Ome Custom Primrose 12" Open Back
submitted 9/30/2009
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Submitter |
howseth |
Where Purchased |
Buffalo Bro. Guitars |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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I play a blues/rock/jazzy/old-timey melange. This Ome has a great sound for my style of playing - Bright with clarity - has some growl, yet sweet with sustain. (I was not looking for a traditional bluegrass sound - or a traditional old-timey woody plunk) The 12" pot adds depth to the low end. I am told it's sound can be compared to the old B & D SilverBell banjos. (this Ome model has a "SilverBell" style tone ring.) |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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Setup was excellent right off. Action was fine - medium. I have not made changes - save for tweaking the head tightness, and raising/lowering the tailpiece angle - depending on my particular tuning. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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Lovely maple banjo with pretty Primrose inlay pattern. The metal parts are chrome plated. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Seems very solid. Double rods in the back. after one year steady playing - no problems. I tighten the head, a little, about once a month. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Have not really needed anything yet - but Ome is a very small friendly company and have promptly answered a few questions I had - with e-mail, and also over the phone. Lifetime warranty. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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My Ome is a custom open back model. I ordered a radius fingerboard, 12" pot. Chrome metal parts. Renaissance head. Nothing needs to be upgraded. It also came with a radius Snuffy Smith bridge to match the fingerboard. I really like the Harp tailpiece that's very easy to adjust - a "floating" design. The chrome tone ring is based on the B&D SilverBell banjos of the 1920-30s. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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This banjo is a champ. I love it. - suits me in every way. I ordered custom - mainly because of the radius fingerboard. I also like the chromed metal. The 12" pot works that bottom end, which is a plus, as I often tune the banjo a step lower than standard tunings. After playing it daily for a year - I think this is a lifetime banjo.
If I think of a one word to characterise this banjo: "Responsive." It is more capable of shifting from quiet sweet subtlety - to brash popping clang - depending on how you pick it - than any banjo I have encountered. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Paul Hostetter
submitted 5/29/2008
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Submitter |
howseth |
Overall Comments
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Paul worked on setting up and also repairing several of my banjos - and did an excellent of whipping them into shape - and at resonable cost. In particular, my Buckmaster banjo had severe neck problems that Paul repaired (see my Buckmaster banjo review). I feel fortunate that I live close to such a talented, skillful luthier. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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