BrittDLD1 says:
4/12/2013 10:00:27 AM

Hi Bill -- With an #8xx serial, your banjo sounds like it has the Series 30, 52-hole Archtop sand-cast rim. (Chick Ogsbury STILL feels that was his best-sounding aluminum rim.)

Your banjo was the beginning of the GREAT ODE banjos. They had finally begun to produce 'professional'-level banjos, to rival Vega and Gibson, and were rapidly making a name for themselves. Even the original hard cases were custom-made for ODE, by Lifton -- and they were some of the BEST cases ever made.

These banjos don't come up for sale very often -- because many of the original owners STILL have them! They were an important part of their early adulthood -- and many pass them along to their children or grand kids. (Now that many of those old folkies are in their 70s, and 80s -- or deceased -- the early ODEs are beginning to show up more, as the children and grand kids decide to sell them...)

The additional info you have on the banjo -- "... correspondence and build sheets and customs documents, receipts ... 1962 product brochure and some accessories.." -- are the types of documentation that RARELY show up. They add to the history, and value of that particular instrument, and should be kept WITH it.

All of the original ODE factory documentation was turned over to Baldwin, when Chuck sold ODE, in 1966. Baldwin went bankrupt in 1980, and most of that original Factory documentation has never surfaced. It's assumed to have been trashed, or destroyed. (I'd love to get some scans of those documents, or xeroxes, if you have the capability to do that.)

Yes... That little "spike" was commonly at the 4th fret, below the 5th string nut, on most ODEs of this period. Be aware... IF it has a circular head to it -- it's actually a small brass SCREW, that has had it's head filed-down. That detail is ONLY used on early ODES -- so think of it as a "Badge of Originality." The BEST thing to do is to just add spikes to the OTHER frets, and leave the brass screw in its original place.

IF you try to just pull that screw out out -- you will damage the fretboard. If you MUST take it out, use a pair of pliers, or vice-grips, to carefully unscrew it. (And put the original screw in a small baggie, in the case pocket -- as 'original equipment". )

OOPS.. I just noticed... You already have had it removed... The old ODEs are much rarer than Vegas and Gibsons -- and most repair people have little experience with them. Someone who was really familiar with early ODES would have informed you that it was 'original'. (Only about 2200 'original' ODE, and "Muse" banjos -- total -- were ever made, in the 6 years Ogsbury ran the company.) When I started playing banjo in the late-60s, the desireable "prewar' Gibson from the late-'20s and 1930s were only 30 to 40 years old. Your ODE is now over 50 years old, and fewer of them were ever made.

A 25-fret long-neck banjo is usually tuned 3 frets BELOW the standard tuning of a 'standard'
22-fret banjo. They can be tuned to ANY tuning used by a standard banjo -- but pitched 3 frets lower, when tuned without a capo.

The simplest way to tune them, is put the capo on the 3rd fret -- and then tune to whichever tuning you would use on a 'standard 5-string. When you take the capo off-- and play the long-neck open -- it will be automatically be pitched 3 frets BELOW 'standard'. (No need to stain your brain trying to remember what those 'open' notes are...)

Pete Seeger developed the longneck as a way to quickly change keys, for singing -- WITHOUT having to completely retune the banjo into a different tuning. Pete had a low voice, and the lower pitches suited him better.

As for value... The Early ODEs are undervalued. (Good for the buyer. Not so good for the seller.)
Condition and originality still affect the price. It also depends on which GRADE of Model 33 you have.
In 1962 there were only TWO grades:

. . . o Grade I had a Rosewood fingerboard, and 3 center stripes in the back of the neck. It listed for $125 + $30 for a hard case + $5 shipping. ($160 in 1962 dollars = $1,230 in 2013 dollars)

. . . o Grade II had an EBONY fingerboard, and 5 center stripes in the back of the neck. It listed for $150 + $30 for a hard case + $5 shipping. ($185 in 1962 dollars = $1,422 in 2013 dollars)

billshee says:
4/12/2013 5:47:19 PM

Thanks for the info. I'd be glad to e-mail some pictures and scans of the documents I have if you like. I'd be interested in your thoughts. I believe I have a Grade I. Price on receipt was $125. If you want to provide me with contact info, I will try to send scans when I get a chance.

I had the 5th string capo spike replaced by The 12th Fret in Toronto. I watched him do it, but he didn't know why the original was on 9th fret. Unfortunately its gone, and I now have a nice new one for playing in G.

Thanks again for your comments.

BrittDLD1 says:
4/13/2013 9:27:01 AM

Hi Bill --

Please send me a "Private Message" by email through BHO, with your email address.

o If you click on the "BrittDLD1" link, next my photo (in this in this comment), you'll go to my BHO Home Page.

o On my Home Page, look below my photo for "Contact BrittDLD1" in large brown letters.

o Just below that, click on the link that says: "Send a Private Message".

o The "Email Banjo Hangout Member" box will pop up. Enter the subject. and your message -- and include YOUR email address. Click "Send Message" and it will automatically be sent to my email address.

o I'll then send you an email with MY email address.

o Apparently, you don't have YOUR "Private Messages" set correctly. I can't see the "Send a Private Message" link -- when I go to your home page.

(It's been so long... I can't remember HOW, or WHERE to set it...)

Gibson Mastertone RB-800 1980
Linked by june-apple 11 months ago: I have double name Baldwin ode model D!

Jerusalem Ridge on Banjo–Fast & Slow
Linked by alwaysintune 3 years ago

Forum Post: (untitled)
Linked by jun3machina 6 years ago

Forum Post: (untitled)
Linked by 35planar 7 years ago: Looking for an ODE 5-string neck, pre-Baldwin, dowel stick or no dowel stick, long or standard, tuners or none as long as the truss rod, frets, and wood are decent with no twist. I know, seems futile.

Tablature: Bach prelude to cello suite #1 in G major
Linked by zeemie 8 years ago