Vega Pete Seeger Model Longneck Model 5 String Banjo (1961), made in Boston, Mass., serial # 100907, shaded maple finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a well-played but very cool early example of the classic Vega longneck "folk" banjo from the early 1960s, originally designed as a custom instrument for Pete Seeger then put into production in Boston late in 1958. This example is the first original pattern model with a traditional wooden dowel stick, replaced soon after with Gibson-like co-ordinator rods which added quite a bit of weight to the rim. The yellow Vega serial number label with "Pete Seeger" handwritten is intact on the inside of the rim. Vega at the time were a small shop, and these are very hand-made instruments. When the "Folk boom" took off the success of this one instrument was a strain on their limited production capacity.
The rim is the old pre-war Tu-Ba-Phone pattern, still with round holes in the tone ring instead of rectangular cut-outs found on later PS-5 and Vegavox models. The shoes are mounted through the rim from the inside (instead of just through the bracket band), but otherwise it is built to the same standard as Vega's older prewar instruments with typically excellent workmanship. The extended neck is laminated maple, finished in sunburst with a dot-inlaid bound ebony fingerboard. The headstock face has a pearl inlaid Vega logo and star emblem, with geared "pancake" banjo tuners, later replaced with Grover Rotomatic guitar tuners.
These banjos were designed to be tuned down to "E" using standard 5-string "G" tuning intervals. This was the result of Pete Seeger's need for a banjo that could comfortably accommodate different vocal keys, especially the typical blues guitarist's penchant for playing in E! He also sometimes used it in a low Bb version of "C" tuning. Most players kept a capo handy to easily switch to G or other keys...the position dots are actually designed to be in the familiar layout when the banjo is capo'd in the 3rd fret "G" position, and look odd when it is not.
This style banjo was an absolutely essential piece of equipment for late 1950s and early '60s folk groups, starting with the Kingston Trio. This original Seeger signature model longneck was a very sought after item at the time and considered rather expensive; early models are fairly rare today. Vega soon offered a cheaper version without the Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring and other makers soon copied the instrument, but the genuine Seeger model -- especially this early version -- remains the finest and most desired of all these long necks. While not often seen today, this is an interesting and versatile instrument just waiting for a revival!
Overall length is 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) deep. Scale length is 32 in. (813 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This banjo has seen a decent amount of use but remains in largely original condition with some general wear. The finish on the back of the neck was worn to the wood in a number of spots and looks to have had a thin clear lacquer overspray added over that long ago. There are small dings and dents on the back of the neck, on the edges of the headstock and the heel. The headstock has some minor finish disturbance on the front and back in the center star area likely from an old vinyl strap. The lacquer is worn down to the wood on a good chunk of the bottom edge of the rim. The plating on the rim and hooks is relatively clean with no major corrosion or loss except to the armrest.
The hardware all appears original, the head and bridge are newer. Interestingly enough it appears the original owner almost always played in the capo'd "G" position, according to the wear patterns. The frets have some light wear but the banjo remains an excellent player with a big ringing sound, filling the room just as it did in 1961. The original alligator-grained hard shell case has some external wear but is solidly preserved. These early Seegers just do not turn up that much anymore; this is not the cleanest we have had but is fun to play with a great Folk-era vibe Very Good + Condition.
