Hello to all. Please accept my apology for a somewhat commercial inquiry. My name is David Bernz and I worked closely with Pete Seeger on many projects and produced several CDs for him as well including two Grammy-winning CDs in 2008 and 2010. My son and I have started an instrument store in Beacon, NY and someone has put into our possession a banjo to sell that was actually owned by Pete during the late 50's or early 60's and I am spreading the word in the musical community in the hopes that it will find an appropriate homehome.

It was consigned to our shop by Bernie Kraus, who was a member of The Weavers after Pete left the group. Pete gifted him the banjo in 1963 when Bernie visited him to learn his parts for The Weavers. As far as we can tell, the banjo is one of Vega's prototypes for their Seeger long-neck model because it has a wooden dowel stick with no serial number engraved on it which was their usual practice during regular production runs. Vega only used wooden dowels in the first few years of production before switching to dual metal dowels and it makes sense that Vega would have given Pete a prototype. The banjo is currently being offered at $9000. I have attached a few pictures and letter of provenance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Jakes Main Street Music (845) 765-8548 jakesmainstreetmusic@gmail.com . Thanks for reading.