By that time, parts were being shipped to Canada and Japan for assembly, and record keeping soon deteriorated and serial numbers were inconsistent. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Photos are available. The VM price list in 1971 quoted a sales tag of $545 for the Pro-5 without case. Zero fret wear. Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . Learning how to play the banjo is no different. Please try again. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. According to the factory logbook, banjo # 481 was one of eleven PS-5 banjos made per Shop Order # 2155 by C.F. Linda- Thanks much for your query and hearing about your three vintage banjos. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. Martin in Nazareth, PA, in 1973. When C. F. Martin Co. bought the Vega banjo line in May of 1970, hundreds of parts were inherited from the Needham Heights factory near Boston. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. Joshua, Joshua-Thank you for your kind comments and the very detailed pictures. I have 2 Martin Vegas. Barry. Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! Really sounds and pays great. Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. 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. C.F. ), Wim- Congratulations on procuring such a lovely vintage instrument. From the BRC, Barry. Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? Thanks again for your query, Barry. Of note, the tubular connecting rod and the Allen head screws seen in your banjo pot are design features left-over from the Vega era in Boston. In the final VM 1976 catalogue, the F-VIP is displayed in full advertising detail. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. Any help with identifying it (I cant find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. post id: 7593773670. posted: 2023-02-27 00:34. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). The rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. Thank you for all the information. The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. When C. F. Martin took over Vega in 1970, they dropped the A-xxxxxx serial numbers and replaced it with M-xxxxxx series, until starting a new four digit numbering system in 1972 at the Nazareth factory. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used - banjobarn.com $260 USD. I have two theories about your instrument. 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. Would appreciate any information you can provide to verify the model and any original cost/current value. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. Martin did not publish retail prices after 1971, so my guess is that this up scale model sold back then for around $600. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/307507 vinman - Posted - 08/09/2015: 18:02:24 Thanks! Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! I think it is a Pro-5. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. vega banjo identification 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. Thats when I decided to modify this rather bluegrassy bright (and plenty of loud) sounding Folk banjo a bit. The year 1970-1971 was a time of transition of tools and parts from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. The Item # was VT2NRC. So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks 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. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. The Vega 1961 flyer and 1963 catalogue describe that the Earl Scruggs model had a sunburst finish on the resonator. ! - Vintage Vega #2 Gp I lived in Needham MA for 20+ years, and Im wondering if that tone ring possibly came from Vegas final days in Needham. The C.F. 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. These days, my guess is that this 5 stringer is worth about $1500 or more depending on condition. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. Allen screws at the neck/pot junction and a tube connecting rod (not shown) are design features from the 1960`s in Boston . Thanks again. Further investigation related to your comments in the abovefirst paragraph might shed some light on the wood tone finish differences. vega banjo identification. Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 Best of luck and thanks for your query, 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. Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. 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. Again, thanks for your post. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. Martin Vega Banjo Strings Features: Tin-plated steel core is responsive, lively, and resilient Nickel alloy wrap wire is consistently smooth and tonally flexible for a variety of playing styles Medium gauge for full-bodied tone and strong midrange response Tech Specs Number of Strings: 5 String Material: Steel Winding Material: Nickel Alloy My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. From the BRC, Barry. He wanted to buy it! 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: Is this original? 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. 0 bids. Thanks Again! 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. vega serial numbers - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout brian kim, cpa clearvalue tax net worth . Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. Is 887 also a Pro5? The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. 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. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. Barry, My Vega VIP 5-string has S/N 2316 painted inside the rim, which I presume means it was assembled by Galaxy in Asia. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . Rochester NY 14610. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. 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. VEGA Vintage Banjos for sale | eBay C.F. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. 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. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? Thanks for your query, Barry. By early 1971, Martin began to assemble banjos from Boston-made parts in Nazareth using the Vega six digit serial number system prefixed with the letter M for Martin and beginning with Shop Order 2001. Being unable to find anything on the internet, I began to think I had been scammed. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. vega banjo identification. The Folk Wonder model does not appear in the 1972 or 1976 Vega Martin catalogues, but its resonator version the `Wonder` model does. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. Thanks again for your query. 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. wyoming seminary athletic scholarship; Tags . Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). 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 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. There were forty-six Vega Martin V-45 banjos made of similar design, but the hardware was gold-plated. Banjo Parts & Accessories - Elderly Instruments 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. Although C.F. If your Vegaphones and Tubaphone have serial numbers, you can more closely date them by visiting Whitetreeaz banjo serial numbers online. C.F. The tone ring really had me confused! Thanks for your very kind words about the BRC website. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. Thanks you for this great site. 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. The 1968 Vega catalogue described the Pro II appointments as including a bell brass tone ring with exclusively designed audio apertures, a ten ply wood rim, a three-piece maple neck, a resonator of curly maple, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel-plated hardware, and a shaded mahogany finish. 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. Vega style k mandolin banjo Thanks for your reply. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. vega banjo Archives - Seeders Instruments Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. Anders- Thanks for your query. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. In regards to the endorsed banjo models cited in your final paragraph, my files show that the Sonny Osborne model appears only in the 1968 Vega/Boston catalogue.