The Ranger sold for $125 in 1961 and $158 in 1966. Thank You Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. model serial number 1990. 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. Hope this helps and thanks for your post. Both of these models had block mother of pearl inlays, with fewer inlays appearing on the new scaled-down Pro fretboard. I live near Portland, Oregon. For a chuckle, see the latest home page entry for BJF details. Deering owns the Vega brand name nowadays, and its T-2 lists for $4149. Is this generally true, can one instantly recognize a Nazareth vs. Massachusetts by the stain color? Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, Medium Crown (7/16 Inch) $19 USD. What a wealth of information! I have photos.Serial No. The Vega name on the head is not with the usual letters and there is no star there either. C.F. Idoubt it matches the rim, unless they changed from a plectrum to tenor atlast minute. C.F. Barry, Eddie- Thanks for your query and kind comments about the website. John, John- Thank you much for your kind words about my website and letting my readers share in your joy of procuring a VM Pete Seeger long neck 5-stringer (PS-5). The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. Fingerboard engraved pearl inlays in the ebony were going through a transition (modernization) as well, from very elaborate designs that they used since the 1920s to to simplified block styles. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. Elite Fiberskyn Banjo Head, 11", High. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. Barry. The rim is 10 ply maple with a top metal tone ring, nickel-plated metal parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral to the modern folk sounds of The Avett Brothers as they were to Pete Seegers personal revolution. Below are more Letters from the BRC Archives. Thanks Again! 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). Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry, Gary- Thanks for your query. It also features the four digit SN imprinted into the outside of the holes in groups of three tone ring, clearly done before the plating, and visible only when dissembled. From the BRC, Barry. Your 5 stringer is cited only as Item VDX75C in the 1979 TMC catalog where to retailed for $475. Im trying to decide wether to keep it as a memento, keep it and take some lessons, or possibly sell it because its a shame to have it sit in storage. FREE SHIPPING! thanks for your help and keep up the good work. My Dad & I went to our music lessons back to back on Thursday evenings during my teen years some 40 years ago. Martin made 76 commemorative V-76 banjos in 1976 to celebrated the bicentennial of the USA. Your banjo was built circa 1964, and the A pre-fix to the serial number means `adjustable truss rod`. If anybody can shed some light on what I have. If in poor condition, Ive seen them sell as low as $3000-4000. P.S. 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. Fantastic site with wonderful information. It has no rod in the drum. Learning how to play the banjo is no different. For those interested in the genealogy of banjo manufacturers, I have included a page summarizing some important relationships between manufacturers, . 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. Martin Vega banjo #892 should be a long neck open back Folklore Model manufactured in the latter half of 1973 per shop order 2198. Although C.F. Thank-you for your kind words about my website, and all blessings to you and yours this coming holiday season. Plectrum means a 4-string model with 22 frets, which is longer scale (27) than the 19 fret 4-string tenor (23). Barry. I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. Check Price at Amazon. Can you tell me what year this banjo was made and what my aunt could legitimately ask for it? By early 1971, Martin began to assemble banjos from Boston-made parts in Nazareth using the Vega six digit serial number system prefixed with the letter M for Martin and beginning with Shop Order 2001. Ed Britt, Jim Bollman, or Bob Smakula would be the most likely people to be able to give you the most exact identification of the model possible. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. Theres precious little information about these instruments online. The Voxes have endured a bit more that others in the market place, however. Best wishes with your VIP and thanks again for your post, Barry. Serial number 115831 on a yellow strip built in Boston Mass.Wondering when it might have been built? 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. I would be grateful if you could inform me when it was made. Just found you today . I remember seeing a brand new tenor Vox I in a musicstore in late 1973/early 1974 that already had the rosewood cap (memorablefor me as a kid and thought it odd, when compared to the 1972 catalog; aWonder or Ranger were also in the store from Needham Heights and were stillblackened). Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. What is a spectrum banjo? 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. I have a Vega Martin five string that my father special ordered around 76-77 Supposedly it was #10 of 10. I think Ill go look up a local banjo instructor and take a few lessons. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. It is the first martin-vega I have ever seen in person, or had in my hands! The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. Fairbanks & Cole This Vox uses brass (rather than the late model Vega/Martin aluminum) hex nut shoes for the tension bolts, and thinner dual brass coordinator rods (again, instead of aluminum). Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/307507 vinman - Posted - 08/09/2015: 18:02:24 Thanks again for your post. 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. Would appreciate any information you can provide to verify the model and any original cost/current value. Deering purchased the Vega franchise in1989 restoring the line to greatness. ANTIQUE S.S. STEWART UNIVERSAL FAVORITE BANJO with INTERESTING HISTORY C $146.35 The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. Great information and even better advice. With hard case. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! 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. C.F. C.F. The construction features were changing on the Vox IV (most different from catalog images), but at this point Vega was still using dowel stick (rather than metal coordinator rods) to attach and adjust the neck, and adjustable truss rods in the neck were not added until 1955the early prewar type-construction was desired by many collectors. As C.F. Martin in the 1970s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. From the BRC, Barry. On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. Reply from our BRC consultant and Vega Vox scholarDr. Ron: The Vega Vox IV was the top of the line banjo in the Vox (deep resonator) line for Vega Co. of Boston in the 1950sthe serial number is consistent with a 1951 model. With appreciation, Barry. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. Martin built only 101 PS-5 long necks. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. Thanks for sharing your fascinating banjo with the BRC, Barry. A nice banjo- enjoy. Martin sold the Vega brand to the Asian conglomerate Galaxy Trading Company in March of 1979. All original except the tailpiece cracked at the bend not long after I got it, and I replaced it with the Stew-Mac version. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a C.F. The beautiful Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe and its plectrum and open back permutations appear only in a 3 page marketing pamphlet issued by C.F. The smaller one has 2 small set screws installed on either side of the rod to adjust the neck heel . 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. Vega banjos were then marketed in the USA by TMC (Targ & Dinner Music Company). From the BRC, Barry. On PLICSCOM menu under 'Information'. 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. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. Thought you might enjoy an article in All Frets from my good friend and American Banjo Museum curator, Johnny Baier, An Ode to the Vega VoxId like to think my bad influences have moved him over to the dark side as he is now a happy owner of his own deep resonator tenor with a calfskin head (it sounds fantastic). Being a low end instrument, the early FR-5 model had no connecting rod. By my count, Martin made 16 V-45 banjos that were 5-stringers, 3 plectrums (V45-P), and one (V45-T) tenor model. A part of the C.F. 2 classic model. Hello and thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. 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 . Just found this wonderful site. Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. 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). Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. Bob- Thank you for your kind words about my website, and I reply with compliments to your luthier shop with which I am familiar. It looks to have some pretty fancy inlays along the fretboard and some nice detail & trim around the wooden drum. Be safe, be well, keep on picking. Martin D-45 guitar. The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. . In the meantime, keep on pickin` that Pro-5. Ironically, C.F. Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. According to the C.F. 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. From the BRC, Barry. The `41` engraved on the tailpiece no doubt refers to the model V-41 designation. 0 bids. I love the story. In a 1971 price list, the FW-5 sold for $345. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. GREAT FORUM. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . Hello, I just stumbled onto this site today 4/16/20. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. 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. After its Martin Guitar era, the Vega brand name ownership was sold overseas, and the banjo line fellinto obscurity. Be safe, be well. 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. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL long neck. Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Age differences in the instruments might alsoalter the wood tones. aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. vega banjo identification. Dick- Thank you for being a frequent reader of the BRC website. 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. 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 $556 without case in the 1971 price list (after which VM did not publish recommended retail prices). In your e-mail, you mention being told when acquiring the instrument that it was a prototype design. Both are in wonderful condition. I do not know anything about banjos but the label inside the rim says VEGA of Boston. It is veryinteresting that it has the non-ebonized finish on the peghead cap, whichcoincided with the move production to Nazareth (adopting stained rosewood asthey used on the guitars). 17,378. Im sure theres a story behind this banjo and why it was made. This banjo has all hand-machined bell brass parts to replace the cheaper, more commonly used aluminum alloys used by both Vega and Martin during that era (including coordinator rods, top-tension rim lugs/shoes and bolts), and Kellens other signature upgrades that includes an 1/8 brass shim between the heel of the neck and rim and lacquered, highly polished inner resonator to enhance tone depth and volume projection. One of the best known Kay electric guitars during the 1950s was the K-161 "Thin Twin", most visibly used by blues artist Jimmy Reed. Ernie- It would be helpful if you could send a photo of your yellow sticker, as I suspect that your Vega Vox IV was manufactured in Boston in 1964 after Vega reconverted to a six digit serial number during the pre- C.F. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. It is in pristine condition and is clearly a very high quality instrument. The more affordable V-41-5 banjo was partnered with the D-41 guitar, but this marketing ploy did not work as anticipated for either of the aforementioned guitar/banjo combinations. The local music store said they would give her 120$ for it. 1921 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. From the BRC site this banjo was made circa 1975-1976 in and around Nazareth PA. Do I have the have the provenance correct? Subject: Help with ID of Vega Banjo please. How much would it be worth? 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`. Can you tell me more like age and value? It is in excellent condition but missing a resonator thumbscrew with the threaded washer. Ive also got some remaining parts from the renovation process Id happily like to donate, including the original chrome-plated brass tailpiece, and a couple of almost unused heads. In that same period, twenty-one VV IV plectrums were manufactured. 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. Id appreciate your comments please & thanks, Linda. 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. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers in between are considered the number of that model we have made since we started the formal serial number system in 1987. 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 Im mostly a guitar player. Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic Tubaphone tone ring. The Eddie Peabody Model was actually made by Vega of Boston from 1966-ca. Banjoman- C.F. 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. Its always inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft! Close study of the flange can sometimes reveal, however, that it is left-over Vega hardware from the Needham Heights factory. I was disappointed because I badly wanted to see Scruggs models! Martin Museum collection. Prices subject to change without notice. All the very best from the BRC, Barry, Thank you, Barry. The information looks just finethere were yet a number of the Mxxxxxx series banjos still made in the Needham Heights factory outside Boston. TMC marketed this standard neck Tu-Ba-Phone banjoas item No. Your slightly blurry photo of the interior of the pot(not included here)show two tubular connecting rods which are left -over parts from the Vega factory in Boston. 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. The VW tenor 4 stringer was available in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogue, but the plectrum model did not appear in the Boston catalogue until 1968 when it listed for $325. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). 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? 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. The rich heritage of Vega was derelict for 5 years until Deering rescued it by acquiring rights to the brand name in 1989. Published by at 16 de junio de 2022. Hey, Ive got a Martin Vega Tubaphone 5 string banjo sn# 1603 that I acquired in the mid-1980s. Your VW-5 would fetch $700-$1000 these days. So there are gaps at the high end of each thousand series -- since Fairbanks Thanks again. 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. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. The C.F. Thanks again for your post and pictures and kind comments about the website. The tailpiece does not look original, but the dual connecting rods are typical of the Martin design. Remo Frosted Top Banjo Head, 11 Inch Diameter, High Crown (1/2 Inch) $19 USD. Thanks for posting the information on Martin mage Vega banjos. The flanges, tension hoop, tailpiece and extended armrest are deeply and elaborately engraved, and were originally finished in a special hardened 24K gold electroplate. From the BRC, Barry. Because so few Pro-5`s were manufactured in Nazareth, it is difficult to gauge the worth of your banjo these days. Only 101 model PS-5 banjos were made by C.F. So cool to have this historical data. VIP is printed on the truss rod cover. Aspiring players also wonder what makes one banjo better than another. Martin initiated its own serial number system in early 1972 which ran sequentially from #2 through #1945. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. The year 1970-1971 was a time of transition of tools and parts from Boston to Nazareth, PA. The resonator was hand-painted, and fancy engraved pearl inlays adorned the ebony fingerboard. 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). Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Therefore it became dissembled. Vega banjos were marketed in the US thereafter by TMC (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company) via a catalogue published in May of 1979. So happy to find this site. Very interesting to get to know all this details. The Vega era PS-5 banjos sell for up to $3-4K these days. Zero fret wear. Having read the posts above I see that this is most likely not the case! Hope this helps. In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. The mahogany neck had an ebony fingerboard with distinctive inlays including the peg head. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. It first appeared in 1923 and was also the first Vega with the scrambled eggs inlay and the Vega name in the headstock.Although the Vegaphone is supposed to have a maple neck - and the tenors do, most Vegaphone plectrums have surplus Tubaphone Style 3 necks in mahogany with carved heels. Kudos to Greg Deering who rescued the Vega brand name from extinction in 1989 and restored it to greatness. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. The Vega line was then marketed in the USA by TMC Company (Targ & Dinner 20 Century Music Company). Buckbee(1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. 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. Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. By history, C.F. Its in excellent condition other than needing some cleaning and a little metal polish on the metal parts. Martin and Co., Est. I have two theories about your instrument. Barry. The Pro-5 model had an improved bell brass tone ring (alas, not silver) with exclusively designed audio apertures, a thick 10 ply wood rim, a double-tension neck rod, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel plated parts, a mahogany shaded finish, and white binding. 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. The long-neck No. Mike- Thanks for your post and kind remarks about the BRC website. Martin`s beloved historian). Your 5-stringer serial #993 is one of six Pro-5`s manufactured per Shop Order # 2211 in mid 1974 by C.F. 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 . 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. The tone ring really had me confused! From the BRC, Barry, Sir: What kind of info can you give me on a V-76E banjo, Ser. The tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. He was told that it was made by Martin, but I do not find any Martin labels. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. Barry- Thanks for your queries and subsequent photos that promt me to revise my initial response. The Vega Vox model was a 4 string gem that featured a brass tone ring. 2 Vega banjo from the early Boston era. Thank you, Barry, for the information that allow me to buy this banjo with serenity.VIVE le BANJO and the banjo players! Where to find your serial number. Id love to learn more about it, etc. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. 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. In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. The Galaxy serial number is not a continuum of the Martin serial number sequence. 2 Tu-Ba-Phone XL is seen in the 1976 catalogue. 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. The rhinestones on the flanges, tension bolts, and peghead differ from Peabodys prototype and the later Martin production Vox V models. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. Best of luck and thanks for your query, Barry. Of note, when the Professional 5-stringer was made in Boston in the early 1960`s, it had square MOP inlays with dots on the neck compared to the nicely designed inlays on your fretboard and seen in the 1966 catalogue. Wow! The Vega serial number files still available do not specify the specific models of banjo manufactured in Massachusetts. (#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. The seller advertised it (in 2016) as verified by BRC made in 1976 in Nazareth. I would send pictures but was not sure just where to post them. 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. In the Martin log book, the last six digit (Vega) serial number was 130392 in 1972 after which began the Martin digits. 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. The Vega White Oak Banjo is ideal for achieving the classic clawhammer and folk, with bright tone and distinct note clarity and weighs less than 6 lbs! Best wishes for happy pickin`, Barry, I have an Vega 5-string banjo, open back, bought around 1965. Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. The openbacks are made entirely of white oak and feature a midnight maple fingerboard and peghead overlay. I tried to find your email address at your Banjo homepage without any success. Rob- Thank you for the below photos. I was lucky enough to buy one but, as my music and and the type of music I had to play to get work changed, I hardly played this, near mint condition, banjo. Hope this helps. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. 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. and CXXVI (126?). Thanks you for this great site. Thanks from the BRC, Barry, Hi Barry! cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. The only serial number is 1120. It is a somewhat rare bird, as C.F. Photos of the banjo might possibly shed some light on the mystery, if you are so inclined. 1519. On the neck, there usually should be a pencil written serial number at theheel where it meets the rim (at least all my Martins have one there). Eric- Thanks for your kind comments about the website and prompt photos. My estimate is that your VIP-T would likely fetch in the $700-1100 range these days, and maybe a little more, depending on condition and special appointments. All the best from the BRC, Barry. I got an old Vega banjo from my father. It was one of the last batch of fourteen Wonder 5-stringers made in the USA before C.F. VINTAGE VEGA TENOR BANJO, 1930, RESONATOR, 19 FRET, CLEAN.

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