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Seansvoice - Posted - 01/19/2012: 16:11:27
One of my regular Ebay search terms is "Vega". About a week ago I got an email notifying me of an SS-5 Folklore being offered up by a large Texas pawn chain. I looked at the pictures and could tell it was a 5 digit label but couldn't read the serial number. The description rated the banjo as "fair"...so I took a shot figuring that MAYBE I'd luck out and get a reasonably straight neck out of the deal.
One never knows what a Vega long neck will bring -- a few weeks ago a '59 Seeger went for $5100. Week before last a '61 Seeger went for only $2250...and it was pristine. The Folklore is of course the "poor man's Seeger" and I see these things sit and gather dust at $1000 or $1200...but other times people will snap them up at $750...and they are usually pretty well ragged out. I set an absolute maximum bid and didn't hold out much hope.
Well, sure enough I won it...for $20 under my maximum bid. When it arrived yesterday I was stunned to find a dusty yet beautiful banjo...all in great shape. There was even an original "faux croc" soft case (the listing mentioned no case at all) The crappy tension 5th tuner even holds tune well. The neck fit is good (which is amazing in and of itself) and is straight as can be. The fret and fretboard wear are negligible...and there is not even a flyspeck of rust on any of the metal. The original Waverlys are immaculate, as are the Elton armrest and the original un-branded Presto tailpiece. The finish is intact except for a place or two on the corner of the peghead. The original Vegalon head shows suitable "schmutz" but no real wear -- just a lot of character.
The strings have not been changed in a long time and are rusty as can be...but the thing still holds tune. And of course the 1st and 2nd strings are threaded on the wrong side...my theory is that an old folkie had this banjo, played it for awhile and then parked it under the bed. Maybe they then passed on and an heir didn't know what to do with it...or just lost it in pawn because they needed money. Who knows about these things anyway?
As I said I initially figured that I would end up with a possibly decent neck to use on one of my other banjos for awhile. But this thing is in such nice shape that it is staying just the way it is. Of course I will dust it off, put a geared 5th tuner in and change the strings. Part of me thinks that at some point I may put a Wonder or Tubaphone in...but even that is questionable. It is just so rare to find such an early Folklore...one that was actually built during the Folk Scare...in this good a shape that it would be a sin to modify it other than the things I have mentioned.
But every now and then a blind squirrel finds an acorn...
Edited by - Seansvoice on 01/19/2012 16:24:52
kwfolk1 - Posted - 01/19/2012: 16:29:37
Congratulations, Sean! Enjoy!
kmwaters - Posted - 01/19/2012: 16:35:43
Sean, today you were the squirrel. Enjoy.
Tall Grass - Posted - 01/19/2012: 16:54:33
Actually looks very good - how does it sound and play? Can't convince me you havent played it yet. By the way, lighten up on that "old folky" passing on. Some are still creaking on, and besides, never say passing on to an old person!
Seansvoice - Posted - 01/19/2012: 17:01:29
Oh I AM playing it! It sounds AND feels really good...it is a nice counterpoint to my '24 Tubaphone M (on which a Gold Tone OT-800 long neck is currently parked)...and it is SO RARE to find a Vega of this era...especially a long neck with a decent neck fit. Nope...the "A Team" was on the clock that day 50 years ago in Boston, 15, MASS...
As I said even with the rusty strings it sounds decent.
As for the "old Folky passing on" would you rather I said "went t**s up?" 
Edited by - Seansvoice on 01/19/2012 17:03:05
pastorharry - Posted - 01/19/2012: 17:39:45
Congrats Sean, old folkies never die,(they just smell that way!!)
BTW; let me know when your'e ready to sell...LOL!
NCjones - Posted - 01/19/2012: 17:48:44
Looks nice. I cruise the pawn shops in the area. Most of the time you can find a good deal and with a little haggling get even more off. Haven't found that '34 Gibson yet that the shop didn't know what it was.
arnie fleischer - Posted - 01/19/2012: 19:55:31
This model Vega was my second banjo. I bought it in 1963 at the original Sam Ash store in Brooklyn, NY, for $135, which was almost all the money I had at that time. The Pete Seeger model was considerably more expensive, around $350, and way out of reach for me. I eventually replaced the horizontal guitar style tuners with standard vertical banjo pegs and also replaced the fifth string peg. When I bought my first resonator banjo ten years later, a Baldwin-Ode style C that I still have, I sold the Vega. Nice banjo, but I can't say that I miss it.
mikehalloran - Posted - 01/19/2012: 20:23:24
I am hoping that you have lubed those old Waverly tuners. They look in fair shape but, if they get dry, you can ruin them with one string change.
Cool find!
The problem with putting in a tone ring is the 10 15/16" pot size. I don't think that I would be any more adventurous than a 1/4" round brass or steel hoop like an old Style F. I have liked the sound of those in a couple of 5 strings including my Fender Allegro long neck and my '30s Kalamazoo.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 01/19/2012 20:25:07
Seansvoice - Posted - 01/19/2012: 21:31:39
quote:
Originally posted by mikehalloran
I am hoping that you have lubed those old Waverly tuners. They look in fair shape but, if they get dry, you can ruin them with one string change.
Cool find!
The problem with putting in a tone ring is the 10 15/16" pot size. I don't think that I would be any more adventurous than a 1/4" round brass or steel hoop like an old Style F. I have liked the sound of those in a couple of 5 strings including my Fender Allegro long neck and my '30s Kalamazoo.
Mike, I am going to put the Waverlys away...they are just way too nice to risk ruination. I think that Rotomatics should drop in without drilling...if not I will put some newer Waverly machines...or the Gotoh clones on.
I decided against cutting a tone ring in just as soon as I typed the words. I have two tubaphone pots already...besides this old gal has a nice sound on its own...and it is SO light. I'll say this: Vega put a lot more starch in the Folklore than they did the Ranger. Compared to the Ranger the SS-5 was like a deluxe/economy model...which is a bit like being the skinniest kid at fat camp.
banjoes - Posted - 01/20/2012: 05:52:46
Very nice!
I think the 59 Pete Seeger with dowel stick is pretty rare and - right or wrong - considered superior to later models with coordinator rods (like mine). Hence the high price. The other PS that went for a few thousand dollars was a bit of a bargain for someone though.
Best
Seansvoice - Posted - 01/20/2012: 08:05:33
quote:
Originally posted by banjoes
Very nice!
I think the 59 Pete Seeger with dowel stick is pretty rare and - right or wrong - considered superior to later models with coordinator rods (like mine). Hence the high price. The other PS that went for a few thousand dollars was a bit of a bargain for someone though.
Best
The '59 had 28 brackets and binding at the bottom of the pot...inside and outside. The minute Dave Guard showed up on TV playing a Seeger, Vega began their period of inundation. Sometime in 1960 they went to 24 brackets and the binding disappeared. Then in '62 the stick went away.
That '61 Seeger was something of a rarity in that it was probably one of the first to have a label rather than a serial number stamped in the pot. I missed that '61 by just $250....oy!
mikehalloran - Posted - 01/20/2012: 08:08:20
Rotomatics will not drop in without a 3/8" hole being drilled but they wouldn't be wrong for that banjo either as it was a common upgrade. If you are interested in a vintage, chrome plated Pat. Pend. set, I have some.
john bange - Posted - 01/20/2012: 12:02:37
a 3/8 bit for sure but, a 3/8 bit with a very shallow entry point...in a drill press if available...speaking from experience (sadly!)
Seansvoice - Posted - 01/20/2012: 12:25:00
quote:
Originally posted by john bange
a 3/8 bit for sure but, a 3/8 bit with a very shallow entry point...in a drill press if available...speaking from experience (sadly!)
I may be able to get away with using my trusty Stew Mac peg hole reamer...
john bange - Posted - 01/20/2012: 13:44:07
probably the safest way...I even used a 5th string taped reamer...I found out the hard way how soft the wood is on an old Vega peg head
mikehalloran - Posted - 01/20/2012: 13:49:45
Start the hole on the ends with a reamer. Run the 3/8" drill bit backwards and you will not chip even the softest peg head.
Seansvoice - Posted - 01/20/2012: 14:04:46
quote:
Originally posted by john bange
probably the safest way...I even used a 5th string taped reamer...I found out the hard way how soft the wood is on an old Vega peg head
For a REALLY fun experience go medieval on a 1920s peghead. Dry wood explodes into splinters. I've not done it, but I have seen it...and it ain't pretty. Grover Permatension 5ths are also a challenge...
rbergesch - Posted - 01/21/2012: 19:24:46
Nice find! I have an SS-5 that I purchased new when I was in High school, '62 or '63. SN 11131. It has a very pleasing tone after all these years; it would never be described as a "cannon", but it's a nice sound that can add some sparkle to a lot of music. I particularly love it for what I call "Irish drinking and brawling" music, a la the Clancy Bros, the Dubliners, etc.
Edited by - rbergesch on 01/21/2012 19:25:27
Couchie - Posted - 02/27/2012: 05:08:46
Very nice find indeed Sean. I'm sure you'll be happy with this one. I'm green with envy.
Don.
mikehalloran - Posted - 02/27/2012: 08:19:43
We all deserve the occasional pawn shop find. My best was finding my Muse/ODE with its Lifton case among the Korean bottlecaps at a San Jose pawn shop - and priced the same. My buddy bought a mediocre Iida masterclone as a backup. I told him that, if he didn't buy the Muse, I would. The price was so good I didn't even dicker.
