Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Martin markings, my impression is that it was put together overseas from left-over Martin parts after the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading purchased the Vega brand in 1979. 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. Over a period of several years, the Vega line morphed into a uniquely featured Vega Martin instrument. Im hoping I can find a V41 pot. very carefully, I did and its four digits # 1450. it looks very good to me as far as the condition, its just old and kind of dirty. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. 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 4-string tenor gauge is mellow and warm and accents low to midrange frequencies Tech Specs Number of Strings: 4 String Material: Tin-plated Steel The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. Hello, Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. Is it possible to tell me what model or style and year it was built also the value? It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. 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 think it is a Pro-5. Your VM-5 Wonder banjo SN 720 was manufactured in 1973 per Shop Order 2181. Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. He was told that it was made by Martin, but I do not find any Martin labels. Used 5-String Open-Back Banjos | Intermountain Guitar & Banjo Martin historian Mike Longworth. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. First let me thank you for this amazing well of information! The tone ring holes are grouped in sets of three rather than equally spaced as on a tubaphone ring. Martin V740 Strings Vega strun banjo 5-strunowego RETRO 10-23,10 If you had a picture archive, Id be happy to post some pictures. My estimate would be that this rare and exotic bird might fetch around $1800 or more these days. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. Barry. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. Whenever parts are sent overseas, it is unpredictable if instruments are constructed fastidiously with matching parts, and this may explain the difference in tone between your two VIP instruments. I have found it helpful over the years. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. Thanks! vega banjo identification 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. I would appreciate it very much. Thank you so much!! He is credited with being one of the first banjo-builders to install side brackets with hooks to adjust the tension of the head. Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. I have a Vega V.I.P. The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. 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. Vega Banjo Serial Number Lookup Known Problems with Gretsch's Serial Number System: Due to the various renumbering schemes, there are Gretsch-built Bacons and B&D's with 3 digit, 4 digit and 5 digit serial numbers, which confuses identification of instruments made between 1910 and 1940. Both are in wonderful condition. The F-VIP is first mentioned briefly on a front page of the 1970 Vega Martin catalogue, and it retailed for $490 in the VM price list of 1971. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. C.F. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. Hi there Folks.A few weeks ago i bought a Vega martin 5 string banjo, tubaphone tonering, the screws to attach the shoes to the bracket band go through the bracketband but also through the rim.The banjo is almost in unplayed condition, sounds wonderfull, the original case is also there.serial numer is 1707. 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. Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. It is the first martin-vega I have ever seen in person, or had in my hands! Great information and even better advice. Banjos were simply stamped 'The Vega Company' From 1913, the firm started using style designations instead of names: * The banjorine (or banjeaurine) was a 5 string banjo, but with a shorter neck like a banjolin It would have been around this time that Tenor Banjos first appeared, as the Tango craze hit America between 1910 and 1914. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. 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. Excellent condition. Vega Martin Banjo Info | Banjo Rehab Center, Banjo Restoration it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . From the BRC, Barry. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. While published accounts indicate that only 18 plectrums and 3 tenors were made in this series, Martin company officials have shared information from current records that one-third were simply shop orders that were never actually completed in the post-strike period. It looks like the banjo is in ok/decent condition. It was advertised to feature a rosewood veneered rim and resonator trimmed in abalone pearl like the C.F. 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 . The tone ring really had me confused! Martins acquisition of Vega of Bostonand, the only other one completed in the old Needham Heights factory before banjo production finally moved to Nazareth. Bob- Thank you for your kind words about my website, and I reply with compliments to your luthier shop with which I am familiar. In that same period, twenty-one VV IV plectrums were manufactured. The other 9 were likely shipped to Canada or Japan for assembly after 1977. Rob- Thank you for the below photos. Perhaps a bit more cutting. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. Congratulations on having two vintage VM banjos, and your gracious comments about the Info site are much appreciated. I have photos.Serial No. 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). My estimate is that the banjo might be worth $500-$700 depending on condition. If you want a more Bluegrass sound, try a 5-Star head from Stew Mac. Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. The 1971 Vega Martin price listed this model to retail at $556 without case. Q: At what point did Vega go from ball end to open end bracket nuts? Martin stamp. 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. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. I have 5 different stringed instruments that just keep finding me, and I was nervous to take it apart so I could look at the serial number. Vega Banjo Serial Numbers - cleverapex vega banjo identification. Thank you very much for your quick answer. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. Photos are available. 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: From the BRC, Barry. Galaxy marketed its 4 and 5 stringers in the USA via a remarkably unimaginative TMC catalog in which each banjo was identified only with an Item number but no model moniker to give it personality like the Pro-5 or Wonder banjos named by the earlier corporate owners. best of . Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Depending upon condition, it is probably worth somewhere around $750 these days. Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. I inherited a Vega 5-string resonator banjo and have been trying to find out additional information about it. 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. It appears to be serial number 231 (engraved). Best wishes with your VIP and thanks again for your post, Barry. The banjo featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, geared tuning pegs, a 3 piece maple neck, blackwood fingerboard, pearl dots, a resonator, an arm rest, nickel plated parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. 721 which I have had a number of years. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. I have 2 Martin Vegas. vega banjo identification - americanuzbekistan.org 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. The VIP model featured a unique `audio-sonic` bell brass tone ring, a scrolled peg head with ultra filagree pearl work, engraved pearl inlay in the ebony fretboard, a 10 ply maple rim with a heavy notched tension hoop, geared tuners, a walnut finish, and marquetry around the resonator. I knew nothing about it until I found this site. One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. 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. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. The VIP-5 is known for its mellow sound, and the tone of my VIP-5 (SN 1364 circa 1974) was admired by a faculty member at a northeastern banjo camp a few years ago. vega serial numbers - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout Landis- Thanks for your post. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. Thanks for your reply. Bob- Thanks for the remembrance narrative about you and your Dad learning music together- your are a lucky father and son. CL. GoldTone longneck Banjo - musical instruments - by owner - sale I really appreciate your orientation. Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. With appreciation, Barry. and CXXVI (126?). Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. In my files, the PS-5 model first appears in a 1961 Vega product flyer from Boston, but it may have been manufactured there starting in 1958. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. Any help with identifying it (I cant find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. vega banjo identification. Martin in the 1970s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). 6. The Item # was VT2NRC. JC # 1713? The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. But with original Whyte Laydie banjo rims being in demand for converting to 5-string instruments, this one is an ideal candidate. Thanks you for this great site. Vega Tu-ba-phone Banjo | National Museum of American History Great sound and in excellent condition. Any idea where I might find one? The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins - Acoustic Music I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . My VIP-5 is SN 1364 and was made about one year after your 5-stringer, and it has a nice mid range tone. 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. Vintage Vega Banjo - musical instruments - by owner - sale Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry, Gary- Thanks for your query. Fairbanks & Cole Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! All the best from the BRC, Barry. This banjo has all hand-machined bell brass parts to replace the cheaper, more commonly used aluminum alloys used by both Vega and Martin during that era (including coordinator rods, top-tension rim lugs/shoes and bolts), and Kellens other signature upgrades that includes an 1/8 brass shim between the heel of the neck and rim and lacquered, highly polished inner resonator to enhance tone depth and volume projection. It is a Four-String Banjo, Tu-ba-phone Model No. It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. William- Thanks for your post. The ebony fingerboard was on a mahogany neck, and a butterfly adorns the back of the resonator. The overseas conglomerate Galaxy purchased the Vega line in 1979 and offered the T2-5 for $775 before going bankrupt in the mid 1980`s. The V-45(5) featured a heavy one-piece flat head tone ring of brass so popular among Bluegrass pickers. This item has been sold. It is not clear why Martin initiated this product line. What can you tell me about my instrument? Per the 1971 Martin price list, the recommended retail price back then was $545 with out case which cost another $68 for the hard shell version. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. C.F. In addition to the unusual R-D-136 serial number, the C.F. They are on the second and 3rd strings and allow that Buck Trent kind of thing. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. So, your banjo is likely either a late 1963/early 1964 model (Vega model years ran from Oct 1st-Sept 30th at the time, much like automobiles). Martin briefly built a lightweight tenor banjo between 1923-26 to compete with Vega and other manufacturers whose heavier and more popular banjos had greater tone, volume, and sales. For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. C.F. 2 Vega banjo from the early Boston era. Only 101 model PS-5 banjos were made by C.F. C.F. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. Inside your device. Do you have a total of these models made under the Massachusetts Vega name? By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. FREE SHIPPING! Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. Your description of your FR-5 sounds like you have a genuine Boston-made Folk Ranger. A nice banjo- enjoy. I recently had a luthier friend do setup on it and he found the pot metal rim flange to be broken and wont allow me to have the head at proper tension. They all had yellow serial number stickers. From the BRC, Barry. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . 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. It looked like it belonged on a Gibson. Smakula Fretted Instruments; Banjos Everywhere! I am assuming someone may have penciled in an extra 1 on yours, but my best guess is that it was made sometime in the last half of 1963 (A12130 was the first banjo produced in Jan 64). fender american professional ii vs ultra. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. 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). My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. In the meantime, thanks again for your post. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No.2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white. TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. The Banjo Rehabilitation Center archives contain the serial numbers and dates of manufacture of the Vega-Martin banjos made in Nazareth, PA, during the 1970`s. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? It is indeed a sweet banjo with plenty of talk in it. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. Martin in Nazareth, PA. Rochester NY 14610. I had Renee Karnes carve the heel with a VV flower and leaf design to get rid of the SS #. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . Im mostly a guitar player. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. Thanks Again! C.F. Save This Search Vega Vox short neck tenor banjo IiMPOSSIBLE TO FIND/ one of the best sounding Banjo's in the world> Used - Mint Condition Posted 11/15/2021 8:46:13 AM by Ronkisok - Country: United States - State: CT - ZIP: 06790 It is in excellent condition but missing a resonator thumbscrew with the threaded washer. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. ), Wim- Congratulations on procuring such a lovely vintage instrument. Thank you. Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? Where to find your serial number. From the BRC site this banjo was made circa 1975-1976 in and around Nazareth PA. Do I have the have the provenance correct? It look and plays great. bouffant scrub cap pattern. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . The tiny screws adjacent to it are an adaptation by the Vega franchise to afford fine-tuning of the side-to-side alignment of the neck. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. For a chuckle, see the latest home page entry for BJF details. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . The mother of pearl inlay fretboard pattern in your Pro-5 is similar to that found in the popular VIP-5 banjo, but the latter has single-stripe engraving in the mother of pearl. Thank You Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. From the BRC, Barry. $42 USD. Kudos to Greg Deering who rescued the Vega brand name from extinction in 1989 and restored it to greatness. 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 personal suggestion, however, is to preserve it as a tangible keepsake of the priceless moments spent with your father years ago. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Thanks so much Ill get back to you if any further questions. Thanks again for your post and pictures and kind comments about the website. The back of the headstock is blank. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. 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. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Give it a try and good luck. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. The tonering, bracket band, and notched tension hoop were all made of vibrant bell brass (Not die cast metal). A total of 101 PS-5 instruments were manufactured in Pennsylvania. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. Vega Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958-1970 - The Canada Site Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers - evertx Im hoping you can check both in your archives and tell me the going prices. P.S. . The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. Although C.F. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. How do you date a banjo? I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. 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. There are different types of banjos and plenty of new terminology for parts of banjos and playing styles. Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. 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. Hopes this helps. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Check Price at Amazon. The Vega White Oak Banjo is ideal for achieving the classic clawhammer and folk, with bright tone and distinct note clarity and weighs less than 6 lbs! cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. 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. 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. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. Can you tell me about it? Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. Fairbanks Vega Banjos Specifications - Mugwumps Very interesting to get to know all this details. 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. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. Martin built 561 VW-5 banjos in the 1970`s.You can learn more about this VM instrument by browsing my website for the postings on 6-19-21 and 1-16-21, or just enter the word `wonder` in the search engine. Theres barely a mark on the banjo (except for the binding where it was put on a stand) and this will probably buff out. The banjos advertised in the brochure had generic names and Item #`s. Your instrument was listed as Vega 5-string Banjo featuring a Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring with round holes thus representing A reproduction of the early Tu-Ba-Phone No.