vega banjo identification

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. Thank You for your time and web site. Like my dad, I am a musician and physician and treasure his professional and avocational memorabilia. Andreas- Thank you for the historical narrative on your banjo and the detailed photographs. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! Good luck and thanks again for your post. Martin stamp. Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. Hi! From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. 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. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. Not quite as universally imitated as, say, Stradivari's violins or Martin's dreadnought guitars, but close. My estimate is that the banjo might be worth $500-$700 depending on condition. I really appreciate your orientation. P.S. Vintage Vega Style M Tubaphone Banjo 1921 Boston Mass W Case Inlay TU BA PHONE C $1,714.08 Was: C $1,904.53 or Best Offer SPONSORED Banjo made by Tokai T600R T-600R vintage 5 strings acoustic w/ hardcase C $1,021.01 Free shipping or Best Offer Only 1 left! Hi there Folks.A few weeks ago i bought a Vega martin 5 string banjo, tubaphone tonering, the screws to attach the shoes to the bracket band go through the bracketband but also through the rim.The banjo is almost in unplayed condition, sounds wonderfull, the original case is also there.serial numer is 1707. (#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. Every Martin Vega I have seen has a more dark brown mahogany-colored stain. 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. 1519. 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. My estimate would be that this rare and exotic bird might fetch around $1800 or more these days. Thanks again. Barry. Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. My Vega VIP has the Martin decal on the back of the headstock. Tuned 1-1/2 steps lower than a standard 5-string banjo, the Maple Mountain Series MM-150LN is set up for the best singing keys. Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. 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. C.F. Per the 1971 price list, the V-45-5 sold for $1650 with case included, and it was available by special order only. However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Martin built 561 VW-5 banjos in the 1970`s.You can learn more about this VM instrument by browsing my website for the postings on 6-19-21 and 1-16-21, or just enter the word `wonder` in the search engine. Search online for Earl Scruggs Vega Banjo Images, and you will see a photo of him with his endorsed Vega instrument bearing the signature square inlays on the neck that offered its distinctive stage appearance. Your Vega Martin VIP-5 with SN 845 was made in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 as one of four manufactured per Shop Order #2193, and it sold for $556 without case in the 1971 price list (after which VM did not publish recommended retail prices). A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. Thats a lot of information! 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. Thanks for your query, Barry. The differentiating feature is the deeper resonator than the VIP/Pro II/Osborne/Scruggs Mk II/Bobby Joe Fenster standard resonator modelsnot quite as deep as the Vox and not top tension (standard hook and nut with Pro II flanges). In 1970, C.F. Again, thanks for your post. It is collecting dust since i dont play the banjo and I am thinking of passing it on. 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). Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim. The C.F. Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. C.F. It first appeared in 1923 and was also the first Vega with the scrambled eggs inlay and the Vega name in the headstock.Although the Vegaphone is supposed to have a maple neck - and the tenors do, most Vegaphone plectrums have surplus Tubaphone Style 3 necks in mahogany with carved heels. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. Recently purchased a Vega Vox iv plectrum banjo. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). Photos are available. Categories . Your comments about the color tone differences of Vega/Boston vs. Martin/Nazareth resonator banjos are curious, and I do not have an accurate answer for it. We've been notified and are looking into it. 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. I got an old Vega banjo from my father. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. Your banjo was manufactured in Pennsylvania in 1976 per Shop Order #2299 just before Martin began to ship parts to Japan for assembly (after which serial numbers became goofy). SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. 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). 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. It is veryinteresting that it has the non-ebonized finish on the peghead cap, whichcoincided with the move production to Nazareth (adopting stained rosewood asthey used on the guitars). Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. 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). I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. 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. Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. Martin acquired Vega. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . 2 for $4149. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. Linda- Thanks much for your query and hearing about your three vintage banjos. It looks identical to the one posted with photos on last July 8only difference is that mine does not have the Martin decal on the back of the peg head. All the best pickin`, and thanks for your kind words about my website. Best wishes with your VIP and thanks again for your post, Barry. Where to find your serial number. There were forty-six Vega Martin V-45 banjos made of similar design, but the hardware was gold-plated. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. I cannot find any pictures remotely close online. Martin and Co., Est. 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. I have a Vega V.I.P. 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. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. You are so kind to provide this great info to all of us banjo geeks. I live near Portland, Oregon. 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. fender american professional ii vs ultra. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. The metal parts were chrome-plated. I have a seperate label thats still in the case showing the serial # 1199. thanks for the very informative web site The parts of your VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjo # 130056 were probably manufactured in Massachusetts and assembled in Pennsylvania with a yellow data sticker on the inside rim and maybe C.F. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. C.F. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. By my count, twelve VV IV-tenor banjos were built in Nazareth with the last one, #1678, in 1976. Both are in wonderful condition. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. 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. Thanks again for your time & consideration. 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. Therefore it became dissembled. 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. 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. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. I dont play any instrument right now. The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Thanks! It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. Just found you today . In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. I have 2 Martin Vegas. Vega Regent Model 5 String Banjo (1925), made in Boston, Mass., natural varnish finish, laminated maple rim and neck, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case. The Vega brand was subsequently sold overseas in 1979. safety tips; prohibited items; product recalls; The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. It has no rod in the drum. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. It was advertised to feature a rosewood veneered rim and resonator trimmed in abalone pearl like the 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. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. Im curious to know if it is possible to learn whether this banjo came from the factory with a resonator or was originally sold as an open back. Specs are equal to the popular Gold Tone MM-150 with the addition of three extra frets allowing the banjo to tune to EBEG#B. All the very best from the BRC, Barry, Thank you, Barry. On the back side of your device. 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. Thank you. My guess is that most of the left-over parts from near your home in Massachusettes were used up over the next ensuing 7 years of production, but there is an outside chance that a few spare parts like an occasional tonering survived and were transferred to Galaxy when it purchased Vega in 1979. 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. 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. I recently had a luthier friend do setup on it and he found the pot metal rim flange to be broken and wont allow me to have the head at proper tension. Im hoping I can find a V41 pot. This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1922. Great sound and in excellent condition. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. The tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. Be safe, be well, keep on picking. In excellent condition and ready to play. 22 frets. The serial # is 448. He could always check the stamp on the bottomthe tone ring to see if its a match to the rim (it should say V916). Theres barely a mark on the banjo (except for the binding where it was put on a stand) and this will probably buff out. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). It took me six months to finally commit to purchasing the Vega-Martin VIP that I brought home today from a local music shop. Barry. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. 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. Rob- Thank you for the below photos. 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. 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. Home; Meet Darlene; ISI Mission; What is Coaching? Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. Save on our most popular Goodtime banjos - the Goodtime openback and the Goodtime Two - at your favorite Deering dealer today! Jack. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. vega banjo identification. In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. 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. FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). So happy to find this site. Piecing the clues together of this mysterious banjo, I suspect that is was a special order item because of the unusually disparate combination of CFM parts. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. Your description of your FR-5 sounds like you have a genuine Boston-made Folk Ranger. 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. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. Hello. The tonering, bracket band, and notched tension hoop were all made of vibrant bell brass (Not die cast metal). Still as wonderful as the day I got it. post . Is has a hard case with blue interior. Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Kudos to Greg Deering who rescued the Vega brand name from extinction in 1989 and restored it to greatness. All the best from the BRC, Barry. I have 5 different stringed instruments that just keep finding me, and I was nervous to take it apart so I could look at the serial number. Im the happy owner of a Vega-Martin VW-5 Wonder 5 string, serial #1516. Any idea where I might find one? John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 17,378. I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . The Vega era PS-5 banjos sell for up to $3-4K these days. I would appreciate it very much. Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry, Gary- Thanks for your query. The last SN from Boston was probably #130049, and the Vega Martin logbook in Nazareth starts with SN 130248. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. They are 230, 243, 353, LVII (57?) Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. It is the first martin-vega I have ever seen in person, or had in my hands! I ordered. And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. So, your banjo is likely either a late 1963/early 1964 model (Vega model years ran from Oct 1st-Sept 30th at the time, much like automobiles). Martin decals on the inner rim and back of the peghead. The Pro model initially featured a Tube-a-phone tone chamber rim which evolved into a tone ring with exclusively designed audio apertures machined into a dogbone/barbell configuration. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided. It looked like it belonged on a Gibson. 26" Scale Length Serial: #21601 Condition: Excellent Case: gig bag Price: $Reduced Price $1395.00 Read More Gatcomb | Lansing Model #325 Index: 10566 Maker: Gatcomb Year: 1890's Notes: Just found you today . Eric- Thanks for your kind comments about the website and prompt photos. The Vega/Martin PS-5 would probably fetch in the $1000- 2500 range these days depending on appointments and condition, whereas the Vega/Boston Seeger banjo seems to be valued more by collectors and would command a higher price.

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