I was playing on a Deering Goodtime, but I found this Vega in a Guitar Center in my city, and I pretty much fell in love with it. This banjo features a violin grade maple neck and a 3-ply violin grade maple rim. The story of how Greg Deering came to own the 200-year-old Vega trademark is one of childhood dreams and an unmissable opportunity. brittneysuep - Posted - 12/09/2016:  17:06:30, brittneysuep - Posted - 12/09/2016:  17:19:55. This banjo was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1929. $400.00: Pre War Vega Little Wonder Tenor Banjo w Original Case. Tenor and Plectrum Guitars; 5-String Banjos; 6 string Guitars; Banjo Ukes - Ukulele's; ... Fairbanks-Vega Serial Numbers; Contact; About; Banjo for sale 1920s Vega Little Wonder. Figured it out finally, here's some pictures. American Banjo, The Vega Company, Boston, Style Soloist, branded SOLOIST on the inside rim, and the serial number 83305, diameter of head 11 in., with original case. Serial numbers match. "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them". New here, and I have an important question as I cannot figure it out on my own. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to. 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 … Offered for sale is an original condition 4 string banjo. Photos. The only other thing stamped on the dowel other than the serial number is "made by the Vega Company Boston Massachusetts" and 3 date patents. FOUR STRING & MANDOLIN BANJOS The serial number "50940" dates it back to 1921. myVEGA. All Rights Reserved. It has a natural finish, and a two-piece Maple neck with a dark center stripe down it. Close. vega little wonder-01. $900.00. I am trying to find out if this Banjo is original or a reproduction. $63.65 shipping. It does indeed. Martin built 55 VIP-T instruments between 1972-79. 1,203. Forums are great, especially the smaller focused forums like this one. 98314...........................98149............. ..1932. I have what I believe to be a Vega Vegavox 1 tenor banjo, however I am a little confused on how serial numbers work. Thanks for the welcome! A: Serial #91892 is the earliest collected banjo with the bolts through the rim. 14 watching. I think that's a fancy word for plastic. The serial number on both the dowel and the pot is 99333, and I haven't been able to find that number anywhere online that lists serial numbers for Vega's, and there also isn't a model name. Modern German KBM Planetary Geared Pegs. Will consider trades for 17 fret open back tenor of same value. Used - Excellent Condition Thanks much for your help. No dowelstick. The banjo pictured is a tenor, but has the same appointments of the banjo I remember seeing Jones holding in … vega little wonder-06. 1920 Vega Style K Rim. I am always lurking here reading certain stuff, but I'm always shy about joining forums. If anyone could help me figure this out or point me in the right direction I'd be forever grateful. Congratulations!GerryH, brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016:  17:27:22. The Vega Little Wonder Open Back 5 String Banjo is an excellent, entry level but high quality instrument built by Deering in Spring Valley, California with all the quality of a Deering. The head is 11 3/4", with a 9/16" Maple rim and tortoise binding around its rim, while the 1/4" metal tone ring is integrated with the rim itself. This Vega Little Wonder tenor banjo probably dates to 1920s, according to the serial number of 63191 printed both on the dowelstick and the inside of the rim. All of the lists available are extrapolated from historical knowledge, sales receipts, ect. This is probably the best source of numbers remaining. http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/325406, 'Where The Dim Lights Are The Dimmest - all backup', 'I guess it's easier to break the normal clawhammer mode sometimes'. 10 watching. The shorter tenor neck will not have as many blocks as the longer 5-string or Plectrum neck. vega little wonder-02. I had been looking for an old vega from the 20-s originally, and I found a Little Wonder in the pawn shop, but didn't grab it. Has Remo fiberskyn head, original metal tone-hoop, No-knot reproduction tailpiece, chrome plated Elton tuners. brittneysuep - Posted - 12/09/2016:  05:48:50. It sounds amazing and it is in wonderful condition. Correction. So if mine being done correctly, would put it at around 1957. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2021 Banjo Hangout. I'm really excited my question brought me here.  Other Banjo-Related Topics Shout out to Mike for that. vega little wonder-04. Post a picture when you have a chance. Bonjour Bernard- Your VIP (Very Important Player) tenor banjo serial number 1040 was one of three VIP-T banjos manufactured by C.F. Contact United States Shopping Cart (0) ... We use cookies to continuously improve your experience at vega.com. The neck is made of maple, peghead with mother of pearl inlay, … Later I found the Vega I have now, and here we are. The Vox would be a top-tension banjo with a deep resonator. Oh well. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. $85.65 shipping. Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more. Vega (used, 1927) Little Wonder tenor banjo Tag N o 39-1068 Used #75120, in very good plus condition with worn original hard shell case. check out the. brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016:  17:03:55. Doesn't look like a Vegavox to me. It's a Professionsl Tenor according to the 1963 catalog. I will post some pictures when I get home, and I do play. Vega Little Wonder Mando-Banjo. The Vega Little Wonder is a versatile, bright, responsive banjo with a very modest price made in America. gtan7; Thank for tips on starting head and strings loose. 95374...........................97962............. ..1931. We love pictures of banjos here. 1929 Vega Little Wonder Tenor Banjo. 1920's 4 String Tenor Banjo Vega Little Wonder - $600 (NEW ORLEANS) 1920's Vega Little Wonder Tenor 4-String Banjo w/ Original Case. I'm pretty sure it had the same name in the 1950s when yours was made. Vintage Vega 5-String Banjo w/ Original Case - Serial #1. Anyway when I first started playing tenor I was learning standard CGDA, but quickly went over to chicago tuning so that I could busk with my boyfriend who plays guitar (just because I already knew the chords, not that I necessarily like it better than standard) and as of about 4 months ago went back to really focusing of CGDA tuning, and pretty much just play old ragtime songs, and some others. Both of these have the same size rim and tone ring system, comprised of a simple “steel wire” on top of the laminated wood rim. The most reasonably-priced quality banjo on the market. These are the words of J. Garber. Vega built and marketed a line of four types of tenor banjos of varying grades but all of high quality. New frets,head and set up GDAE. This was "possibly done or a customer, but I have another take on that. 1925 Vega Little Wonder Banjo Rim. Banjo is in very good condition no notable dings or scratches, no wear on finish, and no cracks. $450. Martin in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in mid 1974 per Shop Order #2217. The ornamentation is the same as a Vox 1 but the resonator is different. Vega Tenor Banjos. $1,540.00. Hatfield Banjos The first type and base model was the Style N, followed by the Style Little Wonder. A little fret-wear, A little forward bow, but nice low action. It is an antique Vega Fairbanks "Little Wonder" 4 string tenor banjo. Vega Little Wonder 19 fret tenor banjo. Your instrument in definitely 1927 or '28, as 78528 falls in between 78371 (a 1927 Tubaphone Style X Tenor) and 79025 (a 1928 Whyte Laydie No. vega little wonder-08. Input your 8 digit instrument serial number for manuals, certificates and information relating to your device. By Chris "Bucket" Thomas in forum Vintage Instruments, By Ken Berner in forum Vintage Instruments, https://www.elderly.com/ghs-gmb-mand...string-set.htm, https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/220483, Jams, Workshops, Camps, Places To Meet Others, Technique, Theory, Playing Tips and Tricks, Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country, Gospel Variants, Old-Time, Roots, Early Country, Cajun, Tex-Mex, Jazz/Blues Variants, Bossa, Choro, Klezmer, Celtic, U.K., Nordic, Quebecois, European Folk, Orchestral, Classical, Italian, Medieval, Renaissance, Octaves, Zouks, Citterns, Tenors and Electrics, If this is your first visit, be sure to Tailpiece is a grover. Beautiful tortoise shell binding on ring. What do you plan to do with this banjo, do you play? I am so absolutely in love with it. The other digits in the serial number can tell you when your banjo was made. Used - Excellent Condition Posted 2/9/2021 8:54:38 PM by bullfrog1120 - Country: United States - State: CO - ZIP: 80903 Last Updated 2/9/2021 8:59:34 PM. It should provide many hours of playing enjoyment. The original records of the Vega company from that time do not exist, as far as anyone knows. Thank you. Brittney - you've got yourself a gem of a Vega tenor. The most reasonably-priced quality banjo on the market. So upon further reading, I realized it said to find the number which is closest to your instrument's serial number, and to estimate the year from that. Luckily for me it started getting better--still taking it slow but I'm extremely please to start playing again on this beauty. I'm a cook, and after a summer road trip I came back to work and got tendonitis, and had to take a break from playing for a few months. How neat to see it listed in a period catalog. Photos . $1,625.00. I've never put much thought into it until this Vega became apart of my life. My question is, do serial numbers have to match exactly to some database of numbers, or can they vary a little bit? ... or Best Offer. I too just bought a 20's Vega (Vegaphone Professional). Fairbanks made by the Vega company of Boston, MA. New hooks and nuts. Welcome to the hangout, great to hear you play, and great find. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/325406, brittneysuep - Posted - 12/08/2016:  15:47:54. New TKL Hard case. mikehalloran - Posted - 12/10/2016:  16:25:55. 1920s Vega Little Wonder Tenor 4-String Banjo w Original Case. Do you have any pictures? Steve, I am reading the Fairbanks-Vega serial number list published in the June 1978 issue of Pickin' Magazine. 1927 Vega Little Wonder 19 fret tenor banjo in perfect condition. Burnt orange finish with some flaking. I was looking for an antique vega for a while, glad this one so happened to be in my area! I have what I believe to be a Vega Vegavox 1 tenor banjo, however I am a little confused on how serial numbers work. $250. This 18-fret banjo has a natural finish and a two piece maple neck with a dark stripe down the middle. brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016:  12:28:02, mikehalloran - Posted - 12/10/2016:  12:34:24. It seems to coincide roughly with the introduction of the Vox models, the earliest serial number of which I have recorded is 93828. This is a 17-fret 4-string tenor banjo.This banjo has a natural skin head, … 1920s Vega Little Wonder Tenor 4-String Banjo w Original Case.  Collector's Corner VINTAGE VEGA CO LITTLE WONDER BANJO 41814 FAIRBANKS BOSTON MASS. vega little wonder-03. I just started doing more research and wasn't quite sure how serial numbers worked, and wanted to know a bit more info about it. It is a Four-String Banjo, Soloist Model, Serial #87500, with a seven-lap laminated maple rim, gold-finish top hoop and hooks, new design flanges and 28 brackets, patented Tu-ba phone tone tube and bracket band in a nickel finish. brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016:  12:37:48. The 1960's Vega Wonder Tenor Banjo has an estimated value on the current market for an average of $1***-**-****.00 if sold at an auction(a local auction ) it would sell for a little less,at around $1***-**-****.00, if this were sold in a High End Shop in a larger city it would sell for $2400.00 and up depending on the Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear. I don't know why that was so difficult for me to see in the first place. I was under the impression it was the 28 piece but according to the Tsumura red book it was … The numbers vary. I love it no matter what it is, and I'm not looking to sell it so it's not imparitive for me to know, I'm just curious.