Prices subject to change without notice. Home; Meet Darlene; ISI Mission; What is Coaching? In the final Martin price listed published in 1971, it listed for $345 without case. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. In 1979, Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy. C.F. According to the C.F. My Dad left me a Martin VegaIm thinking I want to pass it on to someone wholl play it and care for it more than I can. 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 featuring a brass tone ring and ebony fingerboard. Martin, but I do not detect such an identifying decal near the serial number on the interior of the rim. William- Thanks for your post. 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. All the best pickin`, and thanks for your kind words about my website. 5. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! (#26) Dr. Ron about " Vega Vox V: The Vega Martin Apogee of 4 String Banjos", A Lone (Pre Vega Martin ) Banjo at the Art Museum, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ES67V1VHbMR-GfbQpvWWGD1RUJrtyTv?usp=sharing. Banjos were simply stamped 'The Vega Company' From 1913, the firm started using style designations instead of names: * The banjorine (or banjeaurine) was a 5 string banjo, but with a shorter neck like a banjolin It would have been around this time that Tenor Banjos first appeared, as the Tango craze hit America between 1910 and 1914. Just found this wonderful site. The Vega/Martin PS-5 would probably fetch in the $1000- 2500 range these days depending on appointments and condition, whereas the Vega/Boston Seeger banjo seems to be valued more by collectors and would command a higher price. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. The Item # was VT2NRC. Some C.F. Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. 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. Hello. Martin & Co. Organisation, NEEDHAM, MASS. Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. So, your banjo is likely either a late 1963/early 1964 model (Vega model years ran from Oct 1st-Sept 30th at the time, much like automobiles). Location. Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. 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). ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! Galaxy went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished. Barry. Informacje o Martin V740 StringsVega strun banjo RETRO 10-23,10 - 11109692503 w archiwum Allegro. 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. Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. Dear Per- In May of 1970, C.F. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. 96.90 postage. I really appreciate your orientation. 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. i replaced the head but it still sounds the same. He uses the one piece neck design typical of the other Deering models with the SN stamped on the back of the peghead. Hi guys, great website. Martin`s transition from traditional Spanish, Viennese, and Renaissance structural features towards innovating a modern acoustic guitar with a unique cross brace design. 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). From the BRC, Barry. When C. F. Martin Co. bought the Vega banjo line in May of 1970, hundreds of parts were inherited from the Needham Heights factory near Boston. What is it worth today, and what did it sell for when new? So heres my question. One thing that I have noticed is that Massachusetts-made resonator banjos generally had a yellow/orange stain. 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. 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. 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. thanks for the very informative web site ), though, as said earlier, neck and rim look a lot like Martin quality. Vega Tenor Banjo and Case, 1920s | Reverb Oops, Something went wrong. Barry, Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. 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. 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. Fantastic site with wonderful information. In excellent condition and ready to play. The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. New and Used Vega Banjos for Sale Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! thanks for your help and keep up the good work. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). It is a beauty. Banjo SN 1648 is a `Folk Wonder` model (FW-5) which first appears in the Vega (Boston) catalogue in 1961 per my files. As your banjo bears no C.F. Thereafter, C. F. Martin installed a serial number decal on the inner rim beginning with #2 and on through #1945. By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. 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. Categories . Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? These three top-of-the-line instruments were sent to Japan for assembly. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. Barry. I have two theories about your instrument. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Serial # 1795. Ive owned one for 30 yrs though I dont play it very well. These days, my guess is that this 5 stringer is worth about $1500 or more depending on condition. 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. 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. Thanks again. Your aunt`s banjo sounds like a stock model, so I would estimate that it would fetch $400-$700 on the open market. Recently purchased a Vega Vox iv plectrum banjo. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Any clues? It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN. The VM price list in 1971 quoted a sales tag of $545 for the Pro-5 without case. Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. A total of 98 model D-76E guitars were also made for employees. The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). C.F. The Vega Ultra Vox V is among the rarest of the limited, special order edition banjos made by either Vega of Boston or Martin. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . 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. 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. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. Again, thank youmuchfor your post. 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 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. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. Tuned 1-1/2 steps lower than a standard 5-string banjo, the Maple Mountain Series MM-150LN is set up for the best singing keys. Ive had several accomplished pickers really make it talk.wish I could!! Both are in wonderful condition. June 7, 2022; homes for sale by owner in berwick, pa . They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. Although a Bluegrass resonator banjo musician, my daily practice exercises are conducted sans picks on one of two long neck Ode 5-stringers that are wife-friendly in tone. I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. VT2NRC in its 1979 catalogue, and Galaxy went bankrupt in a few years. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. I live near Portland, Oregon. . It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. From the BRC, Barry, I inquired on Banjo Hangout about information on a Vega banjo acquired from a friend. Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. The rim and shoe screws/washer are likely homemade/cut down and tone ring is not Galaxy stock, but more of a Gibson knockoff. What is a spectrum banjo? The finish was shaded mahogany, and the metal rim parts were nickel plated.