Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/14/2026:  16:44:01

Hey guys, I picked up a ODE Style 6505 banjo. I had this banjo years ago when I first started playing bluegrass and gospel music. My mom bought it for me when I was 18 years old. She really supported me back when I started learning to play. She probably couldn't afford it back then, but she purchased it for me any way. I wound up letting it go, years ago. I always regretted it. Well! I got it back. I'm looking for some parts for this thing. Does any one know a good source for the parts? I need 2 coordinator rods and hardware, 4 tension hooks and nuts, a tailpiece, and tone ring. All wood components are in great condition. I had forgotten just how great of a banjo this thing is. Chuck Ogsbury is looking for some stuff for me but, I'm not sure what he has. Maybe some of you guys can make some suggestions to me. The serial No. is 10-80-35. That tells me that it was built in 1980. Can you suggest some parts that would work in this banjo, if I can't find original parts? Would a Gibson style tone ring or coordinator rods work on this banjo? Thanks so much. Ron.

pinenut - Posted - 02/14/2026:  19:46:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie Deaton

link to an equivalent banjo:  elderly.com/products/ode-style...PNArfmPVp

2 coordinator rods and hardware, Good luck, are these actually missing?  adapting Gibson type parts may be workable...

4 tension hooks and nuts, any quality round hook will get this done.

a tailpiece, These show up used $$$; there's an Ome on Ebay right now for $320.  Kershner type is a reasonable alternative.

and tone ring. dunno, Is this missing too?  Probably could adapt something...

All wood components are in great condition.

I had forgotten just how great of a banjo this thing is. None better.

Chuck Ogsbury is looking for some stuff for me Thank him for blessing the world with consistently excellent banjos.

---

Edited by - pinenut on 02/14/2026 19:56:23

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/14/2026:  20:14:31

Hey Kam, I will tell Chuck when I talk to him this week. I hope that I can find some parts for this thing without having to do very many modifications to it. I'd like to get it all original but, if I can't, I'd like to find some great alternatives for the parts. I should have kept the banjo years ago but, you live and learn. It will be a great banjo again, when I'm finished with it. Thank you my friend. Ron.

mvolcjak - Posted - 02/15/2026:  09:36:23

Ronnie,

As far as what you are looking for....

2 coordinator rods and hardware,  - These are unique to Baldwin/Ode, (at least as far as I have observed).  The rods do not use nuts.  Each rod itself is threaded on one end (which connects the neck to the rim) and the other end has a knurled and threaded sleeve that is used to tighten the coordinator rod. I would think a Gibson set would work, but it would not be original...

4 tension hooks and nuts - While Gibson hooks and nuts would work, they are a different size.  Gibson uses ¼ inch hooks and nuts. Baldwin/Ode nuts and hooks uses 5/16 hooks and nuts, using an 8-26 thread. This thread size is obsolete and no longer supported in the US.  8-32 hooks/nuts (from Gold Tone I believe) are the closest that are made, but the nuts associated with them are too shallow to work on a Baldwin/Ode.  You will need to find some original hooks and nuts somewhere if you want everything to match. 

Tailpiece - These show up used on occasion. Prices vary depending upon condition.

Tone ring.- As a Baldwin/Ode rim is thinner than a Gibson rim, you probably need to find a Baldwin/Ode ring somewhere. A Gibson ring will probably not fit very well. If possible, use the original, else you will need to look for one...

I would check with people like Bob Smakula (Smakula Fretted Instruments), as he does sell vintage parts, so he may have some of what you need... I would also advertise in the BHO classified section here as to what you are looking for, as people do advertise for parts they want or need.  Good luck finding everything  you need...

Take it Easy … MarK

pinenut - Posted - 02/15/2026:  09:49:56

Balsam and Rickard make 8-26 hooks and larger nuts.  Matching style? sorta...

balsambanjoworks.com/product/tension-hook/

balsambanjoworks.com/product/b...sion-nut/

Edited by - pinenut on 02/15/2026 09:52:19

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/15/2026:  09:54:23

Hey Mark, thank you so much. I just received a message from Chuck Ogsbury a little while ago. He confirmed what you said about the tone ring. I either need to find an original style tone ring, or I need to get Eric Sullivan to turn a new rim for me. I know Eric pretty good. I would like to keep it original, if I can. He actually has some of the hooks, coordinator rods and a tailpiece. I'm going to jump on those. It will happen. I just need to take my time and be patient. Nothing else, I can pick up a cheep junk ODE banjo and use the tone ring. Changing the pot really isn't an option, since the neck wouldn't match up. I'd like to keep it as simple as I can. You did help me also with the size of the hooks. Thanks so much once again. Ron.

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/15/2026:  09:57:06

Hey brother, I appreciate the info on the hooks. I'll contact them. Thank you. Ron.

mvolcjak - Posted - 02/15/2026:  09:59:04

Kam,

Thanks for that update. I never ran across this site when I was looking for Baldwin hooks... I need some gold-plated hooks...

Take it Easy ... MarK

Edited by - mvolcjak on 02/15/2026 09:59:24

mvolcjak - Posted - 02/15/2026:  10:14:42

Oh well - I see they do not have them gold plated. A while back, I actually bought an 8-26 die from the UK (as they still use this thread size there) and acquired some gold plated 8-32 threaded hooks. I was able to re-thread them to 8-26 and they work fine.
Take it Easy ... MarK

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/15/2026:  11:32:34

I'm not sure what exactly was the deal with this banjo. When I had it, years ago, it was in great shape. My guess is that it was used as a parts banjo for another banjo. Something must have happened to it, for who ever had it to start pulling parts from it. It's found it's final home now. Thanks everyone for the help. Ron.

pinenut - Posted - 02/17/2026:  11:54:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by mvolcjak

Kam,

Thanks for that update. I never ran across this site when I was looking for Baldwin hooks... I need some gold-plated hooks...

Take it Easy ... MarK

---

Ron Satterfield is a good guy and is 'the place for plating'.

nashvilleplatingservice.com/

pinenut - Posted - 02/17/2026:  12:10:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie Deaton

I'm not sure what exactly was the deal with this banjo. When I had it, years ago, it was in great shape. My guess is that it was used as a parts banjo for another banjo. Something must have happened to it, for who ever had it to start pulling parts from it. It's found it's final home now. Thanks everyone for the help. Ron.

---

It's a bummer about the tone ring; that's a tough one.  I hope one shows itself...

Alternative thought: use a Silverspun tone ring on a rolled hoop like the later Ome banjos.  These have a voice similar to and sweeter than a Whyte Laydie.  Definitely, one of Chuck's little 'secrets'.    The rim would likely need to have the diameter built up (maple edge binding) and the height of the ring could be adjusted with the diameter of the rolled hoop.  The Ome's often use hoops greater than 1/4" under the spun ring.

rickardbanjos.com/products/sil...906139830

Alternate thought:  use a Pyramid tone ring; I believe these have a narrow profile.  The rim will probably need to be built up and fitted to get the correct height for the head.  Richlite and epoxy are an effective way to build rim height and keep it aesthetically pleasing.  

richlite.com/products/black-diamond-1 

sullivanbanjo.com/products/ton...el-plated 

Edited by - pinenut on 02/17/2026 12:18:26

tlong - Posted - 02/17/2026:  17:34:53

Hi Ronnie:
Elderly shows the exact hooks and nuts available on their website in the banjo parts section. Steve Huber or perhaps Eric Sullivan would likley turn you a ring matching the Ode/Baldwin ring. Cordanator rods are easily made also. Keep in mind the neck lag bolts and the screws in the co-rods are No. 12 / 24 threads

Ted

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/17/2026:  20:55:53

I appreciate all of you that have chimed in on this topic. I did find a tone ring. I've got lines on the other stuff also. I haven't gotten any of it yet but, I'm in the process of getting the stuff. Hopefully, it won't be long until I can report that this banjo is back up and going. Ron.

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/21/2026:  08:52:24

Hey guys, I've been looking at some parts that I've located for the Style C ODE that I have. For a little bit more money, I can pick up an entire banjo. It is a 4-string model ODE. It needs some work also, so I thought that I could use it for parts for the Style C. If I understood the guy, he said that it was a 3806-CPR. Have you guys ever heard of that model? It has all of the parts that I need. Plus it would give me a few extra parts. Thanks so much. Ron.

mvolcjak - Posted - 02/21/2026:  09:23:17

Ronnie,

This is the serial number and model identification of the banjo.  (3806-CPR)  



3806 is the production number

Style - C   (which later was called "6505")

Plectrum - P

Resonator - R



Serial numbers, starting with 2000, was done in the year 1968. This banjo was 1806 numbers after 1968 jump to 2000. This banjo was probably made somewhere in the early 1970's.  The change to the paper label was done later on sometime around 1975/77...    (I do not recall the exact time frame when paper labels were started.)

I believe that just about everything from this banjo should be compatible with your 1980 banjo.

Note a four sting tail piece is slightly smaller (more narrow and only 4 notches) than a 5-string tail piece.  A 4-string tailpiece can be used but a couple of strings will have to be doubled up in a notch - but (oddly) they do have 5 "fingers" to attache the string loops.  

Take it Easy ... MarK

Edited by - mvolcjak on 02/21/2026 09:28:55

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/21/2026:  09:42:27

Thank you Mark. That was just what I needed to know. I thought that it would work from looking at the photos of the banjo. This option will give me an extra flange, extra rim, a bunch of extra tension hooks and nuts, extra set of resonator lugs and bolts, and like you said, that tailpiece. I'll be able to get neck lag bolts and tuners from it also. I do need a original set of tuners also. I'll just have to find a 5th string tuner. This will help me get it back up and going, and with pretty much all original parts. Take care my friend. Ron.

mvolcjak - Posted - 02/21/2026:  10:31:11

Ronnie,
What tuners are on the Plectrum parts banjo you are looking at now - if any?
I ask as if they are early Ode/Baldwin tuners, there is a market for these, so do not discard them.
I have attached a picture of a gold one from my "D" banjo.
Take it Easy ... MarK

Original Baldwin Tuner

 

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/21/2026:  12:24:45

The tuners on the banjo are the original Planetary tuners. I actually need tuners for this banjo that I have also. I'll still need to find a 5th string tuner that matches for it. If I get this banjo, I'll post any extra parts on here, in case anyone should need any of them. I am more than happy to help anyone else, if they need it. Thanks Mark. Ronnie Deaton.

Ronnie Deaton - Posted - 02/21/2026:  12:59:05

I did go ahead and get the tenor ODE. All of the parts are exactly the same. The only thing that I need to find is a 5th string tuner that will match the original Planetary tuners on the tenor. Any suggestions on a 5th string tuning machine? Thanks everyone. Ron.

mikehalloran - Posted - 02/21/2026:  14:22:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie Deaton

The tuners on the banjo are the original Planetary tuners. I actually need tuners for this banjo that I have also. I'll still need to find a 5th string tuner that matches for it. If I get this banjo, I'll post any extra parts on here, in case anyone should need any of them. I am more than happy to help anyone else, if they need it. Thanks Mark. Ronnie Deaton.

---

That matching tuner never existed. Ode like everyone else used a Kroll. These pictures show the one on my mid-'60s Ode/Muse 33/0 with one of the two available buttons back in the day plus the other:

Kroll copies used to be readily available from everywhere but are quite difficult to find now that everyone has gone to a rebranded GOTOH (not only do they not look the same but the GOTOH takes a larger pilot). I may still have one or two in a box if needed.

Edited by - mikehalloran on 02/21/2026 14:27:42