The Pro-5 does not appear in the 1976 Vega Martin catalogue. I am wondering what you can tell me about a Vega long neck banjo with Martin stamp on the back of the headstock and inside, serial number 82? Landis- Thanks for your post. Hi! A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. What can you tell me about my instrument? Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. Both the VW-5 and FW-5 appear in the 1961 Vega ((155 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA) catalogue but featuring a 5 ply rim in the early design. 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. The serial numbers for the overseas-produced instruments were in the 2000+ range in sequence with the last official VM banjo manufactured in Nazareth, PA, which bore #1969. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. From the BRC site this banjo was made circa 1975-1976 in and around Nazareth PA. Do I have the have the provenance correct? CL. It is a somewhat rare bird, as C.F. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. Anders- Thanks for your query. Your 5-stringer was one of seven V-76E instruments manufactured per Shop Order 2310, and the `E` designation indicates that these seven banjos were made for employees. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. 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. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. Thanks for your post. In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. ). Both are in wonderful condition. Hope this helps. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. 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. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. Best of luck and thanks for your query, Barry. My Vega F-VIP #1456 got chosen from the 72 catalogue in spring of 76 in a music shop in Stuttgart / Germany, and was delivered only about ten weeks later. 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 Learning how to play the banjo is no different. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. How much would it be worth? This Vox uses brass (rather than the late model Vega/Martin aluminum) hex nut shoes for the tension bolts, and thinner dual brass coordinator rods (again, instead of aluminum). Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. I would love some photos of your V-45 to upload with this post. 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. Informacje o Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 w archiwum Allegro. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. Thanks again. 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. He is credited with being one of the first banjo-builders to install side brackets with hooks to adjust the tension of the head. 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. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. post id: 7593773670. posted: 2023-02-27 00:34. I knew nothing about it until I found this site. Is it possible to tell me what model or style and year it was built also the value? The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. The number will be 6-12 digits long depending on what year it was made. Services; vega banjo identification In addition to the unusual R-D-136 serial number, the C.F. 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. 1929 Vega Tubaphone Longneck Conversion Banjo This banjo started its life in 1929 as a Vega Vegaphone tenor banjo. The year 1970-1971 was a time of transition of tools and parts from Boston to Nazareth, PA. C.F. Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? 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. 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. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. It is a top-of-the-line banjo that was paired with the reissued D-45 Martin guitar as a marketing strategy. Hope this helps and au revoir, Barry. Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. . During this transitional period, Boston parts were shipped to Nazareth for assembly, and Martin pre-fixed the traditional six digit Vega serial number with the letter `M`. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309. 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. Thanks again for your query. Barry. 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; Q: At what point did Vega go from ball end to open end bracket nuts? 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. and CXXVI (126?). Thanks again for your query, Barry. The fascinatingwooden pie (sectioned) resonator is probably inherited from the Boston era Vega inventory. If you had a picture archive, Id be happy to post some pictures. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. Your tenor 4-stringer was built in early 1972 per Shop Order 2051. I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC recently showcased an exhibit of pre-1900 Martin guitars. it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. I own Martin Vega Wonder serial no. vega banjo identificationvega banjo identification January 31, 2022 . FREE SHIPPING! 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). In the Boston era, Pete Seeger was listed as an exclusive Vega product banjoist in a 1961 flyer from their Columbus Avenue business headquarters, and his endorsed PS-5 was featured prominently in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogs. Is 887 also a Pro5? Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Data from these logbooks are available per e-mail request from the BRC founder. For a chuckle, see the latest home page entry for BJF details. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. Martin decal photographed on the back of the VIP Vega peg head. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Still as wonderful as the day I got it. vega banjo identification. It look and plays great. It took me six months to finally commit to purchasing the Vega-Martin VIP that I brought home today from a local music shop. If in poor condition, Ive seen them sell as low as $3000-4000. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided. Hello there, what a terrific Web page you guys have put together so interesting, i have a open back tenor banjo with the Martin logo and nos 916 it has the same pearl inlay as the 5 string pro it has 19 frets , i have no idea of its value but it has a beautiful slim neck just so easy to finger chords, cheers Rob. Martin historian Mike Longworth. Roger- Thanks much for your query. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. From the BRC, Barry. If someone could help her post it on eBay, it would probably get a decent price and a good home. I lived in Needham MA for 20+ years, and Im wondering if that tone ring possibly came from Vegas final days in Needham. In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. 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: