This is one of the last ODEs ever made by Gretsch. The serial number, #2-80-19, indicates that it was built in 1980. I am the second owner. It was purchased as "new" in the mid 1980's and played by a semi-professional musician in Arkansas until earlier this year. It can even be seen in the movie "Chrystal" starring Billy Bob Thornton in a front porch pickin' scene around 43 minutes into the movie. I purchased it not realizing that it was an archtop. I already own a 1973 Alvarez Whyte Eagle that has been customized for me, so I am ready to part with this one. The best way to describe this instrument is that it is a well constructed, great playing banjo.

As stated, the banjo is an archtop. It has an 11" cast aluminum rim with a bronze tone ring. I believe the neck is mohogany and the resonator is walnut, but judge from the pictures as I am not an expert in woods. The previous owner extensively engraved the metal components on the flange, armrest and tailpiece. The neck is straight. It has normal wear and the frets are good. There are capo spikes at A,B, and C. There are three small holes in the side of the fingerboard where it looks like a sliding capo was once installed. It is missing one resonator lug. The neck is very smooth with no bare spots, but there is some slight checking going with the grain on the resonator, but no big scratches. There is also some slight checking on the neck, but again, no breaks in the lamination or big scratches...just normal wear. As with many aluminum rim banjos of this age there are some blemishes on the aluminum. parts. I've tried to include some closeup pictures of these so you know exactly what you are getting.

It comes with a hardshell case that is in decent condition. The inside is in really good condition, but there are tears and scuffing on the outer surface (see pictures).

I've now had the chance to play several dozen archtops and this is one of the two best sounding I've heard under $2000 (the other being my Alvarez Whyte Eagle). Just today I took this banjo to master luthier Ernie Wells to have it set up so it's ready to go.