I got an old Vega banjo from my father. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. Thanks again for your post and pictures and kind comments about the website. vega banjo Archives - Seeders Instruments I dont play any instrument right now. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. C.F. I really appreciate your orientation. In the Martin log book, the last six digit (Vega) serial number was 130392 in 1972 after which began the Martin digits. Save on our most popular Goodtime banjos - the Goodtime openback and the Goodtime Two - at your favorite Deering dealer today! nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. 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. 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. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. Perhaps a bit more cutting. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. It has no rod in the drum. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. 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 This model appears in the 1972 and 1976 catalogues. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. While the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, retooled to build banjos, interim yellow stickers were affixed to the inner rims of Boston banjos citing the merger and identifying the model of the instrument (which was inscribed by pen). This did include the instalment of a Fiberskyn head to mellow down the tone somewhat, of a geared 5th string tuner, and of a (very nice) tailpiece to replace the chrome plated Waverly (everything else nickel). In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . William- Thanks for your post. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used - banjobarn.com I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. 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. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. A.C. Fairbanks (by Vega) "Regent" 5-string banjo, S/N 25121, Circa 1909 A.C. Fairbanks (by Vega) "Tubaphone" #9, 5-string banjo, S/N 25516, Circa 1909 . 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 Check Price at Amazon. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. 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. vega banjo identification. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. Be safe, be well. Good luck, thanks much for your post, and great to hear from you again, Barry. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. The inside of the banjo is also blank except for the painted serial number 2207. Martins acquisition of Vega of Bostonand, the only other one completed in the old Needham Heights factory before banjo production finally moved to Nazareth. The last two Vox Vs (serial numbers 1964-1965) were built in 1979, and still exist to this day. My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. 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. Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. 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. It is a VEGA MARTIN tenor 4 string on which is written a number: 1040 .On the handle, it is engraved VIP and the back of the handle, there is the CF Martin logo.I want to know the date of construction , its positioning in the range of tenor banjos and possibly the price it may be worth now .Thank you in advance and best wishes !Bernard, BRC Banjo Replies:June 1, 2016 at 2:33 pm, Bonjour Bernard- Your VIP (Very Important Player) tenor banjo serial number 1040 was one of three VIP-T banjos manufactured by C.F. 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 . Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Reverb Homepage Contact Support 539673d7daac40d5a6fd870a259b9813 Shop Gear Categories Brands Shops Deals and Steals Price Drops 0% Financing New and Popular Handpicked Collections Sell on Reverb The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. Services; vega banjo identification Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! Item # 9126. The Life & Times of the Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958 - 1970. Note the unique cluster of 3 sound apertures spaced around the tone ring of the below VIP-5 model owned by the BRC founder (SN 1364). 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. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. 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). 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. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? - chroniclesdengen.com Barry. 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. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. 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 . The rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. 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. Your other VIP-5 with SN 1766 was assembled from parts sent to Japan in 1977 when the Martin company had its difficult luthier strike. By history, C.F. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May in 1970 and just before the factory was transferred to Pennsylvania. Im sure theres a story behind this banjo and why it was made. Andreas- Thank you for the historical narrative on your banjo and the detailed photographs. After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. It may have been removed some time before I got it. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. Jim _Thanks for your query. Thanks again for your time & consideration. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. Thank you. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. VEGA Banjos for sale | eBay Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA 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. The use of a brass band on the wood rim also appeared on some models at this time, to improve sound.What would be more telling is the peghead (where strings are attached) design at the time as they were in the process of changing from a scrolled shape to paddle peg head. From the BRC, Barry. 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). vega banjo identification Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. The openbacks are made entirely of white oak and feature a midnight maple fingerboard and peghead overlay. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. Save This Search Your search returned 20 results View Sold and Expired Ads Matching Your Search Bob- Thanks for your query and kind words about my website. Like my dad, I am a musician and physician and treasure his professional and avocational memorabilia. 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). Hope this helps. Banjoman- C.F. As C.F. I would love to be able to date this banjo: SN 999 as a decal under the Martin logo inside the rim with the Martin logo decal on the back side of the peghead as well. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! Do you know how many Scruggs or Scruggs Soloists, and Sonny Osborne models were made under the Martin ownership and where made? One of the 2 rods inside rim is a larger diameter then the other one. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? 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. Theres barely a mark on the banjo (except for the binding where it was put on a stand) and this will probably buff out. I would appreciate it very much. The F-VIP is first mentioned briefly on a front page of the 1970 Vega Martin catalogue, and it retailed for $490 in the VM price list of 1971. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. 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. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . Accordingly, 1970-1971 was a year of manufacturing transition from Boston to Nazareth. 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. Lastly, the banjo could be cleaned-up and refitted at a local music shop, or referred by the shop to a nearby luthier for repairs; and you would have a workable starter banjo for taking some exploratory music lessons. The Item # was VT2NRC. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). ). This banjo has all hand-machined bell brass parts to replace the cheaper, more commonly used aluminum alloys used by both Vega and Martin during that era (including coordinator rods, top-tension rim lugs/shoes and bolts), and Kellens other signature upgrades that includes an 1/8 brass shim between the heel of the neck and rim and lacquered, highly polished inner resonator to enhance tone depth and volume projection. Thanks so much! Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! 1930 Vega Tenor Banjo - Pure Banjo Like Mark whom you cite from Comment #6 above, your banjo is one of 14 Pro-5 instruments manufactured per Shop Order #2197 in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Martin built 100 Pro-5 banjos from 1971-79, including the whimsical Bobby Joe Fenster 5 stringer which was a thinly disguised Pro-5. Nowadays, it might fetch around $750 in the online marketplace. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. i replaced the head but it still sounds the same. I think Ill go look up a local banjo instructor and take a few lessons. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. Martin purchased the Vega brand and briefly marketed the so-called Bobby Joe Fenster banjo which was a thinly disguised Pro-5 endorsed by a fictitious banjoist as a somewhat mirthful marketing ploy. Although a Bluegrass resonator banjo musician, my daily practice exercises are conducted sans picks on one of two long neck Ode 5-stringers that are wife-friendly in tone. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. 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. 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. An example of one of these 4-stringers from the 1920`s is still in the C.F. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. Thank You for your time and web site. Your banjo appears to be a hybrid assembled sometime in the 1980`s after C. F. Martin sold the Vega franchise overseas to the Galaxy conglomerate in 1979. The rim and shoe screws/washer are likely homemade/cut down and tone ring is not Galaxy stock, but more of a Gibson knockoff. vega banjo identification The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. Im hoping I can find a V41 pot. 6. After the difficult 1977 luthier strike at the C.F. Hello, I just stumbled onto this site today 4/16/20. George Gruhn might also know. Your peghead and resonator are clearly marked with C.F. 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. vega banjo identification - moongraphicdesigning.com 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. Can you tell me about it? Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. Data from these logbooks are available per e-mail request from the BRC founder. He could always check the stamp on the bottomthe tone ring to see if its a match to the rim (it should say V916). Buckbee(1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Do you have any additional information you could share regarding this instrument? If your Vegaphones and Tubaphone have serial numbers, you can more closely date them by visiting Whitetreeaz banjo serial numbers online. Ironically, C.F. The 1971-72 VM log books show 22 VIP banjos (most 5-stringers with a few tenor and plectrums) bearing the 6 digit Boston serial numbers, and thereafter the SN`s convert to digits #1 through #1969. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. thanks for the very informative web site Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. vega banjo identification - nutrir.cl 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. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given.