For those who love, own & play Ode Banjos

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I've flat forgotten when I bought my ODE.

From Billy Gillie on 3/17/2013 7:29:56 PM

Dear helpful someone,

Years ago (guess about 1962) Model 42 with a Serial # of 1776.  This one has the alum. pot, the fingerboard is of ?? and 'dotted'.  The wood used for the neck seems to be walnut with a center strip of maple.  No cover for the end of truss rod.  Included are their 'D-tuners' with the brass friction guards and there is a sliding fifth-string deal for fretting that string.   The resonator is of that darker wood with an aluminum edging.  

I played it for a bit and even had it over in Munich during my service time, then messed about with it for a while after.  I've not played it in years so if someone is interested in buying, I'd be interested selling.  I do not recall how much I paid for it back when and have no idea while after returning but because I began in earnest, the playing of the highland bagpipe, and the banjo was relegated to a case.  

It is quite nice shape - except for one thing!  When the folks sent over to Munich, the neck got broken (in tail section - straight across between fingerboard to bottom of the heel.  Golly, a case would have been a smart move but only blame myself for not telling Dad to really brace it all.  Anyway, had 'Hans' over then re-glue and since he was a talented one, it has held nicely all

As for the value in today's market but know the neck's situation, does not help matters .   Aside from that, no clue as to whether or not there is any interest in one such as this.   I know it does not nor would hold the interest that my next banjo holds, one that I was lucky to buy in the early seventies -  'all-original' Gibson RB-3  'Mastertone', 'flathead'  L&B -pattern ( factory-issued in early 1937).  It too has pretty much went to the case but has been shown about the past year or so.  Anyway, it too is up for sale.

Any suggestions about  current value or even my thoughts of selling on to someone?  I mean the ODE, as I have a fair idea about the Gibson.  If, however, anyone has a thought about the Gibson, that too would be welcomed.   Thanks very much.  

As an aside and a bit 'beyond' the ODE:  I read in a book about banjo players -  (Masters of the 5-STRING BANJO  banjo (In their own words and music) by Tony Trischka and Peter Wenick.)  (1988).  and noticed Eric Weissberg's name and information.  His banjo was listed as a 1975 (???) OME.  I wonder if he still plays it or perhaps later switched to another.  Presuming that it was what he used when recording the tunes for the film, Deliverance, seemed to work quite well!.  Anyone know?  More curious than concerned.

Thanks again, 

Bill

4 Comments
	stanger says: 3/17/2013 8:38:01 PM Hi, Bill... Your banjo was made in 1964. I own #1773, and it was completed in early June, but I didn't receive it until mid-July. Yes, Eric Weissburg still plays his Ome. I just saw a Judy Collins concert from 2011 on PBS last week, and he played it on the show. regards, stanger
Billy Gillie says: 3/18/2013 4:21:10 PM Thank you kindly, Stanger. Thank seems about the 'time' but because in '64 (all of) was indeed at Warner Kaserne in north Munchen. My confusion is that I am sure I'd received the banjo before even going into the USA (July, 1963). Ha - You can see why I need to ask these questions. The getting the banjo while there, was a fact and did get the neck repaired there. Maybe I can find the sales slip on it somewhere. It is on my Mastertone and a sales slip of it that I really messed up by not getting it from the its original owner. Anyway, thanks so much for that AND the bit about Eric and the OME. I'll have to tell my teacher (former - 50 years ago) too about EW. He got his first banjo lessons from both Marshall and and Eric down in Madison when they were matriculating at UW. Goood for you seeing that. I think that show was on here locally but missed it;will look for it next time. Regards, BG .
	stanger says: 3/18/2013 8:17:49 PM That's quite a pair of teachers! What got me to check my old banjo was, for years, I thought it's serial number was 1776. (easy one to remember!) But I was wrong, so memory's a bit fuzzy for both of us. regards, stanger
Billy Gillie says: 11/1/2015 7:02:19 PM Dear Mr. Stanger, Way back when...... in '13 you kindly responded with information about my Model 45 and Sr. No. - 1964. Good and thanks again for the information. As for this '1776' still have but just lent to a beginner to see if after numbers of lessons (to start on Thursday), that he'll continue. He'll pay a monthly fee for the use, and if wants to buy eventually, payments can be considered as partial payment. So, with that in mind, is there a price-range in which this banjo might find itself? Oh, has the 'D-tuners' as well. I'd not played it for a long time but after tuning up, it sounded good and solid. I wish I had had the old RB-3 (807-1) here for a comparison. Opps! Almost forgot! A little while ago, in the BHO classifieds found a '33' long-neck that looks just like this one (sans shorter neck and D-tuners on mine) and think the price was about $1300.00 - or close. Thanks so much, Bill G.
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