Horn-u-Copia's Display of Makers

In 1881, Vega were guitar/banjo makers. From 1884, they served as the brass instrument branch of Scott and Odell. In 1909 they absorbed the Standard Band Instrument Co.

They also used the Odell mark.

In 1889, in Boston, Mass., U.S.A., Julian Nelson and his brother Carl, with two skilled musical instrument makers named John Pahn and John Swenson, formed a small company for the making of guitars. Calling themselves The Vega Company, Julian Nelson and the two Johns started to produce some high-quality guitars in their one- roomed ~factory. (Carl Nelson took no active part in production; he was merely the financial adviser (book-keeper) in the beginning).

Business prospered and kept the three craftsmen busy but for some years Vega guitars were known only in and around Boston.

Julius Nelson was an expert on woods and was always responsible for the selection and purchase of the quality timbers that went into the making of Vega instruments. (He died on July l4th 1920 at the age of 51 but his insistence on only the best woods for Vega instruments was a legacy he left behind him).

After a few years Julius and Carl Nelson purchased the controlling interest of the other two partners and Carl entered the firm as full-time financial adviser and a move was made to larger premises on one of the water-front streets in Boston. To cope with the fast-Increasing demand for Vega instruments, a number of workmen were added to the pay-roll and several wood-working machines installed.

In addition to guitars, the Vega company now started to make mandolins, which were fast becoming popular in the U.S.A. With Mandolin Clubs (orchestras) being formed everywhere in America, the name of Vega started to become known from the east coast to California.

The demand for Vega guitars and mandolins continued to grow apace and soon the company had outgrown its small factory. Having in mind future development of the company.

In 1898 (some sources say 1884) the two brothers Nelson bought the Standard Band Instrument Company at 62 Sudbury St., from Thompson & Odell (the music publishers and instrument importers) who, incidentally, had originally acquired the firm and its factory about 1880 from Quimby Brothers and D. C. Hall (its founders) who were the first instrument makers of any note in Boston. This was the first expansion to make it possible for the Vega company to sell goods other than those they actually made. (It is interesting to note that today the Vega Co. sells a wide range of band and orchestral instruments in addition to those they themselves make).

The Vega plant was moved into the spacious Standard Co. factory at 62 Sudbury Street where, with additional machinery and up-to-date facilities, they remained until June 1917 when they moved to even larger premises at 155 Columbus Avenue...

Contribute new Data (or Corrections):

Information posted here will be added to this page.

This is not the place to ask questions, as users will only occasionally visit a particular Maker's
page. Pease use the forum to ask questions or talk about your instrument.
(Please use the forum for discussions, questions, etc.)