Dear BRC Mailbox: (Summer, 2021)
I have inherited a Vega 5 string banjo, and I am told by a local shop that the internal serial number is 1223 and was likely built in the 70’s. It does not have any Martin decals. The back of the peg head has a single star design reminiscent of a compass rose. The back is quite unique. It is a 6 segmented pie like design. Since I know nothing about banjos I am seeking any information that I can get. I have photos if you can provide an email address. Although Canadian, my in-laws likely bought this in Tennessee, as they were blue grass fans. Thanks much, S.B.
Reply from the BRC:
Dear S.B.,
Thank you for the detailed photos of your ornate banjo. Although your 5-stringer is a high quality circa 1977-78 instrument made of C.F. Martin parts, it is doubtful that it was assembled at the Nazareth, PA, factory. The serial number is a duplicate of a different type entry level instrument made in 1975. I have two theories about the construction of your Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe model, and please consult my <banjorehab.com> website for the posting on Jan. 9, 2016 for details (enter deluxe in the homepage search engine). Your banjo may have been assembled overseas from inventory inherited by the Galaxy conglomerate that purchased the Vega franchise from Martin in 1979. Around 1975, however, a few high-end banjo parts were sent to a warranty Martin repair shop in Toronto for assembly when the C.F. Martin interest in manufacturing banjos was beginning to wane. Sometime around 1976-77, the Martin Company leased industrial floor space on Milner Ave., in Scarborough, Ontario, to transfer the manufacturing of its Vega banjo line up north, and parts were then shipped to Canada. The story then becomes a little sketchy, but some top end instruments were assembled in Ontario after banjo production reportedly ceased in Nazareth in 1977 because of a difficult luthier strike there. My guess is that your Canadian in-laws probably purchased your banjo from the Toronto or Ontario venues. Question: does the inside of the pie-sectioned resonator have a small Martin decal on it as shown on my aforesaid website posting? Thank you for sharing your instrument questions with me.
With appreciation, Barry
S.B. replies:
Just went to the link you mentioned. The banjo is identical, just not branded Martin inside the back. There is no label inside the banjo, nor even a shadow of one. The Scarborough assembly location would have been only a few miles from my in-laws. Thanks, S.B.
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