The 'A' stands for 'Ajustable truss rod.'Ģ.

Due to a printers' error, serial numbers with only 5 digits and on yellow labels were usedįrom 10/1962 (no. To use the chart below, find the serial number closest to yours and interpolate between the listed numbers to get a best approximation.

In the mid-1980s, The Deering Banjo Company purchased the Vega name and rights from Galaxy and brought this venerable banjo name back to the US and their Spring Valley, CA factory.įor a listing of instrument models and a discussion of some of Fairbanks' and Vega's products, visit the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) article and the web sites listed at the end of this article. All Vegas from the Galaxy period are imported. Martin made some banjos, and marketed import instruments, under the Vega brand name until March, 1979 when they sold the Vega rights to the Galaxy Trading Company, an Asian conglomerate. Martin, a respected guitar manufacturer, in Nazareth, PA. Vega continued in business in the Nelson Family until Mawhen the name, equipment, and all the rights were sold to C.F. They weren't there for long before selling to Martin. They moved to Needham Heights, where the owners were closer to home. In the 1960s, urban renewal in Boston forced Vega to move from the Columbus Avenue location where they had been from 1917 to c1961, to Leon Street in Boston, where they stayed until 1966. The years matched to the serial numbers are an educated approximation they are accurate within a year or two, and even the dates of introduction of major improvements are based on ads, catalogs, and contemporary news releases. From 1890 to 1914 Fairbanks (later Vega) made Fred Bacon banjos. Stayed at the 187 Tremont Street address where they had moved, and advertised his new company as 'The Only Successors of Fairbanks & Cole.'įairbanks restarted the numbering at about 1, as did W.A. Cole, a successful performer and teacher, and produced approximately 9000 banjos as Fairbanks & Cole. Fairbanks' until the middle teens.ĭuring 1880-1890 Fairbanks joined with William A. Vega continued to mark their banjos 'A.C. Fairbanks Company (incorporated 1875) was succeeded in 1903 by the Vega Company (established 1889). Holmes - 1999, 2002įor an in depth discussion about important dating information visit the Fairbanks Research article. FAIRBANKS AND VEGA BANJOS Copyright © by Michael I. Fairbanks & Vega banjos, Dating & Identifying DATING A.C.

Vega guitar serial numbers