Pauls Pretty Good Stuff - Posted - 02/24/2026:  17:26:43

Deering's Vega number chart does not show any number between '32 and '53. Does anyone have those numbers?

BanjoBowers - Posted - 02/24/2026:  19:15:08

I believe if you go to the Mugwumps web page you'll might find what you're looking for.
Last S/N for 1930 was 95000.
Last S/N for 1953 was 98989......good luck...

Pauls Pretty Good Stuff - Posted - 02/24/2026:  20:45:32

Mugwumps numbers have been challenged at times. Deering's last number for 1932 is 98149

Bob Smakula - Posted - 02/25/2026:  04:28:34

quote:

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Originally posted by BanjoBowers

I believe if you go to the Mugwumps web page you'll might find what you're looking for.

Last S/N for 1930 was 95000.

Last S/N for 1953 was 98989......good luck...

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Even before the death of the Mugwumps founder, Michael I. Holmes, the site was obsolete. When offered new, well researched information, he did not bother to update the site. 

Now with new research tools available on the internet, Mugwumps is but a nostalgic view of yesteryear when we called the Cook's Sure-Grip banjo tailpiece a "Cammed No-Knot".

The current accepted serial number dating chart for Fairbanks and Vega banjos was compiled by Peter Corfield. The June 1978 issue of Pickin' magazine has Jim Bollman's serial number list and the manufacturing dates that coincide with those serial numbers. I will scan and post the list from 1933 to 1972 to help Paul fill the gaps.

Jim Bollman did tell me that he stands by his research on the pre 1920 dates of his serial number list, but conceded that Corfield's dating chart could be more accurate from 1920 on.

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Edited by - Bob Smakula on 02/25/2026 04:43:49

Bob Smakula - Posted - 02/25/2026:  04:57:30

1933 to 1972 Vega serial number dating chart, compiled by Jim Bollman and published in the June 1978 issue of Picking' magazine.

1933 to 1972 Vega Serial Numbers

 

Pauls Pretty Good Stuff - Posted - 02/25/2026:  07:50:33

Thanks for posting that list, Bob. The reason I asked is that I have a Vox IV with serial #98779 which would make it the last banjo Vega built in 1950? Paul

Culloden - Posted - 02/25/2026:  10:47:23

The Mugwmps site, accurate or not, agrees with that date.

mikehalloran - Posted - 02/25/2026:  11:56:16

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Smakula

1933 to 1972 Vega serial number dating chart, compiled by Jim Bollman and published in the June 1978 issue of Picking' magazine.

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Mike Longworth was in charge of Vega at Martin and claimed those numbers were accurate. Jim may have gotten that list from Mike but I don't know one way or the other.

On my list of things to ask Greg Deering at NAMM last month was why he didn't post those. Deering didn't exhibit this year, however. I found him cruising the halls on Friday and during our discussion, one thing led to another and I forgot to ask him about that.

Pauls Pretty Good Stuff - Posted - 02/25/2026:  11:57:26

Mark, Right you are! and Mugwumps confirms that I have the last of the year's builds.

The Old Timer - Posted - 02/25/2026:  14:00:23

WOW! Those serial numbers seem to show Vega banjo production running at 35 instruments per year, for years in a row. How did they keep the doors open?  And their biggest year of all was 1966-67 when they hit 910??!  And then sold out to Martin in 1970?   They must have been plain old exhausted.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 02/25/2026 14:09:58