Banjo Talk

Banjo Talk Hello and Thank you for visiting to my page! For people that want to discuss banjos without having to belong to a group. Without you, there would be no me! Vinnie

I am Vinnie Mondello, www.4stringbanjos.com

I had the honor of being inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame in 2025! My name is Vincent ("Vinnie")Mondello
I am 64 yrs old , hail from Pflugerille, TX. Stromberg 4 string tenor banjos are my passion. My Grandfather Frank,Great Uncle Victor and my Father James" Buster" Mondello were prominent banjo players from E.Boston Mass. and playe

d with many bands and orchestras throughout their lives. My Dad grew up playing instruments in Chas and Elmer Stromberg's shop at 40 Hanover St. , E.Boston. My Grandfather met Chas.A.Stromberg at the Thompson-Odell factory in t he early 1900s and worked also with him at the Stromberg shop ,as well as the Fairbanks-Vega Co., building and testing instruments. My Dad passed away 1-27-2011 and I am doing what I can to keep the family history involved in 4 string banjo. Thank you all for your support over the years.

Here is a scan you guys on the UPS deal.How is this not their fault?Claim was made on 2/2 after no tracking, and on the ...
06/18/2026

Here is a scan you guys on the UPS deal.
How is this not their fault?
Claim was made on 2/2 after no tracking, and on the request of the customer, I usually give at least 2 weeks but it would not have mattered in this case.

If you want a few more horror stories, look here.
New tech , with bugs and ways to hack it? Who knows.
https://www.reddit.com/r/UPS/comments/1pk9avs/what_does_rfid_mean_is_my_package_lost/?solution=78ad0afae78ae43778ad0afae78ae437&js_challenge=1&token=7afd7253fec22262ff1c52b1703fe9ec78bf3068b64f0da55359818709e2bf64&jsc_orig_r=&rdt=39637

(Thanks T.J.)

Some of you may remember back in January, a Gibson RB 250 that was brought to me for repair went missing after being tak...
06/17/2026

Some of you may remember back in January, a Gibson RB 250 that was brought to me for repair went missing after being taken to UPS STORE #3315 in Round Rock TX.
It scanned in, and showed "on it's way" and then nothing.
The owner asked me to inquire into it as many do, and I filed an initial claim after a period of time long enough for it to be showing tracking. The claim was denied, and I was told that it was referred to a fraud division. I thought that meant store fraud, driver fraud, but after all this time they are trying not to pay the claim, stating that I have made too many claims on them over time and it seems suspicious. Even though it was a purchased label on my account, scanned at an authorized store and show on the way, and then a "delivery exception" and then nothing. So I guess I snuck back in and took it or made a deal with the driver? When is the last time I needed a 70s RB 250? When I could have taken all of your instruments over the years worth 2 times, 3 times the amount? Why are they still allowing me to ship, every week? No letters of warning, nothing. UPS "My Choice for business" member for 11 yrs and shipping with them for 30. So warning, if you ship something for someone, it gets lost, make them as receiver file the claim, period, or you life will suck. Now I have spent hours trying to help the owner that had it 50 yrs who now is asking me for even more of my time and it is taking its toll on my mental capacities and at this point I am wondering who I should sue. Any legal help, any lawyers that can assist me (Will pay) to see where I need to go to make this go away for me would be appreciated. Can furnish all doc and correspondences I have. Thanks. VM

Watching a 100 yr old cow come back to life, as I re-purpose another vintage hide. That was 11", it will be used on the ...
06/16/2026

Watching a 100 yr old cow come back to life, as I re-purpose another vintage hide. That was 11", it will be used on the 8" Banjo Mandolin that I just posted.
Thanks for looking and sharing, VM

1920s head, from 11" banjo, being re-used on a 1920s 8" banjo mando...

New Listings, page updatedThanks for looking and sharing, VMPM me with any questions.Click on the link:
06/10/2026

New Listings, page updated
Thanks for looking and sharing, VM
PM me with any questions.
Click on the link:

Here you will find vintage 4 string or tenor banjos for sale.

Courtesy listing  ON HOLD
06/09/2026

Courtesy listing

ON HOLD

I will be away from my shop on 6/4 to 6/7 watching State High School Baseball Championships with my cousin Jack, I think...
06/03/2026

I will be away from my shop on 6/4 to 6/7 watching State High School Baseball Championships with my cousin Jack, I think this is our 17 year of going. 3 days, 4 games a day, for the first two days and a 3 game day Saturday. Our gooses will be cooked. So if you have something important PM me, I'll check messages on and off.
Thanks, VM

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Pflugerville, TX

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