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18 messages

Baldwin Banjo

12 Jul 03 - 12:04 PM (#981855)
Subject: Baldwin Banjo
From: chip a

I just bought a Baldwin Style C banjo from just after they bought Ode in '66. Anyone else have one? How do you like it and what style do you play on it? What have you found to be it's weak points or strong points?
I play old time two finger w/o picks. I have a Bart Reiter which I love but it doesn't have the volume when played finger style.
I'm interested in your experiences with these banjos.

Chip


12 Jul 03 - 11:42 PM (#982139)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: X

Bobby Thompson played a Baldwin so it can't be all bad.


13 Jul 03 - 12:07 AM (#982146)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: DonMeixner

I play an Ode Long Neck 5 from about 1961. If they hsaven't much changed in the following 5 years it is a great banjo. Under valued and under appreciated by many.

Don


13 Jul 03 - 04:33 PM (#982489)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: X

A little light in the rim and tonering but a very good banjo. Nice even tone up and down the neck.


13 Jul 03 - 09:59 PM (#982633)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: Jeep man

Mine is a Baldwin Ode Model D. Bought in 77 or 78. I've never had a reason to replace it. Jeep


14 Jul 03 - 12:31 AM (#982711)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: Guy Wolff

I played most of my bar band years with a Baldwin Ode I got from Rodger Sprung. The band was called POLCAT witch might tell a bit . For some reason I thought Baldwin bought Ode in the Seventys. Shows how little i know.I was playing this instroment in 1973/75 It was an Ornamental banjo and was great on a mike. I did trade it off at Liberty banjo for a Mike Alison neck on a Tubaphone pot that fit me much better. Thats the banjo I wish I had'nt traded off. I think the ode got a make over by a younger Bob Flesher ( I think .. I guess putting two and two together 28 years later) and was an amazing inlayed monsterpiece as I heared !!
      i hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoyed the time I had with mine. It lived through things wilder than in the Blues Brothers bar scenes. Strong banjo in more then one way.. Al the best , Guy


14 Jul 03 - 11:02 AM (#982959)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: chip a

Thanks for the feedback. Last night I made a tape of the banjo and I love the sound. I enjoy this banjo more every time I pick it up.


14 Jul 03 - 11:13 AM (#982969)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: X

Your banjo's history is right here.

http://www.omebanjos.com/


14 Jul 03 - 11:42 AM (#982992)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: chip a

Thanks Banjoest, I had typed "Baldwin Banjo" into Google Saturday and found the Ome history at their site. I'm thrilled with the Baldwin so far.

Chip


14 Jul 03 - 11:59 AM (#983008)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: X

Chip, you're welcomed....

I have a Juggernaut in my banjo collection. I use it mostly for playing melodically. It's evenness lends itself for that style.

Hugh


26 Mar 09 - 10:21 AM (#2597743)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST,Bud Hall

I bought my #D baldwin in early NOV of 1967 i still have it (we played PRO ) i installed a pre 1960 mastertone raised head tone ring right away i played BLUEGRASS & it was! & IS THE-BEST its still in MINT shape ive owned gibsons-fenders-B&D but odes are the prettyest & bst sounding NEVER a problem only thing better is a OLD raised head for CRACK. Bud Hall i have a #C 1980 MINT shape to sell if interested


16 Jan 10 - 07:11 PM (#2813971)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST,terry

I have a 6500 DSR 1977 Ode. It is a beautiful banjo in near perfect condition. If Gibson makes a louder or clearer sounding banjo,I would love to hear it. I'm by no means a banjo authotity, but I do know and listen to several late 20's and early 30's gibsons that blugrass musicians in my area own and play and I can tell you none of them sound any better than my Ode. I can tell you with certainty that every Ode that I have seen have the highest craftmanship in their construction. Jost my opinion!!!


24 Jan 10 - 06:05 PM (#2820657)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST,ed

I have a 1966 Balwin Banjo I purchased in 1966 in Tin Pan Alley New York City. At the time it was a better banjo then the RB250 Gibson Mastertone at the time of this post I am selling it on Ebay. Getting to old to play any more.


11 Jul 10 - 06:55 PM (#2943648)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST,Paul

I have a type C Baldwin which I bought second hand in the eighties.
It has served me very well over the years.Its good points are its tremendous drive and projection.On the negative side, it is extremely heavy due to its tone ring. It also tends to go out out of tune at the slightest provocation.( What else is new re banjos and tuning)
All in all it is a good hard driving instrument but whether it is better than a RB 250 Mastertone is questionable.I will be selling it soon and with it will go a bit of my heart.


12 Jul 10 - 01:21 PM (#2944035)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: wordfella

Got my Baldwin D in early 1970. Paid $600 for it. I love everything about it, especially the thin walnut neck.


22 Jul 10 - 02:21 PM (#2949994)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST,Larry

I was discharged from Army in 1967, living in Indianapolis I bought a Gold Plated Baldwin.don't remember what model but at the time it was the top of the line,to me it was equal to Gibsons Granada. payed over a 1,000 bucks for it sure wish I had it back.


19 Sep 10 - 06:32 PM (#2989937)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST

Larry, I bought a Baldwin D model Gold 5 string in Indianapolis, in 1972 from a man named A B Duncan, he was a individual dealer from his home on the northeast side of town. I now have that banjo for sale. Ray e-mail rj42220@yahoo.com


14 Feb 17 - 02:06 AM (#3838797)
Subject: RE: Baldwin Banjo
From: GUEST,Mikel Roe

Howdy,
I bought a 5string , long neck direct from the factory in Gold Hill, CO. I THINK IT CIST 95.oo in 1963. Anyway I have not seen it for many years. I was wondering if you could send me photos of your banjo. I'd just like to remember what it looked like. Thanks, Mikel. Mikero222002@yahoo.com.