I have sent an e-mail to my Vega Vox consultant Dr. Ron and await his comments and appraisal. They are on the second and 3rd strings and allow that Buck Trent kind of thing. 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). Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary Bobby Joe Fenster variation. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. It looks like a well-preserved and fun mid range banjo waiting to be enjoyed by an appreciative musician like yourself. 7. We've been notified and are looking into it. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. Excellent condition. It listed for $1310 in the 1971 VM price brochure and a carved heel was extra. The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. During the Vega Martin era, C.F. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. vega banjo identification. 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. fender american professional ii vs ultra. Enjoy. Also, the banjo has some ornate details carved in it. I have original case. A nice banjo- enjoy. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. (#26) Dr. Ron about " Vega Vox V: The Vega Martin Apogee of 4 String Banjos", A Lone (Pre Vega Martin ) Banjo at the Art Museum, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ES67V1VHbMR-GfbQpvWWGD1RUJrtyTv?usp=sharing. Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company). Used 5-String Open-Back Banjos | Intermountain Guitar & Banjo What a wealth of information! Categories . Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck 5 String Banjo (1961) I think Ill go look up a local banjo instructor and take a few lessons. Its paper label says it was made by Vega of Boston, part of the CF Martin Co. but it does not have the CF Martin decal on the back of the peg-head. what I know about banjos right now I learned from you!! This did include the instalment of a Fiberskyn head to mellow down the tone somewhat, of a geared 5th string tuner, and of a (very nice) tailpiece to replace the chrome plated Waverly (everything else nickel). VEGA Vintage Banjos for sale | eBay I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. Every Martin Vega I have seen has a more dark brown mahogany-colored stain. 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. The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. 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. 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. 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). According to the C.F. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. Martin students believe that it was a market ploy to attract owners of the legendary Martin D-45 guitar to purchase a partner banjo, but the strategy did not succeed. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, High Crown (1/2 Inch) $19 USD. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. What is it worth today, and what did it sell for when new? 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). Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. It was a student model that Eddie convinced long time friend and Vega owner/president to make positioned as a lower cost alternative to the Vox I/Professional IIit was an upgrade over the Little Wonder/Ranger banjos. 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). The Pro-5 does not appear in the 1976 Vega Martin catalogue. Your Vega Wonder (VW) plectrum banjo SN 129 was one of six `VW-Plec` 4 string banjos made in Nazareth, PA, by C. F. Martin per Shop Order #2105 in mid 1972. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . Device Search - VEGA This 5-stringer was manufactured circa 1845 in Baltimore, MD, by luthier William Boucher, Jr.. Vega Tu-ba-phone Banjo | National Museum of American History Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. 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. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. John, just an old Missouri banjo picker transplanted in Arizona. It was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1973 per shop order # 2154. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. I would love to be able to date this banjo: SN 999 as a decal under the Martin logo inside the rim with the Martin logo decal on the back side of the peghead as well. It appears to be serial number 231 (engraved). Just wondering if you have any interesting data on this ax. As such, it is also unique in that is the only Ultra Vox V to be modified and finished by Peabodys other ex-Marine buddy and master luthier, Larry Kellens (widely known as the Vega Doctor during the 1950-70s). A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. If in poor condition, Ive seen them sell as low as $3000-4000. Martins acquisition of Vega of Bostonand, the only other one completed in the old Needham Heights factory before banjo production finally moved to Nazareth. Services; vega banjo identification Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. Your peghead and resonator are clearly marked with C.F. Barry, I want to thank you very much for the research on my Vega. It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. Id love to learn more about it, etc. Vega Banjos by Deering | Huge Selection | Lowest Prices Guaranteed The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. 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. This design of banjo retailed for $285 back then, and it was popularized by Erik Darling and Pete Seegar (who had his own Vega endorsed model for awhile). TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. vega banjo identification. These were followed by banjos #9-14 which were Vega Vox-4-P plectrums per Shop Order 2088. Please take detailed photos of your banjo inside and outside. Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? George Gruhn might also know. Isgho Votre ducation notre priorit . On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. The C.F. 0 bids $10.96 shipping Ending Oct 14 at 5:44AM PDT5d 4hFrom GermanyBrand: VEGA A: There are a very few Fairbanks made banjos (several of them Regents) with pre-fire serial numbers circa 22900, stamped simply "Vega" in an oval border. Martin V720 Vega Steel/Nickel Banjo Strings - .009-.030 - Sweetwater I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. 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: Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. The only serial number is 1120. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . The peg head engraving and paint motif matched the resonator. How much would it be worth? Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. He on his banjo and me with my guitar. Answer: Tu-Ba-Phone 5-String made 1978-1979. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. The banjo shown here (serial number M130316) was the second Ultra Vox V built in 1971, shortly after C.F. Ive taken a number of hi-res photostoo many to attach to email. 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. It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). vega banjo identification. Eric- Thanks for your kind comments about the website and prompt photos. Thanks again for your time & consideration. A part of the C.F. 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.
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