Clawhamr - Posted - 09/02/2023:  13:40:30

For immediate release:

Gold Tone Music Group, a world-wide marketer of a diverse line of over one-hundred-fifty different stringed and fretted musical instruments is pleased to announce that a tentative agreement to acquire the venerable Ome Banjo Company has been reached.

Chuck Ogsbury of Ome and Wayne and Robyn Rogers of Gold Tone have completed talks about the goals each party has for the future of Ome. All agree that primary among these is that Ome remain a banjo brand whose products are to be built in America, with 100% North American parts content. In addition, it is Gold Tone’s intention to maintain Ome’s well known ultra-high build quality and perfect workmanship. Gold Tone managing director Justin Grizzle will spearhead the movement of operations from Boulder to Titusville, FL to facilitate the tightest control possible over the new division’s manufacturing operation. Justin will also supervise overall marketing and online media efforts.

Initial plans for the Ome product line will include continued emphasis on Ome’s well-loved openback banjo offerings, with between four and six of the most popular models to be offered first. Other parts of the Ome range will follow as the facilities are built out and staffed. In addition, current Ome owners whose banjos are still under warranty protection can be assured that their coverage is still in force.

While Gold Tone is renowned for offering instruments with very high value-for-price, they’ve started (with banjos such as the OB-3 “Twanger”, the OB-2 Bowtie and the very successful OB-Béla) to offer instruments aimed at the semi-pro and professional banjoist. With the pending acquisition of Ome Banjos, Gold Tone is proud to offer Ome banjos to further fill those needs, and to have been chosen by Chuck Ogsbury to carry on the legacy of the company he began over fifty years ago.

Marc Horowitz, GTMG

Jbo1 - Posted - 09/02/2023:  14:38:05

In a previous post I called it. They'll change the name to Gold tOME.

Glad to see that OME will still be around. I think they will be in good hands.

banjoy - Posted - 09/02/2023:  14:53:22

It's an interesting feeling to be able to witness the passing of the torch like this. This seems to be a win-win-win outcome for all concerned. Thanks for posting the news!

leehar - Posted - 09/02/2023:  15:00:45

Wonder how long it will take Gold Tone to put out an Ome Mastertone?

GMB - Posted - 09/02/2023:  15:11:21

I'm glad Mr Ogsbury has found a buyer. He deserves a good retirement after all he has done for the banjo community.

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 09/02/2023:  15:16:11

I'm sure none of that clout will trickle down to us Gold Tone players but I'm excited for both companies. I'm hopeful that GTMG getting more of a stake in the "high-end" banjo market leads to more competition and innovation in the space.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/02/2023:  15:17:35

nechville



Tom Nechville

Bloomington, MN, USA



400 posts since 9/8/2005



In reply to Frank Eastes, you are mistaken. The past few years I have actively been managing Nechville Musical Products while expanding into a retail Store in central Oregon. I have never been more employed , however Frank has rightly assumed we have a succession plan in place, and the Nechville name will live on beyond my lifetime.



My work has become more visionary and yes I believe in the potentials of the banjo market. It is true that the technology of the old banjo, (Stelling Ome and everyone else) is gradually giving way to a better way of uniformly tensioning the head, but traditional banjos such as Ome will always have a place especially once the necks are corrected with a Flux style neck adapter.

I Tom Nechville would gladly join a consortium of like minded people who want to save the brand and see the banjo thrive into the future. Maybe Chuck Ogsbury and Geoff Stelling themselves would give their blessing and lend their names to live on in a new effort to do banjos completely right. If any of you in the pacific northwest wants to join forces and build a factory here in Oregon, I’ll help. Maybe a company will develop naturally with like minded people devoted to the most intelligent designs and the highest craftsmanship at the most efficient levels of production. Based on some small improvements like a conveniently adjustable truss rod and an adjustable neck, Ome banjos could be brought into the 21st century and become a competitive brand.

in a new effort to do banjos completely right. ...Listen to Earl, J.D. Sonny....There the banjo is completely 1000% RIGHT.  Don't throw out the purity of excellence for some mechanical toy. This is art and not science.

Ken

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 09/02/2023:  15:32:29

Art is a living process... it never reaches a peak or state of static purity, it's ever-evolving, whereever people are taking risks.

"Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure." - A.N. Whitehead

Mark D - Posted - 09/02/2023:  15:55:47

I wonder if the two current OME craftsmen/artists will pack up and move to Titusville ?

jack_beuthin - Posted - 09/02/2023:  16:11:34

A few years, Chuck re-acquired the Ode name, and has been training his grandson, Zen, in the art and craft of banjo luthiery.  And they are building the new Odes in the original Ode shop. As far as I know, this is an entirely separate business from Ome, and I see no evidence that it was included in the sale of Ome to Gold Tone.  Any intel on the status of Ode?



odebanjos.com/

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 09/02/2023:  16:21:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark D

I wonder if the two current OME craftsmen/artists will pack up and move to Titusville ?

---

I imagine it may take them some amount of time to decide, if they just got word of the sale.  I'm glad that the sale has been arranged, it sounds like a good outcome, especially the continuation of warranty coverage for OME owners.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/02/2023:  16:52:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by ObsidianSpike

Art is a living process... it never reaches a peak or state of static purity, it's ever-evolving, whereever people are taking risks.



"Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure." - A.N. Whitehead

---

Art does achieve a pure state of excellence and it is told by how it reaches the heart.

ken

Clawhamr - Posted - 09/02/2023:  17:08:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jbo1

In a previous post I called it. They'll change the name to Gold tOME.



Glad to see that OME will still be around. I think they will be in good hands.

---

Um, I think not... but thanks for your support. We\re excited to get things under way!

Clawhamr - Posted - 09/02/2023:  17:10:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by leehar

Wonder how long it will take Gold Tone to put out an Ome Mastertone?

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Not gonna happen. That trademark will appear only on GT instruments.

Clawhamr - Posted - 09/02/2023:  17:13:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by ObsidianSpike

I'm sure none of that clout will trickle down to us Gold Tone players but I'm excited for both companies. I'm hopeful that GTMG getting more of a stake in the "high-end" banjo market leads to more competition and innovation in the space.

---

Actually, Rowan, we expect that becoming Ome's steward will result in all of us learning a lot and some of that will surely "trickle down" to GT.

Clawhamr - Posted - 09/02/2023:  17:14:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by jack_beuthin

A few years, Chuck re-acquired the Ode name, and has been training his grandson, Zen, in the art and craft of banjo luthiery.  And they are building the new Odes in the original Ode shop. As far as I know, this is an entirely separate business from Ome, and I see no evidence that it was included in the sale of Ome to Gold Tone.  Any intel on the status of Ode?



odebanjos.com/

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Ode is its own brand and will continue as such.

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 09/02/2023:  17:36:39

So i know there will be the inevitable as some have said

Chuck Ogsbury Era, although ODE doesnt seem to carry that weight

But just for fun, Ill suggest some funnies

preGone

prePac

UpChucked

NASA Necked

Glad to see a legacy not dry up. Aside from the plating, I love my twanger.

jack_beuthin - Posted - 09/02/2023:  18:48:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clawhamr

quote:

---

Originally posted by jack_beuthin

A few years, Chuck re-acquired the Ode name, and has been training his grandson, Zen, in the art and craft of banjo luthiery.  And they are building the new Odes in the original Ode shop. As far as I know, this is an entirely separate business from Ome, and I see no evidence that it was included in the sale of Ome to Gold Tone.  Any intel on the status of Ode?



odebanjos.com/

---

Ode is its own brand and will continue as such.

 

---

That's what I figured based on my conversation with Chuck when he first got back the Ode name.  Congratulations, and best wishes, Marc!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 09/02/2023:  19:19:46

That's one way to discover I'm now an Ome dealer, too. Good move.

zac987 - Posted - 09/02/2023:  22:06:21

I’ve owned a bunch of Omes over the years, and they have all been incredibly well made banjos. I still have a North Star resonator that is one of my main players. Glad to hear my warranty will remain valid. I hope the quality will remain to the same standard.

dtgolder - Posted - 09/03/2023:  05:58:09

Drat...timing is everything. Just had sent an inquiry to look into purchasing OME (lots of open questions but I was seriously interested). Would have been a very interesting endeavor...

Ken LeVan - Posted - 09/03/2023:  08:07:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by jack_beuthin

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clawhamr

quote:

---

Originally posted by jack_beuthin

A few years, Chuck re-acquired the Ode name, and has been training his grandson, Zen, in the art and craft of banjo luthiery.  And they are building the new Odes in the original Ode shop. As far as I know, this is an entirely separate business from Ome, and I see no evidence that it was included in the sale of Ome to Gold Tone.  Any intel on the status of Ode?



odebanjos.com/

---

Ode is its own brand and will continue as such.

 

---

That's what I figured based on my conversation with Chuck when he first got back the Ode name.  Congratulations, and best wishes, Marc!

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If I understand that, Ode will still be Ode, and NOT part of GoldTone—is that correct?

jeremy9959 - Posted - 09/03/2023:  09:58:59

Very happy to hear this.

Pigeontown Banjo Co - Posted - 09/03/2023:  10:51:11

Can't think of two more different enterprises but super psyched that Chuck found someone! Interested to see if Ode will ever expand their offerings.

Clawhamr - Posted - 09/03/2023:  18:29:41

Anyone know just HOW Chuck re-acquired the "Ode" trade name? I'll tell you how: about ten years ago a Chinese trading company contacted Wayne Rogers and told him that they owned the Ode name in the US, and would WAYNE want to buy it? Wayne called CHUCK and told him to pick it up, and Chuck did just that. THAT'S the kind of friends Wayne and Chuck were and ARE.

Marc H

cen - Posted - 09/03/2023:  18:51:40

It feels like the end of an era. I remember going to the shop and trying out all the various banjos to decide how I wanted my Ome banjo built, picking out the model, the tone ring, the finish and the actual neck and so on. Talking to the builders and to Tanya. That was twenty years ago.

airport-security - Posted - 09/04/2023:  05:52:50

I wonder what Tanya is going to do. I personally would not trade Boulder for Titusville for any money.

J.Albert - Posted - 09/04/2023:  11:24:21

OK, no "Mastertone" on OMEs.

But... how about...

- MasterOME

- Mastertome

???

(jes' kiddin')

Ken LeVan - Posted - 09/05/2023:  05:47:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by cen

It feels like the end of an era. I remember going to the shop and trying out all the various banjos to decide how I wanted my Ome banjo built, picking out the model, the tone ring, the finish and the actual neck and so on. Talking to the builders and to Tanya. That was twenty years ago.

---

Not only the end of an era, but a completely new one— Ode to Baldwin Ode to Ome  to the "new" Ode and Ome.  I want to congratulate Chuck, Tanya & Zen for successfully "passing the torch"  My heart is with what they are doing in the original Ode factory.

It will be interesting to see how this shakes out—I hope Ome doesn't go the way of Epiphone.

BeardedHen - Posted - 09/05/2023:  10:41:27

quote:

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Originally posted by airport-security

I wonder what Tanya is going to do. I personally would not trade Boulder for Titusville for any money.

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I would imagine and would like to think so that All 4 of them, Zac, Zoe, Tanya and Chuck of course, plus OME's builders as well now maybe? will carry on in Boulder with ODE. This may be exactly what He wanted in the End Game, the Family still building under the Original name in the Original Shop in a small capacity. Maybe the Builders will just go right on over to ODE and continue work like nothing happened and start a New Line for ODE. Zac and Zoe can expand the line with the new help and more focused time on ODE alone and OME will go it's way with GT. I can see Chuck setting back smiling at whats unfolding. I wish them all the Best!!

KCJones - Posted - 09/06/2023:  07:01:52

I've always wondered why Gold Tone didn't have a "high end" US-based model line. They certainly have the customer base to support it. Perhaps this is it.

I look forward to this new development and seeing what GT does with the OME name.

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 09/06/2023:  07:04:48

GT better hope ODE doesnt start producing high end products again. That would be a wrench.

citywalt - Posted - 09/06/2023:  12:32:06

Fingers crossed Gold Tone continues to value the 4-string side of Ome's business. No one makes a more beautiful (or beautiful sounding) jazz banjo than Ome, and that tradition deserves to stay alive under new ownership.

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 09/06/2023:  14:13:46

quote:

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Originally posted by NotABanjoYoda

GT better hope ODE doesnt start producing high end products again. That would be a wrench.

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A wrench they made for themselves at least.

Kookaburra - Posted - 09/07/2023:  06:32:04

So what serial number will the last OME be? Before the sale that is.

FretlessFury - Posted - 09/07/2023:  12:34:29

Whew...when I heard this news I was shocked. For me, Ome has been my bedrock since I started playing almost 25 years ago. I got very lucky on a used Columbine when I first started picked up the banjo, and it inspired and shaped me throughout those early years.

Now I play professionally full-time, and my daily drivers are a brace of Omes: a Tupelo and an Omega (both open backs). I have corresponded with the Ogsbury's for years, and left every conversation energized about the banjo world. I've found Omes to simply be the very best banjos in the world. The way they feel and sound are so unique in the banjo space, I honestly can't imagine my trade without them. So to the Ogsbury family: I hope you know how big an impact you've had on many of us in the banjoverse.

Because I use Ome banjos to make my living, I have literally had dreams (nightmares!?) about Ome being sold to a third party! I recognize that Gold Tone makes a good banjo (I often recommend them to students looking for an affordable starter instrument), and I owned a Gold Tone many years ago that was a nice player. This is not at all a knock against Gold Tone, but more of an underscoring of how special Ome's instruments have been coming out of the Boulder shop. They had a unique alchemy of many elements, and a deep, and careful understanding of joining surfaces that combined to make extremely expressive, touch sensitive instruments that were durable and consistent. They truly were the Collings of the banjo world (the only other instrument maker who I would by from sight unseen), and I can't help but think of this as a tremendous loss.

But as so many of you have said, nothing lasts forever, and Chuck needs to be able to retire! I don't begrudge him, or his family for wanting to part ways with the company. To everything there is a season...and all that stuff......

I do see a potentially huge opportunity for Gold Tone to lean hard into the elements that made Ome so sought after: attention to detail, 100% American craftsmanship, modern neck profiles, jumbo frets, and that Ome pot magic that makes their instruments chime like bells. Ome's aesthetics have changed over the years, especially in the open back space, so there's some wiggle room for Gold Tone there.

What has continually surprised me is that Ome's innovations (shallow neck depth, jumbo frets) have not been picked up by makers in the openback world. It seems that most contemporary makers of openbacks continually churn out thick, clubby necks with mandolin microfrets that perhaps are more "traditional" but take much more effort to play.

Anyway...I don't have much of a conclusion to the meandering post. This is mostly just to express my sadness that the old Ome is gone, and my hope that Gold Tone gets the new Ome right.

Thanks Chuck, and family, for the world's finest banjos. Your instruments played a large part in inspiring me to take the risk to make the banjo my profession.

scramblefingers - Posted - 09/07/2023:  16:30:08

Ome have left a great legacy to the banjo world. Thanks for the years and all the best for the future. My Tupelo feels like part of my banjo DNA and like so many other players, Ome have brought a great sense of pleasure to the musicians world and all who reside and play in it.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 09/07/2023:  19:18:39

Congratulations and best of luck to Gold Tone on a most auspicious acquisition; a well-deserved opportunity for a company which has come such a long way and more than earned it!

schaumannk - Posted - 09/10/2023:  10:21:37

quote:

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Originally posted by airport-security

I wonder what Tanya is going to do. I personally would not trade Boulder for Titusville for any money.

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Colorado is not what is used to be.   Not a good place to live for most.   Taxes are too high, and businesses suffer.   I live very close.   A lot of my friends are looking to flee the state or already have.   

airport-security - Posted - 09/10/2023:  10:31:16

Well, I lived there for years, my family lives there now. For some people the mountains are life changing and not to be exchanged for "no income tax." I don't want to get political, so this is all I will say, but, with Colorado, you get what you pay for. Naturally I hope that all who want to pay for it, can.

Edited by - airport-security on 09/10/2023 10:32:26

schaumannk - Posted - 09/10/2023:  10:44:23

quote:

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Originally posted by airport-security

Well, I lived there for years, my family lives there now. For some people the mountains are life changing and not to be exchanged for "no income tax." I don't want to get political, so this is all I will say, but, with Colorado, you get what you pay for. Naturally I hope that all who want to pay for it, can.

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And I was born there when Denver had 100k people,  but if it was a good place to do business, Ome could remain in Colorado.   I'm sure it still looks good from the east coast.   

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 09/10/2023:  11:19:30

Theres a 133 year old bho member here! Holy cow banjo must be good for longevity. lol  Although strictly speaking,  everyone born after 1890 was born when Denver had 100k people (or more).  Even those born in Florida or Maine.

Edited by - NotABanjoYoda on 09/10/2023 11:23:21

airport-security - Posted - 09/10/2023:  11:27:59

quote:

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Originally posted by schaumannk

quote:

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Originally posted by airport-security

Well, I lived there for years, my family lives there now. For some people the mountains are life changing and not to be exchanged for "no income tax." I don't want to get political, so this is all I will say, but, with Colorado, you get what you pay for. Naturally I hope that all who want to pay for it, can.

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And I was born there when Denver had 100k people,  but if it was a good place to do business, Ome could remain in Colorado.   I'm sure it still looks good from the east coast.   

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My family lives there, not on the east coast. They are young and old, and they certainly have to live with its pluses and minuses. I stand by my statement: the mountains to some people are a reason to live for, whether taxes are higher there or not. Chuck said the same thing in the old days when he put Ome in Gold Hill. 

airport-security - Posted - 09/10/2023:  11:32:31

And just think, Deering, the second most successful American banjo company, thrives in California, of all places.

Edited by - airport-security on 09/10/2023 11:32:46

schaumannk - Posted - 09/11/2023:  08:01:42

Ive been to Ome many times. Own five of them. It was never a hive of activity, and most of the fancy work was done off site. Production was quite low. I have no idea what Deering is doing for their assembly but I can tell you with certainty that most if not all of the parts are being made elsewhere, just as Omes were.

airport-security - Posted - 09/11/2023:  10:59:32

quote:

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Originally posted by schaumannk

Ive been to Ome many times. Own five of them. It was never a hive of activity, and most of the fancy work was done off site. Production was quite low. I have no idea what Deering is doing for their assembly but I can tell you with certainty that most if not all of the parts are being made elsewhere, just as Omes were.

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So the "real" parts of the banjo were made in "real 'Murica," is that what you're saying?

schaumannk - Posted - 09/11/2023:  13:50:05

Actually no. Understand where I am coming from. I worked as a contracting officer and one of the most difficult concepts to understand was something called the Buy American Act. Eventually you learned that there are so many loopholes to what qualifies as made in America that it wasn’t worth parsing . I specialized in getting to the bottom of where stuff was made. Kind of important when you are ordering computer chips to go in US missile systems and other sensitive applications.

There isn’t a lot of metal casting being done in the US right now. It can’t be done economically.
The banjo is, unlike a guitar, in that it is an engineered instrument. Not bent and steamed and shaped in a frame, then lovingly planed and varnished by a first rate Luther like a custom guitar.

Ome doesn’t make tone rings. They don’t make screws or hooks or tuners or bridges or banjo heads or frets, truss rods, rims or even resonators. They have a contract with someone who has a contract with a metal casting company somewhere in the world who turns out rough tone rings cast to a certain spec of alloy. That supplier than most likely machines those tone rings to spec before sending them on. Same for all the other parts including fretboards and inlays. They have suppliers, and the manufacturers of most of those parts,( because of environmental regulations and the death of the smelting industry in the United States) are overseas. Same with Deering So, whether the suppliers are shipping those parts to Boulder Colorado or Titusville doesn’t make much difference except in one respect, how the state in question taxes that kind of business and the operating costs and insurance costs of those businesses in a certain state.
The Ome shop sits on a very desirable piece of land in close proximity to one of the wealthiest areas in Colorado. I’m betting right now, if he owns the real estate and I think the shop has been in that location since the late 80’s, ( I visited a few months after they had moved in) The best and highest use of that piece of land is not putting together 80-120 banjos a year out of parts shipped in from a hundred other places.

Anecdotally Several years ago I was able to get in on a one time offer from Greg Rich who said he would hand engrave the metal parts for anyone ordering an Osborn Chief from Sonny Osborne within a certain time frame. (2006?) I can just about guarantee you Greg wasn’t sitting in Frank Neat’s shop in Kentucky beavering away on those for a few weeks. Frank shipped him the parts to be engraved and he sent them back to Frank.

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 09/11/2023:  14:03:37

A craftsman designs a widget, finds suppliers that can meet their spec sheet, sources those suppliers, inspects the parts, rejects the bad ones and assembles the widget.

Nothing wrong with that and a very reasonable approach to keep costs in check.

Alex Z - Posted - 09/12/2023:  09:23:57

"They have a contract with someone who has a contract with a metal casting company somewhere in the world who turns out rough tone rings cast to a certain spec of alloy. That supplier than most likely machines those tone rings to spec before sending them on. Same for all the other parts including fretboards and inlays. They have suppliers, and the manufacturers of most of those parts,( because of environmental regulations and the death of the smelting industry in the United States) are overseas."

Jimmy Cox, Sullivan Banjos, Companion Banjos, Huber Banjos, Prucha Banjos, Great Lakes Banjos, etc.  -- a lot of smaller shops make/made many of their own parts, both wood and metal (except for tuners) and cut their own inlays.   From my observations, the casting, machining, and plating of such parts for these shops are not done overseas.  (Yeah, yeah, Mr. Prucha is in the Czech Republic.)  They are highly skilled machinists, not just assemblers.  They also may make parts for other banjo makers.  

A few makers farmed out most everything and just did final assembly.

I don't know where Ome lies on that spectrum.

High volume banjo makers may be different.  

Edited by - Alex Z on 09/12/2023 09:27:47