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Thread: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

  1. #1

    Default Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    I recently purchased a Vega bowlback serial number 22912 and was wondering if this could possibly shed some light on the age of this instrument. It sure is a sweet player!

  2. #2

    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

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  3. #3

    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    I would have thought circa 1910-1920 but there is usually a number on the headstock top edge that can date it for you.

    https://www.4stringbanjos.com/vega-serial-numbers

  4. #4
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Are the SN for Vega mandolins consistent with those for banjos?


    Mick
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  5. #5

    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Mick

    Using that site suggests this mandolin is 1905 which seems reasonable but I may be wrong on that assertion!

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Thanks, Nick.
    I was asking because I simply don’t know myself.

    The banjo SNs on that site appear to continue right on through ‘Vega purchase’ in 1904.
    Vega was likely making mandolins before this date after consolidation with Fairbanks and others.

    How they merged SNs or kept them separate was at theeart of my question.
    There’s been other references to Vega SNs here and likely I’ll get straightened our.

    I would have guesses 1905 even without a SN or banjo website….
    Mick
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Thanks for the information. This one has a serial# stamped at the top of the headstock
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    That is beautiful! Interesting that Fairbanks /Vega, Weymann and Mondello used the same headstock (Weymann top).
    Jon

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Quote Originally Posted by Jonmiller View Post
    That is beautiful! Interesting that Fairbanks /Vega, Weymann and Mondello used the same headstock (Weymann top).
    Mondello? Did you mean Mannello?
    Jim

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Mondello? Did you mean Mannello?
    Besides his regular NPR gig, Jim, perhaps Bob Mondello dabbles in luthiery.

    Or maybe it his haircut that picks up on the headstock styling?


    That headstock shape, sometimes referred to here as an "open book profile" or referencing Baroque broken pediments was a regular feature of Vinaccia mandolins which certainly had a wide influence both in Italy and the US at this time.


    Mick
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    Quote Originally Posted by sk1 View Post
    Thanks for the information. This one has a serial# stamped at the top of the headstock
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    I believe this is a circa 1912 style 3. Mine is similar though mine has the scratch plate inlaid in MOP and nothing inlaid on the headstock. Mine also has a heart-shaped hole in the headstock. I think they may have varied the specs from year to year.
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  12. #12
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    The "hole in the headstock" design is the true Mannerist detail.

    Michelangelo would have approved.


    Now, I'm wishing for another Vega bowl.

    They have their own very special sound.


    Mick
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  14. #13
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Bowlback Serial #22912

    To the OP: I especially love the sound of my Vega 3 when strung with Dogal Calace RW92b Dolce strings.
    Jim

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