You are so kind to provide this great info to all of us banjo geeks. It is important to note that there are exceptions to every rule and the following is only a general guide for identifying Gibson "A" Style mandolins. Martin was winding-down its banjo production, the metal engraving was subcontracted to Liberty Banjos. Only 101 model PS-5 banjos were made by C.F. My estimate is that the banjo might be worth $500-$700 depending on condition. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. Ernie- It would be helpful if you could send a photo of your yellow sticker, as I suspect that your Vega Vox IV was manufactured in Boston in 1964 after Vega reconverted to a six digit serial number during the pre- C.F. 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. 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. My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. 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. 28 de mayo de 2018. 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. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. Fantastic site with wonderful information. It was recommended by Bob Smakula that I send some photos to you and that you might have more information. Martin decal photographed on the back of the VIP Vega peg head. Note below the C.F. vega banjo identification. Excellent condition. I recently took my Dads 4 string banjo out of storage after approximately 25 years since his passing. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. The Life & Times of the Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958 - 1970. 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. Eric- Thanks for your kind comments about the website and prompt photos. Per the 1971 price list, the V-45-5 sold for $1650 with case included, and it was available by special order only. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . vega banjo identification. 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 more affordable V-41-5 banjo was partnered with the D-41 guitar, but this marketing ploy did not work as anticipated for either of the aforementioned guitar/banjo combinations. Thanks for your post. My personal suggestion, however, is to preserve it as a tangible keepsake of the priceless moments spent with your father years ago. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. 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. Please try again. For those interested in the genealogy of banjo manufacturers, I have included a page summarizing some important relationships between manufacturers, . I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. According to the C.F. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. 22 frets. Martin files indicate that only one Scruggs Mark II banjo and only one Scruggs Soloist banjo were manufactured at the Martin factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in the 1970`s. From the BRC, Barry. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. Jim _Thanks for your query. . Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? 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). 1972 Vega Banjo. Great information and even better advice. Barry. 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. SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . What is a spectrum banjo? I cant find that picture, but Ill see if I can locate it, as someone else may have sent it to me playing the banjo out at afestival in Arizona. Thats when I decided to modify this rather bluegrassy bright (and plenty of loud) sounding Folk banjo a bit. How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? Ive got a couple of pictures in case of interest, but Id need a mail-address for sending, me supposing. 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. From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. 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. CL. Wow, I glad to find your website! All the very best from the BRC, Barry, Thank you, Barry. 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 . Vintage Vega Style M Tubaphone Banjo 1921 Boston Mass W Case Inlay TU BA PHONE C $1,714.08 Was: C $1,904.53 or Best Offer SPONSORED Banjo made by Tokai T600R T-600R vintage 5 strings acoustic w/ hardcase C $1,021.01 Free shipping or Best Offer Only 1 left! The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. Of historical interest, when Martin initiated its own four digit serial number system in 1972 to replace the Vega six digit system, banjos SN 2-5 were the V-45(5) model. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. 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). I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. Fender Standard Banjo Hardshell Case Black ,, kemenpppa.go.id 4kjzing@8x47evey1 5. Thanks for the great information on this page. 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. Joshua, Joshua-Thank you for your kind comments and the very detailed pictures. Just found you today . I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. Photos are available. Serial # 1795. Roger- Thanks much for your query. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hello. Inside your device. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. Vega Martin long neck PS-5 banjo SN 80 is one of eleven Pete Seeger 5-stringers manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1972 per Shop Order 2098. 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. Landis- Thanks for your post. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. From the BRC, Barry. C.F. The tone ring really had me confused! If you could give me your thought about what its worth, I would appreciate it. Barry. 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. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. This 5-stringer was manufactured circa 1845 in Baltimore, MD, by luthier William Boucher, Jr.. This workshop numbering system continued uninterrupted to #2355 in 1977 when the banjos went overseas for assembly. He on his banjo and me with my guitar. Both are in wonderful condition. Unbeknownstto most 5 string aficionados, the Martin Guitar Company manufactured Vega banjos from 1970 through 1979. They are 230, 243, 353, LVII (57?) In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. 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. wyoming seminary athletic scholarship; Tags . Be safe, be well. The resonator back and sidewall colored engravings are probably the key feature that might bring more value than lessthere were two likely designs at this time a tiffany-style web pattern with a floral vine on the side (first used in 1930) or the late 1940s Indian blanket Art Deco design.I have an original 1948 model that has the older style neck, with the new resonator designso , its a mixed bag during this time as Vega was experimenting with parts off the shelf when banjo sales were extremely low (maybe 20 per year) and their focus was on guitar and ukulule production instead.Pricing for 4 strings (and 5 strings) have dropped considerably over last 2-3 years for vintage banjosVoxes have held more than others. FAIRBANKS BANJO MANDOLINE. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. 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). 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. Vega Martin SN 1199 is one of five VIP-T (tenor) banjos made per shop order # 2233 in late 1974 in Nazareth, PA.