greg Deering came to own the 130 year old Vega trademark is one of childhood dreams and an unmissable opportunity. Micky- Thanks for your narrative on your Pete Seeger long neck. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. vega banjo identification. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. Martin Vega Banjo Strings Features: Tin-plated steel core is responsive, lively, and resilient Nickel alloy wrap wire is consistently smooth and tonally flexible for a variety of playing styles 4-string tenor gauge is mellow and warm and accents low to midrange frequencies Tech Specs Number of Strings: 4 String Material: Tin-plated Steel Just wondering if you have any interesting data on this ax. 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. According to the C.F. So heres my question. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. Look for decals and a serial number on the interior of the rim to help document its story. Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. From the BRC, Barry. Thanks from all of us! 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). Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. I just acquired a second, SN#990 with the dog-bone tone ring. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. 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 C.F. Replacing a broken flange on a rare and vintage instrument is a tough task. 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. GREAT FORUM. FREE SHIPPING! They all had yellow serial number stickers. Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading Company in March of 1979. 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. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. By that time, parts were being shipped to Canada and Japan for assembly, and record keeping soon deteriorated and serial numbers were inconsistent. Vega Martin long neck PS-5 banjo SN 80 is one of eleven Pete Seeger 5-stringers manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1972 per Shop Order 2098. 2 Vega banjo from the early Boston era. Again, thanks for your post. 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 item has been sold. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! Anders- Thanks for your query. If you had a picture archive, Id be happy to post some pictures. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. 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. Fantastic site with wonderful information. Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. 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. It is mentioned again on a back page of the 1972 catalogue. I dont play any instrument right now. The Vega No.2 is a banjo made of top grade curly maple stained light amber and buffed to a high gloss. Save This Search Your search returned 20 results View Sold and Expired Ads Matching Your Search Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. I purchased the instrument from a private dealer (Kingsport, TN) for $800. Although the genesis of your SN and date of manufacture are a puzzlement, it is no mystery that you own a lovely vintage Martin banjo. C.F. I recently took my Dads 4 string banjo out of storage after approximately 25 years since his passing. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic Tubaphone tone ring. 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). 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. But, the neck had the upgraded crown inlay pattern like their mid range banjos, and originally a paddle peghead design (the new scroll design appeared in 1968). Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. I would love to be able to date this banjo: SN 999 as a decal under the Martin logo inside the rim with the Martin logo decal on the back side of the peghead as well. The banjo featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, geared tuning pegs, a 3 piece maple neck, blackwood fingerboard, pearl dots, a resonator, an arm rest, nickel plated parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. Fairbanks and Vega banjo numbers are consecutive, and have no DIRECT relationship to the model, or production date. 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 V-45(5) featured a heavy one-piece flat head tone ring of brass so popular among Bluegrass pickers. post . The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. 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. 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. Hope this helps. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. It has only a tape serial number inside the pot of 1124. It is a beauty. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. Hello and thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. So happy to find this site. The long-neck No. 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 Any clues? All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. I cant find that picture, but Ill see if I can locate it, as someone else may have sent it to me playing the banjo out at afestival in Arizona. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim.

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