For those who love, own & play Ode Banjos

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2nd banjo - ྍ80 ODE C

From taffywasathief on 11/12/2015 11:19:23 AM

This was a Christmas present to myself that I'm finally getting around to showing off. I've had a Deering Goodtime openback for a long time now (~7 years) and am extremely glad I finally pulled the trigger on this banjo. I had been thinking for awhile about getting an RK 35 or 36, but just couldn't bring myself to order one (i have never played one and the stores around me only had the lower end models in stock).  On top of that, the more I thought about it, I felt that I really wanted an instrument that already had some history, and was definitely preferring if it was American made. A good friend of mine, who is a musician in Portland,  was back east visiting our hometown (about 2.5 hours from where I live now) and we had been talking about how I was really wanting a new banjo. In his first day back he stumbled upon this banjo recently posted on Craigslist. We both did some research, legwork, etc, met the couple selling it near my hometown, and I walked away with an ODE C. It had apparently been passed down to the son or daughter of the owner when they passed, and they (having no use for it) had offered it as payment to a friend of theirs who they had contracted to do some flooring work in their house.  The wood of the banjo was in great shape (no buckle rash or anything like that), but the frets were rough, and it was apparent that it had been sitting for awhile (gunk all over the tuners, somewhat of an odd smell from the case (original), and some cob webs in the resonator (it had a clear head when I got it). 

I got 'er all fixed up by Rob Zwally, who did a really great job (full refret, new nut, new head, filled in holes from a previously installed sliding capo), and here she is in all her glory. 

In the end, I definitely spent more than I had originally planned but after getting it set up and playing it, I'm satisfied and I can't imagine ever letting  it go.  

Also, if you noticed the strap, that's a custom Jonny Corndawg (now goes by Jonny Fritz) strap with a portrait of my dog on it (my other dog is on the backside with my last name). He's a quirky county musician who also does lots of leather work when he's not touring. Check him out if you're interested. 

3 Comments
	TLG says: 3/18/2015 1:51:41 PM Congratulations You have a real banjo now 1981 ???? Is there a paper label on the rim ? What are the numbers ? Tommy
	taffywasathief says: 3/18/2015 4:46:12 PM Yep, paper label. 6505 and 3-80-101. I guess it's from March 1980 then, right? Must have mixed some of the numbers up in my head when I was writing the post.
	TLG says: 3/18/2015 5:04:45 PM To date there hasn't been a sn# found or posted in 1981, & general thought is none were made past 1980 Enjoy you banjo
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