The serial number identifies it as a 1964.
Vega Folk Ranger + Clarophone banjo ukulele for $550 on eBay
Edited by - mikehalloran on 04/18/2025 12:11:21
I think the addition of the banjo uke makes it a real bargain.
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Originally posted by Bill RogersI think the addition of the banjo uke makes it a real bargain.
No disagreement but we see these "looking for openback, inexpensive, bla bla bla..." posts and this is exactly that.
Besides the ukulele, that Waverly made solid bar Presto tailpiece is worth a few bucks to anyone looking to restore a PS-5 if not cracked from metal fatigue..
An excellent beginner's banjo for those who don't want to buy the current imported instruments.
Humm, A Ranger with a co-rod. What vintage is that?
Thought the ebay one is a regular FR-5 with a corod, there was a "Folk Ranger Special" FRS-5 model in the early to mid-60s. I've had two of those and several Folk Rangers, Ranger 5-String resonators, and Folklore long necks. The FRS-5 as the 1961 Vega brochure reads, was the same Folk Ranger, but with a heavy nickle-plated brass notched tension hoop, one coordinator rod, and Elton tuning pegs like the Folk Wonder, Folk Professional, and the early Pete Seger PS-5 banjos, along with the resonator versions with different model names. I dug around for some photos of the FRS-5 banjos I've had but they must be on one of my deal laptops. The coolest thing about non-corod FR-5s is you can disassemble them with a 1/2" box wrench in a second and through the whole thing in a backpack! And they have three-piece necks with a truss rod. ; )) Cheers All!
Edited by - 35planar on 04/07/2025 22:01:25
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Originally posted by Pauls Pretty Good StuffHumm, A Ranger with a co-rod. What vintage is that?
Per the serial number, this is a 1964. I put in an offer that was accepted this morning.
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Originally posted by 35planarThought the ebay one is a regular FR-5 with a corod, there was a "Folk Ranger Special" FRS-5 model in the early to mid-60s. I've had two of those and several Folk Rangers, Ranger 5-String resonators, and Folklore long necks. The FRS-5 as the 1961 Vega brochure reads, was the same Folk Ranger, but with a heavy nickle-plated brass notched tension hoop, one coordinator rod, and Elton tuning pegs like the Folk Wonder, Folk Professional, and the early Pete Seger PS-5 banjos, along with the resonator versions with different model names. I dug around for some photos of the FRS-5 banjos I've had but they must be on one of my deal laptops. The coolest thing about non-corod FR-5s is you can disassemble them with a 1/2" box wrench in a second and through the whole thing in a backpack! And they have three-piece necks with a truss rod. ; )) Cheers All!
Way cool! What identifies this price sheet as 1961?
Heya Mike! The brochure/catalog has a printer's date mark of "1-61", though the featured resonator 5 string is the Earl Scruggs Model with the block markers every other fret. There's no mention of the Pete Seeger Xcel version. My PS-5 is a '61, but has an original natural finish pot and neck with Elton pancakes. The yellow label reads "Pete Seeger Special". I added a Liberty "Bear Claw" 'cause I couldn't figure out how you added the ODE tailpiece to yours even after you explained it a coupla years ago. : ))
Edited by - 35planar on 04/08/2025 19:38:58
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Originally posted by 35planarHeya Mike! The brochure/catalog has a printer's date mark of "1-61", though the featured resonator 5 string is the Earl Scruggs Model with the block markers every other fret. There's no mention of the Pete Seeger Xcel version. My PS-5 is a '61, but has an original natural finish pot and neck with Elton pancakes. The yellow label reads "Pete Seeger Special". I added a Liberty "Bear Claw" 'cause I couldn't figure out how you added the ODE tailpiece to yours even after you explained it a coupla years ago. : ))
The reason I asked is that the October 1963 price sheet (attahed) shows the PS-5 as being $97 higher — than 1961? doesn't make sense. I suspect that yours is either a dealer sheet or perhaps earlier.
The Excel/Xcel/Exell (they used different spellings on the labels) shows up in the 1963 brochure as do pictures showing the change to 24 brackets on the SS-5 Folklore (the old PS-5 picture is the same as your brochure—28 brackets is wrong for 1963). Blonde necks were always hand carved, one of the reasons they cost so much more.
My blonde PS-5 had that Elton made Ode tailpiece when I got it from Marc Silber 27 years ago. The original ball on the tailpiece bracket was ground flat to accept it. I sold that tailpiece to another BHO member looking to restore his Ode and have since replaced the ball and installed a Waverly solid bar Presto like the tailpiece in that Folk Ranger I just bought.
According to Frank Ford, Waverly was the OEM for much of Grover back in the day including the Presto tailpieces. When StewMac bought Waverly, much of the machinery and ephemera (invoices etc.) was sold for scrap or tossed into the dumpster. What a waste!
Edited by - mikehalloran on 04/09/2025 10:55:40
Well, I made a fair bid and got them. The Folk Ranger is in Good++ or Excellent- condition, nothing that a new nut and major adjustments won't fix.
I'm really liking that Gretsch Clarophone ukulele. Must have been popular as it shows up in a few catalogs including Buegeisen & Jacobsen and Bruno's Maxitone line.
I am missing one of the spring-loaded tuners, however. Anyone have a line on one? I know that I can get them new, all shiny with Waverly stamped on the side but, if I can find one of these, it would be quite nice.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 04/18/2025 12:09:40
