2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. Be safe, be well. A few months later, the old six digit number system was replaced with new sequence starting with #2 and progressing sequentially to a four digit number over the ensuing years. 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. There is a star on the 5th fret. I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. The BRC Archives contain the serial numbers of these unique Vega-Martin banjos. In the the 1971 Vega Martin price list, the VW-Plec retailed at $345. Do you have any information on it? Thanks for letting us see this fascinating and unique instrument. sir- need some help. 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 I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. 0 bids. Can you tell me about it? Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. Recently purchased a Vega Vox iv plectrum banjo. 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. 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 Item # was VT2NRC. 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. Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. Thank you for all the information. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin. Both are in wonderful condition. All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. The openbacks are made entirely of white oak and feature a midnight maple fingerboard and peghead overlay. Item # 9126. Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. Vega Banjo Serial Numbers - cleverapex And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. I own Martin Vega Wonder serial no. Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! 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. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. vega banjo identification. George Gruhn might also know. C.F. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. The inside of the banjo is also blank except for the painted serial number 2207. 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 two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. I have photos.Serial No. 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. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. For those interested in the genealogy of banjo manufacturers, I have included a page summarizing some important relationships between manufacturers, . I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. This instrument was a special order for banjoist, Jack Mistretta, from Grand Rapids, Michiganwho happened to be a friend of Eddie Peabody. 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). 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. Serial # 1795. My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. 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. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. 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. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. What is a spectrum banjo? Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. 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. The overseas conglomerate Galaxy purchased the Vega line in 1979 and offered the T2-5 for $775 before going bankrupt in the mid 1980`s. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). Below are more Letters from the BRC Archives. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. The Vega Company reportedlyintroduced the first wooden sectioned pie resonator in mid 1923 for their Vega Professional 4-stringer. Fairbanks & Vega banjos, Dating & Identifying - Mugwumps From the BRC, Barry. Categories . 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. We've been notified and are looking into it. 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`. Roger- Thanks for your challenging follow-up query. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. Vega Martin models (1970-1979) are less of a collector`s item and fetch about half that price range. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. Used 5-String Open-Back Banjos | Intermountain Guitar & Banjo Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. This uniquestyle resonator was verypopular for many years, and it still hasvalue as a vintage part. He uses the one piece neck design typical of the other Deering models with the SN stamped on the back of the peghead. Yes, the VVI banjos have the same inlay pattern as the VM Pro (Professional) 5 string model. Very interesting to get to know all this details. The Pro-5 does not appear in the 1976 Vega Martin catalogue. Virtually immaculate. The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. When C. F. Martin took over Vega in 1970, they dropped the A-xxxxxx serial numbers and replaced it with M-xxxxxx series, until starting a new four digit numbering system in 1972 at the Nazareth factory. I have original case. The information looks just finethere were yet a number of the Mxxxxxx series banjos still made in the Needham Heights factory outside Boston. I has Vega and a single star on the front of the headstock. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. 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. Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. It was a student model that Eddie convinced long time friend and Vega owner/president to make positioned as a lower cost alternative to the Vox I/Professional IIit was an upgrade over the Little Wonder/Ranger banjos. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). Thanks so much Ill get back to you if any further questions. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. Anders- Thanks for your query. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. C.F. 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. It is a beauty. C.F. Any and all information you may have on my little banjo will be greatly appreciated! All the best, Barry. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. Barry. Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. This item has been sold. Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). Is this an old genuine Vega in the lower price class, Sten- Thanks for your query about the FR-5 banjo. 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. Subject: Help with ID of Vega Banjo please. Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers - evertx It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. vega banjo identification - nutrir.cl . It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. I think Ill go look up a local banjo instructor and take a few lessons. On the back side of your device. what I know about banjos right now I learned from you!! The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. John, just an old Missouri banjo picker transplanted in Arizona. The tiny screws adjacent to it are an adaptation by the Vega franchise to afford fine-tuning of the side-to-side alignment of the neck. 6. In recent years, Deeringrecreated andmarkets its ownVega Professional 4-stringer model with a classic wooden pie sectioned resonator. If there is any other interesting information about the instrument you care to share from the Martin log book, I would be most appreciative. cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. The long-neck No. Vega stamp to yellow stick-on labels between 99369 and 99686. switchover is between #23721 and #23800. Hope this helps, and all the best picking, Barry. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. The resonator back and sidewall colored engravings are probably the key feature that might bring more value than lessthere were two likely designs at this time a tiffany-style web pattern with a floral vine on the side (first used in 1930) or the late 1940s Indian blanket Art Deco design.I have an original 1948 model that has the older style neck, with the new resonator designso , its a mixed bag during this time as Vega was experimenting with parts off the shelf when banjo sales were extremely low (maybe 20 per year) and their focus was on guitar and ukulule production instead.Pricing for 4 strings (and 5 strings) have dropped considerably over last 2-3 years for vintage banjosVoxes have held more than others. According to the C.F. VEGA Vintage Banjos for sale | eBay 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. 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. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone model which is part of an historic production series started in the 1920`s in Boston, continued in Nazareth, PA, and sustained today by Deering in Spring Valley, CA. In the final VM 1976 catalogue, the F-VIP is displayed in full advertising detail. 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. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. Rettberg & Lange(1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made 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. It look and plays great. Is it possible to tell me what model or style and year it was built also the value? Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? Martin built only 22 such instruments which featured a brass tone ring, gold-plating, an engraved tail piece, an ebony fretboard, and a mahogany neck. Your VW-5 resonator banjo is not to be confused with its cousin the open back FW-5 model Folk Wonder which retailed for $280. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. So cool to have this historical data. Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. Your banjo with SN 1046 was one of five PS-5 instruments manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 per Shop Order 2218, and after that C.F. Just found you today . 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. I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. port melbourne players; fair lawn high school graduation; vega banjo identification; By . In the Vega Martin price list of 1971, the last publication in which VM retail prices were cited, the VM-5 was listed at $345 without case. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. Ive got a couple of pictures in case of interest, but Id need a mail-address for sending, me supposing. By that time, parts were being shipped to Canada and Japan for assembly, and record keeping soon deteriorated and serial numbers were inconsistent. The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. One of the 2 rods inside rim is a larger diameter then the other one. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309.