Last month, the BRC website had its 5th birthday, and it has accrued 600K search engine hits. To celebrate these special milestones, our workshop has introduced the new “Freedom Eagle” open back 5 string banjo. Our first owner on eBay reported, the “Banjo looks even better in person and sounds great! Plus super fast shipping! A+.”
The BRC founder`s band wrapped up the birthday month by performing again to benefit the Children`s Hospital at its annual `Safe Kids Day` festival which fosters child health through safety at home, at play, and on the farm.
At the end of our set, the band jumped into a spirited and up-tempo rendition of “Salt Creek”, and a kinetic troupe of younger dancers began joyfully high-stepping to the pulse of the music at the foot of the stage.
We concluded our springtime season with our yearly family band dinner, and we all count our blessings as summer approaches.
P.S. Check-out the open back BRC 5 string Freedom Eagle banjo on eBay, May 15-22.
2 Comments
What a great site! I bought Vega, SS-5, #618, new back in the 70’s. Unfortunately, I discovered my abilities were greatly lacking. Its been in my attic since. The friend who was with me when I bought it, is interested in buying it. Any information and price range would be appreciated. Thank you
Jerry- Thank you for your query and kind comment about my website. Your `Folklore Model` SS-5 long neck banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, by C. F. Martin in 1973. Prior to that, thirteen SS-5 banjos were assembled in Nazareth from Vega parts after Martin purchased Vega in May of 1970, and these Boston instruments bear the `M` serial number followed by six digits. Martin initiated a new serial number system in 1972 and then built 37 long neck Folklore Model banjos during 1972-73. The SS-5 appeared in the 1970 and 1972 Martin catalogues but was absent from the 1976 catalogue. In 1971, the SS-5 listed for $285 and was a no-frills version of the more expensive Pete Seeger model long neck 5-stringer that retailed for $488. The SS-5 featured a heavy 10 ply maple rim, a heavy top notched tension hoop, a metal tone ring, a 3 piece maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck tension rod, nickel-plated parts, geared tunings pegs, a plastic head, and a shaded mahogany finish. The Vega SS-5 banjos built in Boston in the 1960`s are more a collector`s item than the later C.F. Martin model, probably because of the popularity of the Limelighters and Kingston Trio during those years. My guess is that your #618 is worth something in the $600-800 range these days depending on condition. Hope this helps and all the best, Barry