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. Roger- Thanks much for your query. The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. vega banjo identification. So heres my question. 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. and CXXVI (126?). The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. Per the 1971 price list, the V-45-5 sold for $1650 with case included, and it was available by special order only. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. FREE SHIPPING! My estimate is that it would fetch up to $900 these days depending on condition Hope this helps and thanks from the BRC, Barry, Hello , I am writing from France where I found a banjo that I want to buy, but which I have no information. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. Your instrument SN 999 was one of five VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjos was made in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1974 per Shop Order # 2212. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. 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. A nice banjo- enjoy. 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. Good luck and thanks again for your post. 5. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry, Gary- Thanks for your query. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post.
Identifying Unmarked Banjos - Bill's Banjos Vega Martin long neck PS-5 banjo SN 80 is one of eleven Pete Seeger 5-stringers manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1972 per Shop Order 2098. 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. Its mostly been in storage since I purchased it in the late 1970s. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). Martin built only 101 PS-5 long necks. 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 in the 1970s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). 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). I bought my Vega PS-5 S/N 1046 new in, I believe, late summer of 1974 through Miller Music in Lawton, OK. Dog-bone Tubaphone tone ring, Grover milk bottle guitar tuners. If you want a more Bluegrass sound, try a 5-Star head from Stew Mac. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. 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. 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. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim.
Vega #2 | Genuine Brass Tubaphone Tone Ring | Banjo.com Ive owned one for 30 yrs though I dont play it very well. Have a great weekend as well. It looks like the banjo is in ok/decent condition.
New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale - banjobuyer.com Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. (They are NOT a 'coded' format.) 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. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them.
Vega Tu-ba-phone Banjo | National Museum of American History 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. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. We have a bunch of new Deering merch for you whether it be socks, shirts, tote bags, mugs, and more! Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. I have 3 Vega banjos , 1963 Earl Scruggs model A 10921(Scruggs ST-5, handwritten in red ink under that on yellow label) which I played for 23 years, she has a very mellow sound. Hello. 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 . For those interested in the genealogy of banjo manufacturers, I have included a page summarizing some important relationships between manufacturers, . I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. Martin purchased the Vega brand line. Im sure theres a story behind this banjo and why it was made. The `41` engraved on the tailpiece no doubt refers to the model V-41 designation. This fascinating collection of vintage stringed instruments chronicles luthier C.F. The Pro-5 model had an improved bell brass tone ring (alas, not silver) with exclusively designed audio apertures, a thick 10 ply wood rim, a double-tension neck rod, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel plated parts, a mahogany shaded finish, and white binding. The VM price list in 1971 quoted a sales tag of $545 for the Pro-5 without case. What A great and informative site .. As C.F. The Folk Wonder is an open-back banjo that features a maple neck, a white bound ebony fretboard with pearl dots, and geared pegs in the headstock. The serial number is stamped in the wooden rim below the Martin decal. Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. The last two Vox Vs (serial numbers 1964-1965) were built in 1979, and still exist to this day. Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, parts were shipped overseas to Japan and Canada for assembly.
Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. 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). Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. 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. 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 hardware on the V-41 is chrome-plated, so maybe a nearby metal shop could patch it for you or at least identify the alloy. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). Please try again. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. Can you tell me more like age and value? Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! 0 bids. According to the factory logbook, banjo # 481 was one of eleven PS-5 banjos made per Shop Order # 2155 by C.F. Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. Serial # 1795. it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. 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. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10.
Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? - chroniclesdengen.com vega banjo identification 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. Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000.
Martin V740 Strings Vega strun banjo 5-strunowego RETRO 10-23,10 Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. The beautiful Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe and its plectrum and open back permutations appear only in a 3 page marketing pamphlet issued by C.F. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. 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). I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. fender american professional ii vs ultra. 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. So cool to have this historical data. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309. I inherited a Vega 5-string resonator banjo and have been trying to find out additional information about it. 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. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. It has the famous Vega `Tu-Ba-Phone` tone ring and notched tension hoop both made of bell brass, an ebony fingerboard, and a 10 ply maple rim. I dont play any instrument right now.
vega banjo identification - moongraphicdesigning.com From the BRC, Barry. The back of the headstock is blank. 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. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. Informacje o Martin V740 StringsVega strun banjo RETRO 10-23,10 - 11109692503 w archiwum Allegro. 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. In the 1972 Martin catalogue, the Professional appears identical to yours, but it is absent from the 1976 catalogue. P.S. Barry. SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. He was told that it was made by Martin, but I do not find any Martin labels.
! - Vintage Vega #2 Gp Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? 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.
VEGA Banjos for sale | eBay Therefore it became dissembled. 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. 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. One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. Have a restful weekend and be well, 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 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. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. 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. It was recommended by Bob Smakula that I send some photos to you and that you might have more information. Allen screws at the neck/pot junction and a tube connecting rod (not shown) are design features from the 1960`s in Boston . I would love some photos of your V-45 to upload with this post. Martin decal photographed on the back of the VIP Vega peg head. So, the rim and rods appear be from a Vox I, and dogbone Tubaphone tonering would be typical of the 1970s period under Martin (some the later Voxesmade by Vega in Needham Heights before moving to Nazareth used these, aswell as slotted Tubaphones). Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! 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. C.F. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholarDr. Ron: The Vega Vox IV was the top of the line banjo in the Vox (deep resonator) line for Vega Co. of Boston in the 1950sthe serial number is consistent with a 1951 model. Do you have any information on it? I call him Rory, although much louder he has a beautiful rich tone, but is quite punchy.. 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
Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. Flanked by interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founderproudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. 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. Item # 9126. Accordingly, 1970-1971 was a year of manufacturing transition from Boston to Nazareth. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K.
vega banjo identification Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Unbeknownstto most 5 string aficionados, the Martin Guitar Company manufactured Vega banjos from 1970 through 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. 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 is an off shoot of the classic No. After Martin sold the Vega line to Galaxy in 1979, this generic mother of pearl pattern remained the same in the VIP model but had double-stripe engraving on it. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. They are 230, 243, 353, LVII (57?) The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . Thanks again for your time & consideration. Go online to `Images for Vega Folk Ranger banjo and enjoy (but don`t confuse your FR-5 with its cousin the Folk Wonder model FW-5). From the BRC, Barry. Martin stamp. It sounds like your banjo is maybe a hybrid made overseas after 1976-1977 when Vega Martin parts were shipped to Japan and later Canada for assembly. 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.
Vega - Elderly Instruments Hope this helps, and all the best picking, Barry. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. 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). They all had yellow serial number stickers. 6. I have original case. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for your query to the BRC and the abovephoto link. Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. I just acquired a second, SN#990 with the dog-bone tone ring. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Barry. 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. I recently took my Dads 4 string banjo out of storage after approximately 25 years since his passing. 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 . "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Is this original? What a wealth of information! 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. I ordered. From the BRC, Barry, Sir: What kind of info can you give me on a V-76E banjo, Ser. I actually picked up a banjo that had a resonator that was sitting on the shelf in that 1970-72 period as Martin was transitioning and shutting down the factory there. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. Deering Banjo Company now owns the Vega brand, and you might contact them regarding a custom device if you want parts within the historic Vega lineage. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Any and all information you may have on my little banjo will be greatly appreciated! This classic and ornate Vega series dates back to the 1920s but did not appear in the 1970 and 1972 Vega Martin catalogues. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. 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. I think im in heaven. It has dual rods running through the pot and it has the tubaphone tone ring. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. 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. Both are in wonderful condition. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. Your tenor 4-stringer was built in early 1972 per Shop Order 2051. Martin 1970 catalogue described ashaded mahogany finish on the Wonder model, and the 1976 Martin catalogue reported thatthe Wonder banjo bore a mahogany color finish.