ZEPP Country Music, Inc.

When Baldwin bought Ode in 1965, they acquired a bunch of the aluminum pots that Chuck Ogsbury had been so successful in devloping. They must have kept a bunch of them around for quite a while, because they didn't drop the name "Baldwin" from the headstock until they moved production to the Gretsch facility ca. 1973, but this one has an "Ode" stamped pot! So, how do we know it's a Baldwin-era Ode, and not a pre-1965 Ode-Ode? Well, for one thing, there are no Grade and Model stampings in the correct places. Also, the truss rod is adjusted through a right-angle hole in the heel (a Baldwin innovation).

This one is in good shape--it has some bumps and dings and tarnished nickel, but is in otherwise fine playing condition. Hear this banjo and/or see and hear it played (1.5mb .wmv file).

It's a collector's item consigned here for $1495, with hardshell case.

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	The mahogany neck is extra long--the so-called "Seeger-style," having three extra low frets; de riguer during the 1960s Folk Boom!			That long neck, makes for a big banjo!
	The peghead has a rosewood overlay.			The tuners appear to be the original Ode-made planetaries.
	That aluminum pot has a cast "shelf" on which rests a rolled brass tone ring, giving it a "raised head" or "arch top" configuration.			As one who bought an Ode having a similar configuration in 1964, I can attest to the bright and loud tonal qualities of this instrument's configuaration--I used mine through all the bands I played in, and to this day it's the only good bluegrass banjo I've owned!

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