Martin decals on the inner rim and back of the peghead. Just found you today . 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. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. best of . 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. From the BRC, Barry. vega banjo identification Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. SOLD Vega Earl Scruggs Banjo and Original hard case Price: $695.00 USD a 1969 Earl Scruggs on rim inside :TRB 13746 . 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. 721 which I have had a number of years. Your Pete Seeger (PS-5) was one of eleven PS-5 long neck banjos made in early 1972 per Shop Order 2098. 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. This is a beautiful banjo! Ive attached a photo of that Coat of Arms resonator next to my Vox Vit was a spare they had made for Eddie Peabody. Im just getting back into my love of music. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! vega banjo identification - Aviator Land Of course she did a beautiful job with it including turning its blond color into a brunette! 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. All of these extra upgrades were reportedly worth an additional $1000 at the time. A few months later, the old six digit number system was replaced with new sequence starting with #2 and progressing sequentially to a four digit number over the ensuing years. Hello there, what a terrific Web page you guys have put together so interesting, i have a open back tenor banjo with the Martin logo and nos 916 it has the same pearl inlay as the 5 string pro it has 19 frets , i have no idea of its value but it has a beautiful slim neck just so easy to finger chords, cheers Rob. Im happy to find Banjorehab as it is the first site Ive seen to have useful information on Vega-Martin banjos. I have a Vega V.I.P. As your banjo bears no C.F. Martin V730 StringsVega struny banjo 5str 10-23,10 - 11109713090 It took me six months to finally commit to purchasing the Vega-Martin VIP that I brought home today from a local music shop. The two legendary musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. Martin V720 Vega Steel/Nickel Banjo Strings - .009-.030 - Sweetwater Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. 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). Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. 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. What can you tell me about my instrument? According to the C.F. Ironically, C.F. Vega Tu-ba-phone Banjo | National Museum of American History I just acquired a second, SN#990 with the dog-bone tone ring. thanks for the very informative web site Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. Vega Martin banjo SN 324 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973. In the 1971 price list, it retailed at $545 without case. 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. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. I am wondering what you can tell me about a Vega long neck banjo with Martin stamp on the back of the headstock and inside, serial number 82? 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. I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. 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. For a chuckle, see the latest home page entry for BJF details. I actually picked up a banjo that had a resonator that was sitting on the shelf in that 1970-72 period as Martin was transitioning and shutting down the factory there. 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. The F-VIP is first mentioned briefly on a front page of the 1970 Vega Martin catalogue, and it retailed for $490 in the VM price list of 1971. ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. The VIP banjo last appeared in the 1976 VM catalog as an open back instrument but still featuring the V.I.P. Of note, the tubular connecting rod and the Allen head screws seen in your banjo pot are design features left-over from the Vega era in Boston. Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers - evertx Thanks for your reply. The Martin log book in Nazareth, PA, begins with #130248 later in 1971. Also, the banjo has some ornate details carved in it. 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. A nice banjo- enjoy. Hope this helps. A sticker inside says The Vega Co. Boston 15, MASS, Patended USA The serial number is A-125394. How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? C.F. The V-45 appears on the cover of the 1972 catalogue, and it was billed as our finest Bluegrass banjo in the 1976 catalogue. 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. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. This banjo has all hand-machined bell brass parts to replace the cheaper, more commonly used aluminum alloys used by both Vega and Martin during that era (including coordinator rods, top-tension rim lugs/shoes and bolts), and Kellens other signature upgrades that includes an 1/8 brass shim between the heel of the neck and rim and lacquered, highly polished inner resonator to enhance tone depth and volume projection. Micky- Thanks for your narrative on your Pete Seeger long neck. I live near Portland, Oregon. There are no other identification markings on the instrument and it definitely does not say Martin anywhere. vega banjo identification 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). 7. "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Answer: Tu-Ba-Phone 5-String made 1978-1979. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. It has no rod in the drum. Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! Martin manufactured 561 VW-5 banjos but only 124 FW-5 instruments. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. (BTW, foradditional postings select Vega Martin Stories on the homepage menu or enter Vega Martin in the search engine. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. While the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, retooled to build banjos, interim yellow stickers were affixed to the inner rims of Boston banjos citing the merger and identifying the model of the instrument (which was inscribed by pen). Your other VIP-5 with SN 1766 was assembled from parts sent to Japan in 1977 when the Martin company had its difficult luthier strike. The Folk Ranger was a no-frills entry level banjo that Vega made in response to the folk music revival era. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. From the BRC, Barry, Sir: What kind of info can you give me on a V-76E banjo, Ser. I know this is a Vega Martin site, however maybe you can help me or know of someone who can provide me with more information about my dads Vega banjo.It is a 1951 Vega vox iv plectrum with with s/n 98786.What does the iv mean? This is a super site for banjo players and owners. John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. 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. 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. Your VW-5 with SN 1519 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 per Shop Order 2285. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. vega banjo identification - moongraphicdesigning.com Kay Musical Instrument Company - Wikipedia The Vega franchise was sold overseas in 1979 but reacquired in the US by Deering in 1989. (They are NOT a 'coded' format.) vega banjo identification The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). 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. The `41` engraved on the tailpiece no doubt refers to the model V-41 designation. thanks for your help and keep up the good work. Im mostly a guitar player. Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Martin decal photographed on the back of the VIP Vega peg head. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. Deering Banjo Company now owns the Vega brand, and you might contact them regarding a custom device if you want parts within the historic Vega lineage. It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb 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. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. 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 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. 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 The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. I purchased the instrument from a private dealer (Kingsport, TN) for $800. 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. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC recently showcased an exhibit of pre-1900 Martin guitars. The Wonder-5 retailed for $345 without case per the CFM 1971 price list. Not quite as universally imitated as, say, Stradivari's violins or Martin's dreadnought guitars, but close. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin.