kayakeradam - Posted - 01/16/2026:  17:26:09

Hey folks, lots of old messages on the BHO about resources that Ome had for dating old Odes.
Since the Gode Tome took over, those pages all seem to have gone away.
Are there any resources for serial number lists and whatnot?

KCJones - Posted - 01/16/2026:  22:03:56

>Gode Tome

lol they should lean into this

cevant - Posted - 01/17/2026:  05:00:42

I think that the Ode name did not go to GoldTone and is still being used to build banjos in Boulder.  Maybe ask them about the archives.



odebanjos.com/

Edited by - cevant on 01/17/2026 05:03:26

kayakeradam - Posted - 01/17/2026:  09:42:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCJones

>Gode Tome



lol they should lean into this

---

Thanks! I was up all night writing that one! 

mvolcjak - Posted - 01/17/2026:  14:31:58

Kayakeradam,

Are you talking Boulder Odes (up through early 1966 - models A-F) or Baldwin "Odes" that had only a Baldwin banner (1966-appx 1972 Models 2,B,D, with the C starting in 1968) , Baldwin banner and the Ode name on the head stock (appx 1972-1977, style 2,C and D) or the latter Baldwins that had only Ode on the head stock (appx 1977 - 1980 also style 2, C and D)...

The Boulder Odes are quite different from the Baldwin Odes.  The wood rim'd Boulder Ode models are not common as they were only produced for a year or so.

Let me know what you are looking for and I may be able to provide some useful information.

Take it Easy ... MarK  

kayakeradam - Posted - 01/17/2026:  18:45:20

Well, I had originally been looking for a serial number list, but I've figured out that's kind of a no-brainer; it's evidently MM-YY-order built.

I'm considering a model C from 1978 that may be available. I haven't played it yet and I'm just doing my "is it any good" homework.

From the photo, it does not look like it has an adjustable truss rod, is that correct? Should that worry me?

mvolcjak - Posted - 01/17/2026:  22:24:49

All Baldwins have an adjustable truss rod. Except for the first year or so (66-late fall of 67), they all have what is called a "Burns" heel adjustor. It is accessible via a hole in the heel using a special tool. My home page has a picture of the tool in the hole in the heel.
Check out Tommy George's home page (photo album 5 last I checked) for pictures of the tool. You can make one if the banjo does not come with one, as that has been a topic discussed here in the past.

As these banjos do have a multiply laminated neck, they are extremely stable and do not move much. I have owned my late '67 Baldwin "D" since new and have adjusted the neck bow only a time or 2 via the heel adjustor.
Take it Easy ... MarK

desert rose - Posted - 01/25/2026:  04:47:44

When they sold Ome Chucks son has kept ownership of the Ode name, I know he is making banjo parts and I expect banjos to come

mikehalloran - Posted - 01/26/2026:  19:19:33

I found the old Ode catalogs in the Internet Archive:

omebanjos.com/about/ode-instruments/">Ode Instruments Catalogs from the Internet Archive

I found it best to right-click on each catalog and select Open in New Tab. From there, I could download. Lots of attempts on some catalogs before I could get them to open. Good luck!

Edited by - mikehalloran on 01/26/2026 19:25:04