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 Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. 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. If there is any other interesting information about the instrument you care to share from the Martin log book, I would be most appreciative. Your instrument SN 448 is one of 11 Pete Seeger extra long neck (PS-5) models manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1973 per Shop Order 2153. VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL is seen in the 1976 catalogue. I purchased the instrument from a private dealer (Kingsport, TN) for $800. I ordered. Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309. From the BRC, Barry. Best of luck and thanks for your query, Barry. In 1970, C.F. Again, thanks for your query and photos. Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. The story he told was that it was a distress sale for a friend, and that the banjo was one of 1000 limited editions and had a solid silver tone ring, and was worth at least twice the price. From the BRC, Barry. Serial numbers became unreliable during that era. Thanks for the great information on this page. Many thanks for your efforts. From the BRC, Barry, I inquired on Banjo Hangout about information on a Vega banjo acquired from a friend. Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! 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. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. It retailed for $775 and was probably assembled from parts left over from Nazareth, PA. My estimate is that it might fetch $1800-2000 these days. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. 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. All the best from the BRC, Barry. Thanks from all of us! Home; Meet Darlene; ISI Mission; What is Coaching? Barry. aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . Martin purchased the Vega brand in May of 1970, the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, began to re-tool for banjo production. The distinct disadvantage to having a rare banjo is finding replacement parts. I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. The tone ring really had me confused! The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. The SN 1456 on the outside of your tone ring is a fascinating and new discovery to me, and we VM banjo owners should inspect our tone rings for this hidden marking the next time a head gets exchanged. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. Barry. From the BRC, Barry. 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. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. From its early Boston beginnings, the Vega Banjo Company made splendidand now vintage instruments, including the Earl Scruggs signature model heendorsed in the 1960s. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. Of note, my Vega Martin VIP-5 banjo built in 1975 also came with a `Care of Your Banjo` memo dated 8/26/71 and a warranty that instructed the owner to call 215-759-2837 and ask for Mike (probably Mike Longworth who was C.F. THE BRC THANKS YOU FOR VISITING THE VEGA MARTIN BANJO INFO PAGE. Martin made only about a dozen more PS-5 banjos. For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999. 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. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin. Martin stamp. C.F. Thanks again for your query. This item has been sold. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. This instrument was a special order for banjoist, Jack Mistretta, from Grand Rapids, Michiganwho happened to be a friend of Eddie Peabody. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . I have a Vega V.I.P. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Martin logbook, banjo SN 1450 was an entry level Wonder model 4 string plectrum banjo made in 1975. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. They are on the second and 3rd strings and allow that Buck Trent kind of thing. 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. built in 1971, my long neck looks like it was built yesterday and all I added was a geared 5th string pegstuck it in an American Vintage case and screwed a CF Martin brass medallion to the side. Can you tell me about it? 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). Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron: Looks like something that might have put together from parts, either insideor outside the factoryI suspect the latter as there have been lots of Voxchop shop conversions going back in time (even to the 1920s). The VIP banjo last appeared in the 1976 VM catalog as an open back instrument but still featuring the V.I.P. After Martin purchased Vega in 1970, the factory transitioned from Needham Heights to Nazareth, PA. 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). ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! It is in excellent condition but missing a resonator thumbscrew with the threaded washer. Anders- Thanks for your query. Im now forced to sell several beloved instruments but have no idea how to price this gem. SF bay area > east bay > for sale > musical instruments - by owner. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. Martin in the 1970s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). If anybody can shed some light on what I have. I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Thanks Again! The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. Your description of your FR-5 sounds like you have a genuine Boston-made Folk Ranger. Martin and Co., Est. 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: It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. Martin era. 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. The tonering, bracket band, and notched tension hoop were all made of vibrant bell brass (Not die cast metal). Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? The BRC Archives contain the serial numbers of these unique Vega-Martin banjos. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. Also, the banjo has some ornate details carved in it. Dot inlay fret board. Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. By my count, twelve VV IV-tenor banjos were built in Nazareth with the last one, #1678, in 1976. On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. Only 101 model PS-5 banjos were made by C.F. I dont play any instrument right now. 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. The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. 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. The back of the headstock is blank. From the BRC, Barry. 5. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. Id like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck premieres instead. Roger- Thanks much for your query. New and used generic flanges can be found on eBay, but getting one to fit your pot outer diameter and bracket hook sequence is tricky. The label indicates the banjo was made in Needham, MA, but the Vega company was owned by the CF Martin guitar company. Photos would be necessary to give an accurate price range, as design styles were still changing in the post war period and overall condition (all original parts) would bring a higher price. How much would it be worth? Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. It is a beauty. Vega Banjo Identification Professional Had Black. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Please take detailed photos of your banjo inside and outside. 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. Hit a few licks on the tenor- you might find that you like it. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. 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. Informacje o Martin V740 StringsVega strun banjo RETRO 10-23,10 - 11109692503 w archiwum Allegro. Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. The #24 on the tone ring is probably an assembly feature to separate the V-41 parts from its upscale gold-plated cousin the V-45 top of the line banjo. 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. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. Martin decals on the inner rim and back of the peghead. Photos , BRC Replies To Samantha (November 23, 2019), Reply From Dr. Ron (the BRC Vega Vox/EddiePeabody consultant). On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. In the meantime, keep on pickin` that Pro-5. Still as wonderful as the day I got it. I told her to leave cause i thought they were taking advantage of her because of her age. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. 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. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. The tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. Nowadays, the Pro-5 would fetch around $1000-$1500 depending on condition. Ernie Ball 5-String Medium Stainless Steel Banjo Strings, 10-10 Gauge (P02309) Check Price at Amazon. I have attached photos comparing the label printing difference. VT2NRC in its 1979 catalogue, and Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years. It is indeed a sweet banjo with plenty of talk in it. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. The inside of the rim has a R-D-136 in white. According to the C.F. 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. Look for decals and a serial number on the interior of the rim to help document its story. 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. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Barry. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Because so few Pro-5`s were manufactured in Nazareth, it is difficult to gauge the worth of your banjo these days. 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. Other Banjo-Related Topics Collector's Corner ARCHIVED TOPIC: Vega banjo identification Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. Fantastic site with wonderful information. Although the genesis of your SN and date of manufacture are a puzzlement, it is no mystery that you own a lovely vintage Martin banjo. 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. Hi guys, great website. 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. GREAT FORUM. Answer: Tu-Ba-Phone 5-String made 1978-1979. 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. 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. 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. Many thanks and keep pickin & grinning. Some C.F. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. From the BRC, Barry. 7. Any and all information you may have on my little banjo will be greatly appreciated! The PS-5 is not seen in the 1976 Vega Martin catalog but is replaced by the No. 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. The number will be 6-12 digits long depending on what year it was made. Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. Deering now owns the Vega line and offers open-back Tubaphones in their inventory. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. senior living sun prairie, wi; blueberry sweet rolls joanna gaines; miguel cardona family; shooting in newport beach last night; st albans swim club drowning; where was the 3 godfathers filmed; southwest chicken bake; 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. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. How do you date a banjo? Any info including your estimate of current value would be very much appreciated. The differentiating feature is the deeper resonator than the VIP/Pro II/Osborne/Scruggs Mk II/Bobby Joe Fenster standard resonator modelsnot quite as deep as the Vox and not top tension (standard hook and nut with Pro II flanges). In 1979, Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy. Rob- Thank you for the below photos. The Vega brand was subsequently sold overseas in 1979. Photos are always welcome, and thanks for your post. I will trade for a good Octave Mandolin or Bouzouki The original prototype was designed and built by the Vega Company in 1969, for the legendary King of the Banjo Eddie Peabody to commemorate his 50th year in show business. thanks for the very informative web site sir- need some help. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. It has almost all the hallmarks of a stock model VIP banjo. . The Vega Vox IV of that era featured burnished gold-plated parts, engraved flanges, an all white pyralin deep resonator with elaborately engraved back and sides, a fretboard with fancy pearl inlays, and an engraved and colored scroll shaped peg head. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. 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. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! First let me thank you for this amazing well of information! Please try again. However, current thinking (thanks to Hank Schwartz) is that 999 numbers were assigned per year -- from the start, in 1880. 0 bids. Hi! Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! Wow, I glad to find your website! C.F. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. Like Mark whom you cite from Comment #6 above, your banjo is one of 14 Pro-5 instruments manufactured per Shop Order #2197 in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Martin built 100 Pro-5 banjos from 1971-79, including the whimsical Bobby Joe Fenster 5 stringer which was a thinly disguised Pro-5. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . S.C.- Thank you for your query to the BRC. The Martin Co. sold the Vega franchise to the Asian conglomerate `Galaxy Trading Company` in 1979, and thereafter Vega banjos were manufactured in South Korea. Bill- Thanks for your query. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, parts were shipped overseas to Japan and Canada for assembly. Congratulationsand, welcome to the VegaVox family! When C.F. Is this original? The Vega Company manufactured of this era were assembled at the 40 Leon Street factory in Boston from 1961-1966, and subsequently at the 155 Reservoir Street facility outside Boston in suburban Needham Heights from 1966-1971(C. F. Martin acquired the company in May 1970 and continued some manufacturing/assembly there until moving fully to Martins factory in Nazareth, PA). 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. The Pro model initially featured a Tube-a-phone tone chamber rim which evolved into a tone ring with exclusively designed audio apertures machined into a dogbone/barbell configuration. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! 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). Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. 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. The Folk Ranger was a no-frills entry level banjo that Vega made in response to the folk music revival era. Give it a try and good luck. Unfortunately, many 4-string players of a certain generation seem to think that their banjos will command higher priceseven the Gibson flat heads used for 5 string conversion have taken a tumble and are are half on what they were 5 years ago. The last SN from Boston was probably #130049, and the Vega Martin logbook in Nazareth starts with SN 130248. After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. Enjoy. Martin decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. 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. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. C.F. From the BRC, Barry. Thanks again for your time & consideration.
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