ZebWynn - Posted - 04/15/2022:  06:37:29

Would like to hear any reviews or thoughts from folks who have tried the Ome Tupelo banjo. It is a little pricey, but selling off other banjo will fund it. Seems like a nice tone, but been a few years since I played one at a vendor booth, and none for sale nearby to try. Thanks!

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 04/15/2022:  06:56:22

You can't beat Ome banjos. The Tupelo is a a fine banjo. Go for it!

Helix - Posted - 04/15/2022:  07:07:05

Yes, a fine banjo to leave as an heirloom.

banjered - Posted - 04/15/2022:  08:52:05

The Tupelos I've heard just on the net sound great! And I think their lighter build, fewer hooks, wood rim brass metal etc. is my top preference. I currently have a Stone Banjo with the same characteristics for a thousand dollars less. Has anyone compared these two banjos side by side live? Check out the Stone Banjo in BHO classified. banjered

Wayfaring Stranger 1980 - Posted - 04/15/2022:  09:19:35

If you've got the flow and your heart is set, go for it. But if you want to save a few bucks, read on.

I've heard great things about OMEs and I don't doubt that they're excellent instruments. Deering also makes quality banjos, and I used to be a big Deering fan until I began frequenting this Forum. The consensus around here seems to be that Deerings are overpriced, and I've come to agree with that. I decided to give Gold Tone a try.

I have a BC-350 Bob Carlin Signature openback 12." It normally sells for about $1300 new, though I got mine for $800. While I initially resisted the idea of a made-in-China banjo, I figured if Gold Tones are good enough for Bela Fleck, they're good enough for me.

I am very pleased with the BC-350. Good bass, mellow tone, long sustain thanks to the 12" rim. I use it solely for clawhammer.

doryman - Posted - 04/15/2022:  10:16:21

I have several banjos, including an Ome Tupelo. If I could only keep one, it would be the Ome.

Silver_Falls - Posted - 04/15/2022:  14:55:08

The Tupelo is one of several wood tone-rim banjos in the Ome linup, which also includes the Minstrel, Wizard, and Jubilee.

I have a 12" Minstrel, which is similar to the Tupelo with 14 hooks. I also have a 12" Jubilee, with 26 hooks.

I cannot definitively say weather the 14 hooks on the Tupelo/Minstrel is a bug or a feature. After tucking skins on both and playing them for a few months though, I am inclined to prefer the 26 hook setup. (FWIW, Abigail Washburn plays a Jubilee.)

Either way, Omes are every bit as wonderful as their owners consistently say they are. Until you've actually experienced one in person, it may not make sense. But then when you do get an Ome you'll go, "Ok, now I get it..." They have a quality, tone, character, and perfection about them that are unmatched by other open backs on the market.

If you are patient, you will find pre-owned Omes come up fairly regularly at a deep discount over buying new. In these days of rather pedestrian Pizzgus and Dogbreath banjos pushing well over $2 large, Omes are the way to go.

Matt Buckley - Posted - 04/16/2022:  07:44:08

quote:

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Originally posted by Silver_Falls

 Once you do get an Ome you'll go, "Ok, now I get it..." They have a quality, tone, character, and perfection about them that are unmatched by other open backs on the market.



 In these days of rather pedestrian Pizzgus and Dogbreath banjos pushing well over $2 large, Omes are the way to go.

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The banjo I am holding in my Hangout photo is an Ome Jubilee. Bought it in 2007, and I loved it for about 5 years.  A very, very fine instrument.  I purchased it at Music Emporium, and it was superior to all of the 20-odd other open backs in the store that day.

The Ome was my lifetime instrument until ... I played several Will Fielding open backs at a trad. festival in 2011.  Oh ... my ... goodness.   The Fielding tone and workmanship was astonishing.  Ordered one, and picked it up about 8 months later.

Will Fielding died a few years back.  One of his mentorees, if I understand correctly, was Will Seeders.  Will's instruments are incredibly fine, played among others by Alison Degroot.  Will did some amazing work on my Fielding to improve it further, including a new fretboard I desired for various reasons, and I couldn't be happier. Just for fun, check out his website:  Seeders Instruments - Handmade Custom Banjos and Guitars.  

I'm not at all suggesting you not get the Tupelo.  The Tupelo is no doubt a fantastic instrument.  I don't think you could go wrong.  But I find comments like "unmatched" to be unhelpful, and frankly, when you think about it, somewhat insulting. There are several very fine makers out there, many of them regional and lesser known.  Seeders, Romero (if he is still making) et. al.  Check them all out if you can, including Ome, and buy the one that speaks you.  Email Adam Hurt, Alison, Chris Coole, and others and ask what they are playing, and why.  Just don't buy a Tupelo because someone declares it to be "unmatched".

Edited by - Matt Buckley on 04/16/2022 07:45:46

doryman - Posted - 04/16/2022:  15:24:04

quote:

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Originally posted by Silver_Falls

If you are patient, you will find pre-owned Omes come up fairly regularly at a deep discount over buying new. In these days of rather pedestrian Pizzgus and Dogbreath banjos pushing well over $2 large, Omes are the way to go.

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Uncalled for. 

doryman - Posted - 04/16/2022:  15:25:06

quote:

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Originally posted by doryman

quote:

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Originally posted by Silver_Falls

If you are patient, you will find pre-owned Omes come up fairly regularly at a deep discount over buying new. In these days of rather pedestrian Pizzgus and Dogbreath banjos pushing well over $2 large, Omes are the way to go.

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Uncalled for. 

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Unless your about 14 or so, then never mind.  You'll grow out of it. 

gratefulbiker - Posted - 04/16/2022:  20:28:32

I've owned a Tupelo and a Minstrel as well as playing several other Omes and have found them to be very nice instruments. The quality and consistency of the builds are top notch as is the overall attention to detail.
I really enjoyed the tone and playability of the two I owned, but ended up letting them go. I prefer a thicker neck compared to the relatively flatter profile of the Omes. I also had some minor comfort issues with the squared off bottom edge of the rim in combination with the hook nuts.
Both of mine were purchased used for pretty good prices and passed along for the same.
Having owned and demoed a good number of open backs from modern builders, I'd say the Tupelo represents one of the better values in it's price range, especially with some of the price increases from some of the more "popular" builders.