vega banjo identification

From the BRC, 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. I purchased the instrument from a private dealer (Kingsport, TN) for $800. I have 2 Martin Vegas. I have photos.Serial No. The Vega Regent is one of the classic 5-string banjos of the Vega line. A nice banjo- enjoy. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Martin Company acquired the Vega rights from the Bostonian Nelson Family in May of 1970 and sold the franchise overseas in March of 1979. Thanks so much! The C.F. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. When 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 . I tried to find your email address at your Banjo homepage without any success. This instrument debuted in 1952, and featured a single cutaway body, a distinctive "fire stripe" tortoiseshell pickguard, and a pair of thin blade-style pickups . My Vega F-VIP #1456 got chosen from the 72 catalogue in spring of 76 in a music shop in Stuttgart / Germany, and was delivered only about ten weeks later. 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 . 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. In 1979, Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy. 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. The Vega 1961 flyer and 1963 catalogue describe that the Earl Scruggs model had a sunburst finish on the resonator. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . Do you have a total of these models made under the Massachusetts Vega name? There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. 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. C.F. Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years, and the Vega brand was purchased in 1989 by Deering in California who restored the instrument line to greatness. 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. It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company). It took me six months to finally commit to purchasing the Vega-Martin VIP that I brought home today from a local music shop. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. 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. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . The long-neck No. Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. Many thanks for your efforts. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. Can you identify this rare Vega Martin banjo just by the peghead markings? A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. The serial numbers for the overseas-produced instruments were in the 2000+ range in sequence with the last official VM banjo manufactured in Nazareth, PA, which bore #1969. Hope this helps. It look and plays great. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. Again, thanks for your post. From the BRC, Barry. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. Ive also got some remaining parts from the renovation process Id happily like to donate, including the original chrome-plated brass tailpiece, and a couple of almost unused heads. Barry. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. 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). Thank you. Martin Museum collection. A couple of years ago I started to develop increased interest in clawhammer style, and with all the lessons available online nowadays, finally Im finding myself back on the tracks. 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. From the BRC, Barry. C.F. Thanks from all of us! JC This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1922. Reply from our BRC Vega Vox consultant and scholar Dr. Ron: The timeline, serial number and pricing in 1970-71 seem rightit was probably in final assembly at Nazareth with a #7 new series serial number; the last of the M139400 yellow labels came out of the old Needham Heights Vega factory sometime in November 1971. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. 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. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Your T-2 instrument SN 1603 was one of five Tu-Ba-Phone 5 string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 shortly before the big luthier strike that compelled C. F. Martin to ship parts overseas for assembly. It looks like the banjo is in ok/decent condition. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. Thanks to BRC Consultant and Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron from everyone at the BRC for providing representative images typical of this historic crowning jewel (see below correspondences #24). Can you tell me about it? $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. I cant find that picture, but Ill see if I can locate it, as someone else may have sent it to me playing the banjo out at afestival in Arizona. Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. The Vega Company manufactured of this era were assembled at the 40 Leon Street factory in Boston from 1961-1966, and subsequently at the 155 Reservoir Street facility outside Boston in suburban Needham Heights from 1966-1971(C. F. Martin acquired the company in May 1970 and continued some manufacturing/assembly there until moving fully to Martins factory in Nazareth, PA). Barry. The rim and shoe screws/washer are likely homemade/cut down and tone ring is not Galaxy stock, but more of a Gibson knockoff. Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. C.F. From the BRC, Barry. Services; vega banjo identification What A great and informative site .. William- Thanks for your post. ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. Thanks again for your post. Close study of the flange can sometimes reveal, however, that it is left-over Vega hardware from the Needham Heights factory. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. I live near Portland, Oregon. I got an old Vega banjo from my father. 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. 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. Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). Your banjo is an off shoot of the classic No. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. 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 It was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1973 per shop order # 2154. Bob- Thanks for your query and kind words about my website. Enjoy. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. The `41` engraved on the tailpiece no doubt refers to the model V-41 designation. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. 96.90 postage. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. Dot inlay fret board. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. 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. Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. But, the neck had the upgraded crown inlay pattern like their mid range banjos, and originally a paddle peghead design (the new scroll design appeared in 1968). Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. 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. (#26) Dr. Ron about " Vega Vox V: The Vega Martin Apogee of 4 String Banjos", A Lone (Pre Vega Martin ) Banjo at the Art Museum, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ES67V1VHbMR-GfbQpvWWGD1RUJrtyTv?usp=sharing. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. 1972 Vega Banjo. Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim. I was lucky enough to buy one but, as my music and and the type of music I had to play to get work changed, I hardly played this, near mint condition, banjo. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. 28 de mayo de 2018. What is it worth today, and what did it sell for when new? Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Hopes this helps and thanks again for the detailed pictures. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. 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. 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. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. The mother of pearl inlay fretboard pattern in your Pro-5 is similar to that found in the popular VIP-5 banjo, but the latter has single-stripe engraving in the mother of pearl. 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. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. 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. Barry, I have purchased a Martin Vega V-45 described as 1971 production and a serial number of #327. 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. By history, C.F. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, Medium Crown (7/16 Inch) $19 USD. 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. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. He wanted to buy it! From the BRC, Barry, I inquired on Banjo Hangout about information on a Vega banjo acquired from a friend. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! 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 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. Fairbanks & Cole I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. The last two Vox Vs (serial numbers 1964-1965) were built in 1979, and still exist to this day. P.S. Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. Ending Thursday at 9:33PM GMT 2d 23h. I will trade for a good Octave Mandolin or Bouzouki Also, the banjo has some ornate details carved in it. The rare T-2 and T-2XL had serial numbers in the #1607-1945 range. On the back side of your device. 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. 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). I think im in heaven. My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. Thanks again. It is a somewhat rare bird, as C.F. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. 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. fender american professional ii vs ultra. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. The banjo listed for $556 in the 1971 price list without case. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. If you could give me your thought about what its worth, I would appreciate it. The earliest reported is F&C #1000. Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. 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. The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided.

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