D.B . says:

Dear BRC: I bought my vintage Vega Martin banjo from a music shop in California several years ago, and I’d really like to find out more about it!  I`m interested in everything from the year/place of manufacture to what materials were used.  Also, I’m looking to get the frets replaced, and one day I’ll probably have to replace the head, so I’d love to be able to do it right, in keeping with the original design and level of craftsmanship.The serial number inside the rim of the head (just underneath the lettering “Martin & Co est. 1833”) is 1023.  The drum head (curious if it’s original) is a Remo (says “Remo Fiberskyn Banjo, made in USA, pat.4308782). Thank you in advance for any information you’d be able and willing to provide on this instrument.  Cheers! D.B.

The BRC replies:

Dear D.B. – Thank you for the detailed photos of your Vega Martin “Wonder” banjo SN 1023 that was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2214.

According to my files, the “VW-5” model banjo with a resonator first appears in a Vega catalogue flyer from the Boston factory in 1961. The Vega franchise merged with the C.F. Martin Company in May of 1970. Per a September 1970 VM publication, the Wonder banjo featured a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, geared tuning pegs, a 3-piece maple neck, a blackwood finger board, pearl dots, a four-section metal tone flange, nickel-plated metal parts, a plastic head, an arm rest, and a shaded mahogany finish.

The back page of this above 1970 VM publication briefly introduces the open-back FW-5 folk music banjo which is otherwise the same instrument as the original Wonder 5-stringer but without a resonator. In a 1971 VM price list, the VW-5 Wonder banjo sold for $345. To my knowledge, Fiberskyn heads were never installed on Vega Martin banjos. According to the aforementioned 1971 price list, the VM plastic head sold for $8.50 each.

The tuning pegs on your banjo labeled “PING” are not original, as the Martin Company had their own patented banjo tuning pegs that sold as a set of 4 for $3.75 back in 1971. Geared side-machine rotomatic type tuners appear only on the Vega Martin long-neck Folklore banjo in 1968 and the Pete Seeger model banjo in 1971. Thank you for the privilege of commenting on your banjo. Happy pickin`. Barry

D.B. says:

Dear BRC: Wow and thank you!  I’ll be archiving all this information, so I can always refer back to it.  Your attention to detail is much appreciated! Regards, D.B.

From the BRC: Dear Readers- There are plenty of Letters to the BRC and detailed replies under the Vega Martin Banjo Info header. Click-on, scroll down, and enjoy.

After a long and dreary winter, recent stunning sunrises have heralded warming weather that summoned the daffodils to emerge in the neighborhoods surrounding the BRC domicile. The Bradford Pear trees soon issued their snowy blooms along the streets around our lake, and the tulip trees, a BRC favorite, began to unfold their blooms.

At a pre-Easter weekend performance, the G&F musicians entertained the residents of a local retirement home with uplifting tunes and cheerful sing-alongs. One of the clients, seated below with the microphone, had some experience in show business and served as the MC fronting the band.

One of the most convincing indicators of Springtime in the Heartland is the return to our waterways of Great Blue Herons that had wintered in the South-  probably near the warm environs of a mangrove swamp. These magnificent avians reappear in the same neighborhood each year, and below is seen the arrival of a solitary and travel-weary heron as its scouts along the treetops on our far shoreline searching for the familiar terrain of the grassy dam near the BRC backyard.

Although summer cannot be far away, cold rains and March winds have buffeted us this past month. A Springtime sunset last week perched a rainbow over the BRC lake framing it along the same far shoreline that greeted the above Great Blue Heron reconnoitering our familiar landscape.

From the BRC:  Wishing you sunshine and balmy days soon.

Every Wednesday afternoon, the BRC craftsman journeys south to a jam session in a small village near the sprawling Lake of the Ozarks. This picking session has been convening for decades, and in recent years it has been held in the basement of a local church. An admixture of musicians, singers, and a clogger faithfully attend these spirited afternoon get-togethers. In the foreground of the below group photo are three women who grew-up singing in church choirs. They are the core of a folk music quintet that performs at nearby venues.

Although the BRC craftsman handily plays an assortment of different musical instruments, his foremost enjoyment is harmony singing. The three female vocalists above can sing lilting harmony parts with zero rehearsal. It is a prime joy for the BRC craftsman to accompany this talented trio on Wednesday afternoons and blend his baritone and bass intonations with them.

From the BRC: Thank you ladies for your delightful music, dance, and seraphic song.