vega banjo identification

Jim _Thanks for your query. Your banjo is item # VB120C which sold for $360 back then. 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 Medium gauge for full-bodied tone and strong midrange response Tech Specs Number of Strings: 5 String Material: Steel Winding Material: Nickel Alloy vega banjo identification. Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? Im mostly a guitar player. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. Is it possible to tell me what model or style and year it was built also the value? The back of the headstock is blank. The metal parts were chrome-plated. 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. The finish was shaded mahogany, and the metal rim parts were nickel plated. Where to find your serial number. 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. vega banjo identification. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. 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. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Martin built only 20 F-VIP 5 stringers, and to my count 11 were made in Pennsylvania per the shop log book. Hope this helps. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Im trying to decide wether to keep it as a memento, keep it and take some lessons, or possibly sell it because its a shame to have it sit in storage. Vega Martin models (1970-1979) are less of a collector`s item and fetch about half that price range. CL. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black ,, kemenpppa.go.id 4kjzing@8x47evey1 Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. 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. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. Martin historian Mike Longworth. thanks for the very informative web site From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. This Vox uses brass (rather than the late model Vega/Martin aluminum) hex nut shoes for the tension bolts, and thinner dual brass coordinator rods (again, instead of aluminum). P.S. Hi! Answer: Tu-Ba-Phone 5-String made 1978-1979. 403.80. In the meantime, thanks again for your post. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. . Rettberg & Lange(1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made The tiny screws adjacent to it are an adaptation by the Vega franchise to afford fine-tuning of the side-to-side alignment of the neck. Theres barely a mark on the banjo (except for the binding where it was put on a stand) and this will probably buff out. 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. 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 . I have a seperate label thats still in the case showing the serial # 1199. Services; vega banjo identification 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. The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. 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 The Martin Co. dropped the 6 digit serial number system in mid 1971 and then began again with #2- #1945, although a few special banjos up to #1969 were produced. The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. It look and plays great. There is no #1 Martin banjo listed, but banjos #6-8 were Vega Vox-4-T tenors built per Shop Order 2087. To unravel most of the curious mystery of the legendary Bobby Joe Fenster, please scroll back to the Sept. 12, 2014 homepage posting devoted to this interesting figure from the annals of Vega Martin banjo history, or just enter fenster in the search engine on the home page. I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. Informacje o Martin V740 StringsVega strun banjo RETRO 10-23,10 - 11109692503 w archiwum Allegro. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Thank you. ). my Martin/Vega PS5 #481 is about a month into my possession. It is collecting dust since i dont play the banjo and I am thinking of passing it on. However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. First let me thank you for this amazing well of information! The banjo is featuring an interesting mix of particulars: The connecting rods are of the (much earlier?) I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. I really appreciate your orientation. 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. Ive taken a number of hi-res photostoo many to attach to email. This fascinating collection of vintage stringed instruments chronicles luthier C.F. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . P.S. Martin Vega Banjo 5-Strings, Medium Gauge (V740) Check Price at Amazon. # 1713? so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. I ordered. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. Do you know how many Scruggs or Scruggs Soloists, and Sonny Osborne models were made under the Martin ownership and where made? C.F. Reverb Homepage Contact Support 539673d7daac40d5a6fd870a259b9813 Shop Gear Categories Brands Shops Deals and Steals Price Drops 0% Financing New and Popular Handpicked Collections Sell on Reverb One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. 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. 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. Categories . 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. Barry. built in 1971, my long neck looks like it was built yesterday and all I added was a geared 5th string pegstuck it in an American Vintage case and screwed a CF Martin brass medallion to the side. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! 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? 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. Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. It is indeed a sweet banjo with plenty of talk in it. My estimate would be that this rare and exotic bird might fetch around $1800 or more these days. Most likely, your banjo has a paddle peghead still with Kluson tuners, block MOP engraved fingerboard inlays, and an updated resonator design with black bindings and a fleur-de-lis added under the engraved star De-Luxe Vegavox on the back (brand new on the 1963-model). vega banjo identification. 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. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. Is this an old genuine Vega in the lower price class, Sten- Thanks for your query about the FR-5 banjo. C.F. Thank you so very much for this information! I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. According to the factory logbook, banjo # 481 was one of eleven PS-5 banjos made per Shop Order # 2155 by C.F. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. Look for decals and a serial number on the interior of the rim to help document its story. My estimate is that the banjo might be worth $500-$700 depending on condition. Any idea where I might find one? 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. Do you have any additional information you could share regarding this instrument? Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. Your banjo is an off shoot of the classic No. Your banjo with SN 1046 was one of five PS-5 instruments manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 per Shop Order 2218, and after that C.F. From the BRC, Barry, Barry, i have an extended neck (25 fretts) Vega/Martin banjo with a serial number of 80. 2 classic model. 2 for $4149. Ive got a couple of pictures in case of interest, but Id need a mail-address for sending, me supposing. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. VT2NRC in its 1979 catalogue, and Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years. 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. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. Very interesting to get to know all this details. Thanks so much! 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. Thanks for your post. from BRC: Wim- Thanks for the great photo of your busy workshop. In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. The year 1970-1971 was a time of transition of tools and parts from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. Wow, I glad to find your website! Idoubt it matches the rim, unless they changed from a plectrum to tenor atlast minute. Martin built 561 VW-5 banjos in the 1970`s.You can learn more about this VM instrument by browsing my website for the postings on 6-19-21 and 1-16-21, or just enter the word `wonder` in the search engine. George Gruhn might also know. Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. C.F. Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. The story he told was that it was a distress sale for a friend, and that the banjo was one of 1000 limited editions and had a solid silver tone ring, and was worth at least twice the price. Many thanks for your efforts. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. It looks like the banjo is in ok/decent condition. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. 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. 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! fender american professional ii vs ultra. I am assuming someone may have penciled in an extra 1 on yours, but my best guess is that it was made sometime in the last half of 1963 (A12130 was the first banjo produced in Jan 64). Do you know how many tenor V41 banjos were made? Vega Banjo Identification Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers Chart Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers Vintage Mandolin Banjo Fairbanks Vega Company Boston USA 1920 6 Saiten Einige der Spanner samt Schrauben und sowie die Saiten sind nicht vorhanden. Q: At what point did Vega go from ball end to open end bracket nuts? port melbourne players; fair lawn high school graduation; vega banjo identification; By . With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. In the final VM 1976 catalogue, the F-VIP is displayed in full advertising detail. I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . From the BRC, Barry. There is no evidence that Vega actually made banjos prior to buying out Fairbanks. These were followed by banjos #9-14 which were Vega Vox-4-P plectrums per Shop Order 2088. I recently took my Dads 4 string banjo out of storage after approximately 25 years since his passing. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. I tried to find your email address at your Banjo homepage without any success. Learning how to play the banjo is no different. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Hello and thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. 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). In my files, the PS-5 model first appears in a 1961 Vega product flyer from Boston, but it may have been manufactured there starting in 1958. 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. 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). There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. Thanks again for your post and pictures and kind comments about the website. John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. 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. 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. A nice banjo- enjoy. 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 . 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. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, High Crown (1/2 Inch) $19 USD. It has dual rods running through the pot and it has the tubaphone tone ring. C.F. 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. Vega Banjo Identification Professional Had Black. 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. "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. He wanted to buy it! Excellent condition. I lived in Needham MA for 20+ years, and Im wondering if that tone ring possibly came from Vegas final days in Needham. So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks 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. 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. 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. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. 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. 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 earliest reported is F&C #1000. It is a VEGA MARTIN tenor 4 string on which is written a number: 1040 .On the handle, it is engraved VIP and the back of the handle, there is the CF Martin logo.I want to know the date of construction , its positioning in the range of tenor banjos and possibly the price it may be worth now .Thank you in advance and best wishes !Bernard, BRC Banjo Replies:June 1, 2016 at 2:33 pm, Bonjour Bernard- Your VIP (Very Important Player) tenor banjo serial number 1040 was one of three VIP-T banjos manufactured by C.F. So happy to find this site. The tone ring really had me confused! I would appreciate it very much. Martin students believe that it was a market ploy to attract owners of the legendary Martin D-45 guitar to purchase a partner banjo, but the strategy did not succeed. Hi there Folks.A few weeks ago i bought a Vega martin 5 string banjo, tubaphone tonering, the screws to attach the shoes to the bracket band go through the bracketband but also through the rim.The banjo is almost in unplayed condition, sounds wonderfull, the original case is also there.serial numer is 1707. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. 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. So, your banjo is likely either a late 1963/early 1964 model (Vega model years ran from Oct 1st-Sept 30th at the time, much like automobiles). Allen screws at the neck/pot junction and a tube connecting rod (not shown) are design features from the 1960`s in Boston . Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. 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. Your banjo appears to be a hybrid assembled sometime in the 1980`s after C. F. Martin sold the Vega franchise overseas to the Galaxy conglomerate in 1979. ), Wim- Congratulations on procuring such a lovely vintage instrument. Thank you so much!! 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. The other 9 were likely shipped to Canada or Japan for assembly after 1977. 1833 decal is absent from the inner rim. used speakers for sale craigslist; pioneer woman carne guisada; vega banjo identification; By . They all had yellow serial number stickers. The VIP banjo last appeared in the 1976 VM catalog as an open back instrument but still featuring the V.I.P. C.F. Thanks again. Prices subject to change without notice. So cool to have this historical data. It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided. I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. Replacing a broken flange on a rare and vintage instrument is a tough task. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. C.F. Of historical interest, when Martin initiated its own four digit serial number system in 1972 to replace the Vega six digit system, banjos SN 2-5 were the V-45(5) model. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. I have original case. 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.

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