In this website is presented the OME line of Open-Back, Bluegrass, and Jazz banjos. These instruments have evolved since 1960 and are the result of many years of dedicated effort towards creating exceptional banjos that meet the needs of the most demanding and sophisticated musicians. They embody superior tone, superb playability, unfailing quality, and flawless beauty.

At OME we combine time-proven features of vintage instruments with modern refinements in technology and design. We use the finest materials, custom-make our own metal and wood components, and take whatever time is necessary to do the job right. Most importantly, we maintain a team of talented and dedicated people who take great pride in building the very best.

Over the years, the OME line has grown into a wide variety of Models and Styles which are described in detail in this catalogue. It is my hope that with the comprehensive selection we now offer, we can provide you with the banjo of your dreams, and that you will enjoy playing and owning these instruments as much as we have enjoyed designing and building them.

Charles Ogsbury
President & Founder

 

The woods used in OME banjos are carefully selected, thoroughly air-dried, and skillfully matched. Vibrant curly maple chosen for its superior tone, flexible strength, and unusual beauty form the neck, rim, and resonator of most models. Resonant and responsive South American mahogany is standard on many Vintage and Professional Series instruments while North American walnut and Indian rosewood are available on a special order basis.

 

The OME fingerboard, peghead overlay, and heel cap are made of durable African ebony or striking Brazilian rosewood and are artistically inlayed with colorful abalone and iridescent mother-of-pearl. The fingerboard, rim, and resonator are bound with traditional grained ivoroid or simulated tortoise on most models. OME necks are gracefully hand-shaped for optimum comfort and playability. They include our lightweight two-way adjustable neck rod, hardened nickel-silver frets, and a radiused or flat fingerboard. We use the OME Artist peghead shape on 4-string styles: the OME Double-cut shape on bluegrass styles; and the Victorian, Scroll, or Double-cut peghead on 5-string open-back styles.

               

Light-fast, grain-enhancing stains are used to bring out the full beauty of our air-dried woods. Multiple coats of a vibrant catalyzed varnish are thoroughly cured, sanded, and finely polished to produce an exceptionally durable and beautiful finish. Vintage Series banjos feature our tung oil and wax finish for a natural feel and warm appearance.

 

OME metal parts are precision made using our own special alloys, patterns, and dies. Final parts are meticulously polished then triple plated with traditional nickel, tarnish-resistant chrome, or rich 24-kt. gold. Gracefully hand-engraved metal may be ordered as an option on Custom series models and is standard on all Artist and Grand Artist series instruments.

 

Permanently lubricated and sealed geared tuners, two adjustable rim rods, OME armrest and tailpiece, and a custom drumhead and hand-made bridge are standard on most models.          

 

Great care is exercised during the final assembly of every OME, as wood and metal parts are precisely hand-fitted together. Final set-up and adjustment are patiently checked and re-checked to ensure proper fit, tone, and action.

 

An arched-top, hard-shell plush-lined case and the OME limited lifetime warranty are included with every OME instrument.

 

OME banjos are offered in Open-Back, Bluegrass, and Jazz STYLES. Each of these STYLES is made in five distinct MODEL series.