They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. Roger- Thanks for your challenging follow-up query. vega banjo identification - pamelahudson.net Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. 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. Vega Martin models (1970-1979) are less of a collector`s item and fetch about half that price range. The ebony fingerboard was on a mahogany neck, and a butterfly adorns the back of the resonator. I dont play any instrument right now. It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. 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. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. For Sale - Vega Earl Scruggs Banjo and Original hard case The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. C.F. Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. Close study of the flange can sometimes reveal, however, that it is left-over Vega hardware from the Needham Heights factory. Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Vega Short Scale 4 string banjo neck model? - Mandolin Cafe The rim is 10 ply maple with a top metal tone ring, nickel-plated metal parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Vintage Banjos for sale | eBay The VIP banjo last appeared in the 1976 VM catalog as an open back instrument but still featuring the V.I.P. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. 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. In that same period, twenty-one VV IV plectrums were manufactured. Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. After its Martin Guitar era, the Vega brand name ownership was sold overseas, and the banjo line fellinto obscurity. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Thanks for your query, Barry. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . 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. Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. The inside of the banjo is also blank except for the painted serial number 2207. According to the C.F. Used 5-String Open-Back Banjos | Intermountain Guitar & Banjo Landis- Thanks for your post. Thanks again. It is great to hear from someone who actually visited the Vega factory in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. Barry, I want to thank you very much for the research on my Vega. I have a seperate label thats still in the case showing the serial # 1199. I really appreciate your orientation. In the Boston era, Pete Seeger was listed as an exclusive Vega product banjoist in a 1961 flyer from their Columbus Avenue business headquarters, and his endorsed PS-5 was featured prominently in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogs. So heres my question. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. He on his banjo and me with my guitar. Posts. The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. 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. In the 1972 Martin catalogue, the Professional appears identical to yours, but it is absent from the 1976 catalogue. I think im in heaven. 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. Vega Banjo Identification - azgardcn 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. I just acquired a second, SN#990 with the dog-bone tone ring. It is in excellent condition but missing a resonator thumbscrew with the threaded washer. 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. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. The top-of-the-line model that Martin-Vega offered during the 1970s was the special order Ultra Vox V. At the end of the production run in 1979, the MSRP list price in the catalog was $3600 (exactly the same as the Martin D-45 guitar). Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? 6. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. The last two Vox Vs (serial numbers 1964-1965) were built in 1979, and still exist to this day. 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. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Thanks so much! model serial number 1990. The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. 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. Deering Banjo Company now owns the Vega brand, and you might contact them regarding a custom device if you want parts within the historic Vega lineage. This instrument was a special order for banjoist, Jack Mistretta, from Grand Rapids, Michiganwho happened to be a friend of Eddie Peabody. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. Your banjo is item # VB120C which sold for $360 back then. The Vega 1961 flyer and 1963 catalogue describe that the Earl Scruggs model had a sunburst finish on the resonator. 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 Enjoy. 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. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale - banjobuyer.com I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. Ironically, C.F. Thank you. Allen screws at the neck/pot junction and a tube connecting rod (not shown) are design features from the 1960`s in Boston . After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. Thanks from the BRC, Barry, Hi Barry! It also features the four digit SN imprinted into the outside of the holes in groups of three tone ring, clearly done before the plating, and visible only when dissembled. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black chuya Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. From the BRC, Barry. Banjo Parts & Accessories - Elderly Instruments How much would it be worth? vega banjo identification. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. 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. Best of luck and thanks for your query, Barry. June 7, 2022; homes for sale by owner in berwick, pa . Fairbanks Vega Banjos Specifications - Mugwumps vega banjo identification In excellent condition and ready to play. VT2NRC in its 1979 catalogue, and Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years. 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. Vega Regent 5 String Banjo (1925) | RetroFret C.F. Banjo SN 1648 is a `Folk Wonder` model (FW-5) which first appears in the Vega (Boston) catalogue in 1961 per my files. Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! Martin Company acquired the Vega rights from the Bostonian Nelson Family in May of 1970 and sold the franchise overseas in March of 1979. Hope this helps, and all the best picking, Barry. Prices subject to change without notice. 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. Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. All the best pickin`, and thanks for your kind words about my website. Is has a hard case with blue interior. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. vega banjo identification. George Gruhn might also know. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. 17,378. 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. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. brian kim, cpa clearvalue tax net worth . Theres precious little information about these instruments online. Martin did not publish retail prices after 1971, so my guess is that this up scale model sold back then for around $600. I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. 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. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. I call him Rory, although much louder he has a beautiful rich tone, but is quite punchy.. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. Jack. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. Nowadays, it might fetch around $750 in the online marketplace. Although the Martin Company did not manufacture Vega banjos till a century later, a solitary banjo from the mid 19th century is appended to the exhibit to display parallel innovation in the instrument because of its increasing popularity during that era. 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). Martin historian Mike Longworth. The long-neck No. Bob- Thanks for your query and kind words about my website. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. Can you tell me more like age and value? Thanks from all of us! Barry. The Wonder was an entry level resonator instrument that featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, 3 piece maple neck, blackwood fretboard, pearl dots, nickel-pate parts and a shaded mahogany finish. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. Flanked by interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founderproudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. C.F. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. Martin built 561 VW-5 banjos in the 1970`s.You can learn more about this VM instrument by browsing my
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vega banjo identification