Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/346704
Herringboned - Posted - 09/22/2018: 16:20:56
Hi all,
I posted a few weeks back about how Dad and I bought a Pete Seeger Vega here in New Zealand, when I was a senior at high school in 1989. Dad was a folk banjo player here in the 60s, a big Kingston Trio fan, but never able to find or afford a Vega. Me being 17 back then, didn't appreciate it and sold it to buy a Les Paul. Then subsequently became a huge Kingston Trio fan myself, and regretted not having that Pete Seeger.
Anyway, our "new" Pete Seeger arrived on Thursday, after nearly 2 weeks held up here by the postal service. It's a 1961, and by all accounts has been stored away for decades . Got to show it to Dad yesterday, and he's blown away. Anyway, please switch off now if you're not into long-neck banjos. Thing is, apart from my Dad I've got no-one to share this with 
Big thanks to Jake's Main Street Music in Beacon NY for getting this safely to us half way around the world.
The Old Timer - Posted - 09/22/2018: 16:58:13
Well done! I hope you know that Beacon NY is where Pete Seeger lived for decades, and where he passed away. I used to live in the next town. That's a closet queen banjo (it's so clean!).
pastorharry - Posted - 09/22/2018: 17:26:32
Very cool, I own 100599, still with dowelstick . Yours is definitely clean and pristine. Mine is a bit more "well loved".
Edited by - pastorharry on 09/22/2018 17:29:04
pastorharry - Posted - 09/22/2018: 17:31:24
I have linked this to Long Neck Banjo group.
Herringboned - Posted - 09/22/2018: 17:51:48
Thanks Pastor Harry! I love your dowel neck.
By the way, where is this Long Neck Banjo group?
John Firth-Smith - Posted - 09/22/2018: 19:07:51
I have a Pete Seeger Vega in far off Eden ,NSW , Australia a dowel stick model # 100975 almost mint in original case - mine does not have a yellow sticker inside the rim and the number is only stamped on the side of the dowel stick -I saw Pete when he visited Sydney in 1963 and went backstage to meet him ---------
pastorharry - Posted - 09/22/2018: 20:14:25
quote:
Originally posted by Herringboned
Thanks Pastor Harry! I love your dowel neck.
By the way, where is this Long Neck Banjo group?
If you look on your left you'll see on top, "Forums", Mouse over that and a green page comes up with various links, you'll see "Groups" click on that and search Long Neck Banjo. There's also many other related groups such as Vega banjo, Pete Seeger, etc. EXTRA POINTS to you and Dad for the original VEGA Lifton case...winner! The only thing I would change if I had that banjo would be to put a white top Frosted Remo Head on, instead of the clear one. 10 15/16" low crown , and your tension hoop will sit higher and be in line with the end of the fretboard. Aloha, and Kia Ora !
Herringboned - Posted - 09/22/2018: 20:47:22
quote:
Originally posted by pastorharry
The only thing I would change if I had that banjo would be to put a white top Frosted Remo Head on, instead of the clear one. 10 15/16" low crown , and your tension hoop will sit higher and be in line with the end of the fretboard. Aloha, and Kia Ora !
That's a great tip thanks. It was my intention to get a frosted head, yes. I knew the 10 and 15/16" measurement but assumed I needed a medium crown. Elderly (my go-to for accessories) has been out of stock for a while now.
Cheers JC.
Edited by - Herringboned on 09/22/2018 20:50:02
VPS - Posted - 09/22/2018: 22:32:56
That's the earliest "rod" Seeger I've ever seen. According to lore, the change occurred in the last half of '62. I have one made fairly late in '61, and it's a dowel.
Herringboned - Posted - 09/22/2018: 23:25:56
quote:
Originally posted by VPS
That's the earliest "rod" Seeger I've ever seen. According to lore, the change occurred in the last half of '62. I have one made fairly late in '61, and it's a dowel.
A few sources have told me the 62 date for the changeover is wrong. I certainly have never seen a dowel-stick version with a 1962 serial number. What's your serial number VPS?
Jock Elliott - Posted - 09/23/2018: 01:54:45
It's a beauty! I live just a bit further north in Troy, NY.
Congrats on the new banjo.
Cheers, Jock
eljimb0 - Posted - 09/23/2018: 02:29:53
Beautiful banjo! Congratulations to you and your dad.
VPS - Posted - 09/23/2018: 08:59:45
Mine is 101563.
hweinberg - Posted - 09/23/2018: 09:40:06
Congratulations! I played a c.1965 (coordinator rods) for many years as my main old-time banjo. Back in the day I often had to explain to the old-time police -- who frowned on long-neck banjos as inauthentic -- that it was a superbly made, modern tubaphone. 8-)
Shop the Folk - Posted - 09/23/2018: 10:11:27
I have dowel-stick PS-5s serial # 100892 and #100722. Both 1961?
VPS - Posted - 09/23/2018: 13:26:16
Yup-both 1961.
Herringboned - Posted - 09/23/2018: 14:30:48
Here's a shot with my other two open backs, both Stewarts: a Style 1 Little Wonder, and a Style 1 & 1/2 American Princess.
Texican65 - Posted - 09/23/2018: 22:06:43
Congratulations! That’s a neat story and something to really be happy about. A beautiful banjo, I know it’s got to sound great....but would love a sound bite. Strum a little ditty for us when you gets a chance please!
mikehalloran - Posted - 09/25/2018: 09:51:33
Way cool banjo!
That Lifton case appears to be in fantastic shape as well—mine is good but has been around the block (ok, the world) a time or two.
Thanks for posting a picture of the case candy. It’s the little things, you know...
Herringboned - Posted - 10/05/2018: 20:25:30
quote:
Originally posted by pastorharry
The only thing I would change if I had that banjo would be to put a white top Frosted Remo Head on, instead of the clear one. 10 15/16" low crown , and your tension hoop will sit higher and be in line with the end of the fretboard.
@pastorharry I replaced the head this week. (My local supplier only had a medium crown, but it's an okay fit). Certainly looks 100% better to my eye!
Lebesgue - Posted - 10/07/2018: 09:28:11
Nice! As The Old Timer mentioned, Pete Seeger lived in Beacon for a good number of years. I made the trip up to Jake's Music store last weekend to play some of their banjo's and got talking to the owner a bit---he was pretty good friends with Pete and even won a Grammy (for producing) with him! Watching him play the Rainbow Quest theme song in Seeger style was definitely a highlight :-)
NirgaliDietrich - Posted - 10/08/2018: 20:35:51
That is absolutely beautiful. Great to see more long-neck fans in NZ!
mikehalloran - Posted - 10/09/2018: 09:23:45
There are a number of 1961 Vegas out there with the truss tube and co-rod. The 1962 date is wrong.
Vega used what would be considered a high crown on these but they make the tension hoop sit a little lower than I like. I use medium crown heads only.
Occasionally, I have to use Wyatt Fawley’s hair drier trick if the hoop sits a little too high for me.
Shop the Folk - Posted - 10/09/2018: 11:25:13
Did you use a 10 15/16ths head or an 11"?
Herringboned - Posted - 10/09/2018: 12:00:23
quote:
Originally posted by Shop the Folk
Did you use a 10 15/16ths head or an 11"?
10 15/16ths is what I used. Thanks to the archived posts of the good folk here. Lucky I found that out, as I assumed it would be an 11". Seeing how the 10 15/16ths fits, an 11 would have been too big for sure.
Shop the Folk - Posted - 10/09/2018: 13:12:17
Perfect! Many times an 11" is squeezed in and on. That just ain't right.
dgrayman - Posted - 10/16/2018: 12:06:01
What a lovely Seeger! You must be very excited to have it! I have 2 Seegers, a 1964 model, and a quite unique 1960 (#100184) with a factory installed resonator and a dark finish. The tone on both is so beautiful! Good pickin'!!
