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moses - Posted - 10/18/2011: 04:53:08
Just wondering if anyone knows when the first C model Baldwin was introduced. I think my Dad has the prototype for the C model. He took his banjo to Myron Koenig in the 60's and asked him if the dot inlays could be changed to look a little more ornate. That banjo also has a set of cam style D tuners that I think came from the Baldwin company. This all happened as I said in the 60's in Cincinnati. I know there are a few Baldwin (Ode) historians here. What do you think?
Thanks,
Steve Bruce
Edited by - moses on 11/24/2011 15:01:01
TLG - Posted - 10/18/2011: 08:23:09
You may have a "B" model. The B's were dot inlay. I have 2 B's , a mahogany & a walnut both dot inlay, tonering , flange, ect.
Myron took the "B" added inlays & prestO-changeO the C was born.
Ed Britt knows the whole story.
Tommy
moses - Posted - 10/18/2011: 09:44:24
That's right Tommy. His was a B model. Myron took his banjo and upgraded the inlay and I believe it may have been the prototype for the C model. If anyone can add I would appreciate it.
moses - Posted - 10/19/2011: 07:41:10
If any of you know, I would still like to know when the first C model Baldwin came out. I have owned 2 C's and a D and they were all great banjos.
DIV - Posted - 10/19/2011: 08:54:23
Ed, are you around?
FXHERE - Posted - 10/19/2011: 09:36:38
I think Myron said at one time it was 1968, or thats how I remembered it..
moses - Posted - 10/19/2011: 11:17:24
Was the D model introduced before the C model?
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/19/2011: 12:52:23
Hi Steve --
Well... It would probably just be better and faster to just have Myron comment, directly,
on this. He IS a BHO member.
Two things come into play:
1. Myron did some inlay (on the side, as a hobby) for a number of people.
And YES, he did 'upgrade' inlay to a number of ODE/Baldwin instruments.
(But HE's the only one who could identify them...)
2. He DID did design -- and set the inlay -- on the (for lack of a better term) "concept
prototype" for the BALDWIN Style C. He got a stock neck, with blank overlay and
fingerboard from the factory, and inlaid it with the hearts-&-flowers-style inlay. His
design was approved, by upper management, for the new BALDWIN "Style C".
That would have been in the spring of 1968, when they were already starting to wind-
down operations in Boulder. It was determined that the Style C would ONLY be pro-
duced in Arkansas -- after the move, that summer..
A final "production prototype"BALDWIN Style C -- to be introduced at the 1968 Summer
NAMM show -- was made in the Boulder shop. Myron KEPT his hand-Inlaid 'concept'
neck -- and said he STILL has it.
I can't remember what happened to to the Boulder-made "production prototype" BALDWIN
Style C, shown at the show.. (I'm not sure if Myron even knows...)
The earliest serial I've seen (so far) for any BALDWIN Style C is -- CP-989-G --
a plectrum, made in Arkansas.
Badlwin numbers were around #700--750 when Myron was making HIS neck, and when
the Boulder shop made the "production prototype" for the BALDWIN Style C.
Myron is proud of having designed the inlay for the BALDWIN Style C. When he meets
people who have one, he might mention that he "did the inlay." (Meaning he 'designed'
the inlay.) Someone could misunderstand that comment, and think that Myron had inlaid
THAT specific banjo...
To add to the confusion...
There was also an original Boulder-made ODE Style C -- which had the Style D/E/F peghead
inlay, but only had snowflakes in the fingerboard.
It was also the only stock WALNUT wood-rimmed model that ODE made. Photos are below.
The Boulder-made ODE Style C was also available in openback and longneck versions. I've
seen a couple openback versions. Haven't seen a longneck version (yet).
I'll send this posting to Myron, to alert him of this topic -- and see if he can add anything
about your father's banjo, or make any corrections/ additions to what I've said.
Best-
Ed Britt
Edited by - BrittDLD1 on 10/19/2011 13:04:56
moses - Posted - 10/19/2011: 14:45:18
Thanks Ed. That's great information! I think Myron will remember my dad's banjo. I may be wrong that his was the prototype but it had to be about that time frame (67/68). His fingerboard is not exactly like the "C" models that were released from 68 on but it sure looks a lot like it. I do know that Myron did the layout and the set the inlay for his banjo.
Thanks again Ed!
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/19/2011: 16:34:25
Hi Steve --
I hit the 'time-out' wall, while editing my post. I meant to add:
There IS a possibility that, by inlaying your father's banjo -- Myron got
the IDEA of how to create an attractive pattern for the Baldwin Style C.
With a few revisions, it could have 'morphed' into the Baldwin Style C
pattern.
In any 'folktale' (which includes 'family stories') there usually is some
grain of truth. Myron DID tell me that he had done some inlay and
'upgrade' work on banjos for other people.
I have sent an email to Myron. Hopefully, we'll hear from him in the
next few days.
By the way,.. do you have any photos of your Dad's banjo? The cam
D-tuners are probably "ODE" tuners -- made before the Baldwin
purchase. If so... they are high quality.
Does your Dad's banjo have ODE or BALDWIN on the peghead?
o If "ODE" -- it's probably an original Boulder-made ODE.
o If "Baldwin" -- it's an early Boulder-made one.
Best-
Ed Britt
moses - Posted - 10/20/2011: 04:53:15
Ed I will take some pictures today and post them. It has "Baldwin" on the peghead.
moses - Posted - 10/20/2011: 11:28:08
Hi Ed,
Here are a few pics of my Dad's Baldwin. It was bought in the early to mid 60's at Hughes Music Store in Norwood, OH. I couldn't find a serial no. on the banjo. I will post pics of the "D" tuners when I can find them.
Thanks,
Steve Bruce
moses - Posted - 10/20/2011: 11:34:52
Ed,
Here are a few more pics of the Baldwin.
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/20/2011: 12:19:42
quote:
Originally posted by moses
Here are a few pics of my Dad's Baldwin. It was bought in the early to mid 60's at Hughes Music Store in Norwood, OH. I couldn't find a serial no. on the banjo. I will post pics of the "D" tuners when I can find them.
Hi Steve --
Thanks for the pix! Yes... it is an 'upgraded' Baldwin Style "B". They made
them in mahogany. The Style B was discontinued, when the Baldwin Style C
came out. (Only being made for about 1-1/2 to 2 years, they are somewhat
rare.)
It is an early one c.1966/67 -- because it has the original Boulder-made ODE-
style 5-ply rim. Baldwin went to the later 'multi-ply' rim before they left Boulder.
It seems to be what I figured... It is VERY similar to the Style C inlay -- but NOT
exactly the same. The overall pattern is quite similar... from a distance. But up-
close, it has some differently-shaped pieces of pearl. (The peghead is STOCK
Baldwin Style B.)
I'm willing to bet that Myron continued to REFINE that pattern. And once he
simplified the shapes, and number of pieces -- it became the Style C pattern.
We'll still have to wait and see what Mr. K has to say about it.
Since we know it started as a "Stock" Style B, there should be a 3-digit serial
stamped on the inner wall of the rim,
Looking into the back of the rim, with the neck pointing straight up -- they will
be TINY little 1/8"-high digits stamped at either 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock,
or 9 o'clock -- about 1/4" inward, from the back edge of the rim.
If the serial is over approximately # 500 -- it might also have a 2 letter PREFIX
BS - xxx ---- which stands for: Style B 'Standard 5-string'
Very nice banjo, Steve! Looks to be well-cared for, and in very good shape, too.
Best-
Ed Britt
Edited by - BrittDLD1 on 10/20/2011 12:21:31
moses - Posted - 10/20/2011: 12:41:38
Thanks Ed!
I will check that serial number out again and will post it. My dad played this banjo for years in a BG gospel group (The Friendship Trio) in the Cincinnati Oh area. It has been played a LOT! But, yes, it has been pretty well cared for except for the missing binding on the left side of the neck. I must say that this banjo always sounded great! Please let me know if you hear any info from Myron.
Thanks,
Steve Bruce
Edited by - moses on 10/20/2011 12:51:05
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/20/2011: 17:16:56
Hi Steve --
Thanks for the extra pix. I missed the missing binding on the neck.
I also notice that it has only ONE coordinator rod -- just like the original
Boulder-made ODES. That's another indicator of it being an EARLY
Baldwin. Myron changed that to TWO coordinator rods, around the time
they went to the multi-ply rim.
Depending on the serial, that banjo might have even been made during
the 6 months while Chuck Ogsbury was still there -- acting as a 'consultant'
during the transition.
I'll bet it also has one of the thinner flanges, too (about .100" thick). ODE
took the raw castings and had them machined thinner -- to eliminate casting
imperfections, and make them completely flat. And. of course, that also
reduced some of the weight.
Baldwin eventually stopped turning the flanges so thin... and left them much
thicker.
Looking at the peghead, I also realized that you are probably talking about
early Scruggs-KEITH D-tuners -- and NOT 'Scruggs pegs' D-tuners, which
require drilling holes into the middle of the peghead, for installation.
ODE made their own Scruggs pegs -- but offered the Scruggs-Keith D-tuners
asan option. Both styles were extra cost.
Yup... that's one really nice banjo -- from (what I consider) the best time
period for Baldwin.
Do you know if it was ever refinished?
Best-
Ed Britt
moses - Posted - 10/20/2011: 17:31:08
Great info Ed! I'm really enjoying getting these updates.
The D tuners I am talking about were not Keith style. It was like a plate that attached the pegs from the back, no holes were drilled. I really need to find them and get the pictures on here - hard for me to explain. They really worked nicely. Myron may know about them.
As far as I know the banjo has not been refinished.
As I said, it was/is a really good sounding banjo!
Thanks again,
Steve Bruce
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/20/2011: 20:29:25
quote:
Originally posted by moses
... The D tuners I am talking about were not Keith style. It was like a plate that attached the pegs from the back, no holes were drilled. I really need to find them and get the pictures on here - hard for me to explain. They really worked nicely. Myron may know about them. ...
Ahhhh!... The early versions of that plate screwed onto the peghead.
The last version clamped-on. But often they leave minor dents across
the peghead face. And I didn't notice any on your dad's banjo -- that's
why I thought it must have had the Keith style.
In that cae... those probably ARE the ODE Scruggs-peg D-Tuners,
Best-
Ed Britt
moses - Posted - 10/20/2011: 23:44:48
Yeah Ed, those tuners were like a brass plate directly over the peghead. I will try to post pictures of them sometime later on today. I recorded an album with this Baldwin and used the tuners on a few songs. They worked pretty well. Man, it is hard to believe that banjo is close to 50 years old!
Do you know what tone rings would be in the banjos made during this era?
Thanks Ed!
moses - Posted - 10/21/2011: 09:02:22
Hi Ed. Checked that serial number again. It looks like 352. I'll take a picture and post it later. Still working on finding those D tuners also.
Thanks,
Steve Bruce
moses - Posted - 10/21/2011: 13:58:13
Picture of serial no.
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/21/2011: 15:40:22
quote:
Originally posted by moses
Yeah Ed, those tuners were like a brass plate directly over the peghead. I will try to post pictures of them sometime later on today. I recorded an album with this Baldwin and used the tuners on a few songs. They worked pretty well. Man, it is hard to believe that banjo is close to 50 years old!
Do you know what tone rings would be in the banjos made during this era?
Hi Steve --
That question was also recently answered in another ODE Topic:
The cast metal parts on your Dad's banjo are all ODE designed, and produced specifically
for ODE. The parts were cast and machined in the Boulder/ Denver Area.
And... to keep up with any ODE and Baldwin info on the BHO -- you can join the BHO ODE
If you wish to become completely ODE-obsessed, there is also an ODE Group -- on Yahoo!
(Due to some computer problems this summer, I don't have the URL for it, or the how-to-join
info. BHO member Doug Hutchens is the 'owner' for the ODE Yahoo Group -- you could email
him, to find out that info.)
quote:
Originally posted by moses
Hi Ed. Checked that serial number again. It looks like 352. I'll take a picture and post it later. Still working on finding those D tuners also.
Great! I was thinking that it looked to be in the '300-500' range.
Told-ya those digits were TINY!
I have a note, in my files, that Doug Hutchens owns (owned?) Baldwin #416 -- a Style D pur-
chased by a friend of his, in April 1967. So that probably puts your Dad's banjo around late-'66
or early-'67.
Best-
Ed Britt
DHutchens - Posted - 10/21/2011: 16:07:06
Ed
You are doing a fine job, but if Moses wants to join a group of us ODE, BALDWIN ODE, ODE folks
simply ask for admission.
The reason we keep it exclusive is to cut down on SPAM and unwanted email.
There are many many great messages about the inner working of Boulder in our archives.....no thanks to me, but we have had Myron Koenig contribute as well as Clarence Hall looking up the folks in the old Ode catalog, not to mention Tommy George who can recreate a neck that might have its birth in Boulder and our resident historian Ed Britt. The remainder of us sit back, watch, read, and enjoy the ride remembering those little 1/2 inch ads in Country Song Roundup saying simply "Ode Banjos" Jamestown Star Route, Boulder Colorado....and we all wrote away for that great little Catalog and the Parts Catalog to end all Catalogs.....
We are about all things ODE. and would love for you to join us.
Doug
launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Odebanjos/
Edited by - DHutchens on 10/21/2011 16:20:30
moses - Posted - 10/21/2011: 18:57:58
Ed,
Early 66 sounds about right for the purchase. Anyway, thanks for the references to the other questions I asked. I talked with my Dad this evening and he has the tuners and I plan on getting a picture or two tomorrow.
Doug,
I would be interested in joining the Ode group. It sounds like some great history to all of us who kind of grew up hearing the sounds of those old Ode (Baldwin) banos. Man, I have heard some great music come out of that upgraded B model. It is a HOSS!
Thanks guys,
Steve Bruce
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/22/2011: 07:25:55
quote:
Originally posted by moses
Early 66 sounds about right for the purchase. ...
Steve --
Nope... Could never have happened.
Apparently, Baldwin announced the purchase of ODE on June 6, 1966.
(6-6-66 -- The mark of a different kind of devil!)
Unless you made a typo... and meant early-'67. (That's my guess.)
Best-
Ed Britt
moses - Posted - 10/22/2011: 08:35:16
Hi Ed,
I would have been 9 yrs old in 66. I could have missed it by a year! My dad actually thought he bought it earlier than 66. That's why I thought early 66 would have been the time period. Nevertheless, it has been a good banjo and I hope that it will be mine someday!
Steve
BANJO TONY - Posted - 10/22/2011: 16:55:48
funny you have one of the frist & I may have one of the last or the last. called up OME & Tanya dated it to 1982,would make for a nice picture to have them next to each other you known frist & last.
stanger - Posted - 10/22/2011: 17:33:45
quote:
Originally posted by BANJO TONY
funny you have one of the frist & I may have one of the last or the last. called up OME & Tanya dated it to 1982,would make for a nice picture to have them next to each other you known frist & last.
Wow, Tony!
That's a VERY late date! I have heard about some 1981 banjos, but have never seen one or pictures of one.
In a company's last days, anything is possible. When the Epiphone guitar company closed it's doors for good in 1954, some of the last workers reportedly took a few guitars that were close to being completed, or were completed, home with them, and years ago I saw some b/w snapshots an Epi collector had of one.
Another Epi story has some of the former workers breaking in to the shop after it was all closed up, taking some of the wood around back, and getting drunk while they sat around a bonfire they made of the wood.
Speculation abounds about Baldwin's last days.
I sure would like to see some pictures, especially one that shows the paper label on the inside of the rim.
regards,
stanger
moses - Posted - 10/22/2011: 17:53:28
Hey Tony,
Post some pictures of that bad boy! I'm sure it's a good one. I'm not sure mine is the first C model, but it could be the very one used to pattern them after.
Steve
BANJO TONY - Posted - 10/22/2011: 23:39:02
ok,I will try not very good at this picture taking thing with a digital camera but will try.the rim is out of the banjo becase is was coming apart,put a coxs rim in it from fqms.I think Tanya wrong,its a late 1981 but what do I know,she grew up with these banjos she is the expert.
BANJO TONY - Posted - 10/22/2011: 23:42:49
need to get some sleep its 2:45 am in Queens,N.Y. what the hell am I doing on the hangout good nite guys.ps that the the model C banjo I'am holding in the picture of me.
Edited by - BANJO TONY on 10/22/2011 23:46:32
moses - Posted - 10/23/2011: 12:44:22
Hope you will be able to post some pictures Tony. I may post some more of my dad's in a few days.
Steve
moses - Posted - 10/24/2011: 09:41:59
Ed Britt,
Here are the pictures of the D tuners I was talking about. Have you ever seen these before?
slbfive - Posted - 10/24/2011: 12:37:46
Interesting pictures.
moses - Posted - 10/25/2011: 04:54:52
Have any of you seen these tuners on a Baldwin (Ode)?
DHutchens - Posted - 10/25/2011: 10:44:16
The typical Ode D tuner plate looked something like this. This is from the Ode Parts list.
Edited by - DHutchens on 10/25/2011 10:45:51
moses - Posted - 10/25/2011: 11:04:21
I had a discussion today with my Dad about his Baldwin banjo. In the Cincinnati area, around 67 or 68 (?), after he met Mr. Koenig and realized that he worked for Baldwin, he told him that his banjo was too good of an instrument not to have a little more than dot inlay in the fingerboard. There was no C model at this time. So, Mr. Koenig came by our house and brought some inlay designs and they sat down together and positioned the inlay pattern that you can see in the pictures I posted last week. It was my dad's understanding that from this meeting, Mr. Koenig took his banjo and had the pattern inlaid into his banjo. And, that the C model inlay was at least partially patterned from his banjo.
So, in my Dad's recollection, his banjo is the prototype for the C model. His banjo is a B model, upgraded with inlay that looks very similar to the C model, that was designed by himself and Myron Koenig. That may not be correct, but it is his remembrance. He is 80 years old but he says he is sure he remembers it right.
Also, he says the D tuners I posted pics of yesterday came from Mr. Koenig. He thinks they might have been a prototype model also. They still work!
Anyway, I won't bore you all with any more information. Just an interesting conversation between a father and son about his banjo. I hope some of you might find it interesting.
God bless,
Steve Bruce
Edited by - moses on 10/25/2011 11:07:51
moses - Posted - 10/25/2011: 11:09:08
DHutchens,
Did you ever see this type of D tuners on a Baldwin before? They are made to fit the peghead of my dad's Baldwin.
DIV - Posted - 10/25/2011: 12:24:10
Another fascinating post! Thank you guys. This is a GREAT history lesson for students like myself...
moses - Posted - 10/25/2011: 14:05:35
DIV,
I've learned a lot the last few days myself!
DHutchens - Posted - 10/25/2011: 16:48:40
The Post I did 10/25/2011 1:44:16 PM came from the Ode Parts and instruction information from the mid 60's from ODE well before any Baldwin talks began.
Never seen anything like the photos you posted.... But there were all sorts of ideas being kicked around in those days....to keep from paying 35.00 per set for the "Keith Scruggs" tuners.
Boy Oh Boy how things change
Doug
DHutchens - Posted - 10/25/2011: 16:52:41
Steve
You will never regret the time you spend with your Dad ....on this instrument or anything else...
I can speak from experience and wish I could recount some of the conversations that my Father and I had.
Enjoy them even if a banjo is involved....
Doug
Edited by - DHutchens on 10/25/2011 16:54:38
moses - Posted - 10/25/2011: 17:10:45
Doug you are right about that. I really enjoy hearing him talk about his love of music and the banjo in particular. That Baldwin banjo was the best instrument he ever owned and the last one that he bought and that was about 45 years ago! I have learned a lot from him about music, banjos, living, and most of all Jesus. He has been a preacher of the Gospel for over 50 years and it is great to have him around and still be in good health. Thanks for the info Doug! I appreciate it.
Steve Bruce
backwardroll - Posted - 10/26/2011: 11:54:56
Wow!! This all really brings back memories. Thanks Ed for tipping me off to this post. Yes, my wife and I were traveling and I'm sorry to chime in so late. Steve, I have fond memories of your mother Hazel and father Herman and remember them well. I'm not sure where to begin because there are so many questions. Bear with me if some of you have heard this before. This will probably be a long post and only the really interested will get through it. Here goes. The Baldwin press release announcing the ODE purchase was on June 20, 1966. We had determined that there would be three lines: the Style Two with the Ode aluminum ring, the "B", and the "D" both having essentially the same style pot. I was unhappy from the beginning with the dots in the style "B" and convinced the big boss that we should eliminate the "B" and introduce a more ornate style "C". I wanted a tasteful simple neck that would not overpower the beautiful "D" design that Chuck had created but would nevertheless be quite nice. I had obtained a small cabinet full of pre cut mother of pearl that would no longer be used from Chuck in Boulder . I moved pearl around on a blank neck for a couple of months asking people their opinions along the way until the "C" design was finally perfected. It surprises people when they realize that there are only four different shapes, the dot, the tulip, the fleur de lis, and the small skewed heart. With the exception of the dot, these pieces were all hand cut in Germany. I requested a neck be sent to me from Arkansas without any inlays and proceeded to create the first "C" neck in my basement. I have a purchase order for the pearl to Franz Dotzauer and son in Germany dated Jun 13, 1968. I asked that the order be rushed as we wanted to be able to make the first "C" for display at the National Association of Music Merchants convention (NAMM) in Chicago. I sent my prototype neck that I had made to Booneville so the factory could copy it. Unfortunately the pearl did not arrive from Germany in time. The factory proceeded to dig out the pearl from my inlay job and sent me back the neck all gouged up. The first style "C" was shown at the 1968 NAMM show and I was left with a mutilated neck. There was no prototype "C" built in Boulder. Herman Bruce's banjo is, as previously stated, a stock style "B" that he requested me to upgrade. I really don't remember exactly when this was done but I feel sure that it was well after the introduction of the official "C". My suspicion is that we looked at all of my pearl and he requested a "custom" job. Steve, I still have and cherish the record of your Dad's Friendship Trio with Tommy Hill and Gene Russell. I hope your mother Hazel is well. This post is long enough so I will address the "D" tuners at a later time. In a nut shell, they are Baldwin. I had hoped to add the tuners as an accessory but the idea was never developed by Gretsch after the "consolidation". More on that later. Myron koenig
SWCooper - Posted - 10/26/2011: 12:04:57
Gosh, I wish I knew which model my dad's was. I don't know the year, but the story -- as I remember it -- is that Baldwin gave a banjo to Earl hoping for his endorsement. Some time later, Earl gave the banjo to my father. The original head was signed "to my best friend, Nat Winston" (though that head is no longer on the banjo; it's framed).
I would murder for that banjo. Not just because of the story, but it was the heaviest, best-playing banjo I've ever picked up. I can't remember a thing about the inlay shape, though.
moses - Posted - 10/26/2011: 12:27:02
Thanks for replying to this thread, Myron!
That is great information you have shared with us. My Mom and Dad are doing well considering they both are nearing 80. I hope you got a chance to see the pictures I posted of his banjo. They are on page 1 of this thread. We (our family) relocated to Tennessee in 1968. I don't know how long Dad's banjo had been upgraded before we moved, but it had been a little while. He is under the impression that the C model had not been released or he would have purchased one. Anyway, he still thinks that if his banjo, after you upgraded it, wasn't a prototype to the C, that there are still patterns that were used on the C model. He always talks about you with the greatest respect, Myron. By the way, I'm glad you mentioned "The Friendship Trio". They really had a good group. I know my love for the banjo and buegrass music was influenced heavily by the practice sessions they had at our house. I can still hear Tommy, Gene and my Dad doing all of those Jimmy Martin songs. I miss those days!
Thanks again Myron.
Steve Bruce
Edited by - moses on 10/26/2011 12:29:36
BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/26/2011: 13:29:47
I'm glad Myron was finally able to clarify some of the details of the Baldwin Style C's
creation. (I actually keep notes on conversations I have with Myron, and with Chuck
Ogsbury... for future reference.)
I knew Myron created the first neck -- but I obviously got it wrong about a blank coming
from Boulder. (Myron was at Baldwin Headquarters in Cincinnati.) I'm glad he set that
straight. And I'm looking forward to his 'installment' on those cam-tuners. (He just told
me the story on the phone... and it was 'news' to me.)
quote:
Originally posted by SWCooper
Gosh, I wish I knew which model my dad's was. I don't know the year, but the story -- as I remember it -- is that Baldwin gave a banjo to Earl hoping for his endorsement. Some time later, Earl gave the banjo to my father. The original head was signed "to my best friend, Nat Winston" (though that head is no longer on the banjo; it's framed).
I would murder for that banjo. Not just because of the story, but it was the heaviest, best-playing banjo I've ever picked up. I can't remember a thing about the inlay shape, though.
Hi Sarah --
Myron might also be able to tell you about your Dad's Baldwin, too. Myron was THE
person responsible for dealing with performer endorsements, during the first few years.
(Mid-'66 through Dec '69.)
Years ago, Chuck Ogsbury (who sold ODE to Baldwin) told me about having gone on
a visit to Earl Scruggs -- with some Baldwin representatives -- to try and persuade Earl
to endorse Baldwin banjos. (Scruggs Music did sell Baldwin banjos...)
This happened AFTER the sale to Baldwin -- while Chuck was still being 'retained' as a
'consultant' during the transition. (I've assumed it was with Myron... but I may be wrong
about that.)
If Earl WAS given a Baldwin, during that early visit -- it would have been an early, Boulder-
made, top-of-the-line gold-plated Style D (with the 'propeller' at the 22nd fret.) If THAT was
the banjo Earl gave your Dad (Nat Winston), it's considered a VERY desirable banjo, today.
Best-
Ed Britt
moses - Posted - 10/26/2011: 13:49:45
Ed & Myron,
What a great history lesson on Baldwin banos! Whatever part my Dad did or didn't play in the C model, this has still been an enlightening conversation! I'm looking forward to hearing about those D tuners!
Steve
SWCooper - Posted - 10/27/2011: 15:22:47
Thank you for that, Ed. The time period is perfect (we lived down the street from the Scruggs from '64 to '69). Next time I'm home, I'll photograph the heck out of that banjo.
To be honest, I've got a fatalistic certainty it'll go to one of my brothers, so I've tried not to make myself crazy handling it over the years.
stanger - Posted - 10/27/2011: 21:25:41
quote:
Originally posted by DHutchens
The Post I did 10/25/2011 1:44:16 PM came from the Ode Parts and instruction information from the mid 60's from ODE well before any Baldwin talks began.
Never seen anything like the photos you posted.... But there were all sorts of ideas being kicked around in those days....to keep from paying 35.00 per set for the "Keith Scruggs" tuners.
Boy Oh Boy how things change
Doug
Hi, Doug...
Buying a set of Keith pegs at $35.00 was a hot deal back then! I paid $50 for a set in 1965- bought them and a hardshell case for my 1964 longneck from Ode.
Still have all 3, but the Keiths are in dire need of an overhaul now. They are Keith-Bump-Scruggs stamped.
regards,
stanger
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