These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). 403.80. FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. C.F. Thank You Jack. In 1970, C.F. Thanks again for your post. Excellent condition. The Pro-5 model had an improved bell brass tone ring (alas, not silver) with exclusively designed audio apertures, a thick 10 ply wood rim, a double-tension neck rod, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel plated parts, a mahogany shaded finish, and white binding. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. Comparison of Best Banjo Strings Top Picks 2023 Reviews Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. Sold out. C.F. Martin V720 Vega Steel/Nickel Banjo Strings - .009-.030 - Sweetwater The Vega brand was subsequently sold overseas in 1979. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. Shortly thereafter, the Martin craftsmen went on strike, and banjo parts were shipped overseas for assembly. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. Thank You for your time and web site. 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? No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. Martin markings, my impression is that it was put together overseas from left-over Martin parts after the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading purchased the Vega brand in 1979. The tonering, bracket band, and notched tension hoop were all made of vibrant bell brass (Not die cast metal). 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 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. Again, thank youmuchfor your post. There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. 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. 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. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. vega banjo identification. The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). 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. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. If anybody can shed some light on what I have. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. This item has been sold. It is veryinteresting that it has the non-ebonized finish on the peghead cap, whichcoincided with the move production to Nazareth (adopting stained rosewood asthey used on the guitars). Hello. It was recommended by Bob Smakula that I send some photos to you and that you might have more information. Just found you today . I would love some photos of your V-45 to upload with this post. Rettberg & Lange(1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. 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. With appreciation, Barry, S.C.-Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your banjo. In the final Martin price listed published in 1971, it listed for $345 without case. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! 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. This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1922. Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! Hello, I just stumbled onto this site today 4/16/20. 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. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) Thanks so much Ill get back to you if any further questions. 1929 Vega Tubaphone Longneck Conversion Banjo This banjo started its life in 1929 as a Vega Vegaphone tenor banjo. This workshop numbering system continued uninterrupted to #2355 in 1977 when the banjos went overseas for assembly. Rob- Thank you for your kind comments about the BRC website, You are a lucky guy to have two Vega Martin 5-stringers, both made in Nazareth, PA. It is mentioned again on a back page of the 1972 catalogue. The BRC Archives contain the serial numbers of these unique Vega-Martin banjos. Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. The shoes (instead of Vox next nut shoes) and the round hook and nutassemblies are probably from stock, as I have some still lying around athome that I bought from Martin back then to replace on a 1929 Vegaphone(which are slightly different). The Vega Vox IV of that era featured burnished gold-plated parts, engraved flanges, an all white pyralin deep resonator with elaborately engraved back and sides, a fretboard with fancy pearl inlays, and an engraved and colored scroll shaped peg head. It has no rod in the drum. By history, C.F. 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. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. It look and plays great. vega banjo identification. I would appreciate it very much. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. The local music store said they would give her 120$ for it. i replaced the head but it still sounds the same. The open back Folk Wonder 5-stringer does not appear in the 1976 Vega/Martin catalogue where the Vega Wonder resonator series is still advertised. 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). The Style K was Vega's least expensive banjo-mandolin, not having a "tone ring" installed, unlike the pricier Tu-Ba-Phone and Whyte Laydie models. It is a beauty. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. 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. However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. Vega Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958-1970 - The Canada Site In the Vega Martin shop files, banjo SN 916 is a VVI-P (Vega Vox Style 1 plectrum) resonator banjo made in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Plectrum 4 stringers have 22 frets compared to the tenors that have 17 to 19 frets. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z The C.F. The inside of the banjo is also blank except for the painted serial number 2207. Buckbee(1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. 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. They all had yellow serial number stickers. 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. It is great to hear from someone who actually visited the Vega factory in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. Again, thanks for your post. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . Your comments about the color tone differences of Vega/Boston vs. Martin/Nazareth resonator banjos are curious, and I do not have an accurate answer for it. 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. vega banjo identification - moongraphicdesigning.com 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. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. C.F. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. 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. Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. There were forty-six Vega Martin V-45 banjos made of similar design, but the hardware was gold-plated. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. Thanks for letting us see this fascinating and unique instrument. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. Barry. $260 USD. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. vega banjo identification New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Hope this helps. The C.F. aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. I have two theories about your instrument. Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). Vega Martin banjo SN 1795 was one of three special order V-45 5-string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1977 per Shop Order 2335. $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. Fingerboard engraved pearl inlays in the ebony were going through a transition (modernization) as well, from very elaborate designs that they used since the 1920s to to simplified block styles. Your banjo SN 990 is indeed a Pro-5, and it was one of the last five Professional banjos built by VM in 1974 per Shop Order 2211. and CXXVI (126?). Hope this helps and thanks for your post. ampleforth college redundancies. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. The parts of your VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjo # 130056 were probably manufactured in Massachusetts and assembled in Pennsylvania with a yellow data sticker on the inside rim and maybe C.F. Q: At what point did Vega go from ball end to open end bracket nuts? What Does My Banjo's Serial Number Tell Me? - Deering Banjo Company Rochester NY 14610. While published accounts indicate that only 18 plectrums and 3 tenors were made in this series, Martin company officials have shared information from current records that one-third were simply shop orders that were never actually completed in the post-strike period. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Hopes this helps. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. It was advertised to feature a rosewood veneered rim and resonator trimmed in abalone pearl like the C.F. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. 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. 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). 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). Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . Location. I love the story. The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. I live near Portland, Oregon. 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. Thanks for the great information on this page. Thank you so very much for this information! 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. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. brian kim, cpa clearvalue tax net worth . The metal parts were chrome-plated. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. Martin made only about a dozen more PS-5 banjos. A total of 101 PS-5 instruments were manufactured in Pennsylvania. I have original case. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . 721 which I have had a number of years. Barry. Also, Deering uses a 3-ply 1/2 rock maple rim, compared to the 5/8 10-ply rim typically found in most Martin Nazareth produced Voxes in the 1970s. The #24 on the tone ring is probably an assembly feature to separate the V-41 parts from its upscale gold-plated cousin the V-45 top of the line banjo. 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. The Item # was VT2NRC. Deering now owns the Vega line and offers open-back Tubaphones in their inventory. Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. Theres barely a mark on the banjo (except for the binding where it was put on a stand) and this will probably buff out. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA What is a spectrum banjo? Fairbanks & Vega banjos, Dating & Identifying - Mugwumps Inside your device. There is no #1 Martin banjo listed, but banjos #6-8 were Vega Vox-4-T tenors built per Shop Order 2087. 22 frets. The open back Folk Wonder 5-stringer does not appear in the 1976 Vega/Martin catalogue where the Vega Wonder resonator series is still advertised featuring a brass tone ring and ebony fingerboard. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. Thanks for your post. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, Medium Crown (7/16 Inch) $19 USD. Martin Vega Banjo 5-Strings, Medium Gauge (V740) Check Price at Amazon. Unfortunately, many 4-string players of a certain generation seem to think that their banjos will command higher priceseven the Gibson flat heads used for 5 string conversion have taken a tumble and are are half on what they were 5 years ago. Home; Meet Darlene; ISI Mission; What is Coaching? I inherited a Vega 5-string resonator banjo and have been trying to find out additional information about it. 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. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. I have found it helpful over the years. I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . Thank you. 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. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. From the BRC site this banjo was made circa 1975-1976 in and around Nazareth PA. Do I have the have the provenance correct? thanks for your help and keep up the good work. 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. The Martin Co. sold the Vega franchise to the Asian conglomerate `Galaxy Trading Company` in 1979, and thereafter Vega banjos were manufactured in South Korea. Photos are available. My Vega VIP has the Martin decal on the back of the headstock. 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. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. The VIP model featured a unique `audio-sonic` bell brass tone ring, a scrolled peg head with ultra filagree pearl work, engraved pearl inlay in the ebony fretboard, a 10 ply maple rim with a heavy notched tension hoop, geared tuners, a walnut finish, and marquetry around the resonator. Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. The VIP-5 is known for its mellow sound, and the tone of my VIP-5 (SN 1364 circa 1974) was admired by a faculty member at a northeastern banjo camp a few years ago. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. # 1713? Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. vega banjo identification Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used - banjobarn.com Your F-VIP (Folk-Very Important Player) banjo #1456 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1975 in a lot of 3 such instruments per Shop Order 2274. vega banjo identification Accordingly, 1970-1971 was a year of manufacturing transition from Boston to Nazareth. Your Vega Martin instrument SN 231 is a Wonder model VW-P (plectrum ) 4 stringer made in Nazareth in late 1972 per Shop Order #2121 just after production was transferred from Boston to the re-tooled Pennsylvania factory. Thanks so much! Im hoping you can check both in your archives and tell me the going prices. There were several old tenor and plectrum Martin neck blanksfor sale a few years ago, but it looks to be factory made condition anddoubt that would be likely a source. 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. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). The Vega 1961 flyer and 1963 catalogue describe that the Earl Scruggs model had a sunburst finish on the resonator. I have 2 Martin Vegas. I dont play any instrument right now. All the best, Barry. The Vega/Martin PS-5 would probably fetch in the $1000- 2500 range these days depending on appointments and condition, whereas the Vega/Boston Seeger banjo seems to be valued more by collectors and would command a higher price. Here's a bit of description on the various models: This was also the case for their mandolin banjo lines. There is no evidence that Vega actually made banjos prior to buying out Fairbanks. Virtually immaculate. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. GoldTone longneck Banjo - musical instruments - by owner - sale I think Ill go look up a local banjo instructor and take a few lessons.
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