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Thread: Vega F4

  1. #1
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    This ones got me stumped.
    # # # # # Vega #F4
    It's run a couple of times with no takers. I don't need another oval hole, but is a grand to much ?
    What's the history on this type Vega?
    Inquiring minds want to know #
    # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #B.Pat



    The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

  2. #2
    _________________ grandmainger's Avatar
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    Hi Pat,

    Not an expert on those, but the great big hole in the scroll side means I for one wouldn't buy it. It may be easy to repair, or very difficult... It's a bit like these Snakeheads that sometimes come up for $1K, with heavy repairs needed...

    I'm intrigued by your recent queries about F4s my friend...
    Will #12 be Andy's first?


  3. #3
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    Hey Germain,
    What "Big Hole" I thought that was one of those fancy "Side Ports" like you see on some Monteleones.
    oh, and yes #12 will be F4 style.
    Pat
    The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

  4. #4
    Registered User Strado Len's Avatar
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    The headstock says "made in Japan in the 80's" to me. Looks a lot like my old Japanese Epiphone F-5.

  5. #5
    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    definately Japan..late 70's to mid 80's
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
    www.f5journal.com

  6. #6
    Registered User Bob DeVellis's Avatar
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    Martin acquired the Vega name and then, in 1979, sold it to an outfit called Galaxy, in California, who licensed it out to a variety of Asian builders. I suspect one of them put this one together. It looks to be better than the worst of the Asians to carry the Vega name but it's hard to say without trying it how good it is. A grand seems steep to me in its present condition. A fall hard enough to put a divot like that in the scroll may well have caused other damage, like to the neck joint. Hands-on inspection might reveal it to be a great little instrument for the price but I wouldn't bet a grand on it without an opportunity to play it before paying. If it sounds good, then eBay is the wrong way to be selling it. It should be in a bricks-and-mortar location where people can experience its virtues more directly. The banner headline, PHENOMENAL VEGA MANDOLIN LIKE GIBSON F-5 LOYD LOAR doesn't do much to inspire confidence, either.
    Bob DeVellis

  7. #7
    Dan Sampson mando_dan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega F4

    It's always fun to unearth a 12 year old thread...

    So there's one of these purported 1980s Japanese F4s up for sale now on the large online auction forum. The mandolin looks really nice and is, so far, really cheap. Perhaps the bidders know something I don't. Anyone ever hear of these or have any general comments on their sound? Thanks!
    1999 Buckeye #18 (Bucky)
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  8. #8
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega F4

    I have been watching the same mandolin, looks nice but I know nothing about it
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  9. #9

    Default Re: Vega F4

    It's been removed now.

    Dave H
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  10. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega F4

    Quote Originally Posted by darrylicshon View Post
    I have been watching the same mandolin, looks nice but I know nothing about it
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hanson View Post
    It's been removed now.
    I think he is referring to this current listing on eBay: Vega Mandolin F Style. I had one a few years ago and paid little for it so gave it away to a poorish student who wanted to play mandolin. It was worth slightly more than the money I made on it.

    It is always nice to post at least a link when you are referring to something offsite. Here's a pic of this:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jim

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  11. #11
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega F4

    Ibanez 70's 524, 521, 3 511's,2 512's,513,1 514,3 80s 513's, 522
    J Bovier F5-T custom shop
    Kiso Suzuki V900,
    The Loar lm600 Cherryburst
    morgan monroe mms-5wc,ovation
    Michael Kelly Octave Mandolin
    Emandos Northfield octave tele 4, Northfield custom jem octave mandolin 5 octave strat 8
    2 Flying v 8, octave 5, Exploryer octave 8 20"
    Fender mandostrat 4,3 Epip mandobird 2,4/8, Kentucky. KM300E Eastwood mandocaster
    Gold Tone F6,Badaax doubleneck 8/6

  12. #12
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega F4

    Quote Originally Posted by darrylicshon View Post
    Phew! That was not easy. Your link went up to the first post on this thread, not to eBay. Try this one: Vega F4 Mandolin.

    It does look nice but I would guess that it went for about what it is worth (maybe), especially with this: "The only condition issue is that the top has flattened out/sunk and caused a small crack in the oval sound hole at the fingerboard. I tried to show this in the pictures. Ask if you need more. It's been this way at least since 2001."

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
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    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  13. #13
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega F4

    I think it went way more than I would pay , of course I didn't put a bid down
    Ibanez 70's 524, 521, 3 511's,2 512's,513,1 514,3 80s 513's, 522
    J Bovier F5-T custom shop
    Kiso Suzuki V900,
    The Loar lm600 Cherryburst
    morgan monroe mms-5wc,ovation
    Michael Kelly Octave Mandolin
    Emandos Northfield octave tele 4, Northfield custom jem octave mandolin 5 octave strat 8
    2 Flying v 8, octave 5, Exploryer octave 8 20"
    Fender mandostrat 4,3 Epip mandobird 2,4/8, Kentucky. KM300E Eastwood mandocaster
    Gold Tone F6,Badaax doubleneck 8/6

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