Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! Martin- Thank you for your query and very useful photos. Could you tell me where it was built and what its value is today ? The Folk Wonder is an open-back banjo that features a maple neck, a white bound ebony fretboard with pearl dots, and geared pegs in the headstock. Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? My suggestion would be to take you banjo down to the local hardware store and cobble together a workable thumb screw (some have collars) and washer combination. With hard case. 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. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . Martin did not publish suggested retail prices after 1971, but I would estimate the V-76 sold for around $7-800 with case. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. 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. Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo, Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo, Reutschi | Kruger Bell Bronze Tone Ring(Unplated). The shoes (instead of Vox next nut shoes) and the round hook and nutassemblies are probably from stock, as I have some still lying around athome that I bought from Martin back then to replace on a 1929 Vegaphone(which are slightly different). In 1979, Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. 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. 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 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. The new longneck was design to match the original neck in style and looks while also using some of Vega's Pete Seeger model as influence. 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. 3, Serial #50232, with a patented brass top hoop and bracket band over a seven-lap sectional maple hoop, 28 brackets, mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard with22 frets and inlaid pearloid dots and star position marks, carved heel, peghead with flowerpot inlay . The rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. 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. The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. These days, the Wonder would sell for $700-$1000 depending on condition. They all had yellow serial number stickers. The VW tenor 4 stringer was available in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogue, but the plectrum model did not appear in the Boston catalogue until 1968 when it listed for $325. Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins - Acoustic Music Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! Just wondering if you have any interesting data on this ax. 5. Where to find your serial number. Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. The neck has crown-and-football inlays and the Martin logo is on the back of the pegboard. Over a period of several years, the Vega line morphed into a uniquely featured Vega Martin instrument. Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. Inside your device. Thank you for all the information. The `41` engraved on the tailpiece no doubt refers to the model V-41 designation. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Ironically, C.F. 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. The tone ring really had me confused! SOLD Vega Earl Scruggs Banjo and Original hard case Price: $695.00 USD a 1969 Earl Scruggs on rim inside :TRB 13746 . Be safe, be well, keep on picking. Look for decals and a serial number on the interior of the rim to help document its story. Enjoy. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! Any clues? Very interesting to get to know all this details. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. Dot inlay fret board. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Services; vega banjo identification William- Thanks for your post. C.F. It has only a tape serial number inside the pot of 1124. Steve in Oz, April 24, 2016 at 1:23 pmSteve- Thanks for your post and glad to hear that a `Wonder` banjo made it `Down Under` during the Vega Martin era. 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. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. Martin did not publish retail prices after 1971, so my guess is that this up scale model sold back then for around $600. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Informacje o Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 w archiwum Allegro. Thanks for the great information on this page. Replacing a broken flange on a rare and vintage instrument is a tough task. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. These days, my guess is that this 5 stringer is worth about $1500 or more depending on condition. Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers - evertx Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. 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. As C.F. These were followed by banjos #9-14 which were Vega Vox-4-P plectrums per Shop Order 2088. 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. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. It was recommended by Bob Smakula that I send some photos to you and that you might have more information. Barry. So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks 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). The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. The evolution of the Professional model dates back to the Boston 1963 Vega catalogue that featured the first Pro model banjo that looked like an inexpensive version of the Earl Scruggs model that Vega offered at that time. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. If you want a more Bluegrass sound, try a 5-Star head from Stew Mac. Dear Per- In May of 1970, C.F. The tone ring holes are grouped in sets of three rather than equally spaced as on a tubaphone ring. Your Vega Martin instrument SN 231 is a Wonder model VW-P (plectrum ) 4 stringer made in Nazareth in late 1972 per Shop Order #2121 just after production was transferred from Boston to the re-tooled Pennsylvania factory. 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. Zero fret wear. The banjo features a rim and resonator rosewood veneered with white binding, The tone ring was brass, and there was abalone pearl around the back edge of the resonator. Informacje o Martin V740 StringsVega strun banjo RETRO 10-23,10 - 11109692503 w archiwum Allegro. Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. Just found you today . Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? Can`t find anything about it on line. Photos are available. Learning how to play the banjo is no different. 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. Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). From the BRC, Barry, I inquired on Banjo Hangout about information on a Vega banjo acquired from a friend. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. The fascinatingwooden pie (sectioned) resonator is probably inherited from the Boston era Vega inventory. SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. An example of one of these 4-stringers from the 1920`s is still in the C.F. I cannot find any pictures remotely close online. It look and plays great. Barry. Martin era. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. Perhaps a bit more cutting. This workshop numbering system continued uninterrupted to #2355 in 1977 when the banjos went overseas for assembly. 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. An Original Fairbanks 5-String Banjo with a replaced ebony fingerboard and peg-head facing, with added appropriate pearl inlays. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. It is collecting dust since i dont play the banjo and I am thinking of passing it on. i replaced the head but it still sounds the same. All the best pickin`, and thanks for your kind words about my website. ). Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. The last SN from Boston was probably #130049, and the Vega Martin logbook in Nazareth starts with SN 130248. CL. The Style K was Vega's least expensive banjo-mandolin, not having a "tone ring" installed, unlike the pricier Tu-Ba-Phone and Whyte Laydie models. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. 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. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. (They are NOT a 'coded' format.) Any idea where I might find one? Thanks again for your time & consideration. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). I lived in Needham MA for 20+ years, and Im wondering if that tone ring possibly came from Vegas final days in Needham. A part of the C.F. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! 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. The majority of the banjoists appear to be holding examples of the regular Vega electric banjos with dot-inlayed fingerboards and dark wood veneered pegheads. The first SN#720 I know is a VW-5 because it has the original hang tag. 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
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vega banjo identification