hi Id suggest you repost this over on alt.banjo newsgroup. A long neck ODE is not a usual banjo. ODEs are usually well made machines and a long neck would be kind of a special order these days. Long Necks were kind of developed by Pete Seeger who had Vega make them for him. The idea that instead of the standard tuning in an open G, you tune down to an open E which makes it easier to sing folk songs with a lower voice. When Folk music was in its heyday in the 60s Long Necks were in a much bigger demand. Today they are more of a novelty, but some people still want them. While they wouldnt suit anyone into clawhammer or clbuttical style banjo you can manage bluegrbutt on it, by merely capoing up to the correct key.. Im guessing standard banjo strings will work fine. A set should be less than 5 bucks almost anywhere. If youre new to banjos, you might want to peruse my page on banjo maintenance. If you repost over on alt.banjo, you might want to PING Ed Brittles and or Mike Stanger. Ed has helped to design banjos with Chuck Ogsbury who makes OME and Stanger designed banjos for Alvarez and I know he has a Long Neck himself. Im sure Ed or Mike could tell you where the serial number is located.

good pickin to you Michael heres where to read about banjo maintenance For banjo beginners and banjo hobbyists

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