Where to find your serial number. Barry. The overseas conglomerate Galaxy purchased the Vega line in 1979 and offered the T2-5 for $775 before going bankrupt in the mid 1980`s. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. Thanks again for your query. Anders- Thanks for your query. C.F. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. post . The Vega No.2 is a banjo made of top grade curly maple stained light amber and buffed to a high gloss. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. If this banjo has some more of the early prewar design features, add $1000-1500.Hope this helps, Dr. Ron. From the BRC, Barry. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. I bought a Vega Martin 5 string some time in 2000. My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. i replaced the head but it still sounds the same. Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. I would appreciate it very much. The VM price list in 1971 quoted a sales tag of $545 for the Pro-5 without case. The Wonder model had a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, geared tuners, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fretboard, pearl dots, a resonator with 4 section metal tone flanges, nickel-plated parts, a plastic head, an armrest and shaded mahogany finish. Can you identify this rare Vega Martin banjo just by the peghead markings? The fascinatingwooden pie (sectioned) resonator is probably inherited from the Boston era Vega inventory. Hopes this helps. 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 decal on the back of your peghead and on the inner rim. My estimate would be that this rare and exotic bird might fetch around $1800 or more these days. It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. It looked like it belonged on a Gibson. Is this original? Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. From the BRC, Barry. 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. Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. The Vega franchise was sold overseas in 1979 but reacquired in the US by Deering in 1989. so it does say Martin on the back and its vega on the front. 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 Pro II model was advertised in the 1966 Vega catalogue with an up-graded and fancy mother of pearl inlay pattern as seen on your banjo. I have two theories about your instrument. vega banjo identification. Vega Martin banjo SN 324 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973. 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. my Martin/Vega PS5 #481 is about a month into my possession. 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. VEGA Vegaphone 'Professional' Tenor Banjo $2,328.30 $131.44 shipping or Best Offer 19 watching Vega Style N Tenor Banjo $799.00 $83.00 shipping or Best Offer 20's Bacon/Day/Vega 4 String Banjo Groovers, Oettinger Tailpiece $3,777.77 Free shipping Vintage Vega Wonder Plectrum 4 String Banjo With Hard Shell Case $1,161.96 Was: $1,399.95 The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . Dr. Ron- the BRC staff and readers appreciate all the wonderful details and photos. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. Martin manufactured only 33 VW-plectrum banjos. How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? Barry. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Folk Ranger was a no-frills entry level banjo that Vega made in response to the folk music revival era. S.C.- Thank you for your query to the BRC. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. Your instrument SN 999 was one of five VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjos was made in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1974 per Shop Order # 2212. In excellent condition and ready to play. 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. Informacje o Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 w archiwum Allegro. Give it a try and good luck. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. 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. 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. The Seeger endorsed 5-stringer had the famous Vega Tube-a phone tone ring, a three piece ebony fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck-tension rod, a 10 ply maple rim, and a brass bracket band and notched tension hoop. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Thank you so much!! These days, my guess is that this 5 stringer is worth about $1500 or more depending on condition. P.S. vega banjo identification. Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. It retailed for $488 without case in the 1970 Vega Martin catalog, and it last appeared in the 1972 VM catalogue without a suggested price. Im curious to know if it is possible to learn whether this banjo came from the factory with a resonator or was originally sold as an open back. 721 which I have had a number of years. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. tone ring that you have. The distinct disadvantage to having a rare banjo is finding replacement parts. The banjo listed for $556 in the 1971 price list without case. Flanked by interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founderproudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. 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). Zero fret wear. 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. An Original Fairbanks 5-String Banjo with a replaced ebony fingerboard and peg-head facing, with added appropriate pearl inlays. It is great to hear from someone who actually visited the Vega factory in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. I purchased the instrument from a private dealer (Kingsport, TN) for $800. George Gruhn might also know. CL. 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. The Martin log book in Nazareth, PA, begins with #130248 later in 1971. One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. He on his banjo and me with my guitar. For those interested in the genealogy of banjo manufacturers, I have included a page summarizing some important relationships between manufacturers, . 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. 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. The C.F. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. Search online for Earl Scruggs Vega Banjo Images, and you will see a photo of him with his endorsed Vega instrument bearing the signature square inlays on the neck that offered its distinctive stage appearance. Your Vega Martin VIP-5 with SN 845 was made in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 as one of four manufactured per Shop Order #2193, and it sold for $556 without case in the 1971 price list (after which VM did not publish recommended retail prices). Any and all information you may have on my little banjo will be greatly appreciated! Ernie Ball 5-String Medium Stainless Steel Banjo Strings, 10-10 Gauge (P02309) Check Price at Amazon. Martin Vega Banjo 5-Strings, Medium Gauge (V740) Check Price at Amazon. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . John, just an old Missouri banjo picker transplanted in Arizona. very carefully, I did and its four digits # 1450. it looks very good to me as far as the condition, its just old and kind of dirty. Greg Deering acquired rights to the Vega brand name in 1989 and restored the banjo line to greatness. 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. 1972 Vega Banjo. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. 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. Martin did not publish retail prices after 1971, so my guess is that this up scale model sold back then for around $600. From the BRC, Barry, Only a handful of Martin/Vega banjos made it down to Australia. Barry, My Vega VIP 5-string has S/N 2316 painted inside the rim, which I presume means it was assembled by Galaxy in Asia. Thanks for the photo of your Vega/Martin Pro-5 banjo. Thanks again. TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. I knew nothing about it until I found this site. In the 1960`s, the PS-5 featured a 3 piece ebony fingerboard and a Tube-a-phone tone ring of bell brass and a 5 ply maple rim. 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. It was recommended by Bob Smakula that I send some photos to you and that you might have more information. Like my dad, I am a musician and physician and treasure his professional and avocational memorabilia. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. 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. Vega/Fairbanks open-back banjo designs are exemplary classics. Kudos to Greg Deering who rescued the Vega brand name from extinction in 1989 and restored it to greatness. Thanks again. I have an ornate 5 string Martin Vega banjo with pie-plate style resonator. fender american professional ii vs ultra. Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? Gold and ivory hard wear with a butterfly mop inlay on the back of the body. Landis- Thanks for your post. Posts. ampleforth college redundancies. This model appears in the 1972 and 1976 catalogues. Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! I think it is a Pro-5. Where is the serial number on a Vega banjo? 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. 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. Thanks again for your time & consideration. Thank you so very much for this information! In the meantime, thanks again for your post. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. - 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 Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic Tubaphone tone ring. Is has a hard case with blue interior. I bought it in Stockholm, Sweden as a student, so it was not so expensive, as i remembered. Be safe, be well. Rettberg & Lange(1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made Save This Search Your search returned 20 results View Sold and Expired Ads Matching Your Search Martin in Nazareth, PA, in 1973. Have a great weekend as well. 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 It looks identical to the one posted with photos on last July 8only difference is that mine does not have the Martin decal on the back of the peg head. Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. $42 USD. 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. The top-of-the-line model that Martin-Vega offered during the 1970s was the special order Ultra Vox V. At the end of the production run in 1979, the MSRP list price in the catalog was $3600 (exactly the same as the Martin D-45 guitar). 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. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. Vega Banjo Identification Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers Chart Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers Vintage Mandolin Banjo Fairbanks Vega Company Boston USA 1920 6 Saiten Einige der Spanner samt Schrauben und sowie die Saiten sind nicht vorhanden. This is a stock neck off a Martin-made tenor from that erathe fingerboardblock inlay is what would be found on only the Vox I or Pro. Original MRSP $1310 without case (carved neck was also extra). sir- need some help. I have two Ode long neck banjos, and one of them is my daily practice instrument because of its wife-friendly tone. Thanks to BRC Consultant and Vega Vox scholar Dr. Ron from everyone at the BRC for providing representative images typical of this historic crowning jewel (see below correspondences #24). Categories . Categories . Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. Thanks! 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). Dot inlay fret board. Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. vega banjo identification. Please take detailed photos of your banjo inside and outside. Maybe, the R-D prefix stands for Research and Development. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). Hope this helps. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. wyoming seminary athletic scholarship; Tags . Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. Barry, I want to thank you very much for the research on my Vega. Thanks for your post and happy pickin`, Barry. Thank you very much for your quick answer. The banjo is featuring an interesting mix of particulars: The connecting rods are of the (much earlier?) VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. thanks for the very informative web site I have two 1930 Vegaphones and an earlier Tubaphone conversion, and this VIP is certainly able to hold up its weight tone wise. 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. Thank You for your time and web site. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z 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: 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. bouffant scrub cap pattern. 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. Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! 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. Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. Unbeknownstto most 5 string aficionados, the Martin Guitar Company manufactured Vega banjos from 1970 through 1979. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. The 10-1/8" diameter rim has a calf skin head and most of it's original . The VIP model featured a unique `audio-sonic` bell brass tone ring, a scrolled peg head with ultra filagree pearl work, engraved pearl inlay in the ebony fretboard, a 10 ply maple rim with a heavy notched tension hoop, geared tuners, a walnut finish, and marquetry around the resonator. It looks like a well-preserved and fun mid range banjo waiting to be enjoyed by an appreciative musician like yourself. As your banjo bears no C.F. MUSCELL Banjo Strings, Handmade Phosphor Bronze 5-String Banjo Strings Ball End - 3 Packs Medium. Guess I stated it wrong, not really carvings, just in lays. 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. Here's a bit of description on the various models: This was also the case for their mandolin banjo lines. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. Serial numbers became unreliable during that era. Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. It has no rod in the drum. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. 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). Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. it has five strings and if you would be so kind let me know something about it and if someone you know wants to play it, I guess it would be better off with them; or I will go take lessons I suppose. 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. Congratulationsand, welcome to the VegaVox family! Do you have any information on it? The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. They differed from ukulele banjos in that the uke banjos typically had smaller rims. Each of the men is posed in front of a Vega model 131 amplifier, identical to the unit which remains with the banjo today. This is an early and very nice example of the classic Vega . It has only a tape serial number inside the pot of 1124. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. Wooden pot resonator. Vega Long Neck Banjo $5,399.00 Vega White Oak Long Neck Banjo 11" from $2,599.00 Vega Kingston Trio Tom Dooley Long Neck Banjo $15,599.00 Vega Woodsongs Campfire Long Neck Banjo $2,399.00 Sold Out Vega Professional 19-Fret Tenor Banjo $7,499.00 Vega Kingston Trio Long Neck Banjo $6,299.00 Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo Reverb Homepage Contact Support 539673d7daac40d5a6fd870a259b9813 Shop Gear Categories Brands Shops Deals and Steals Price Drops 0% Financing New and Popular Handpicked Collections Sell on Reverb It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. Over a period of several years, the Vega line morphed into a uniquely featured Vega Martin instrument. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. I love the story. Again, thanks for your query and photos. I think im in heaven. I have 2 Martin Vegas. Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. The Vega era PS-5 banjos sell for up to $3-4K these days. If you had a picture archive, Id be happy to post some pictures. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, Medium Crown (7/16 Inch) $19 USD. Still as wonderful as the day I got it. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. Sold out. Linda- Thanks much for your query and hearing about your three vintage banjos. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. 96.90 postage. Fairbanks & Cole Do you know how many tenor V41 banjos were made? Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. A fabulous example of one of the finest banjos ever made, the Vega 5-string Pete Seeger long-necked folk banjo, produced as a result of the folk craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Location. So cool to have this historical data. Like the Tubaphone listed above, this banjo needs a neck reset to be a playable banjo mandolin. A.C. Fairbanks (by Vega) "Regent" 5-string banjo, S/N 25121, Circa 1909 A.C. Fairbanks (by Vega) "Tubaphone" #9, 5-string banjo, S/N 25516, Circa 1909 . Photos are always welcome, and thanks for your post. The well preserved CFM decals on the rim and back of the peg head clearly document that the parts were made in Nazareth, PA, circa 1974. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. Best wishes with your VIP and thanks again for your post, Barry. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. C.F. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC recently showcased an exhibit of pre-1900 Martin guitars. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. It is veryinteresting that it has the non-ebonized finish on the peghead cap, whichcoincided with the move production to Nazareth (adopting stained rosewood asthey used on the guitars). Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. In addition to the unusual R-D-136 serial number, the C.F. 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. It listed for $1310 in the 1971 VM price brochure and a carved heel was extra. 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. Roger- Thanks much for your query. 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. If anybody can shed some light on what I have. How much would it be worth? Martin historian Mike Longworth. Many thanks and keep pickin & grinning. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. 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. Nowadays, it might fetch around $750 in the online marketplace. All the best from the BRC, Barry. With appreciation, Barry. He wanted to buy it! The rich heritage of Vega was derelict for 5 years until Deering rescued it by acquiring rights to the brand name in 1989. 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. Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. Item # 9126. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, High Crown (1/2 Inch) $19 USD. He is credited with being one of the first banjo-builders to install side brackets with hooks to adjust the tension of the head. THE BRC THANKS YOU FOR VISITING THE VEGA MARTIN BANJO INFO PAGE. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. PA. In the the 1971 Vega Martin price list, the VW-Plec retailed at $345. The back of the peghead of these rare banjos is imprinted with a C.F. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. The rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. The last one was produced in early 1975 despite being their very first banjo made that year. The six digit Boston serial numbers were replaced by the Martin SN`s beginning with #2 in 1972. Your F-VIP (Folk-Very Important Player) banjo #1456 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1975 in a lot of 3 such instruments per Shop Order 2274. 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. cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. Barry, Marc- Thanks much for the prompt and telling photos. 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). Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). If your Vegaphones and Tubaphone have serial numbers, you can more closely date them by visiting Whitetreeaz banjo serial numbers online. Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. In the 1972 Martin catalogue, the Professional appears identical to yours, but it is absent from the 1976 catalogue. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. During this transitional period, Boston parts were shipped to Nazareth for assembly, and Martin pre-fixed the traditional six digit Vega serial number with the letter `M`. 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 history, C.F. I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. The circa 1978 brochure that I sent you confirms that your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5 stringer. Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. One of the 2 rods inside rim is a larger diameter then the other one. Dave- Thank you for your kind words about the website and the narrative about your Vega Vox IV tenor banjo. Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. C.F. This uniquestyle resonator was verypopular for many years, and it still hasvalue as a vintage part.
