The photos I just uploaded are of ODE model 33B #1590. Obviously a custom longneck made for "M.T." towards the end of ODE production in Boulder(Late '64 or '65). The "B" most likely denotes changes to the normal model 33. Enjoy!
5 Comments |
 | stanger says:
5/27/2015 11:23:19 AM
I own a standard longneck Model B that looks like yours.. I also own a conventional necked B with a resonator.
33 designates the rim style, and B indicates the Model. The B models all have rosewood necks and block inlays, with another inlay on the heel cap. Your lyre inlay on the peghead is a custom touch.
Back then, Chuck made no distinction on his custom models with his number stamping.
Your long neck is unique, for sure- I've never seen another like it, and don't expect to. I'm sure its one of a kind. Very cool banjo- good score!
regards,
stanger
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 | boulderfolkie says:
5/27/2015 11:30:56 AM
Thanks, Mike....I found a long neck (33B) #1494 on the net that had sold on BHO and it had a flame maple neck so I scrapped my post that assumed the B meant Brazilian. I plan to visit Chuck and pick his brain on the B.
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| stanger says:
5/27/2015 12:22:02 PM
Actually, I screwed up in my former comment. Your banjo and both of mine are Grade 2. Back then, the Series designated the rim style and the Grade designated the woods and trim. There was no designation of the style- a tenor or a long neck, open or resonated, could have been a Grade 2.
The 2 was the least expensive of the rosewood necked banjos. Grades 3 and 4 indicated fancy- fancier inlays, engraving and gold plating. Grade 4 was the top end.
The woods were optional on some Grades. Grade 1 banjos used walnut, but maple was a no-cost option. Other Grades could have been had in maple instead of rosewood, I'm sure.
Your B may well indicate something radically custom. That's the only tunneled 5th string I've ever seen on an Ode. After a second look, I think yours was made in 65 or 66- the paddle peghead took on a slightly different shape then, and featured a peghead ebony overlay with inlaid pearl letters. I don't remember seeing a truss rod cover as standard, though, and that may have been another customer-ordered custom item.
regards,
stanger
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| boulderfolkie says:
5/27/2015 12:46:20 PM
Correct! Obviously money was not object to "M.T." and he mY hVe been from England where tubing the 5th was common practice. I imagine the MOP truss rod cover was made to provide the hole where the 5th string emerges before extending to the tuning peg. It also might have been just more bling.
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| stanger says:
5/27/2015 10:11:30 PM
There's a truss rod under that cover. The earlier banjos have the rods, but with no cover over the hole. Who knows where the tunnel is? It would be interesting to remove the cover and take a look.
The Brazilian rosewood that Chuck used was universally excellent. All of it is dark, very hard, and very beautiful. It's very hard these days to find Brazilian at all, and I've never seen any recent rosewood necks that are anywhere as pretty as those old necks. I found the rosewood darkens the tone as well, and possibly adds some nice harmonics to the tone.
regards,
stanger
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