Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? According to the C.F. Search online for Earl Scruggs Vega Banjo Images, and you will see a photo of him with his endorsed Vega instrument bearing the signature square inlays on the neck that offered its distinctive stage appearance. Your Vega Martin VIP-5 with SN 845 was made in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 as one of four manufactured per Shop Order #2193, and it sold for $556 without case in the 1971 price list (after which VM did not publish recommended retail prices). Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. Any help with identifying it (I cant find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! ampleforth college redundancies. Rettberg & Lange(1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. Close study of the flange can sometimes reveal, however, that it is left-over Vega hardware from the Needham Heights factory. Dot inlay fret board. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. Im curious to know if it is possible to learn whether this banjo came from the factory with a resonator or was originally sold as an open back. Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years, and the Vega brand was purchased in 1989 by Deering in California who restored the instrument line to greatness. 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. (They are NOT a 'coded' format.) One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. My aunt gave me a Martin Vega banjo serial number 892 to see what it was worth since she is not internet savy and looking to sell it. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck Model 5 String Banjo (1961), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 100971, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. bouffant scrub cap pattern. It looks identical to the one posted with photos on last July 8only difference is that mine does not have the Martin decal on the back of the peg head. ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! 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. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. All the best pickin`, and thanks for your kind words about my website. SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. From the BRC, Barry. 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. Thanks so much! Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. Your instrument SN 448 is one of 11 Pete Seeger extra long neck (PS-5) models manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1973 per Shop Order 2153. I dont play any instrument right now. 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. 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 The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. 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). Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. Save on our most popular Goodtime banjos - the Goodtime openback and the Goodtime Two - at your favorite Deering dealer today! Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Identifying Unmarked Banjos - Bill's Banjos The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Barry. 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). Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. Fairbanks and Vega banjo numbers are consecutive, and have no DIRECT relationship to the model, or production date. I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. This classic and ornate Vega series dates back to the 1920s but did not appear in the 1970 and 1972 Vega Martin catalogues. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. 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. Flanked by interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founderproudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. 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). Jim _Thanks for your query. 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 . There is a star on the 5th fret. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. Martin`s beloved historian). (#26) Dr. Ron about " Vega Vox V: The Vega Martin Apogee of 4 String Banjos", A Lone (Pre Vega Martin ) Banjo at the Art Museum, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ES67V1VHbMR-GfbQpvWWGD1RUJrtyTv?usp=sharing. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. June 7, 2022; homes for sale by owner in berwick, pa . Kudos to Greg Deering who rescued the Vega brand name from extinction in 1989 and restored it to greatness. 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. My Vega F-VIP #1456 got chosen from the 72 catalogue in spring of 76 in a music shop in Stuttgart / Germany, and was delivered only about ten weeks later. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. 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). The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). Martin briefly built a lightweight tenor banjo between 1923-26 to compete with Vega and other manufacturers whose heavier and more popular banjos had greater tone, volume, and sales. Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. This banjo has all hand-machined bell brass parts to replace the cheaper, more commonly used aluminum alloys used by both Vega and Martin during that era (including coordinator rods, top-tension rim lugs/shoes and bolts), and Kellens other signature upgrades that includes an 1/8 brass shim between the heel of the neck and rim and lacquered, highly polished inner resonator to enhance tone depth and volume projection. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? 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. John, John- Thank you much for your kind words about my website and letting my readers share in your joy of procuring a VM Pete Seeger long neck 5-stringer (PS-5). 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. Your banjo is item # VB120C which sold for $360 back then. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for your query to the BRC and the abovephoto link. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. 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. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. Like Mark whom you cite from Comment #6 above, your banjo is one of 14 Pro-5 instruments manufactured per Shop Order #2197 in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Martin built 100 Pro-5 banjos from 1971-79, including the whimsical Bobby Joe Fenster 5 stringer which was a thinly disguised Pro-5. With hard case. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. Vega Banjos by Deering | Huge Selection | Lowest Prices Guaranteed Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. My estimate is that your VIP-T would likely fetch in the $700-1100 range these days, and maybe a little more, depending on condition and special appointments. It was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1973 per shop order # 2154. Just wondering if you have any interesting data on this ax. I just acquired a second, SN#990 with the dog-bone tone ring. Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? I have had the opportunity to do this only once for a friend who traded some vintage parts with me for an old flange that I had by serendipity on my workshop shelf. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Any clues? Martin built only 20 F-VIP 5 stringers, and to my count 11 were made in Pennsylvania per the shop log book. 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. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. 96.90 postage. Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. Banjo Parts & Accessories - Elderly Instruments 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. Dear Per- In May of 1970, C.F. The banjo listed for $556 in the 1971 price list without case. The Vega brand was subsequently sold overseas in 1979. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. Although a Bluegrass resonator banjo musician, my daily practice exercises are conducted sans picks on one of two long neck Ode 5-stringers that are wife-friendly in tone. Hopes this helps. The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. The Vega Company reportedlyintroduced the first wooden sectioned pie resonator in mid 1923 for their Vega Professional 4-stringer. Zero fret wear. Thanks Again! They are 230, 243, 353, LVII (57?) Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May in 1970 and just before the factory was transferred to Pennsylvania. Is it possible to tell me what model or style and year it was built also the value? The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. Vega Banjo Identification Professional Had Black. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. The last Vega Martin banjo manufactured in Nazareth, PA, was SN 1969 as reportedly documented by a letter of authentication signed by C.F. Rob- Thank you for the below photos. 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. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. From the BRC, Barry, Barry, i have an extended neck (25 fretts) Vega/Martin banjo with a serial number of 80. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). Andreas- Thank you for the historical narrative on your banjo and the detailed photographs. 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 PS-5 appears in the transitional 1970 Vega Martin catalog, and again in the 1972 product brochure; but it is absent from the 1976 catalog. Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, parts were shipped overseas to Japan and Canada for assembly. The Vega era PS-5 banjos sell for up to $3-4K these days. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black ,, kemenpppa.go.id 4kjzing@8x47evey1 The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! The circular connecting rod is left over from the Vega inventory and shipped from Boston to Nazareth after C. F. Martin acquired the brand in May of 1970. Barry. 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. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. It is indeed a sweet banjo with plenty of talk in it. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 10" Rim. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. Thank you. 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. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. Published by at 30, 2022. What a wealth of information! Is this original? Your tenor 4-stringer was built in early 1972 per Shop Order 2051. Thanks for letting us see this fascinating and unique instrument. It has no rod in the drum. 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. It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. VEGA Banjos for sale | eBay Accordingly, 1970-1971 was a year of manufacturing transition from Boston to Nazareth. vega banjo identification Nowadays, the Pro-5 would fetch around $1000-$1500 depending on condition. Martin built only 31 of the V-41 instruments: 28 of the V-41-5 model like yours, 1 plectrum and 2 tenor 4-stringers. Learning how to play the banjo is no different. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. vega banjo identification. Photos are always welcome, and thanks for your post. 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. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. Thanks again. I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . 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 very much for your quick answer. 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. 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. There is no #1 Martin banjo listed, but banjos #6-8 were Vega Vox-4-T tenors built per Shop Order 2087. from BRC: Wim- Thanks for the great photo of your busy workshop. George Gruhn might also know. Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. Photos are available. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. 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. 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. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. Wow! 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 All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Im now forced to sell several beloved instruments but have no idea how to price this gem. The Item # was VT2NRC. The Style K was Vega's least expensive banjo-mandolin, not having a "tone ring" installed, unlike the pricier Tu-Ba-Phone and Whyte Laydie models. Deering now owns the Vega line and offers open-back Tubaphones in their inventory. Smakula Fretted Instruments; Banjos Everywhere! Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. I has Vega and a single star on the front of the headstock. Subject: Help with ID of Vega Banjo please. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. 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. 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). Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary Bobby Joe Fenster variation. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used - banjobarn.com 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. It is a beauty. 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. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. If you want a more Bluegrass sound, try a 5-Star head from Stew Mac. vega banjo identification - Pamela Hudson After Martin sold the Vega line to Galaxy in 1979, this generic mother of pearl pattern remained the same in the VIP model but had double-stripe engraving on it. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z I recently took my Dads 4 string banjo out of storage after approximately 25 years since his passing. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale - banjobuyer.com Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. 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). 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, High Crown (1/2 Inch) $19 USD. Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic Tubaphone tone ring. Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. S.C.- Thank you for your query to the BRC. I have two theories about your instrument. By that time, parts were being shipped to Canada and Japan for assembly, and record keeping soon deteriorated and serial numbers were inconsistent. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. I inherited a Vega 5-string resonator banjo and have been trying to find out additional information about it. Yes, the VVI banjos have the same inlay pattern as the VM Pro (Professional) 5 string model. The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. The Vega 1961 flyer and 1963 catalogue describe that the Earl Scruggs model had a sunburst finish on the resonator. I think it is a Pro-5.
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