Brand: Vega
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD
The Vega Pete Seeger long neck banjo was built from 1958 to 1970, following Seeger’s influence on the popularity of the banjo and his need to play in lower keys without retuning.
In 1944, Seeger had John D’Angelico modify the neck of his Vega Whyte Laydie banjo, removing the head and adding a two-fret extension. This allowed performance of songs in C – which were a bit high for Seeger’s voice – in B Flat. Getting back to ‘Standard’ tuning just required a capo at the second fret. This particular banjo was stolen in 1949, and subsequent replacements added another fret, allowing G tuning being dropped to E.
This arrangement worked well, and for 1958 the Vega company of Boston Massachusetts contacted Seeger for permission to use his name on a long neck banjo. These sold fairly well and eventually, they sent him one.
The Vega company’s fortunes were tied fairly closely to the banjo, and as the folk boom faded and guitar amps got louder, the company declined. In 1970, its name was purchased by the C F Martin company, who continued to make Vega banjos, but at Seeger’s request, without his name.
This Vega Pete Seeger long neck banjo, built during 1961 at the Vega shop in Boston is a ‘dowel stick’ version and in good working order. Capo tacks are installed, also a Presto tailpiece, with the original in the case. It has a new bridge. The tuners and brackets are original, and the original case is included.
- Model: Pete Seeger
- Year: 1961
- Finish Sunburst
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: A101660
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 25/10/2018
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 7.26lbs 3.3kg
- Scale Length: 32in 812.8mm
- Nut Width: 1.18in 30mm
