William- Thanks for your post. It is great to hear from someone who actually visited the Vega factory in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. Thank you. vega banjo identification - Aviator Land 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. 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. 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). Great sound and in excellent condition. Prices subject to change without notice. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. I lived in Needham MA for 20+ years, and Im wondering if that tone ring possibly came from Vegas final days in Needham. My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. The neck has crown-and-football inlays and the Martin logo is on the back of the pegboard. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). Thanks for your post. The rim is 10 ply maple with a top metal tone ring, nickel-plated metal parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. 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). Andreas- Thank you for the historical narrative on your banjo and the detailed photographs. 5. The construction features were changing on the Vox IV (most different from catalog images), but at this point Vega was still using dowel stick (rather than metal coordinator rods) to attach and adjust the neck, and adjustable truss rods in the neck were not added until 1955the early prewar type-construction was desired by many collectors. It has only a tape serial number inside the pot of 1124. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. 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. 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. 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. vega banjo identification. Vega Martin Banjo Info | Banjo Rehab Center, Banjo Restoration In the Vega Martin price list of 1971, the last publication in which VM retail prices were cited, the VM-5 was listed at $345 without case. (#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. It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Im mostly a guitar player. Bill's Banjos Martin purchased the Vega brand in May in 1970 and just before the factory was transferred to Pennsylvania. John, just an old Missouri banjo picker transplanted in Arizona. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. Roger- Thanks for your challenging follow-up query. Vintage Banjos for sale | eBay C.F. A few months later, the old six digit number system was replaced with new sequence starting with #2 and progressing sequentially to a four digit number over the ensuing years. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. The Wonder-5 was an entry level instrument with a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fingerboard, 4 section flanges, nickel plated metal parts, and shaded mahogany finish. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. The Life & Times of the Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958 - 1970. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. Barry. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 I love the story. This 5-stringer was manufactured circa 1845 in Baltimore, MD, by luthier William Boucher, Jr.. What is it worth today, and what did it sell for when new? From the BRC, Barry. The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. 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. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. C.F. 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. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. 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. Bill- Thanks for your query. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? He could always check the stamp on the bottomthe tone ring to see if its a match to the rim (it should say V916). Great information and even better advice. In the 1972 Martin catalogue, the Professional appears identical to yours, but it is absent from the 1976 catalogue. Services; vega banjo identification The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. Barry. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. C.F. The back of the headstock is blank. 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. Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. Im now forced to sell several beloved instruments but have no idea how to price this gem. 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. These days, the Wonder would sell for $700-$1000 depending on condition. Fantastic site with wonderful information. vega banjo identification. But with original Whyte Laydie banjo rims being in demand for converting to 5-string instruments, this one is an ideal candidate. 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. 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. The rich heritage of Vega was derelict for 5 years until Deering rescued it by acquiring rights to the brand name in 1989. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. Vega Banjos - The Mandolin Pages On the back side of your device. Hope this helps. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. There are no other identification markings on the instrument and it definitely does not say Martin anywhere. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. The banjo listed for $556 in the 1971 price list without case. It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. Bob- Thanks for your query and kind words about my website. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb The V-41 was available by special order only, and it listed back then for $850. The Folk Ranger was a no-frills entry level banjo that Vega made in response to the folk music revival era. Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. The VIP banjo last appeared in the 1976 VM catalog as an open back instrument but still featuring the V.I.P. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. Vega De Luxe Electric Plectrum Banjo - Gruhn Guitars Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Thanks again. 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 . Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. Im just getting back into my love of music. Is this an old genuine Vega in the lower price class, Sten- Thanks for your query about the FR-5 banjo. From the BRC, Barry. Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. First let me thank you for this amazing well of information! $42 USD. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. In the meantime, thanks again for your post. I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. I actually have a customized 75 Martin D28 to go with my 75 Vega. The VM price list in 1971 quoted a sales tag of $545 for the Pro-5 without case. I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. I got an old Vega banjo from my father. We've been notified and are looking into it. C.F. 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. It is mentioned again on a back page of the 1972 catalogue. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. I dont play any instrument right now. In the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin banjo catalogue, their Pro model line is conspicuosly absent; and instead, is seen a nearly identical twin Bobby Joe Fenster style banjo named after a fictitious nerdy folk musician invented by Martin in 1967 as an insider marketing joke. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. Dot inlay fret board. C.F. The finish was shaded mahogany, and the metal rim parts were nickel plated. I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. 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. Per the 1971 Martin price list, the recommended retail price back then was $545 with out case which cost another $68 for the hard shell version. 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. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. Thank you. 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. . 10" Rim. 1929 Vega Tubaphone Longneck Conversion Banjo This banjo started its life in 1929 as a Vega Vegaphone tenor banjo. I call him Rory, although much louder he has a beautiful rich tone, but is quite punchy.. Martin built only 20 F-VIP 5 stringers, and to my count 11 were made in Pennsylvania per the shop log book. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Martin in Nazareth, PA. . Martin V730 Vega Steel/Nickel Banjo Strings - .010-.023 - Sweetwater
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