Can`t find anything about it on line. Idoubt it matches the rim, unless they changed from a plectrum to tenor atlast minute. 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. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. 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. In that same period, twenty-one VV IV plectrums were manufactured. 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. Banjoman- C.F. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. 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. The Seeger endorsed 5-stringer had the famous Vega Tube-a phone tone ring, a three piece ebony fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck-tension rod, a 10 ply maple rim, and a brass bracket band and notched tension hoop. 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. Im hoping you can check both in your archives and tell me the going prices. The VM price list in 1971 quoted a sales tag of $545 for the Pro-5 without case. PA. Barry. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Martin Museum collection. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. Thanks! 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. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! 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. 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. Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. From the BRC, Barry. 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. 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. In addition to the unusual R-D-136 serial number, the C.F. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. We have a bunch of new Deering merch for you whether it be socks, shirts, tote bags, mugs, and more! Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. vega banjo identification - Aviator Land The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin. Below are more Letters from the BRC Archives. The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. Any model F-V or Vega banjo with serial #s between 52669 and 52684 (a 15 number range), when the switch from "Fairbanks Banjo, Made by Vega" stamp to the "Made by Vega" stamp seems to have occurred. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. It is mentioned again on a back page of the 1972 catalogue. From the BRC, Barry. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. Vega Regent 5 String Banjo (1925) | RetroFret The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. George Gruhn might also know. They are on the second and 3rd strings and allow that Buck Trent kind of thing. vega banjo identification. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. I got an old Vega banjo from my father. Thanks Again! My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. An example of one of these 4-stringers from the 1920`s is still in the C.F. 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. Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. rocket and teresa administrative leave; I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). Zero fret wear. Smakula Fretted Instruments; Banjos Everywhere! It is collecting dust since i dont play the banjo and I am thinking of passing it on. Martin in the 1970s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! I have recently acquired from Florida another VEGA Martin VIP model #845, which sounds totally different than the other 2, almost a rich full old timey sound yet with a resonator. Can you tell me more like age and value? It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. 3, Serial #50232, with a patented brass top hoop and bracket band over a seven-lap sectional maple hoop, 28 brackets, mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard with22 frets and inlaid pearloid dots and star position marks, carved heel, peghead with flowerpot inlay . The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . 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). C.F. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. 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. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. The V-45 appears on the cover of the 1972 catalogue, and it was billed as our finest Bluegrass banjo in the 1976 catalogue. The VIP banjo last appeared in the 1976 VM catalog as an open back instrument but still featuring the V.I.P. Hopes this helps and thanks again for the detailed pictures. 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. Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Fairbanks Vega Banjos Specifications - Mugwumps 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. I has Vega and a single star on the front of the headstock. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Data from these logbooks are available per e-mail request from the BRC founder. The last Vega Martin banjo manufactured in Nazareth, PA, was SN 1969 as reportedly documented by a letter of authentication signed by C.F. 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. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? - chroniclesdengen.com Martin purchased the Vega brand and briefly marketed the so-called Bobby Joe Fenster banjo which was a thinly disguised Pro-5 endorsed by a fictitious banjoist as a somewhat mirthful marketing ploy. Informacje o Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 w archiwum Allegro. I love the story. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. Barry. One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. 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. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. 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. Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral to the modern folk sounds of The Avett Brothers as they were to Pete Seegers personal revolution. 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. Vega De Luxe Electric Plectrum Banjo - Gruhn Guitars Hope this helps. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. # 1713? Being unable to find anything on the internet, I began to think I had been scammed. 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. Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. Fairbanks Banjos - Serial Numbers and Features by year Fairbanks Banjos SERIAL NUMBERS A.C. Fairbanks - Maker ~1875 - 1880 Sporadic numbers have been found written in the wooden hoops of 5 of these earliest Fairbanks banjos. Martin built only 29 T2-5 banjos, but no price list is available after 1971 preceding resurrection of the classic Vega T2-5 model for production. Identifying Unmarked Banjos - Bill's Banjos Thanks for the great information on this page. It look and plays great. Fairbanks and Vega banjo numbers are consecutive, and have no DIRECT relationship to the model, or production date. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. I have found it helpful over the years. gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black ,, kemenpppa.go.id 4kjzing@8x47evey1 Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z vega banjo identificationvega banjo identification January 31, 2022 . Vega Banjos Serial Numbers - spheregenerous Another side note, Greg Deering has made two prototype Voxes alreadyI have played one of them, which is basically an identical design to the 1967 Vox I with a paddle peghead and crown inlays. 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. These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Perhaps a bit more cutting. 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. Many thanks for your efforts. The overseas conglomerate Galaxy purchased the Vega line in 1979 and offered the T2-5 for $775 before going bankrupt in the mid 1980`s. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . So happy to find this site. Further investigation related to your comments in the abovefirst paragraph might shed some light on the wood tone finish differences. 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). How do you date a banjo? 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. Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . Still as wonderful as the day I got it. By early 1971, Martin began to assemble banjos from Boston-made parts in Nazareth using the Vega six digit serial number system prefixed with the letter M for Martin and beginning with Shop Order 2001. Thank you. Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. Vega Banjos - The Mandolin Pages In the final Martin price listed published in 1971, it listed for $345 without case. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. He uses the one piece neck design typical of the other Deering models with the SN stamped on the back of the peghead. Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic Tubaphone tone ring. It was advertised to feature a rosewood veneered rim and resonator trimmed in abalone pearl like the C.F. 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. 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. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. Of note, when the Professional 5-stringer was made in Boston in the early 1960`s, it had square MOP inlays with dots on the neck compared to the nicely designed inlays on your fretboard and seen in the 1966 catalogue. vega banjo identification. Is this original? Vintage Vega Banjo - musical instruments - by owner - sale The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Per the 1971 price list, the V-45-5 sold for $1650 with case included, and it was available by special order only. 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. 1833 decal is absent from the inner rim. Check Price at Amazon. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. The distinct disadvantage to having a rare banjo is finding replacement parts. 17,378. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. From the BRC, Barry. 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 After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . Bill- Thanks for your query. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. Nowadays, it might fetch around $750 in the online marketplace. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. 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. 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. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. Thanks again for your time & consideration. My estimate would be that this rare and exotic bird might fetch around $1800 or more these days. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? Dave- Thank you for your kind words about the website and the narrative about your Vega Vox IV tenor banjo. Rob- Thank you for the below photos. ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! Fantastic site with wonderful information. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Id love to learn more about it, etc. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! 0 bids. Just found you today . From the BRC, Barry. 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. Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim. In the the 1971 Vega Martin price list, the VW-Plec retailed at $345. It retailed for $488 without case in the 1970 Vega Martin catalog, and it last appeared in the 1972 VM catalogue without a suggested price. Roger- Thanks much for your query. 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. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. vega banjo identification 721 which I have had a number of years. All the best from the BRC, Barry. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Thank you very much for your quick answer. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. If there is any other interesting information about the instrument you care to share from the Martin log book, I would be most appreciative. So heres my question. 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. The long-neck No. Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, parts were shipped overseas to Japan and Canada for assembly. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. From the BRC, Barry. 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. As you have observed, the VIP tonering has holes grouped in threes, so maybe yours might be a lucky survivor from the early days of the VIP line when the model first appeared in the 1970 Vega Martin catalogue. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . Barry, I have an open back Vega long neck with C F Martin Co logo on the back of the machine head and inside the rim. Item # 9126. This is a stock neck off a Martin-made tenor from that erathe fingerboardblock inlay is what would be found on only the Vox I or Pro. 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. bouffant scrub cap pattern. Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. Subject: Help with ID of Vega Banjo please. 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. I orderedit in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. model serial number 1990. Nowadays, the Pro-5 would fetch around $1000-$1500 depending on condition. With appreciation, Barry. Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. The fascinatingwooden pie (sectioned) resonator is probably inherited from the Boston era Vega inventory. 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 upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron: Looks like something that might have put together from parts, either insideor outside the factoryI suspect the latter as there have been lots of Voxchop shop conversions going back in time (even to the 1920s). The only serial number is 1120. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. Do you have any information on it? I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. VEGA Banjos for sale | eBay 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? Hi guys, great website. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. As C.F. I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. Can you identify this rare Vega Martin banjo just by the peghead markings? 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. Martin was winding-down its banjo production, the metal engraving was subcontracted to Liberty Banjos. Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. 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 Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? vega banjo identification Do you have a total of these models made under the Massachusetts Vega name? As Barry indicates, a photo of the yellow sticker will be helpful here. Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. Any info including your estimate of current value would be very much appreciated. The openbacks are made entirely of white oak and feature a midnight maple fingerboard and peghead overlay. sir- need some help. GREAT FORUM. Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. Shop today! Some C.F. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. My Vega VIP has the Martin decal on the back of the headstock. Specs are equal to the popular Gold Tone MM-150 with the addition of three extra frets allowing the banjo to tune to EBEG#B. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? 7. Any help with identifying it (I cant find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white. 403.80. It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). Excellent condition. 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. Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. The Pro-5 does not appear in the 1976 Vega Martin catalogue. Fairbanks & Vega banjos, Dating & Identifying - Mugwumps The Vega brand was subsequently sold overseas in 1979. C.F. Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? New and used generic flanges can be found on eBay, but getting one to fit your pot outer diameter and bracket hook sequence is tricky. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? vega banjo identification. Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. Can you tell me about it? In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. He was told that it was made by Martin, but I do not find any Martin labels.