1. Vega Banjo Models
2. Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers
3. Vega Banjo Serial Number Dating

Dec 22, 2014. Serial Number: 1880-1890: 1000/yr. Earliest Banjos 1890: Faibanks Electric #41 late 1890: Fairbanks Electric Curtis #826 1891: Imperial Electric #1212. Given the extensive work you've done, if the Vega SN sequence is continuous for Banjo/Mandolin/etc., when compared to your Bacon Banjo view,.

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brittneysuep - Posted - 12/08/2016: 15:47:54

Hi there. New here, and I have an important question as I cannot figure it out on my own. I have what I believe to be a Vega Vegavox 1 tenor banjo, however I am a little confused on how serial numbers work. 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. My question is, do serial numbers have to match exactly to some database of numbers, or can they vary a little bit? I am trying to find out if this Banjo is original or a reproduction. 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. If anyone could help me figure this out or point me in the right direction I'd be forever grateful.

Andy FitzGibbon - Posted - 12/08/2016: 15:59:32

The numbers vary. All of the lists available are extrapolated from historical knowledge, sales receipts, ect. The original records of the Vega company from that time do not exist, as far as anyone knows.

Andy

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/08/2016: 16:07:49

Thank you. 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. So if mine being done correctly, would put it at around 1957. I don't know why that was so difficult for me to see in the first place. It wasn't until I asked that I figured it out. I suppose I was under the impression serial numbers were identical. I've never put much thought into it until this Vega became apart of my life. Thanks again for your reply.

DSmoke - Posted - 12/08/2016: 17:53:25

Well, thanks for coming here to ask. Do you have any pictures? We love pictures of banjos here. What do you plan to do with this banjo, do you play?

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/08/2016: 18:10:10

I will post some pictures when I get home, and I do play. 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. 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. Later I found the Vega I have now, and here we are. 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. I'm new to the vintage instrument owning (I have an old concertone tenor that a friend gave me but its unplayable) and I figured this was good a place as any to ask a question.

DSmoke - Posted - 12/08/2016: 19:06:03

quote:
Originally posted by brittneysuep
I will post some pictures when I get home, and I do play. 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. 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. Later I found the Vega I have now, and here we are. 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. I'm new to the vintage instrument owning (I have an old concertone tenor that a friend gave me but its unplayable) and I figured this was good a place as any to ask a question.

Welcome to the hangout, great to hear you play, and great find. I too just bought a 20's Vega (Vegaphone Professional). What style do you play?

Vega Banjo Models

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/09/2016: 05:48:50

Thanks for the welcome! I'm really excited my question brought me here. I am always lurking here reading certain stuff, but I'm always shy about joining forums. 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. I'm not sure if that exactly answers the question of what style I play, but I think so!

DSmoke - Posted - 12/09/2016: 15:23:10

It does indeed. Forums are great, especially the smaller focused forums like this one. Post a picture when you have a chance.

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/09/2016: 17:06:30

How do I post a picture?

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/09/2016: 17:19:55

Figured it out finally, here's some pictures.

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 12/10/2016: 07:01:26

Doesn't look like a Vegavox to me. The Vox would be a top-tension banjo with a deep resonator.

St6ill a very good instrument.

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016: 12:28:02

Any idea what it could be?

mikehalloran - Posted - 12/10/2016: 12:34:24

It looks like a '50s VIP, I think. There were a number of Tubaphones with the same basic construction. They differed slightly in ornamentation so I could be wrong on the actual model name.

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016: 12:37:48

Thanks for the insight, much appreciated. I would love it there was a model name stamp. Oh well. 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.

Vega Tenor Banjo Serial Numbers

mikehalloran - Posted - 12/10/2016: 16:25:55

Correction. It's a Professionsl Tenor according to the 1963 catalog. I'm pretty sure it had the same name in the 1950s when yours was made. The ornamentation is the same as a Vox 1 but the resonator is different. The shorter tenor neck will not have as many blocks as the longer 5-string or Plectrum neck.

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016: 17:03:55

Wow that's a great thing to see! The old catalogs are so cool. Here's a few more pictures that show the color of the resonator, and the flange on my banjo is a little different. Thanks much for your help.

GerryH - Posted - 12/10/2016: 17:10:09

Brittney - you've got yourself a gem of a Vega tenor. How neat to see it listed in a period catalog. Shout out to Mike for that. It should provide many hours of playing enjoyment. Congratulations!
GerryH

brittneysuep - Posted - 12/10/2016: 17:27:22

Vega Banjo Serial Number Dating

Thank you! I am so absolutely in love with it. It sounds amazing and it is in wonderful condition. 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. Luckily for me it started getting better--still taking it slow but I'm extremely please to start playing again on this beauty. I was looking for an antique vega for a while, glad this one so happened to be in my area!