About Bill Ruxton Expertise What kind of old guitar do I have? Is it valuable? How old is it? Where was it made? Is it worth repairing? Advice on buying new or used guitars, accessories, etc. [Note: While I can give some general info on approximate values of types of instruments, neither I nor anyone else can do an "appraisal" without actually seeing and handling the instrument] I have almost 40 years` experience as a player and afficianado. If I don`t have an answer myself, I can often refer people to other authoritative sources.
Question I have an older Vega guitar that is an acoustic electric with one pickup. The label on the inside says "Vega -the artists choice as the finest of all instruments+ has a serial number of 9321 and model SE-241 Vega Co Boston 16 Mass USA. I'm thinking of having this restored, but cannot find any info on it. Can you help?
Thanks
Answer Dear Torry,
As you may know, Vega was best known as a maker of fine banjos. Their guitars, however, are a mixed bag. Some of their better models are very fine instruments, but these are the exceptions.
I'm not aware of a source for infoirmation on Vega serial numbers, and there's very little available documentation on their various guitar models.
Here's what I can tell you from my own observations and findings along my long and weary path. Vega electric guitars usually had very primitive electronics, even when more modern technology was readily available at the time. Some of their designs were kind of wacky, such as having the tone and volume controls on the tailpiece.
Many Vega archtop electrics had bodies built by Harmony of Chicago. While most of these were probably typical low-end, laminated birch Harmonys, there may have been some Vegas made on better-grade Harmony Cremona or Patrician-style bodies.
If you go to google.com, and search on "Vega guitar," you'll find some links that may be helpful. One is from a dealer in vintage instruments who is "spinning" the value of old Vegas. Lots of what he says just ain't true ("Advanced electronics," etc.)
The harmonycentral.com site has some owners' reviews of other Vega SE models.
You'll also find one of my previous Q & As about another Vega. That response has some detail that may be of interest.
So, is it worth being restored? That depends on the costs of the restoration work, the market value of the guitar, and whatever it's worth to you as a player's axe, as just a cool old guitar, or as a piece of family history.
The market value is probably not spectacular. There's no demand for these among players or serious coillectors. Goofy collectors with limited budgets (like me) sometimes like these kinds of guitars because they're offbeat and affordable.
Restoration work should only be done by a skilled, experienced luthier (guitar builder), not your typical screwdriver-jockey technician at your local music store.
This kind of work is expensive, and takes time. A neck reset alone usually costs $400 or more, and that's what a lot of these kinds of old guitars need, as well as other work.
Avoid refinishing unless its original finish is virtually gone. Tone improves as the original finish ages. A new finish will lack the guitar's full previous tone for another 30 to 60 years.
If it suits your ears, hands, and eyes, that's all you can ask of any guitar. Vintage vibe, obscure/wacko chic, family history - all of those may add to your personal value and appreciation.
It sounds to me that you like this guitar enough to get it playable. So, look for some good luthiers, get more than one evaluation and estimate if possible, and raid your change jar.
If you email me some pictures of it, I might be able to tell you more. I'd enjoy seeing it, and it would add to my small body of guitar history research.
Hope this helps. Take care of it, and have fun with it,
