I am an active duty Army soldier who will be retiring this summer and as a retirement gift to myself I am seeking to purchase a banjo and learn to play. This is something I have wanted to do for years but never found the time to devote to it. My knowledge and experience with Banjos is very limited so excuse the ignorance. Long story short I have found what I believe to be a good deal on a quality banjo but need some advice.
The banjo I am looking at is a Baldwin Ode (Model # 6505 / Ser # 8-80-63). The finger board has hearts and flowers on it and it has a wood rim with tone ring. Wood appears to be walnut. Asking price is $1000.00. Do vstrechi v gorodke watch. The banjo is in perfect condition and sounds fantastic. I examined is thoroughly and find nothing wrong with it at all.
Finally, in 1971 I heard of a store north of Philadelphia, “Zapf’s,” that supposedly had a rogue buyer who had stocked up on high-end banjos for some reason, and had a Baldwin D plectrum on display. I jumped at the chance to get it. (Here is a informative history of Ode, Baldwin, Baldwin-Ode, and Ome banjos.). Retail musical instrument store specializing in new, used & vintage instruments and accessories.
Is $1000.00 a decent price for a banjo of this type? Also does anyone know the year it was made of any other specifics from the model and serial number? I thank each of you in advance for your help!!
Ole, Baldwin Ode banjos were made from 1966 until the very early 1980's, so your banjo had to have been built sometime during that 14 or 15 year period. Most that I've encountered have been from the 60's and early 70's. The ones I've seen and played have been very serviceable instruments. The instrument you're considering matches the specs of the Baldwin Ode Model C, which was their midrange instrument. You can find the model description about halfway down on this PDF file of their 1967 catalog: Hopefully someone with far greater personal experience with Baldwin Ode banjos than I have chime in on this thread, but having put together more than one five string banjo from parts, I can tell you that the asking price sounds fairly reasonable to me.
Just getting parts of that quality to build one for yourself would cost close to that. So I'd definitely try to haggle on the price if I were you, but it doesn't sound outlandishly expensive to me. You might want to check with the folks on the Mudcat Cafe website, to get their opinions on the price - there are probably more dedicated five string banjo players on that forum than on this one. But it sounds like a good deal to me.
I actually prefer the sound of walnut banjos to maple ones, as they have a sweeter midrange and low end, in my opinion. Hope this helps. Wade Hampton Miller.
Final Reduction. I'll post it on eBay if it doesn't sell here. I would prefer a picker buy it, so here goes. Reduced from $9,000 to $7,000- Firm. I will ship it to you for that price- within the continental US. Vintage 1966 Baldwin Style D.
Serial number 277, which is THE earliest D in the Baldwin/Ode database. Built in Boulder, CO.
Comes with the original Lifton case. It is in incredible condition, near museum quality. Patch pes 2013 full version terbaru.
Completely original with the exception of two RR spikes at 7th and 9th frets. Even has the original friction peg on the 5th string. Sounds and plays fantastic.
I played it for Bobby Thompson a few years back and he loved it. I took it to Banjothon this year and it was a big hit. I have lots of photographs- email me if you'd like to see more. Price: $7,000.00 USD Shipping: I will pay actual shipping costs in the lower 48. Posted By: United States, Dalton, GA Contact Info: Ken Hamilton.Dalton, GA.706-483-8372.ken_hamilton@mannington.com Condition of Banjo: Used - Excellent Condition Type: Brand: Ad Status: Expired, #14611 Item viewed 6952 times © 2019 BanjoBuyer.com.
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