Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. In PACTware software. In the the 1971 Vega Martin price list, the VW-Plec retailed at $345. If you had a picture archive, Id be happy to post some pictures. C.F. 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. 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. C.F. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. Good luck with your vintage Seeger long neck and photos of this prize would be most welcome for posting here if you are so inclined. 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. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. 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 . Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. 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. Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. The tone ring really had me confused! I know this is a Vega Martin site, however maybe you can help me or know of someone who can provide me with more information about my dads Vega banjo.It is a 1951 Vega vox iv plectrum with with s/n 98786.What does the iv mean? Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. 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). Thank You Many thanks for your efforts. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. He could always check the stamp on the bottomthe tone ring to see if its a match to the rim (it should say V916). Martin`s beloved historian). Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. 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 . Inside your device. Photos would be necessary to give an accurate price range, as design styles were still changing in the post war period and overall condition (all original parts) would bring a higher price. 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 serial number is stamped in the wooden rim below the Martin decal. vega banjo identification. Greg Deering acquired rights to the Vega brand name in 1989 and restored the banjo line to greatness. Thanks again for your post. 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. Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. and CXXVI (126?). Ive got a couple of pictures in case of interest, but Id need a mail-address for sending, me supposing. I have 2 Martin Vegas. I have attached photos comparing the label printing difference. CL. aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. vega banjo identification. Therefore it became dissembled. Your instrument SN 999 was one of five VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjos was made in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1974 per Shop Order # 2212. The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. Martin did not develop or cultivate such a banjo line, a dozen such BJF-5 entries are recorded in their shop files from 1971-1972. The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . Martin decals on the inner rim and back of the peghead. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? Serial # 1795. The openbacks are made entirely of white oak and feature a midnight maple fingerboard and peghead overlay. Again, thanks for your post. I would appreciate it very much. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. . I lived in Needham MA for 20+ years, and Im wondering if that tone ring possibly came from Vegas final days in Needham. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . Learning how to play the banjo is no different. The C.F. The Folk Wonder is an open-back banjo that features a maple neck, a white bound ebony fretboard with pearl dots, and geared pegs in the headstock. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . The tonering, bracket band, and notched tension hoop were all made of vibrant bell brass (Not die cast metal). From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. 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 He was told that it was made by Martin, but I do not find any Martin labels. Do you have a total of these models made under the Massachusetts Vega name? After the original owner, Jack Mistretta, passed away in 1998, this banjo found its way to Japan, where noted jazz-banjoist, Ken Aoki, featured it for many years in his touring act. Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? Micky- Thanks for your narrative on your Pete Seeger long neck. The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Your peghead and resonator are clearly marked with C.F. 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. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. Ernie Ball 5-String Medium Stainless Steel Banjo Strings, 10-10 Gauge (P02309) Check Price at Amazon. Thanks for your post. . 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. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. Dot inlay fret board. Just found you today . The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. Your 5 string model was featured in the subsequent 1979 TMC Vega catalogue as an instrument similar to old style Vega Tu- Ba-Phone No.9.. banjo, and it listed then for $1250. The story of how Greg Deering came to own the 130 year old Vega trademark is one of childhood dreams and an unmissable opportunity. 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. Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. Do you know how many Scruggs or Scruggs Soloists, and Sonny Osborne models were made under the Martin ownership and where made? # 1713? However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. 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. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. 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. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. Its paper label says it was made by Vega of Boston, part of the CF Martin Co. but it does not have the CF Martin decal on the back of the peg-head. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). (#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. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided. Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. 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. Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. vega banjo identification. What is it worth today, and what did it sell for when new? Whenever parts are sent overseas, it is unpredictable if instruments are constructed fastidiously with matching parts, and this may explain the difference in tone between your two VIP instruments. I have two theories about your instrument. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers in between are considered the number of that model we have made since we started the formal serial number system in 1987. 721 which I have had a number of years. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! Although C.F. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Thanks from the BRC, Barry, Hi Barry! 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). Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? THE BRC THANKS YOU FOR VISITING THE VEGA MARTIN BANJO INFO PAGE. Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. 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). Fairbanks & Cole Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . ). VEGA Vegaphone 'Professional' Tenor Banjo $2,328.30 $131.44 shipping or Best Offer 19 watching Vega Style N Tenor Banjo $799.00 $83.00 shipping or Best Offer 20's Bacon/Day/Vega 4 String Banjo Groovers, Oettinger Tailpiece $3,777.77 Free shipping Vintage Vega Wonder Plectrum 4 String Banjo With Hard Shell Case $1,161.96 Was: $1,399.95 Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is 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 I have found it helpful over the years. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. The banjo features a rim and resonator rosewood veneered with white binding, The tone ring was brass, and there was abalone pearl around the back edge of the resonator. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. tone ring that you have. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. 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. Bill- Thanks for your query. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. vega banjo identification. Fantastic site with wonderful information. Your tenor 4-stringer was built in early 1972 per Shop Order 2051. Vega Banjo Identification Professional Had Black. 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. Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel.
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