Alhambra-01 Alhambra-02 Alhambra-03 Alhambra-04 Alhambra-05 Alhambra-06 Alhambra-07 Alhambra-08 Alhambra-09 Alhambra-10 Alhambra-11 Alhambra-12 Alhambra-13 Alhambra-14 Alhambra-15 Alhambra-16 Alhambra-17 Alhambra-18 Alhambra-19 Alhambra-20

1931 Epiphone Alhambra Recording 19 fret tenor banjo. This banjo is just below the Bandmaster model and included in the Professional level range in the Epiphone catalogue. The 5 piece neck is made from rich walnut sandwiched with 2 outer maple strips and ebony centre with the headstock and fretboard made from mother of pearl pyralin, hand engraved, artistically tinted and set upon a foundation of 5 multicoloured veneers. The side of the fingerboard is bound with white pyralin and inset with position dots. The six ply resonator is faced with specially designed pyralin in a shell effect contrasted and enhanced by coloured checkered wood marquetry top edge. The metal parts are quadruple silver plated in a smooth satin finish that accentuates the beauty of the fingerboard and head plate. The tuners are Grover 4: 1 ratio geared and in perfect working order.

The heavy flange is the later ‘X’ style which slips over the 3/4″ thick multiply rim. The tone ring in the Alhambra is the same type fitted to all of the recording models. Fitted with the engraved Grover Deluxe tailpiece with spring cover and tension adjuster screw and the Epiphone patented armrest which attaches to the tension hoop with 2 x machine screws. Recently fitted with a new 10 – 15/16″ Remo renaissance head, new strings and a new Marinie Toman bridge. The banjo is in excellent condition and sounds amazing and comes with the original vintage brown leatherette case with inner purple velvet lining. I have just done a complete re-fret to the banjo, so there are years of playing ahead.

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Click link below to hear a video of the Alhambra

https://youtu.be/96t99Ji5iGA

Baldwin-Style-D-01 Baldwin-Style-D-02 Baldwin-Style-D-03 Baldwin-Style-D-04 Baldwin-Style-D-05 Baldwin-Style-D-06 Baldwin-Style-D-07 Baldwin-Style-D-08 Baldwin-Style-D-09 Baldwin-Style-D-10

ODE Baldwin Style D tenor banjo built in Boulder, Colorado USA around 1967 before they became Ome Banjos.. Probably not a banjo that has been heard of much in the Irish  Traditional Music circles, but think of OME tenor banjos, made in Colorado USA? You got it! OME banjo Company were formally known as the ODE banjo Company.

Recently researching information on the ODE banjo company their catalogue describes their instruments as follows…

Baldwin banjos have been designed by musicians who truly know and appreciate the instrument. Skilled craftsmen blend detailed hand work with modern techniques of construction. All parts are built to rigid specifications to insure consistent quality and to incorporate design refinements. For added strength and beauty the hand-crafted necks of mahogany or walnut are laminated with a centre strip of rose-wood between two thin layers of maple.

Other marks of exceptional quality are the extra heavy brass tension hoop and resonator flange. This is the only ever built banjo with a 16:1 geared neck adjustment rod. Tonally the Baldwin is designed to provide the crisp resonance and lingering depths of the bright authentic banjo sound. In this Style D model it uses a multiply maple rim with heavy brass flat top tone ring. Some further reading can be seen here on this link.

It is also nice to hear on different banjo forums i.e the banjo hangout that owners have held on to their Baldwins over the years, and to those who parted with them only have stories of regret! Maybe I should keep this banjo (and risk divorce!!)

Banjo Details

• Walnut neck laminated with one rose-wood and two maple centre stripes.
• matching walnut resonator with concentric purfling rings and binding on upper and lower edges.
• Distinctive Baldwin peghead design and elaborate mother of pearl inlays.
• Ebony fingerboard, MOP position markers, bound with ivoroid.
• Multiply maple rim with heavy brass flathead tone ring.
• Gold plated metal parts throughout.
• ODE 4:1 ratio geared tuning pegs
• Upgraded Oettinger tail piece
• Adjustable truss rod in neck (seen in photos at heel position)

Comes with a Canadian made TKL hardshell case with black fur lining. The new price of this banjo back in 1975 was $1094.50

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click on link below for video of Baldwin

https://youtu.be/ePmwYOKkojI