ODE Baldwin Style C Tenor Banjo

ODE-Style-C-01

ODE-Style-C-02

ODE-Style-C-03

ODE-Style-C-04

ODE-Style-C-05

ODE-Style-C-06

ODE-Style-C-07

ODE-Style-C-08

ODE-Style-C-09

ODE-Style-C-10

ODE-Style-C-11

ODE Baldwin Style C 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 C 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!

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.
• Laminated 7 ply, 11″ maple rim with heavy brass flathead tone ring.
• Nickel plated metal parts throughout.
• ODE 4:1 ratio geared tuning pegs
• ODE 3-way adjustable tail piece made from cast bronze.
• ODE armrest made from extra thick brass
• Adjustable truss rod in neck (seen in photos at heel position)

Overall, these banjos appeal to melodic players. They have a brighter, bell-like tone than Gibson banjos with excellent balance among the strings. The Ode tailpiece is long and heavy, which also contributes to the tone.

The banjo has a thick multi-ply maple rim with nickel hardware. The flange is a heavy, brass one piece flange that allows the banjo to project across stage. Ode banjos also have a unique truss rod adjustment system that is found in the heel of the banjo and require a special key.

Comes with a Linton hard shell case with green fur lining.

Sold