Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!

Subject: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Margo
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 01:28 AM

Hello,
I just listed my Vega Tubaphone banjo on Craig's list. I am wondering if any of you know if I am out of line asking $3200.00 for it. It is circa 1926 and has one of those pie-plate resonators. It is not fancy (no intricate inlay or anything like that) but it is in good shape. Anyone here play a vega? Thanks for any help,
Margo
(I listed it at Craig's list Portland if you want to see the pics.)

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: reggie miles
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 02:41 AM

Hey Margo,

Someone gave me a mid 20s Vegaphone Professional. What a wonderful gift! The grand children of the guy who originally owned it gave it to theses folks that I know and they then offered it to me. I was looking for a good old banjo. This one has four strings and a neck that's longer than a tenor. All I had to do is put new strings and a new bridge on it. It sure plays great. Mine even has the original case. Mine also has some fancy carving on the neck's heel but other than that it too is rather plain. It sounds very similar to yours.

I've tried to bring mine by different dealers to find out what it might be worth but have not had much success in pinpointing exactly what it might be valued at. What I did find out is that bluegrass and frailing folks like them. They take them and have five string necks made for the bodies. That alone can be a costly venture of around $1000.

The best of luck to you in your sale. If you find that Craig's List doesn't help. Perhaps you could just bring it to one of the local festivals that feature bluegrass or old timey music. That's where you'll find those who play them.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Ernest
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 02:54 AM

Have a look at the websites of the better instrument dealers like Elderly etc. and look at the prices that they ask for similar instruments - that should give you an idea of it`s value.
Good luck
Ernest

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: BanjoRay
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 06:37 AM

I've seen the pictures in Craigslist - looks great. I believe a 1926 Tubaphone in that condition is certainly worth what you're asking. I wouldn't call it a Bluegrass banjo, though - it was made 20 years before Bluegrass was ever played.
Ray

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 08:26 AM

You might also check e-Bay for current and past sales for similar models.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 09:14 AM

I have a vega little wonder ,which i reckon is worth 900/1000 euros.
so your instrument[VegaTubaphone] has got to be worth more than a little wonder.
Dick Miles.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: reggie miles
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 01:27 PM

Hey Margo,

Is that the original neck and tuners? I guess it must be if the part going through the body has the logo stamped on it. So, yours is already a five string. I'll bet it sounds dandy too.

I can't quite see any of the detail on the headstock in the photos you've provided. The resonator's back looks exactly like mine and mine has that same tone ring. Mine also has the stamp on the part of the neck that goes through the body. My serial number is there too. The body looks virtually the same as my four string.

A detailed image of the headstock (perhaps featuring the tuners) and tailpiece would be helpful for your sale, as these are items that many get replaced over the years. Collectors like all that original detail intact.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Margo
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 02:14 AM

Thanks you all. You know, I have been asked if it has the original neck, and I really don't know. I have tried to find pics of other vega banjos to compare, but it really is difficult. Reggie, I like your idea of going to a festival. Hey, I thought it was a "bluegrass" banjo because it has a resonator. Pardon my ignorance;0)

Thanks for all your input, 'catters!

Margo

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 08:38 AM

Margo-

It's alright to acknowledge not being an "expert" when learning about your banjo. But you do want to be prepared to answer highly technical questions from prospective buyers when you try to sell it. The questions are important to serious collectors. Learning more is good!

Do get decent images of your banjo. By that I mean well focused and showing important points of interest. A half dozen shots should do it. If this is not something you feel capable of doing yourself, find a friend who can or hire someone who does it professionally.

You might even consider getting the banjo appraised, if you think it's worth over $1500; an appraisal should cost more than $25-50 and it's something you can also offer to the prospective buyer.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 08:50 AM

Be careful with the people who show up on Craig's List and similar sites. Even if they give you a certified check, do not release the item until the check has cleared. There have been quite a few incidents recently where people showed up with fraudulent certified checks and disappeared with the goods.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,sammy
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:55 PM

I sold my 1932 vegaphone with resonator and tone ring for 3500.00 so you are in the ball park. my was in great shape with a hard shell case. I would like to see your instrument so I can tell you if its worth the price.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Margo
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 12:41 AM

Hmmm.... I now believe that the neck on mine is a Bart Reiter neck. I think the tubaphone banjos with the pie-plate resonators (also called Vegaphones) were originally four string. Every original Vega neck I've seen has an inlay in the first fret and mine doesn't. But the neck looks just like Reiter's. I really want to sell it so I dropped the price and put it on banjohangout.org. Thanks guys,
Margo

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,Randy
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 11:02 AM

Hello, I am going to sell my Dering,Callico banjo. I has a flame maple back. Can anyone help me determine a value. Thankyou for your help. Randy

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 12:44 PM

I'm about to buy an old bently/bentley 5string (unless someone else buys it first) and wish I had thought to open this thread yesterday. I didn't find the name mentioned in old threads..and couldn't find much of anything online.

Any idea on a site to find out whether this neat looking thing is a cheap, rotten clunker?

(yes, I know this is a "price to sell" thread and not a "should I buy this"...If nothing else, at least I've popped GuestRandy's question back up to the top)

Subject: WTB Deering Vaga 2 Tubaphone
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 09:47 AM

Any one have a 5 string Deering Vaga 2 Tubaphone banjo for sale?

Thanks: Terry

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 01:30 PM

No but we do have a Clifford Essex 5 string Paragon

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,5 String Paragon
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 01:43 PM

Ok tell me more about it. Any pictures

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 02:01 PM

why Craigslist and not Ebay ?

just wondering.

this side of the pond, the Ebay market for musical instruments is huge, must be the same in the States shirley ?

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 08:23 AM

I do have pics but can't post them here. I'll see if I can put them somewhere.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 08:28 AM

OK

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 09:08 AM

Clifford Esex Paragon

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 09:44 AM

Information about it? What is the best price? How old is this banjo?

Terry

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 10:10 AM

Margo, a banjo with four strings and a longer neck than tenor, depending on the actual length, is likely what's called a plectrum banjo. I point this out just as additional background knowledge for you to have when you speak with potential buyers. And you might want to assure that your Craig's list entry includes that description.

Tenor banjos are designed and almost universally used as chordal rhythm instruments in jazz and rag, although of course many excellent players can push the envelope and get more lyrical music out of them.

The idea and practice behind plectrum banjos is less oriented toward rhythm backup and more toward single-note lyrical use.

Those observations, again, don't go very much toward your question about value, but give you background, and may help you in finding your sales market.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Les from Hull
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 11:26 AM

Tenor banjo is also widely used as a melody instrument in Irish music over this side of the Atlantic.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 11:42 AM

When I used to play banjo for a traditional jazz band (before taking up the 5 string) I used a plectrum banjo, and so did others. An excellent chordal instrument (as is a tenor of course)
Ray

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 09:46 PM

Hello all . Have you seen Don Zepp on youtube playing instruments he has for sale.. Making a quick clip and putting it up on youtbe is another way for all to see your beautiful banjos and hear them !!! .. You dont have to say its for sale but just do a video of a up close and personal look at your wonderful banjo then play it a bit .. All the best , guy

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 05 Oct 08 - 08:10 AM

Guest Terry it would be easier if you registered and then I could PM you with info. Banjo is circa 1920.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,Tazz / Roswell,nm 88201
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 03:56 AM

I have a one of a kind 1978 custom built 4 string ford bandjo with a silver tone pickup on it , made out of to ford hub caps. You have to see this. Steve B. call 1-575-562-9123

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,your willie.
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 05:30 AM

My 5 string banjo has the 5th. string tuned at the head and not halfway down the neck as per more modern banjos.
A plate on it reads:::--- J. WERRO
                               39 ESSEX ROAD
                                 LONDON. N.

Can anyone give me any information on this firm ie. dates etc.
Thanks.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,your willie
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 05:01 AM

No pointers as to where information on Werro may be obtained?

The name plate is decorative--oval with a scalloped decoration round the edge.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 05:33 AM

GUEST,your willie -
This site has useful info about British Banjo makers http://www.whitetreeaz.com/vintage/brit1.htm
Your label doesn't seem to be there, but a lot of music shops didn't make banjos, they just put their name on banjos made by other makers Many of these were manufactured by Windsor.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,your willie
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 07:44 AM

Thanks Geoff---any clue to the date of manufacture by the fact that the 5th. string is tuned at the head and goes through the body of the neck to pop out where the tuning peg for this string is located in modern instruments?

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: s&r
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 07:51 AM

Called Zither banjoes, they were made in Birmingham by Windsor for the trade

Stu

Subject: RE: Pricing my banjo for sale...Help!
From: GUEST,Guest,van_james
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 05:39 AM

to Guest,your_willie,

I've just been given a violin, made by John Werro, 39 Essex Road Islington. Can't find any information about him, but plenty on Henry and Jean Werro...