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 It has no rod in the drum. Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. After its Martin Guitar era, the Vega brand name ownership was sold overseas, and the banjo line fellinto obscurity. Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. An Original Fairbanks 5-String Banjo with a replaced ebony fingerboard and peg-head facing, with added appropriate pearl inlays. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. Excellent condition. 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. VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. The original prototype was designed and built by the Vega Company in 1969, for the legendary King of the Banjo Eddie Peabody to commemorate his 50th year in show business. 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 The year 1970-1971 was a time of transition of tools and parts from Boston to Nazareth, PA. These were followed by banjos #9-14 which were Vega Vox-4-P plectrums per Shop Order 2088. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. Some C.F. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. 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). 1930 Vega Tenor Banjo - Pure Banjo vega banjo identification I knew nothing about it until I found this site. 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 Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC recently showcased an exhibit of pre-1900 Martin guitars. 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. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. It is great to hear from someone who actually visited the Vega factory in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Your Vega Wonder (VW) plectrum banjo SN 129 was one of six `VW-Plec` 4 string banjos made in Nazareth, PA, by C. F. Martin per Shop Order #2105 in mid 1972. Martin V730 Vega Steel/Nickel Banjo Strings - .010-.023 - Sweetwater For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. 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. Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. Ive owned one for 30 yrs though I dont play it very well. The tone ring really had me confused! 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 . In the meantime, keep on pickin` that Pro-5. Fairbanks & Cole No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. The C.F. Hello there, what a terrific Web page you guys have put together so interesting, i have a open back tenor banjo with the Martin logo and nos 916 it has the same pearl inlay as the 5 string pro it has 19 frets , i have no idea of its value but it has a beautiful slim neck just so easy to finger chords, cheers Rob. Galaxy marketed its 4 and 5 stringers in the USA via a remarkably unimaginative TMC catalog in which each banjo was identified only with an Item number but no model moniker to give it personality like the Pro-5 or Wonder banjos named by the earlier corporate owners. 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. Vega Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958-1970 - The Canada Site The Folk Wonder is an open-back banjo that features a maple neck, a white bound ebony fretboard with pearl dots, and geared pegs in the headstock. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. The Wonder series of instruments featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fingerboard, pearl dots, an armrest, and a factory-installed resonator with four section metal tone flanges. Your 5 string model was featured in the subsequent 1979 TMC Vega catalogue as an instrument similar to old style Vega Tu- Ba-Phone No.9.. banjo, and it listed then for $1250. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. Thank you. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. Like my dad, I am a musician and physician and treasure his professional and avocational memorabilia. These days, the Wonder would sell for $700-$1000 depending on condition. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. Many thanks for your efforts. Barry. The neck has crown-and-football inlays and the Martin logo is on the back of the pegboard. Vega Banjos Serial Numbers - spheregenerous . 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). Nowadays, the Pro-5 would fetch around $1000-$1500 depending on condition. from BRC: Wim- Thanks for the great photo of your busy workshop. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Vega Banjos by Deering | Huge Selection | Lowest Prices Guaranteed Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. Thank you so very much for this information! The last SN from Boston was probably #130049, and the Vega Martin logbook in Nazareth starts with SN 130248. Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? Kay Musical Instrument Company - Wikipedia The rich heritage of Vega was derelict for 5 years until Deering rescued it by acquiring rights to the brand name in 1989. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. The serial number is found on a white tag on the inside of the resonator or if you have an openback banjo, it is a smaller white tag on the inside of the rim. Vega Martin models (1970-1979) are less of a collector`s item and fetch about half that price range. According to the C.F. Martin in Nazareth, PA, in 1973. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. The rare T-2 and T-2XL had serial numbers in the #1607-1945 range. 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. We've been notified and are looking into it. 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 4-string tenor gauge is mellow and warm and accents low to midrange frequencies Tech Specs Number of Strings: 4 String Material: Tin-plated Steel Therefore it became dissembled. Im mostly a guitar player. Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Can you identify this rare Vega Martin banjo just by the peghead markings? Also, the banjo has some ornate details carved in it. 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. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. Vega Martin Banjo Info | Banjo Rehab Center, Banjo Restoration 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. 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 . The SN 1456 on the outside of your tone ring is a fascinating and new discovery to me, and we VM banjo owners should inspect our tone rings for this hidden marking the next time a head gets exchanged. The Pro model initially featured a Tube-a-phone tone chamber rim which evolved into a tone ring with exclusively designed audio apertures machined into a dogbone/barbell configuration. The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. I have found it helpful over the years. Again, thanks for your post. Do you have a total of these models made under the Massachusetts Vega name? The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. 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. 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. Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. All the very best from the BRC, Barry, Thank you, Barry. There is no evidence that Vega actually made banjos prior to buying out Fairbanks. 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. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. 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. Martin shortly after its bitter 1977 luthier strike following which their banjo production dwindled to almost nothing in Nazareth, PA. Those few Tubaphones which were made in Pennsylvania bore SN`s in the 1600-1945 range per the shop log book. Martin briefly built a lightweight tenor banjo between 1923-26 to compete with Vega and other manufacturers whose heavier and more popular banjos had greater tone, volume, and sales. 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. Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. Ernie Ball 5-String Medium Stainless Steel Banjo Strings, 10-10 Gauge (P02309) Check Price at Amazon. We have a bunch of new Deering merch for you whether it be socks, shirts, tote bags, mugs, and more! Photos are available. The banjos advertised in the brochure had generic names and Item #`s. Your instrument was listed as Vega 5-string Banjo featuring a Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring with round holes thus representing A reproduction of the early Tu-Ba-Phone No. C.F. From the BRC, Barry. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. Martin historian Mike Longworth. 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. 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. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. 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. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. 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. 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. My Dad left me a Martin VegaIm thinking I want to pass it on to someone wholl play it and care for it more than I can. Bill's Banjos What is a spectrum banjo? 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). Martin era. Your instrument SN 448 is one of 11 Pete Seeger extra long neck (PS-5) models manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1973 per Shop Order 2153. I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. 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. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. I have original case. They all had yellow serial number stickers. Banjoman- C.F. The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. Identifying Unmarked Banjos - Bill's Banjos 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. Id love to learn more about it, etc. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. After the difficult 1977 luthier strike at the C.F. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. Can you tell me more like age and value? I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. The serial number is stamped in the wooden rim below the Martin decal. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. 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. The Banjo Rehabilitation Center archives contain the serial numbers and dates of manufacture of the Vega-Martin banjos made in Nazareth, PA, during the 1970`s. (They are NOT a 'coded' format.) Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. 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. Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholarDr. Ron: The Vega Vox IV was the top of the line banjo in the Vox (deep resonator) line for Vega Co. of Boston in the 1950sthe serial number is consistent with a 1951 model. 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. The banjo listed for $556 in the 1971 price list without case. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. As your banjo bears no C.F. 1929 Vega Tubaphone Longneck Conversion Banjo This banjo started its life in 1929 as a Vega Vegaphone tenor banjo. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. They are 230, 243, 353, LVII (57?) 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. A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. Serial numbers became unreliable during that era. Thank you for all the information. Wow! Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). Joshua, Joshua-Thank you for your kind comments and the very detailed pictures. tone ring that you have. 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. 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. Barry. Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. THE BRC THANKS YOU FOR VISITING THE VEGA MARTIN BANJO INFO PAGE. Thought you might enjoy an article in All Frets from my good friend and American Banjo Museum curator, Johnny Baier, An Ode to the Vega VoxId like to think my bad influences have moved him over to the dark side as he is now a happy owner of his own deep resonator tenor with a calfskin head (it sounds fantastic). VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. Steve in Oz, April 24, 2016 at 1:23 pmSteve- Thanks for your post and glad to hear that a `Wonder` banjo made it `Down Under` during the Vega Martin era. June 7, 2022; homes for sale by owner in berwick, pa . . vega banjo identification. With appreciation, Barry. Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! Dave- Thank you for your kind words about the website and the narrative about your Vega Vox IV tenor banjo. The local music store said they would give her 120$ for it. The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. C.F. Ironically, C.F. For several years, the Vega Martin banjo was an amalgam of parts from Massachusetts and Nazareth, PA. Old 6 digit Vega serial numbers persisted on a yellow sticker on the inner pot until production was moved to Pennsylvania in 1972. 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. In the the 1971 Vega Martin price list, the VW-Plec retailed at $345. 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. 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). Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. From the BRC, Barry. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. 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. When C.F. 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 seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. port melbourne players; fair lawn high school graduation; vega banjo identification; By . Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Inside your device. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. I have two theories about your instrument. 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. C.F. Martin decal, is the original pot for the plectrum 4 stringer SN 1450, but the neck was replaced after production with a 5 string neck by a previous owner. 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? Just found this wonderful site. 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. gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. 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. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. 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. 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. 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. Vega Short Scale 4 string banjo neck model? - Mandolin Cafe I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. Vega banjo identification - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. I received a letter(martin memo) along with my banjo covering head adjustment, plastic Vegalon heads, string action, bridge and nut and neck rod adjustment dated 8/26/71also a warranty card with the phone number 215-759-2837ask for miketelling me to use string type V750.having wanted one all my adult life, this banjo is the pinnacle of my banjo collecting desires. 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. 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). You are so kind to provide this great info to all of us banjo geeks. cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. My guess is that the lugs in your resonator have American (inch fraction) thread features, and it is doubtful that an original VIP thumb screw 4 decades old will appear on eBay- but who knows. 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. I actually picked up a banjo that had a resonator that was sitting on the shelf in that 1970-72 period as Martin was transitioning and shutting down the factory there. My estimate is that your VIP-T would likely fetch in the $700-1100 range these days, and maybe a little more, depending on condition and special appointments. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further.