Pete Seeger Banjo

Subject: Pete Seeger Banjo
From: GUEST,David Bernz
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 03:45 PM

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 [phone] [e-mail] . Thanks for reading.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger Banjo
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 03:56 PM

Not all at once, everybody....

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger Banjo
From: Mark Ross
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 05:37 PM

I would love to see some pictures of it. Unfortunately at the moment I am so broke I can't afford to pay attention.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger Banjo
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 11:32 PM

I'm afraid the banjo is too pricey for most of us, but thanks for letting us know about it, David. It's good for Mudcatters to know of such things.

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger Banjo
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 14 Mar 16 - 04:11 AM

Lots of photos here on
https://reverb.com/item/1006092-vega-pete-seeger-prototype-1958 



Their own page is
http://shop.jakesmainstreetmusic.com/products/vega-pete-seeger-long-neck-prototype-c-1958