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Jun 24, 2026 - 4:41:04 PM
2 posts since 6/24/2026

I've inherited this Vega Vox when my aunt passed away. Serial number look up dates it to 1952. Looking through this and other sites, prices are all over the map. I'd appreciate any thoughts on a reasonable price to ask for it. More photos upon request.

Thanks!

Jun 24, 2026 - 4:54:09 PM

2 posts since 6/24/2026

Aannd, here are the pics.

Jun 25, 2026 - 4:04:49 AM
Players Union Member

Texasbanjo (Moderator)

USA

32962 posts since 8/3/2003

Pictures are on his home page.

Jun 25, 2026 - 8:16:16 AM
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1073 posts since 5/29/2015
Online Now

Anyone can put any price they want on an instrument. Ebay and Reverb are loaded with instruments that have not sold due to price. There is no cost to list an item for sale on these sites.
Extremely clean instruments sell faster for higher prices than instruments in average condition. But these instruments have to be in excellent playing condition.
I would suggest taking the instrument to Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto CA. International reputation and they are interested in banjos.

Jun 25, 2026 - 9:19:48 AM
Players Union Member

Emiel

Austria

10652 posts since 1/22/2003

quote:
Originally posted by Texasbanjo

Pictures are on his home page.


These are the pictures:

It's a plectrum banjo.

Jun 25, 2026 - 10:25:52 AM
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29935 posts since 6/25/2005

Take it down to Gryphon in Palo Alto. Call first to make sure someone’s there who knows the tenor market. You’ll get honest and accurate information from people who actually deal with high-end 4-string banjos.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 06/25/2026 10:27:57

Jun 25, 2026 - 10:29:18 AM
Players Union Member

Emiel

Austria

10652 posts since 1/22/2003

quote:
Originally posted by Bill Rogers

Take it down to Gryphon in Palo Alto. Call first to make sure someone’s there who knows the tenor market. You’ll get honest and accurate information from people who actually deal with high-end 4-string banjos.


It's a plectrum banjo (22 frets), not a tenor banjo, I would say…

Jun 25, 2026 - 11:19:24 AM
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9716 posts since 9/21/2007

I think these late Vega Vox banjos were pretty popular with the Shakey's Pizza folks. Eddie Peabody (who designed it) was kinda the style most of the Mustache Bar/Pizza Parlor nostalgia people went for.

Can't help with "value" as I am not cued into that world, but sadly that world is very small and getting smaller by the day. Plectrum banjos tend not to be in demand.

Jun 25, 2026 - 11:52:40 AM
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Players Union Member

Emiel

Austria

10652 posts since 1/22/2003

quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks


Can't help with "value" as I am not cued into that world, but sadly that world is very small and getting smaller by the day. Plectrum banjos tend not to be in demand.


That's true. But among the few plectrum banjoists, the Vegavox stands in high regard.

Jun 25, 2026 - 1:51:44 PM

Mojesty

Canada

372 posts since 3/20/2011

I owned a tenor Vega Vox 4 with exactly the same headstock, fretboard markings, built in 1956. I bought it in 1986 and played it hard for many years. I listed it at Bernunzio music about 2000 for $4500. It sold for $4000. I believe. The Plectrum version usually cost more than the Tenor. I regret ever selling it, and haven't seen one similar ever since.
I have no idea what they are worth now, because they they are so rare being advertised. The 1920's versions were even more prized.

Jun 25, 2026 - 2:16:41 PM

9716 posts since 9/21/2007

In 2000 there was a fairly good market. That market has aged out. Shakey’s has been gone for too long.

Jun 25, 2026 - 3:01:06 PM

1073 posts since 5/29/2015
Online Now

Very clean looking banjo. Collector grade. Doctors, lawyers, CEOs of corporations often dont play the instruments they collect.

Jun 25, 2026 - 7:16:12 PM

9716 posts since 9/21/2007

quote:
Originally posted by Banner Blue

Very clean looking banjo. Collector grade. Doctors, lawyers, CEOs of corporations often dont play the instruments they collect.


Is there a big collector's market for late 1950s-early 1960s plectrum banjos?

Jun 25, 2026 - 9:22:39 PM

29935 posts since 6/25/2005

Exactly the question. Even if there are only two or three such banjos, there has to be a competitive market for them before any added collectible value attaches. The relevant players’ market for such instruments seems to be diminishing almost by the week.

Jun 25, 2026 - 11:33:46 PM

martyjoe

Ireland

919 posts since 3/24/2020

There may not be many collectors of banjos such as this. Certainly no investors. If the original owner purely bought it as an investment they should have offloaded it years ago. The fact remains that it is a very nice banjo and some plectrum player will cherish it for years to come.

Jun 26, 2026 - 1:06:53 AM

Omeboy

USA

3535 posts since 6/27/2013

It appears to be a Vox IV Plectrum in nice condition. You might send as many detailed photos as you can of the instrument (including the interior with the resonator removed to show the tone ring and serial number) and any defects the banjo might have.  The send them to  to Benunzio's Music in Rochester, New York. They specialize in selling fine old instruments and have a specialty area for banjo. Here is the link:  https://bernunzio.com/category/instruments/banjos/    They can provide you with a some possibilities for selling your banjo.  The can also give you some guidance on how to ship the instrument if you decide to sell it thru them.  This is a high-end plectrum for a serious player or collector.

Edited by - Omeboy on 06/26/2026 01:12:51

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