Your T-2 instrument SN 1603 was one of five Tu-Ba-Phone 5 string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 shortly before the big luthier strike that compelled C. F. Martin to ship parts overseas for assembly. For reference, the name of the original owner with serial number should be in the Martin Archives. Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. Also, the banjo has some ornate details carved in it. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. C.F. Barry. 1972 Vega Banjo. 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. The back of the headstock is blank. thanks for your help and keep up the good work. ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL is seen in the 1976 catalogue. Vega Martin manufactured twenty-eight V-41 5 stringers, two V-41 tenors, and only one V-41 plectrum banjo. Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. Martin built only 29 T2-5 banjos, but no price list is available after 1971 preceding resurrection of the classic Vega T2-5 model for production. I own Martin Vega Wonder serial no. Any info including your estimate of current value would be very much appreciated. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. This is a beautiful banjo! One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. 22 frets. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Answer: Tu-Ba-Phone 5-String made 1978-1979. After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. and CXXVI (126?). It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. 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. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. They are on the second and 3rd strings and allow that Buck Trent kind of thing. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers in between are considered the number of that model we have made since we started the formal serial number system in 1987. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309. Hi guys, great website. 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. He uses the one piece neck design typical of the other Deering models with the SN stamped on the back of the peghead. What a wealth of information! The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. Thanks again for your query. Bob- Thank you for your kind words about my website, and I reply with compliments to your luthier shop with which I am familiar. Hope this helps, and all the best picking, Barry. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May of 1970, the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, began to re-tool for banjo production. 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. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Resale prices for this type of banjo vary widely from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars depending on unique features. From the BRC, Barry. I have 3 Vega banjos , 1963 Earl Scruggs model A 10921(Scruggs ST-5, handwritten in red ink under that on yellow label) which I played for 23 years, she has a very mellow sound. Perhaps a bit more cutting. If you want a more Bluegrass sound, try a 5-Star head from Stew Mac. Barry. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. my Martin/Vega PS5 #481 is about a month into my possession. $260 USD. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. The model was discontinued after Martin Guitar bought Vega in 1970. Below are more Letters from the BRC Archives. This classic and ornate Vega series dates back to the 1920s but did not appear in the 1970 and 1972 Vega Martin catalogues. All the best, Barry. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Check Price at Amazon. 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 has the original hardshell case also with no markings. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . On the back side of your device. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. The last Vega Martin banjo manufactured in Nazareth, PA, was SN 1969 as reportedly documented by a letter of authentication signed by C.F. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . Thats a lot of information! After the original owner, Jack Mistretta, passed away in 1998, this banjo found its way to Japan, where noted jazz-banjoist, Ken Aoki, featured it for many years in his touring act. The Wonder series of instruments featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fingerboard, pearl dots, an armrest, and a factory-installed resonator with four section metal tone flanges. C.F. John, John- Thank you much for your kind words about my website and letting my readers share in your joy of procuring a VM Pete Seeger long neck 5-stringer (PS-5). Hello, Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. The openbacks are made entirely of white oak and feature a midnight maple fingerboard and peghead overlay. It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. Thanks again for your post and pictures and kind comments about the website. P.S. Dot inlay fret board. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. . Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. I cannot find any pictures remotely close online. Note the unique cluster of 3 sound apertures spaced around the tone ring of the below VIP-5 model owned by the BRC founder (SN 1364). It is not clear why Martin initiated this product line. It took me six months to finally commit to purchasing the Vega-Martin VIP that I brought home today from a local music shop. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. 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. According to the C.F. 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. It appears to be serial number 231 (engraved). vega banjo identification. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. Martin era. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . This instrument debuted in 1952, and featured a single cutaway body, a distinctive "fire stripe" tortoiseshell pickguard, and a pair of thin blade-style pickups . After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . It has dual rods running through the pot and it has the tubaphone tone ring. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. The rare T-2 and T-2XL had serial numbers in the #1607-1945 range. Categories . The neck has crown-and-football inlays and the Martin logo is on the back of the pegboard. 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. Really sounds and pays great. Roger- Thanks for your challenging follow-up query. Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, parts were shipped overseas to Japan and Canada for assembly. The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. A couple of years ago I started to develop increased interest in clawhammer style, and with all the lessons available online nowadays, finally Im finding myself back on the tracks. The Item # was VT2NRC. Your Wonder-5 string banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. Of note, banjo SN 136 manufactured in 1972 was a Vega Vox I plectrum and not a 5-stringer like yours. I have recently acquired from Florida another VEGA Martin VIP model #845, which sounds totally different than the other 2, almost a rich full old timey sound yet with a resonator. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. Your description of your FR-5 sounds like you have a genuine Boston-made Folk Ranger. He wanted to buy it! So cool to have this historical data. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry, Gary- Thanks for your query. Kudos to Greg Deering who rescued the Vega brand name from extinction in 1989 and restored it to greatness. Martin built only 31 of the V-41 instruments: 28 of the V-41-5 model like yours, 1 plectrum and 2 tenor 4-stringers. The banjo had a 3 piece maple neck and a signature tubaphone tone ring clearly shown in the pictures that you provided. Hence, my theory is that this ornate banjo was assembled overseas after Martin began shipping parts to Japan and Canada for assembly in 1976, and this would explain the mysterious serial number. Tony Trsichka wants Greg to make a 5-string model, much like Vega did on very rare occasions in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. 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. Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. I think it is a Pro-5. 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. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. I knew nothing about it until I found this site. Jack. fender american professional ii vs ultra. To unravel most of the curious mystery of the legendary Bobby Joe Fenster, please scroll back to the Sept. 12, 2014 homepage posting devoted to this interesting figure from the annals of Vega Martin banjo history, or just enter fenster in the search engine on the home page. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post and e-mails, Barry, Lynne- Thanks for your query. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. Martin shortly after its bitter 1977 luthier strike following which their banjo production dwindled to almost nothing in Nazareth, PA. Those few Tubaphones which were made in Pennsylvania bore SN`s in the 1600-1945 range per the shop log book. Save This Search Your search returned 20 results View Sold and Expired Ads Matching Your Search What a wealth of banjo information you have.I have a VV IV T tenor SN: M130298 which I purchase used about twenty-five years ago for $2,000. Martin purchased the Vega brand in May in 1970 and just before the factory was transferred to Pennsylvania. 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). Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! Good luck and thanks again for your post. The handsome Professional-5 model with an upgraded tone ring and rim re-appeared in the 1972 Vega/Martin banjo catalogue- but no sign ever again of the short lived BJF-5 stringer. Wow, I glad to find your website! Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. The circular connecting rod is left over from the Vega inventory and shipped from Boston to Nazareth after C. F. Martin acquired the brand in May of 1970. 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. I have two theories about your instrument. In the Martin SN files, banjo #1302252 manufactured in 1971 is designated as a BJF-5 (Pro) style instrument. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. As Barry indicates, a photo of the yellow sticker will be helpful here. Great information and even better advice. Thanks again. A nice banjo- enjoy. The V-41 was available by special order only, and it listed back then for $850. The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. Dave- Thank you for your kind words about the website and the narrative about your Vega Vox IV tenor banjo. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. We've been notified and are looking into it. Dear Per- In May of 1970, C.F. Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! 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 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. Martin built only 22 such instruments which featured a brass tone ring, gold-plating, an engraved tail piece, an ebony fretboard, and a mahogany neck. 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. FREE SHIPPING! Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. Martin built only 101 PS-5 long necks. Ive got a couple of pictures in case of interest, but Id need a mail-address for sending, me supposing. Good luck with your vintage Seeger long neck and photos of this prize would be most welcome for posting here if you are so inclined. You are so kind to provide this great info to all of us banjo geeks. Martin historian Mike Longworth. Also, Deering uses a 3-ply 1/2 rock maple rim, compared to the 5/8 10-ply rim typically found in most Martin Nazareth produced Voxes in the 1970s. 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. ). 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. C.F. Thank you so very much for this information! Thank You - ORDERS OVER $199 SHIPPED TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Add to cart SKU: 2959 Categories: 5-String Openback Banjos, Banjos, Vega Description Additional information Reviews (1) Shipping, Returns & Exchanges About this Banjo $42 USD. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. 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. The open back Folk Wonder 5-stringer does not appear in the 1976 Vega/Martin catalogue where the Vega Wonder resonator series is still advertised featuring a brass tone ring and ebony fingerboard. Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. Martin decal, is the original pot for the plectrum 4 stringer SN 1450, but the neck was replaced after production with a 5 string neck by a previous owner. Therefore it became dissembled. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! My guess is that the lugs in your resonator have American (inch fraction) thread features, and it is doubtful that an original VIP thumb screw 4 decades old will appear on eBay- but who knows. I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. It turned out the owner had another banjo that also resembled a Vega but had the same lack of Vega ID, turns our the name "W Fawly" was on the wooden center dowel . 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. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. $5000 would be a reasonable number if in good conditionit could have brought $7500 a few years ago. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. Some C.F. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. vega banjo identification. Your peghead and resonator are clearly marked with C.F. 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. post id: 7593773670. posted: 2023-02-27 00:34. 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. I am a fan of the 27 scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. The banjo is featuring an interesting mix of particulars: The connecting rods are of the (much earlier?) I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. Your banjo was manufactured in Pennsylvania in 1976 per Shop Order #2299 just before Martin began to ship parts to Japan for assembly (after which serial numbers became goofy). Ive taken a number of hi-res photostoo many to attach to email. Note below the C.F. Martin purchased the Vega brand and briefly marketed the so-called Bobby Joe Fenster banjo which was a thinly disguised Pro-5 endorsed by a fictitious banjoist as a somewhat mirthful marketing ploy. 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. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. Im assuming this is the serial number, which would put me right next to Mark, who owned #888 in previous comment 6. The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white.