Baldwin bought Ode in 1966, and the name `Ode` was not used for 5 years per sales contract. In 1970, Baldwin moved from Colorado to Arkansas, and Gretsch took over manufacturing Baldwin-Ode banjos, and soon the Baldwin pre-fix was dropped back to just `Ode`. My own 2SR banjo made in 1972 has `Baldwin-Ode` on the peghead. Banjo aficionado Ed Britt and I inspected the banjo thoroughly and we came to the conclusion that it's definitely a transition model from the time when ODE was taken over by Baldwin in the late 1960s. In fact it doesn't even have a serial number. It has all the specs of a pre-Baldwin/ODE banjo but already with the Baldwin banner in the headstock.

Posted -: 23:23:30 quote: Originally posted by BoneDigger I have a line on an old Baldwin Ode banjo at a local dealer and I no nothing of these banjos. It played really well and seemed to be in good shape. It was extremely LOUD. Anyway, I know nothing much about it. It had pretty good inlays and the peghead had a 'Baldwin' banner and said Ode below it. Are these generally pretty good?

Todd Good grief - - - A Baldwin ODE? If you don't want it, send me a private message where it can be bought.

Baldwins have been the 'go-to-banjo' for quite a few professional pickers back in the 70's/ 80's/ etc. Posted -: 04:22:09 quote: Originally posted by BoneDigger I have a line on an old Baldwin Ode banjo at a local dealer and I no nothing of these banjos.

It played really well and seemed to be in good shape. It was extremely LOUD. Anyway, I know nothing much about it. It had pretty good inlays and the peghead had a 'Baldwin' banner and said Ode below it. Are these generally pretty good? Todd I have owned a Baldwin ODE Style C since 1981 when I purchased it from Shade Tree Music in Southern California and still play it.

I started on that banjo and have debated selling it before but always back out after taking it out of the case. Posted -: 04:44:14 As you're learning, Baldwins/Odes are highy respected and very well-built banjos.

They're also approaching a modest degree of collectability. Try to get a little more information about it - year (or serial number) and model number. Some photos would help. Mike Stanger here on the Hangout (Stanger is his handle) is one of our resident Ode experts and can give you a lot of information.

My first banjo was an Ode 2SR - their entry level instrument, archtop with an aluminum rim. It's quite good for that, and plays beautifully. With your description of 'nice inlays' I'm guessing you're looking at a model C or D, which had a wood rim and a cast tone ring. Raschet induktivnosti drosselya na ferritovom koljce.

Posted -: 07:11:12 Bluegrass pickers liked the Baldwin/Ode Models C and D. Good flat head tone rings, nice walnut wood. Model C is nickel (maybe chrome?) plated with modest inlay pattern. Model D is gold plated, engraved, with big flashy floral inlays. These models are indeed heavy and loud. You can see Bobby Thompson playing the Model D on the old Hee Haw shows.