Tony Creamer at Fretted Instruments in Amherst, MA is an enthusiast of Vegas I believe and if Lynn is still working with him, she is a fine, fine luthier. There is a shop in Holyoke, MA (Bernuzios, maybe?) that frequently come across Vegas and restoration seems to be part of the store's purpose. There seem to be a number of luthiers with experience on Vegas, especially up here in the north country (I think Vega's Boston home is part of the reason). I want to write mandolin orchestra music for the Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath as well as others). Lovecraft, anyone? (for those in the know. I'm thinking of a nice period piece, an authentic setting for mandolin orchestration. When the instrument is back in my hands, I will return to composing music (not just writing folk-rock tunes, as I have been doing) - long neglected since I left music school. I think of these as being the finest (and affordable), non-bowlback, classical style mandolins out there (although I'm dying to play a Lyon and Healy, but that MA$ I don't need!). In a way, I'm saddened by the numbers of people giving up these treasures, but it's not so bad for those of us who want them.

This mando is a keeper, I don't regret my trade (I think Kate at Maple Leaf in Brattleboro thinks I'm mad though. Not to mention they stressed how non-invasive the luthier is.)Īpparently, my 205 is a later model as well, I think the number begins 39. I'm heartened as the folks I brought it to recognized the instrument and its difficulties (the question/statement, 'Your tuners work ok, right? You know you can't replace those easily, they haven't made those in 40 years' speaks volumes itself.

I will recant this experience upon completion. My new Vega is off to a luthier I have no experience with for a new saddle and set-up (I'm going with Thomastik Mittels for this, I hope they aren't too heavy - though I recall somebody having used these on old Cylinderbacks).

Vega mandolin serial numbers