Aside a changed bridge it remained un-modified and rarely played until about two years ago, as by the time I had bought it, I more and more began concentrating on the guitar. Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! 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). Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. Thought you might enjoy an article in All Frets from my good friend and American Banjo Museum curator, Johnny Baier, An Ode to the Vega VoxId like to think my bad influences have moved him over to the dark side as he is now a happy owner of his own deep resonator tenor with a calfskin head (it sounds fantastic). I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. Im hoping you can check both in your archives and tell me the going prices. He uses the one piece neck design typical of the other Deering models with the SN stamped on the back of the peghead. From the BRC, Barry. Landis- Thanks for your post. 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. The Vega Company reportedlyintroduced the first wooden sectioned pie resonator in mid 1923 for their Vega Professional 4-stringer. In 1970, C.F. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. vega banjo identificationvega banjo identification January 31, 2022 . Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! Thanks Again! vega banjo identification. 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). The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. He is credited with being one of the first banjo-builders to install side brackets with hooks to adjust the tension of the head. 219203099161mmDA107 , . Jim _Thanks for your query. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. Please take detailed photos of your banjo inside and outside. Do you know how many Scruggs or Scruggs Soloists, and Sonny Osborne models were made under the Martin ownership and where made? The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. The Martin log book in Nazareth, PA, begins with #130248 later in 1971. 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. best of . 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). I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. Bob- Thanks for the remembrance narrative about you and your Dad learning music together- your are a lucky father and son. Is this an old genuine Vega in the lower price class, Sten- Thanks for your query about the FR-5 banjo. 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 Rochester NY 14610. VT2NRC in its 1979 catalogue, and Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years. vega banjo identification - nutrir.cl In the final VM 1976 catalogue, the F-VIP is displayed in full advertising detail. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. Replyfrom our Vega Vox scholar Dr. RonHi Ernie. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. 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. 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. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. The Pro-5 does not appear in the 1976 Vega Martin catalogue. Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. In the Martin log book, the last six digit (Vega) serial number was 130392 in 1972 after which began the Martin digits. George Gruhn might also know. The inside of the banjo is also blank except for the painted serial number 2207. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for your query to the BRC and the abovephoto link. 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. C.F. 721 which I have had a number of years. 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. 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. If anybody can shed some light on what I have. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. Thank You for your time and web site. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. Martin decal, is the original pot for the plectrum 4 stringer SN 1450, but the neck was replaced after production with a 5 string neck by a previous owner. CL. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. THE BRC THANKS YOU FOR VISITING THE VEGA MARTIN BANJO INFO PAGE. Categories . Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. fender american professional ii vs ultra. 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. Informacje o Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 w archiwum Allegro. C.F. I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. Good luck with your vintage Seeger long neck and photos of this prize would be most welcome for posting here if you are so inclined. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. Martin in Nazareth, PA. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. 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. Barry, I want to thank you very much for the research on my Vega. 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. vega banjo identification. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. 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 . If in poor condition, Ive seen them sell as low as $3000-4000. Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. 10" Rim. $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. I have 2 Martin Vegas. C.F. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin. Im mostly a guitar player. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. Im now forced to sell several beloved instruments but have no idea how to price this gem. By history, C.F. 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. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. I would like to know a little more about it. 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. thanks for your help and keep up the good work. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. 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). They all had yellow serial number stickers. Thanks again for your query. Hello, Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. 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. safety tips; prohibited items; product recalls; These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). 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 flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. 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. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. C.F. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. It looks like the banjo is in ok/decent condition. Isgho Votre ducation notre priorit . A total of 101 PS-5 instruments were manufactured in Pennsylvania. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. Joshua, Joshua-Thank you for your kind comments and the very detailed pictures. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. I have found it helpful over the years. 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 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. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA VEGA Banjos for sale | eBay 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. Barry. It retailed for $488 without case in the 1970 Vega Martin catalog, and it last appeared in the 1972 VM catalogue without a suggested price. Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. Used 5-String Open-Back Banjos | Intermountain Guitar & Banjo So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks Barry. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. Published by at 30, 2022. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May of 1970, the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, began to re-tool for banjo production. It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. Again, thank youmuchfor your post. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. C.F. The last SN from Boston was probably #130049, and the Vega Martin logbook in Nazareth starts with SN 130248. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. Most likely, your banjo has a paddle peghead still with Kluson tuners, block MOP engraved fingerboard inlays, and an updated resonator design with black bindings and a fleur-de-lis added under the engraved star De-Luxe Vegavox on the back (brand new on the 1963-model).