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Ode Banjos

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For those who love, own & play Ode Banjos

180 Members, Created 2/6/2011 -

Administrators: kwfolk1 (owner)

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From 10sbum on 2/16/2012 12:10:56 PM

Recently acquired a '79 Ode D (pics on my home page). The head tension was way too tight (almost B) and the sound was very bright and harsh, to my ear. I backed the tension down to between G and G#, replaced the compensated bridge with an SS, and the sound improved greatly. Any thoughts from members regarding tension and bridge choices? Thanks - Bill.

7 Comments
	stanger says: 2/17/2012 9:40:08 AM Hi, Bill... You did just fine with your choices already! I have a couple of my Odes set up very similarly. I also have one with a Renaissance head on it, and the setup is slightly different on that banjo, but the head is quite different from a standard Remo.
	Disco Kid says: 2/18/2012 7:24:39 AM Hi Bill, I recently picked up a D and it had a clear, torqued down head with a 1/2" bridge. Shrill and buzzy as all get out and the only banjo that really numbed my hearing. Must be something with the Odes? Replaced with a 9/16 SS w/ a Ren head and it's now a fine thing.
	stanger says: 2/18/2012 2:29:26 PM The 70's setups were very often way too tight. It was just the thing back then. I have yet to pick up a banjo from that era that didn't have the head & tailpiece cranked down as far as they could go, and equipped with x-light strings and a winky little bridge. Bright and tight!
	10sbum says: 2/23/2012 4:10:19 AM Thanks for your comments, guys. Got the setup pretty much dialed in, and am very pleased with the sound. The banjo was a closet queen and is in almost new condition. Really impressed with the materials and workmanship. I'll need to adapt to the neck profile and scale length, but that will come with practice.
	Dave Peterson says: 5/30/2012 3:16:17 PM Just bought a '79 C model in excellent condition. It sounds great and has a 5 star head on it that appears to be very old. I believe its tuned to a B. Any ideas of best set up (string gages, head, bridge thickness, etc)
	Dave Peterson says: 5/30/2012 3:20:17 PM Just bought a '79 C model in excellent condition. It sounds great and has a 5 star head on it that appears to be very old. I believe its tuned to a B. Any ideas of best set up (string gages, head, bridge thickness, etc)
	Dave Peterson says: 5/30/2012 3:22:39 PM Just bought a '79 C model in excellent condition. It sounds great and has a 5 star head on it that appears to be very old. I believe its tuned to a B. Any ideas of best set up (string gages, head, bridge thickness, etc)
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