Just found this wonderful site. Excellent condition. Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. Vega Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958-1970 - The Canada Site The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. I think it is a Pro-5. 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. Zero fret wear. C.F. Be safe, be well. I has Vega and a single star on the front of the headstock. Neck and rim look a lot like made by Martin craftsmen, and it arrived set up perfectly. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. Data from these logbooks are available per e-mail request from the BRC founder. What Does My Banjo's Serial Number Tell Me? - Deering Banjo Company I ordered. Martin did not develop or cultivate such a banjo line, a dozen such BJF-5 entries are recorded in their shop files from 1971-1972. 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. Rochester NY 14610. It is a beauty. 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. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. I know this is a Vega Martin site, however maybe you can help me or know of someone who can provide me with more information about my dads Vega banjo.It is a 1951 Vega vox iv plectrum with with s/n 98786.What does the iv mean? No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. 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). Have a great weekend as well. For several years, the Vega Martin banjo was an amalgam of parts from Massachusetts and Nazareth, PA. Old 6 digit Vega serial numbers persisted on a yellow sticker on the inner pot until production was moved to Pennsylvania in 1972. Bob- Thanks for the remembrance narrative about you and your Dad learning music together- your are a lucky father and son. TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items. Hello, I just stumbled onto this site today 4/16/20. In good condition, the range today is $4000-6000 ($4500-5000 is more reasonable); rare that a tenor would sell at high end, as that market is very soft now and more vintage IV tenors from 1930-50s are pursued and better value (those with dowel sticks tend to be more highly sought after today in the tenor crowd). The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. VEGA Banjos for sale | eBay Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Bob. Vega Tu-ba-phone Banjo | National Museum of American History ), Wim- Congratulations on procuring such a lovely vintage instrument. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). In 1970, C.F. 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). They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. What a wealth of information! The Vega franchise was sold overseas in 1979 but reacquired in the US by Deering in 1989. Is 887 also a Pro5? The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. All the best, Barry. 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. I have photos.Serial No. It has dual rods running through the pot and it has the tubaphone tone ring. Barry. 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. If your Vegaphones and Tubaphone have serial numbers, you can more closely date them by visiting Whitetreeaz banjo serial numbers online. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. Hopes this helps. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Home; Meet Darlene; ISI Mission; What is Coaching? ! - Vintage Vega #2 Gp Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. Im just getting back into my love of music. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. I think im in heaven. From the BRC, Barry. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. What is a spectrum banjo? Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. It is the first martin-vega I have ever seen in person, or had in my hands! Do you have any information on it? senior living sun prairie, wi; blueberry sweet rolls joanna gaines; miguel cardona family; shooting in newport beach last night; st albans swim club drowning; where was the 3 godfathers filmed; southwest chicken bake; Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! This is a super site for banjo players and owners. Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? vega banjo identification. Martin historian Mike Longworth. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. The long-neck No. I received a letter(martin memo) along with my banjo covering head adjustment, plastic Vegalon heads, string action, bridge and nut and neck rod adjustment dated 8/26/71also a warranty card with the phone number 215-759-2837ask for miketelling me to use string type V750.having wanted one all my adult life, this banjo is the pinnacle of my banjo collecting desires. Really sounds and pays great. Answer: Tu-Ba-Phone 5-String made 1978-1979. If you could give me your thought about what its worth, I would appreciate it. I would like to know a little more about it. My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. My Vega VIP has the Martin decal on the back of the headstock. The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. CL. Id love to learn more about it, etc. It is a top-of-the-line banjo that was paired with the reissued D-45 Martin guitar as a marketing strategy. P.S. 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. The distinct disadvantage to having a rare banjo is finding replacement parts. 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). Thanks again for your post and pictures and kind comments about the website. Barry. 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. A fabulous example of one of the finest banjos ever made, the Vega 5-string Pete Seeger long-necked folk banjo, produced as a result of the folk craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . I have a seperate label thats still in the case showing the serial # 1199. 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 tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL is seen in the 1976 catalogue. 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). Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. Every Martin Vega I have seen has a more dark brown mahogany-colored stain. $42 USD. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. Thanks for your post. George Gruhn might also know. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. Despite showing its age as a workhorse performance instrument with extensive wear-and-tear, a friend of mine in San Diego purchased this one-of-a-kind banjo in Vega and Martin history in 2007 and had it beautifully restored to its current condition by the American Banjo Hall-of-Fame member, Renee Karnes. C.F. Vega Martin banjo SN 1795 was one of three special order V-45 5-string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1977 per Shop Order 2335. I have two theories about your instrument. It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. Vega style k mandolin banjo One of the best known Kay electric guitars during the 1950s was the K-161 "Thin Twin", most visibly used by blues artist Jimmy Reed. Thank you so very much for this information! In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. 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 . My aunt gave me a Martin Vega banjo serial number 892 to see what it was worth since she is not internet savy and looking to sell it. 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. 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). In the Vega Martin shop files, banjo SN 916 is a VVI-P (Vega Vox Style 1 plectrum) resonator banjo made in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Plectrum 4 stringers have 22 frets compared to the tenors that have 17 to 19 frets. brian kim, cpa clearvalue tax net worth . 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. I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! Martin V720 Vega Steel/Nickel Banjo Strings - .009-.030 - Sweetwater After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. 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 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. I knew nothing about it until I found this site. Another side note, Greg Deering has made two prototype Voxes alreadyI have played one of them, which is basically an identical design to the 1967 Vox I with a paddle peghead and crown inlays. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. The C.F. I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Martin in Nazareth, PA, in 1973. 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. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Barry. Very interesting to get to know all this details. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. It listed back then for $345 without to BRCcase. The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. P.S. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. With the original Hardshell case and the rare Earl Scruggs Tuners or de- tuners if you will. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Being unable to find anything on the internet, I began to think I had been scammed. 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. Heres a link to a .zip file you can download. Barry. 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. 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. Any model F-V or Vega banjo with serial #s between 52669 and 52684 (a 15 number range), when the switch from "Fairbanks Banjo, Made by Vega" stamp to the "Made by Vega" stamp seems to have occurred. Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! The Style K was Vega's least expensive banjo-mandolin, not having a "tone ring" installed, unlike the pricier Tu-Ba-Phone and Whyte Laydie models. . There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. Note below the C.F. 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. 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). Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. The V-45(5) featured a heavy one-piece flat head tone ring of brass so popular among Bluegrass pickers. I was fortunate enough to visit the Needham factory (actually a cement-block garage-like building) in the mid-late 1960s and saw some early VIPs under construction. Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company).
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