vega banjo identification

2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. what I know about banjos right now I learned from you!! As Barry indicates, a photo of the yellow sticker will be helpful here. 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. Virtually immaculate. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. If you could give me your thought about what its worth, I would appreciate it. Categories . The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. Barry, I have an open back Vega long neck with C F Martin Co logo on the back of the machine head and inside the rim. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. 2 classic model. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. During this transitional period, Boston parts were shipped to Nazareth for assembly, and Martin pre-fixed the traditional six digit Vega serial number with the letter `M`. All the very best from the BRC, Barry, Thank you, Barry. Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. Note below the C.F. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Wow! 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? 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. Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. Dot inlay fret board. Do you have a total of these models made under the Massachusetts Vega name? 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. 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. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. 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. This fascinating collection of vintage stringed instruments chronicles luthier C.F. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . 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. Any info including your estimate of current value would be very much appreciated. 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. ampleforth college redundancies. Jack. 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. The Vega White Oak Banjo is ideal for achieving the classic clawhammer and folk, with bright tone and distinct note clarity and weighs less than 6 lbs! 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. Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. Many thanks and keep pickin & grinning. Martin decals on the inner rim and back of the peghead. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. The back of the headstock is blank. Can you identify this rare Vega Martin banjo just by the peghead markings? ). I really appreciate your orientation. Martin purchased the Vega brand line. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. Kay Musical Instrument Company - Wikipedia vega banjo identification Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. Just found you today . From the BRC, Barry, Sir: What kind of info can you give me on a V-76E banjo, Ser. used speakers for sale craigslist; pioneer woman carne guisada; vega banjo identification; By . Another side note, Greg Deering has made two prototype Voxes alreadyI have played one of them, which is basically an identical design to the 1967 Vox I with a paddle peghead and crown inlays. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. 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). 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. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. 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. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. 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. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. Thats a lot of information! The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. All the best, Barry. 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. A part of the C.F. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. 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. One of the 2 rods inside rim is a larger diameter then the other one. I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. The rim and shoe screws/washer are likely homemade/cut down and tone ring is not Galaxy stock, but more of a Gibson knockoff. Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). All the best from the BRC, Barry. 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. 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. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. set of identifying characteristics can be found at http://www.mugwumps.com. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. Very interesting to get to know all this details. Would appreciate any information you can provide to verify the model and any original cost/current value. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1922. Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading Company in March of 1979. In the 1972 Martin catalogue, the Professional appears identical to yours, but it is absent from the 1976 catalogue. It is in excellent condition but missing a resonator thumbscrew with the threaded washer. Bob. My estimate is that the banjo might be worth $500-$700 depending on condition. vega banjo identification. 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. Fairbanks & Vega banjos, Dating & Identifying - Mugwumps In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. Vintage Banjos for sale | eBay Serial # 1795. Of note, my Vega Martin VIP-5 banjo built in 1975 also came with a `Care of Your Banjo` memo dated 8/26/71 and a warranty that instructed the owner to call 215-759-2837 and ask for Mike (probably Mike Longworth who was C.F. vega banjo identification. vega banjo identification. 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. Barry. 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. 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. This uniquestyle resonator was verypopular for many years, and it still hasvalue as a vintage part. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. Hello, I just stumbled onto this site today 4/16/20. The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. According to the C.F. 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. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. post id: 7593773670. posted: 2023-02-27 00:34. So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks Thank you very much for your quick answer. Save This Search Your search returned 20 results View Sold and Expired Ads Matching Your Search 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. Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). 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. In May of 1970, C.F. It is a beauty. vega banjo identification - pamelahudson.net The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. Ive got a couple of pictures in case of interest, but Id need a mail-address for sending, me supposing. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. With appreciation, Barry. All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. Jim _Thanks for your query. Its mostly been in storage since I purchased it in the late 1970s. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) The finish was shaded mahogany, and the metal rim parts were nickel plated. I have found it helpful over the years. vega banjo identification - americanuzbekistan.org Martin V740 Strings Vega strun banjo 5-strunowego RETRO 10-23,10 Thanks again for your time & consideration. First let me thank you for this amazing well of information! The tone ring really had me confused! 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. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. 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. Barry, I want to thank you very much for the research on my Vega. Is has a hard case with blue interior. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck Model 5 String Banjo (1961), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 100971, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. I have had the opportunity to do this only once for a friend who traded some vintage parts with me for an old flange that I had by serendipity on my workshop shelf. Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. 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. Ive taken a number of hi-res photostoo many to attach to email. Joshua, Joshua-Thank you for your kind comments and the very detailed pictures. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May in 1970 and just before the factory was transferred to Pennsylvania. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. Martin in Nazareth, PA, in 1973. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. Dear Per- In May of 1970, C.F. However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. Great sound and in excellent condition. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? What a wealth of banjo information you have.I have a VV IV T tenor SN: M130298 which I purchase used about twenty-five years ago for $2,000. Replacing a broken flange on a rare and vintage instrument is a tough task. . Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! This design of banjo retailed for $285 back then, and it was popularized by Erik Darling and Pete Seegar (who had his own Vega endorsed model for awhile). I just acquired a second, SN#990 with the dog-bone tone ring. The only serial number is 1120. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. Do you have any information on it? Bob- Thanks for your query and kind words about my website. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. C.F. Heres a link to a .zip file you can download. 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. According to the C.F. 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. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. 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. Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. 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. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. 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. Martin and Co., Est. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. Neck and rim look a lot like made by Martin craftsmen, and it arrived set up perfectly. 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). By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. Vega stamp to yellow stick-on labels between 99369 and 99686. switchover is between #23721 and #23800. It is the first martin-vega I have ever seen in person, or had in my hands! Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? The circular connecting rod is left over from the Vega inventory and shipped from Boston to Nazareth after C. F. Martin acquired the brand in May of 1970. The rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. 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-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. The neck has crown-and-football inlays and the Martin logo is on the back of the pegboard. If you want a more Bluegrass sound, try a 5-Star head from Stew Mac. Shortly thereafter, the Martin craftsmen went on strike, and banjo parts were shipped overseas for assembly. senior living sun prairie, wi; blueberry sweet rolls joanna gaines; miguel cardona family; shooting in newport beach last night; st albans swim club drowning; where was the 3 godfathers filmed; southwest chicken bake;

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