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After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . 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. Martin D-45 guitar.” The metal parts were gold plated and engraved. 26 1/4' scale length, straight neck, truss rod works, low action and plays great. The rich heritage of Vega was derelict for 5 years until Deering rescued it by acquiring rights to the brand name in 1989. Thank you so very much for this information! Hope this helps and thanks for your post. I would love to be able to date this banjo: SN 999 as a decal under the Martin logo inside the rim with the Martin logo decal on the back side of the peghead as well. These shoes are shown in an 1890s Washburn banjo catalog, on low end models with simple peghead shapes. I think it is a Pro-5. The tone ring is stamped 24, and the tail piece is stamped 41. The other 9 were likely shipped to Canada or Japan for assembly after 1977. The Martin Co. dropped the 6 digit serial number system in mid 1971 and then began again with #2- #1945, although a few special banjos up to #1969 were produced. Do you know how many Scruggs or Scruggs Soloists, and Sonny Osborne models were made under the Martin ownership — and where made? On the inner rim of the back cover is another Martin logo and the (embossed in white) number 887. Thanks for letting us see this fascinating and unique instrument. In the Martin log book, the last six digit (Vega) serial number was 130392 in 1972 after which began the Martin digits. You are so kind to provide this great info to all of us banjo geeks. Thanks for your post. To generally confirm that your banjo is a Nazareth built instrument, check for a “C.F. Been used in the studio and loaned to a friend about 30 years ago while he his banjo was being repaired. I have original case. Virtually immaculate. Most orders are eligible for free shipping! Your instrument is a tenor arch top 4-stringer made in the early 1980`s. In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. Vega was eventually sold to the Martin Guitar company in the 1960s. Roger- Thanks for your challenging follow-up query. Thanks you for this great site. Again, this is not a question of "intrinsic" value, just of regional demand. The Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-String, Deluxe Plectrum, and standard neck 5-string open back models were promoted through a  flyer published circa 1978. Your banjo with SN 1046 was one of five PS-5 instruments manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 per Shop Order 2218, and after that C.F. Open back with no resonator. Deering now offers the Tubaphone No. 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). I have a Martin Vega Banjo, #324. 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. … Fred- Thank you for the detailed photos of your instrument. 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. Thanks! For example: Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Richelieu 4003 Golden Eagle (c.1989) SKU: 70U … Martin did not publish retail prices after 1971, so my guess is that this up scale model sold back then for around $600. The V-45(5) featured a heavy one-piece flat head tone ring of brass so popular among Bluegrass pickers. I’ve taken a number of hi-res photos…too many to attach to email. Thank you for your cooperation. Deering rescued the Vega line by purchasing the brand name in 1989. The `Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference` confirms that the BJF-5 banjo was a thinly disguised Pro-5 not unlike yours . In the final Martin price listed published in 1971, it listed for $345 without case. 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. Your comments about the color tone differences of Vega/Boston vs. Martin/Nazareth resonator banjos are curious, and I do not have an  accurate answer for it. 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. The Vega banjos in the TMC catalogue were identified by serial numbers only with no model titles or nicknames. 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 1955—the early prewar type-construction was desired by many collectors. Although mostly a collector`s item these days, the current price range of the V-76 is $2.3-5K. 2” classic model. Any help with identifying it (I can’t find a serial number anywhere) or locating buyers would be so gratefully welcomed! The patent for the 4 piece Vega Vox flange, with its trapezoidal shaped soundholes, was filed 03/21/1927 and issued to William Nelson on 03/12/1929. The number is painted on the bottom not pressed in the wood. Deering now owns the Vega brand, and it is rumored that they may revive the deep resonator design. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. The tuners and tailpiece are made by Grover, head by Remo (should be calfskin to be historically accurate). 1519. Martin manufactured 100 Pro-5 banjos including the temporary “Bobby Joe Fenster” variation. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. The information looks just fine—there were yet a number of the Mxxxxxx series banjos still made in the Needham Heights factory outside Boston. I also did replace all of the cheapish plastic knobs with ivoroid ones of much better quality. My personal suggestion, however, is to preserve it as a tangible keepsake of the priceless moments spent with your father years ago. Thank you very much for your quick answer. Fender-style knobs with a universal fit for either coarse or fine-knurled pot shafts. 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). Despite its puzzling serial number, your instrument is a Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe 5-string. serial number 76192 it would be much appreciated . Accordingly, 1970-1971 was a year of manufacturing transition from Boston to Nazareth. I gave alot of money for this, just hoping a made a decent deal. Very interesting to get to know all this details. The Vega brand was subsequently sold overseas in 1979. It retailed for $345 in the 1971 Vega Martin price list. Martin built only 31 of the V-41 instruments: 28 of the V-41-5 model like yours, 1 plectrum and 2 tenor 4-stringers. My Vega F-VIP #1456 got chosen from the ’72 catalogue in spring of ’76 in a music shop in Stuttgart / Germany, and was delivered only about ten weeks later. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. Today I purchase Vega PS-5, serial number M-130259. Martin Company acquired the Vega rights from the Bostonian Nelson Family in May of 1970 and sold the franchise overseas in March of 1979. If it has a wooden pot resonator, remove it and check the inner rim for identifiers. Your banjo SN 990 is indeed a Pro-5, and it was one of the last five “Professional” banjos built by VM in 1974 per Shop Order 2211. It`s a sweet long neck, and I wish I had one. 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). That’s a lot of information! Flanked by  interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founder proudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. P.S. 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. If in poor condition, I’ve seen them sell as low as $3000-4000. Q: Which flanges came first on Vega banjos, was it the 4 piece or the 28 piece? In the Boston era, Pete Seeger was listed as an exclusive Vega product banjoist in a 1961 flyer from their Columbus Avenue business headquarters, and his endorsed PS-5 was featured prominently in the 1963 and 1966 Vega catalogs. To unravel most of the curious mystery of the legendary Bobby Joe Fenster, please scroll back on the homepage to the Sept. 12, 2014 posting  devoted to this interesting figure from the annals of Vega Martin banjo history. I purchased the instrument from a private dealer (Kingsport, TN) for $800. Martin in the 1970’s (I have sent you the title page illustrating your instrument). I have had the opportunity to do this only once for a friend who traded some vintage parts with me for an old flange that I had by serendipity on my workshop shelf. Your site is a great resource for these instruments by the way. Up for auction today we have an incredible piece. I apologize for using this email to reach you, but I have a banjo question I hope you can help me with. He could always check the stamp on the bottomthe tone ring to see if it’s a match to the rim (it should say V916). These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. MIH. Thank You for your time and web site. Thanks again. Hope this helps, and the best from the BRC, Barry. Gibson RB-00 (late 1930's) SKU: 70U-206353. Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and production transitioned from Boston to Nazareth, PA. Barry. Martin purchased the Vega company on May 5, 197O. Thank you. It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or  “hubcap” resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. There are 13 stars on the banjo fretboard, and there should be a plaque on the back of the headstock. # 1713? Thank you so much!! The Nelsons were the owners of, and assigned their patents to, Vega. Vega Little Wonder Vega Old Time Wonder Vega Vintage Star Vega Senator Vega White Oak Models Vega #2 Vega Dragon Star Vega Woodsongs Longneck Vega Longneck Vega Kingston Trio Models Clawgrass Models Julia Belle Banjo Greg Deering Limited (G.D.L.) As such, it is also unique in that is the only Ultra Vox V to be modified and finished by Peabody’s other ex-Marine buddy and master luthier, Larry Kellens (widely known as the “Vega Doctor” during the 1950-70s). C.F. Also, the tailpiece on this banjo is a patent assigned to Lyon & Healy, further suggesting them as the makers. Martin upgraded the maple rim to 10 ply after purchasing the Vega/Boston franchise in May of 1970. Is it possible to tell me what model or style and year it was built also the value? Martin Museum collection. In the 1960s, urban renewal in Boston forced Vega to move from the Columbus Avenue location where they had been from 1917 to c1961, to Leon Street in Boston, where they stayed until 1966. Barry. JC Hi there Folks.A few weeks ago i bought a Vega martin 5 string banjo, tubaphone tonering, the screws to attach the shoes to the bracket band go through the bracketband but also through the rim.The banjo is almost in unplayed condition, sounds wonderfull, the original case is also there.serial numer is 1707. Vega offered banjos in many sizes, so it stands to reason the 28 flanges would predate the 4 pieces, since they could go on a greater variety of sizes. It listed for $1310 in the 1971 VM price brochure and a carved heel was extra. The PS-5 is advertised in the 1970 and 1972 Vega/Martin catalogues but is absent from the 1976 catalogue where the No. Galaxy marketed its 4 and 5 stringers in the USA via a remarkably unimaginative TMC catalog in which each banjo was identified only with an Item number but no model moniker to give it personality like the “Pro-5” or “Wonder” banjos named by the earlier corporate owners. Martin in Nazareth, PA, in 1973. Offenbar gibt es nirgendwo einen Katalog dazu. Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! 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. It has almost all the hallmarks of a stock model VIP banjo. 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. 2 for $4149. 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. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Martin built only 29 model T-2 instruments which were a reproduction of the classic Tu-Ba-Phone No. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. Maybe, the “R-D” prefix stands for “Research and Development”. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. 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`. Your banjo is an off shoot of the classic “No. I’d like to echo previous comments and thank you for a great, great website, chock full of useful information. A: The earliest one I have recorded with open end nuts is #87058. My estimate is that your VV IV-T can fetch about $1000-4500 these days depending on the online vendor or estate auction. 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. Fairbanks plate to F-V stamp to Vega stamp? It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. Greg Deering acquired rights to the Vega brand name in 1989 and restored the banjo line to greatness. Martin) contract. Fairbanks restarted the numbering at about 1, as did W.A. 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. Hello, I have enjoyed reading your posts on Vega-Martin banjos. The two legendary  musicians in the camp photo are banjo godfather Tony Trischka and Grammy award winner Eric Weissberg (click to enlarge). Thanks for the great information on this page. I recently had a luthier friend do setup on it and he found the pot metal rim flange to be broken and won’t allow me to have the head at proper tension. The Item # was VT2NRC. I’ve had several accomplished pickers really make it “talk”….wish I could!! By that time, parts were being shipped to Canada and Japan for assembly, and record keeping soon deteriorated and serial numbers were inconsistent. Hope this helps and thanks again for your post. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the  circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone  model  promotional flyer . 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. 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? Again, thanks for your post. Good luck and thanks again for your post. KS Price per shoe set shown is $6.50 plus ($3.50 postage). It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). Your Wonder-5 string  banjo #(Martin)130097 was made in Boston in early 1971 after C.F. The TMC instruments were identified only by model numbers and not by familiar names like “Tu-Ba-Phone” or “VIP” or the “Wonder.” This may reflect, perhaps, a restriction in the seller`s (C.F. 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. Its paper label says it was made by Vega of Boston, part of the CF Martin Co. but it does not have the CF Martin decal on the back of the peg-head. My other theory is that the pot, which bears a C.F. From the BRC, Barry. See more ideas about banjo, guitar inlay, bluegrass. The problem is that the serial number labels at this time had printing errors, where the first numeric digit was omitted. The banjo featured a bell brass audio-sonic tone ring, different from the tubaphone tone ring, and a ten ply maple rim. 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. In the Vega Martin shop files, banjo SN 916 is a VVI-P (Vega Vox Style 1 plectrum) resonator banjo made in 1974 in Nazareth, PA. Plectrum 4 stringers have 22 frets compared to the tenors that have 17 to 19 frets. 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. Your Vega Wonder (VW) plectrum banjo SN 129 was one of six `VW-Plec` 4 string banjos made in Nazareth, PA, by C. F. Martin per Shop Order #2105 in mid 1972. After its Martin Guitar era, the Vega brand name ownership was sold overseas, and the banjo line fell into obscurity. I am a fan of the 27″ scale and believe it has much to contribute tone-wise. 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. Any info including your estimate of current value would be very much appreciated. 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. This classic and ornate Vega series dates back to the 1920’s but did not appear in the 1970 and 1972 Vega Martin catalogues. 22 frets. There’s barely a mark on the banjo (except for the binding where it was put on a stand) and this will probably buff out. VT2SC” and listed for $1250. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. Note below the “C.F. The back of the headstock is blank. It appears to be serial number 231 (engraved). stayed at the 187 Tremont Street address where they had moved, and advertised his new company as "The Only Successors of Fairbanks & Cole.". Maybe, another observant reader will offer a discerning observation for us sometime. The C.F. $18,500.00: 1959 Vega FP5 5 string banjo. 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. In the Vega Martin price list of 1971, the last publication in which VM retail prices were cited, the VM-5 was listed at $345 without case. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . From the BRC, Barry. Only 101 model PS-5 banjos were made by C.F. Wim, (Ed.- Note the classic  Tubaphone tone ring. C.F. 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. Tango Banjo. Required fields are marked *. My estimate would in the neighborhood of $1.5K depending on condition. sir- need some help. 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. Could you tell me where it was built and what it’s value is today ? Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry. Q: What years was the flower pot headstock inlay available on the Tubaphone style 3, 5 string banjo? (26 available) Barry. I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. Thank you for your query to the BRC and the above photo link. March 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmRob- Thank you for your query and very kind comments about the BRC website. The finest in Old Time banjos since 1889. Could you tell me where it was built and what it’s value is today ? Identify name brands. 1 talking about this. The 1968 Vega catalogue described the Pro II appointments as including a bell brass tone ring with exclusively designed audio apertures, a ten ply wood rim, a three-piece maple neck, a resonator of curly maple, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel-plated hardware, and a shaded mahogany finish. This design of banjo retailed for $285 back then, and it was popularized by Erik Darling and Pete Seegar (who had his own Vega endorsed model for awhile). Martin made 101 of the PS-5 instruments which listed for $488 without case in the final V/M price list in 1971. Martin flyer and the earlier catalogue, there is curiously no mention of engraved hardware as clearly seen in your Tu-Ba-Phone instrument photo. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. 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. These were used on the Wonder, VIP,Folklore, etc (non-Pro II, V-45, V-41 styles). In that C.F. Vintage 20's Vega No.7 Whyte Laydie Plectrum 4 String Banjo w/HSC-Very Ornate Vintage 20's Vega No.7 Whyte Laydie Plectrum 4 String Banjo w/HSC-Very Ornate Welcome bidders. 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). So here’s my question. 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. 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. In the 1970 VM catalogue, the VIP-T banjo retailed for $556, and the hard shell case was $68 extra. Jon- Thanks much for your kind comments about the website. The parts of your VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjo # 130056 were probably manufactured in Massachusetts and assembled in Pennsylvania with a yellow data sticker on the inside rim and maybe C.F. Any insights appreciated along with your understanding of when it was manufactured, components, what it originally sold for and current market value. 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. This auction is for a This Old Vega Banjo (Hidden . I’m not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. Is has a hard case with blue interior.

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