ODE Magician 12 Inch Fretless Openback Banjo
$1,795.00
On order from ODE. Our last Magician Fretless sold, and another is on order from ODE’s shop in Colorado. Ordering now reserves you the next one to arrive in Yellow Springs, where our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships. Lead times vary, so get in touch before you buy and we will tell you where it stands. Your payment is fully refundable at any time before your order ships, for any reason and with no restocking fee.
The ODE Magician Fretless is a 12 inch openback built for clawhammer and old-time: a multi-ply curly maple tone rim, a cherry neck with a fretless ebony fingerboard and a frailing scoop, and a heavy notched brass hoop with 14 brackets. Handcrafted by ODE in the mountains near Boulder, Colorado. Set up by our banjo tech Tara in Yellow Springs before it ships. Padded gig bag included. $1,795 with free shipping.
On Backorder
At a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Openback Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 25-1/2"
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
ODE Magician 12 Inch Fretless Openback Banjo, Handmade in Colorado
The ODE Magician Fretless is a 5-string openback banjo with a 12 inch curly maple tone rim and a fretless ebony fingerboard, handcrafted by ODE Banjos in the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado. No frets means you slide into notes the way nineteenth century players did, for the warm, wooden old-time voice fretless players are after. Available to order from Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio, an authorized ODE dealer.
Every banjo we sell receives a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara before shipping. Your banjo arrives ready to play. Free shipping anywhere in the US. 7-day money-back guarantee.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Why the Magician Fretless?
ODE describes the Magician as having a rich and powerful 19th century vintage banjo tone. The fretless version takes that further: with a smooth ebony fingerboard, the pitch is set by where your finger lands, so slides, bends and in-between notes come naturally. It is the classic sound of minstrel era and early old-time banjo.
ODE is one of the oldest names in American banjo making. Chuck Ogsbury founded the company in Boulder in 1960, and today his son Zen Ogsbury and a small crew build ODE banjos by hand in their mountain shop.
The Pot
12 inch multi-ply curly maple tone rim with simulated tortoise binding. Heavy notched brass tension hoop with 14 brackets. Renaissance head and a Trillium bridge. Cherry rim rod. Aged brass and nickel hardware with a no-knot tailpiece.
In short: a handmade American fretless banjo with a 12 inch maple rim, built for clawhammer and old-time.
The Neck
Select North American cherry neck, hand-rubbed finish. Genuine ebony fretless fingerboard, peghead overlay and heel cap. Straight frailing scoop and a bone nut, 1.34 inches wide. 25 1/2 inch scale. Inlaid side position markers to guide your fretting hand. Adjustable neck rod. Planetary geared tuners with amber knobs. Inlaid ODE peghead logo.
What’s Included
Lightweight, well-padded gig bag. Wood armrest. ODE lifetime warranty to the original owner (register within one year). Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free shipping anywhere in the United States. 7-day money-back guarantee.
Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website.
On order from ODE. $1,795.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Is a fretless banjo good for clawhammer?
Yes. Fretless banjos are played almost entirely in the clawhammer and old-time styles. The Magician Fretless adds a frailing scoop at the end of the fingerboard, which gives your striking hand room to play.
Is a fretless banjo hard to learn?
It takes more attention to where your fingers land, because nothing stops the note at a fret. The inlaid side position markers show you where the frets would be, and many players find that open-string clawhammer tunes sit comfortably under the fingers from the start.
Where are ODE banjos made?
ODE builds its banjos by hand in its shop in the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at [email protected].
Follow Banjo Warehouse:
- Facebook – Join our community
- YouTube – Watch demos and lessons
- GeoffHohwald.com – Banjo lessons and books
Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH location.
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