Vega Guitars

Vega 446 dreadnought guitar circa mid 70's: Martin: vintage: old:

 This is Vega, however it is a reinvention in name only of the famous banjo and archtop manufacturer. Martin bought out Egmond in the Netherlands famous for bringing guitars to the masses in the '50 and beyond and this was the result. I also understand that some Vega's were also made in Japan. The soundhole label states "CF Martin Organisation Made in the Netherlands"

The guitar is an all solid wood construction (no laminates) featuring a reasonably tight even grained German spruce soundboard and I believe solid but may be laminate African mahogany back and sides with a nice figure and colour. It has what I consider to be a perfect dread body shape. Everything is bookmatched and is lightly built with Martin based internal bracing. It has Kolb enclosed machine heads in nickel finish. The buttons are tarnished but I think that just adds to the look. They are marked "made in W Germany" and are smooth and effective. Fully working truss rod (lightly oiled a while back) in a nice feel South American mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard 1 11/16" at the nut

The front is decorated with the subtlest of sunburst (described as shaded finish in the brochure) and simple black and white binding/sound hole inlay and although I have always associated sunburst with cheaper guitars, it really is well done.  The guitar is completely crack free but does have some slight surface checking on upper bouts. The guitar appears stable with no excessive bellying behind the East Indian Rosewood bridge. I use 11's rather than the spec'd Martin 150 mediums,originally recommended. It is fully set up for finger style and the action is fine. There is some chipping to the internal bridge plate but not to the point where any repair is required and will not, if care is taken when replacing strings. I have replaced the bridge pins as the original Ivoroid ones had shrunk (possibly the reason for chipping?), Overall money has been invested where it matters - the wood. I have been unable to identify the exact age from the serial number on the neck block, but believe the age estimation as per the title to be correct.  

Also have the original hard case in good condition with no damage to the vinyl covering, stitching, handle or catches (no key) but showing its age ......looks great!

 I am not going to comment on the tone, it's pointless. It's a very playable good condition 30 year old, played in, solid wood standard Martin x braced dreadnought..... what more could you ask for, If you want more info about Egmond and Vega you could contact Wim Markenhof he is very helpful on all matters Egmond. Click on the Guitar below for his website