Epic Banjos

Subject: Epic Banjos
From: Shakelion
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 06:12 PM

Help! Back in the 60's (sigh) there were two companies in Colorado making long-neck open-back banjos: one called ODE (but, I think, not the current ODE); and one called EPIC.

Having been enticed by ads in "Sing Out" I bought an Epic, but later traded it to a friend. I've never been able to find any references to the company in any listing.

Does anyone else remember Epic Banjos?

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 10:05 PM

It seems like I remember a lot more than banjoes bearing the Epic brand back in the 60's, but don't quote me on it. Back then, banjoes weren't exactly tops on my list of musical concerns, but I sure spent a lot of time at pawn shop windows looking at guitars. Kay, Harmony, Kingston etc. Gawd! What junk! The guality of entry level instruments really improved when Yamahas started showing up in the early seventies.

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: jimmyt
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 10:10 PM

BW ain't that the truth! I was working in a music store in 1970, and at first we couldn't even get people to consider a guitar or piano that was named after a motorcycle! One try however, and they were hooked.

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 04:27 AM

Shakelion, you may wish to ask on the alt.banjo newsgroup. I don't know about Epic but there is somone over there with quite a bit of knowledge on the ODE/OME history.

Jon

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 12:39 AM

My understanding is the Ode from the 60's is also the Ode from the oo's. 1960's Odes were also sold as Muse banjos. Made in the very same place with the very same materials. I have found both on EBay.

Don

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: GUEST,Dan Reeves
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 07:48 PM

I bought a long neck epic with case in the early 60's. It has served me well in college, then on a three year European tour with a Christy Minstrels style folk group. Plays as good as new today.

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: GUEST,Rich Schroeder
Date: 05 May 13 - 09:03 AM

I bought an Epic in the 60,s/It was well made/nice wood/good open back sound

Subject: RE: Epic Banjos
From: GUEST,Dennis Ray
Date: 28 Jun 13 - 10:49 PM

I have their catalogue. Would you like me to scan it?