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. The long-neck No. Just came across your site, I was wondering if you would be able to help identify what model Martin Vega banjo that I have, I believe it is from the 70s. The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. Martin`s beloved historian). 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. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. Not quite as universally imitated as, say, Stradivari's violins or Martin's dreadnought guitars, but close. I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . How much would it be worth? The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. The metal parts were chrome-plated. cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. The majority of the banjoists appear to be holding examples of the regular Vega electric banjos with dot-inlayed fingerboards and dark wood veneered pegheads. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. Martin files indicate that only one Scruggs Mark II banjo and only one Scruggs Soloist banjo were manufactured at the Martin factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in the 1970`s. Unbeknownstto most 5 string aficionados, the Martin Guitar Company manufactured Vega banjos from 1970 through 1979. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. 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. 219203099161mmDA107 , . Because so few Pro-5`s were manufactured in Nazareth, it is difficult to gauge the worth of your banjo these days. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. Your description of your FR-5 sounds like you have a genuine Boston-made Folk Ranger. Wow, I glad to find your website! The serial # is 448. Barry. Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! This workshop numbering system continued uninterrupted to #2355 in 1977 when the banjos went overseas for assembly. Your tenor 4-stringer was built in early 1972 per Shop Order 2051. Flanked by interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founderproudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. Hence, my theory is that this ornate banjo was assembled overseas after Martin began shipping parts to Japan and Canada for assembly in 1976, and this would explain the mysterious serial number. Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! He on his banjo and me with my guitar. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Just found you today . I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. C.F. S.C.- Thank you for your query to the BRC. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic Tubaphone tone ring. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. For a chuckle, see the latest home page entry for BJF details. 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. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. 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. I have 2 Martin Vegas. and CXXVI (126?). 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. 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. Vega Banjo Identification Professional Had Black. Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA Ed Britt, Jim Bollman, or Bob Smakula would be the most likely people to be able to give you the most exact identification of the model possible. . What A great and informative site .. From the BRC, Barry, Sir: What kind of info can you give me on a V-76E banjo, Ser. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. But with original Whyte Laydie banjo rims being in demand for converting to 5-string instruments, this one is an ideal candidate. Being unable to find anything on the internet, I began to think I had been scammed. Ironically, 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). From the BRC, Barry. Yes, the VVI banjos have the same inlay pattern as the VM Pro (Professional) 5 string model. Bob. Your banjo neck is from a Martin Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjoas advertised in a Martin flyer circa 1978, and the potalso looks like a left-over rim inherited from theNazareth, PA, company. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. Nowadays, the Pro-5 would fetch around $1000-$1500 depending on condition. Martin and Co., Est. 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. This did include the instalment of a Fiberskyn head to mellow down the tone somewhat, of a geared 5th string tuner, and of a (very nice) tailpiece to replace the chrome plated Waverly (everything else nickel). I am wondering what you can tell me about a Vega long neck banjo with Martin stamp on the back of the headstock and inside, serial number 82? I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. 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. 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 $325. While the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, retooled to build banjos, interim yellow stickers were affixed to the inner rims of Boston banjos citing the merger and identifying the model of the instrument (which was inscribed by pen). Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. It is a top-of-the-line banjo that was paired with the reissued D-45 Martin guitar as a marketing strategy. The Wonder model had a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, geared tuners, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fretboard, pearl dots, a resonator with 4 section metal tone flanges, nickel-plated parts, a plastic head, an armrest and shaded mahogany finish. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. # 1713? Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Lastly, the banjo could be cleaned-up and refitted at a local music shop, or referred by the shop to a nearby luthier for repairs; and you would have a workable starter banjo for taking some exploratory music lessons. Good luck and thanks again for your post. Jack. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck Model 5 String Banjo (1961), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 100971, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. The rare T-2 and T-2XL had serial numbers in the #1607-1945 range. The local music store said they would give her 120$ for it. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Save This Search Vega Vox short neck tenor banjo IiMPOSSIBLE TO FIND/ one of the best sounding Banjo's in the world> Used - Mint Condition Posted 11/15/2021 8:46:13 AM by Ronkisok - Country: United States - State: CT - ZIP: 06790 Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. Martins acquisition of Vega of Bostonand, the only other one completed in the old Needham Heights factory before banjo production finally moved to Nazareth. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/307507 vinman - Posted - 08/09/2015: 18:02:24 Martin historian Mike Longworth. It is important to note that there are exceptions to every rule and the following is only a general guide for identifying Gibson "A" Style mandolins. John, just an old Missouri banjo picker transplanted in Arizona. Thanks for your post. My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. Rochester NY 14610. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. 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. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. According to the C.F. There are no other identification markings on the instrument and it definitely does not say Martin anywhere. Evidently, there was a marketing strategy to partner the 5-string V-41 instrument with Martin`s popular D-41 guitar, but this ploy did not come to fruition. The resonator back and sidewall colored engravings are probably the key feature that might bring more value than lessthere were two likely designs at this time a tiffany-style web pattern with a floral vine on the side (first used in 1930) or the late 1940s Indian blanket Art Deco design.I have an original 1948 model that has the older style neck, with the new resonator designso , its a mixed bag during this time as Vega was experimenting with parts off the shelf when banjo sales were extremely low (maybe 20 per year) and their focus was on guitar and ukulule production instead.Pricing for 4 strings (and 5 strings) have dropped considerably over last 2-3 years for vintage banjosVoxes have held more than others. Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! These days, my guess is that this 5 stringer is worth about $1500 or more depending on condition. The earliest reported is F&C #1000. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? Martin stamp. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. The tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. 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. Martin purchased the Vega brand line. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. Martin Museum collection. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. I really appreciate your orientation. There were forty-six Vega Martin V-45 banjos made of similar design, but the hardware was gold-plated. The fascinatingwooden pie (sectioned) resonator is probably inherited from the Boston era Vega inventory. vega banjo identificationvega banjo identification January 31, 2022 . I orderedit in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . 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. Is 887 also a Pro5? Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. In the meantime, thanks again for your post. Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. Really sounds and pays great. FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. 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. 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. 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. I have attached photos comparing the label printing difference. Can you tell me more like age and value? Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. The Vega No.2 is a banjo made of top grade curly maple stained light amber and buffed to a high gloss. Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! Excellent condition. The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. William- Thanks for your post. It was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1973 per shop order # 2154. There is a star on the 5th fret. Any info including your estimate of current value would be very much appreciated. It may have been removed some time before I got it. 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). In that same period, twenty-one VV IV plectrums were manufactured. Any and all information you may have on my little banjo will be greatly appreciated! Do you have any additional information you could share regarding this instrument? 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). Would appreciate any information you can provide to verify the model and any original cost/current value. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. The Vega franchise was sold overseas in 1979 but reacquired in the US by Deering in 1989. 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. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. . 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). Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. Of note, the PS-5 had the `famous Vega Tube-a-phone tone ring rim`, a 3 piece ebony fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck-tension rod, nickel-plated rim parts, a shaded mahogany neck, and a 10 ply maple rim. vega banjo identification. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! 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. Thanks again. 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). Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. He is credited with being one of the first banjo-builders to install side brackets with hooks to adjust the tension of the head. used speakers for sale craigslist; pioneer woman carne guisada; vega banjo identification; By . A total of 101 PS-5 instruments were manufactured in Pennsylvania. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. 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. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. Thanks so much! Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. - ORDERS OVER $199 SHIPPED TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Add to cart SKU: 2959 Categories: 5-String Openback Banjos, Banjos, Vega Description Additional information Reviews (1) Shipping, Returns & Exchanges About this Banjo The Folk Ranger was a no-frills entry level banjo that Vega made in response to the folk music revival era. Ending Thursday at 9:33PM GMT 2d 23h. The finish was shaded mahogany, and the metal rim parts were nickel plated. ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. It is a somewhat rare bird, as C.F. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. 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. 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. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. Thank you for all the information. 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. Again, thanks for your post. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. Zero fret wear. The story of how Greg Deering came to own the 130 year old Vega trademark is one of childhood dreams and an unmissable opportunity. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. 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. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. . 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 In good condition, the range today is $4000-6000 ($4500-5000 is more reasonable); rare that a tenor would sell at high end, as that market is very soft now and more vintage IV tenors from 1930-50s are pursued and better value (those with dowel sticks tend to be more highly sought after today in the tenor crowd). 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`. Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. 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). 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. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. 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). Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. Id love to learn more about it, etc. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. The V-45(5) featured a heavy one-piece flat head tone ring of brass so popular among Bluegrass pickers. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. According to the C.F. 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. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . I admire the amount of effort youve put into helping the community of banjo enthusiasts I ve got serial # 129 , a 22 fret ,27 scale plectrum in for a set up..any info.about date of manufacture,potential value, and other pertinent details would be appreciatedthanks.. BRC Banjo Replies:July 14, 2016 at 1:13 pm, Darryl- Thank you for your kind comments about the BRC website. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. What a wealth of information! Hey, Ive got a Martin Vega Tubaphone 5 string banjo sn# 1603 that I acquired in the mid-1980s. Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! Idoubt it matches the rim, unless they changed from a plectrum to tenor atlast minute. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, Medium Crown (7/16 Inch) $19 USD.
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