Brian Murphy - Posted - 09/12/2023:  16:22:40

quote:

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Originally posted by airport-security

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

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That always amazed me.

airport-security - Posted - 09/12/2023:  16:26:41

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Murphy

quote:

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Originally posted by airport-security

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

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That always amazed me.

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I know, right? The "American" should have an asterisk next to it....

awildman - Posted - 09/12/2023:  17:07:25

Regarding staffing, does anybody really think people are not working there because of lack of glamour? Dont people go where the money is? I dont see how staffing problem has anything to do with age, but has everything to do with opportunity and pay.

heavy5 - Posted - 09/13/2023:  09:30:58

Interesting post ! I ordered one of Chucks rosewood banjos from the late 60's & wish I had not sold it !

21zna9 - Posted - 09/21/2023:  08:35:52

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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.

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21zna9 - Posted - 09/21/2023:  08:46:25

I will be receiving the very last Ome Banjo made by Gustavo and Rich on October 11th. I ordered it in 2021 while in Boulder. Bela Fleck happened to be in the Ome shope when I walked in and Rich was working on Bela's Goldtone banjo. I couldn't believe he'd brought another banjo for them to work on. 

Anyway, it took a year to finalize my design after I'd selected the tone ring and components. They're just no putting the finish on and letting it cure. 

I was so sad to hear Chuck had sold out to GoldTone because they're not anywhere near the quality of an Ome and GoldTone is a production company. Nothing can ever compare to the handmade quality, inlay and carving of an original Ome Custom Banjo and I defy GoldTone to even come close. I played their Bela Fleck model yesterday and the sound just wasn't there. It even said "Mastertone" on the neck! Lol. Okay, sure. Anyway, it's a sad day for me. I own 3 Ome Banjos now. The one I'll be getting in October will be the very last one ever made! I'll post pictures when I get it. 

21zna9 - Posted - 09/21/2023:  08:48:50

quote:

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Originally posted by awildman

Regarding staffing, does anybody really think people are not working there because of lack of glamour? Dont people go where the money is? I dont see how staffing problem has anything to do with age, but has everything to do with opportunity and pay.

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I seriously doubt Gustavo or Rich will move to Florida. I don't know what Tanya will do. 

GSCarson - Posted - 09/22/2023:  14:20:14

The sale marks the end of my engraving work with Ome as well. I have always really enjoyed working with Tanya, Chuck and Rich and Gustavo. Chuck and I designed the Omega model together, and I engraved all of them. In exchange for a personal project I did for Chuck, I received all of the parts in the raw for the last Colorado sourced Omega (walnut openback) some time ago, which I intend to build for myself and hang onto. My thoughts and very best wishes are with all of the Ome folks.

21zna9 - Posted - 09/22/2023:  16:06:10

Hey Glenn, did you do the carving on my banjo? Mine is the last Ome banjo to come from Boulder.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 09/22/2023:  20:21:49

I had the good fortune of hosting Chuck Ogsbury, founder of Ome banjos, at my home, a number of years ago. At that time, I was interviewing him for a publication.

I began collaborating with Gold Tone in '08, after my retirement from a long career performing concerts on instruments from around the world.

I'm confident Gold Tone will carry on the Ome legacy, superlatively. It'll be a whole new ball game when Gold Tone offers this all-American line of finely crafted banjos.

My sincerest congratulations and best wishes to Gold Tone, a company that has more than proved it has the right stuff to carry on Chuck Ogsbury's enormous contribution to the banjo world.

21zna9 - Posted - 09/23/2023:  09:04:42

I've yet to play a GoldTone that's anything close to the sound and quality of an Ome, and that includes their $3600 Bela Fleck model. I have serious doubts about what's coming, but we'll see. 

steve davis - Posted - 09/23/2023:  09:14:48

I have good faith in GoldTone making high quality instruments.
Good materials,CNC machines and talented builders have no problem making a fine product out of wood and metal.

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 09/23/2023:  10:24:54

The thing I like about the ome brand is the ornate heel carving which they mostly farmed out. I think if GT hires a cnc house to keep the ornateness high, offer tone options and lower the costs (which is the GT brand) they will have a winner.

The trick is to have the fancy etchings improve function and form not cause more friction and slow ya down. GT will elevate the number of ome owners.

21zna9 - Posted - 09/24/2023:  09:00:05

What's GoldTone's best quality banjo model for 5-string Scruggs style Bluegrass? I'm talking about the finest example, because I want to play it and see. I played the Bela Fleck model the other day.

steve davis - Posted - 09/24/2023:  09:22:22

quote:

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Originally posted by 21zna9

What's GoldTone's best quality banjo model for 5-string Scruggs style Bluegrass? I'm talking about the finest example, because I want to play it and see. I played the Bela Fleck model the other day.

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Call Gold Tone and ask them.

Brian Murphy - Posted - 09/24/2023:  09:33:32

quote:

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Originally posted by 21zna9

What's GoldTone's best quality banjo model for 5-string Scruggs style Bluegrass? I'm talking about the finest example, because I want to play it and see. I played the Bela Fleck model the other day.

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OB-3 (Twanger).  Check out this thread:  Decisions, Decisions

21zna9 - Posted - 09/24/2023:  13:14:10

Thank you ?? 

tarahall - Posted - 10/01/2023:  01:19:33

So glad that someone will pick up OME. I love mine .. I bought it in 1977 and O still have no idea what the model is other than a 5-String resonator. It sits with my Deering (I don't know that model either as its an old one, and my Gold Tone Electric (Telecaster Model) which is so useful as a live stage piece and easy to play. Tele's sit so well against the human body, it's no wonder so many people (Merle for instance) used them. Best Guitar design ever for singers.

21zna9 - Posted - 10/09/2023:  15:57:47

quote:

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Originally posted by GSCarson

The sale marks the end of my engraving work with Ome as well. I have always really enjoyed working with Tanya, Chuck and Rich and Gustavo. Chuck and I designed the Omega model together, and I engraved all of them. In exchange for a personal project I did for Chuck, I received all of the parts in the raw for the last Colorado sourced Omega (walnut openback) some time ago, which I intend to build for myself and hang onto. My thoughts and very best wishes are with all of the Ome folks.

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21zna9 - Posted - 10/09/2023:  21:19:52

Glenn, I will send you some pictures of the finished product if you tell me where to send them.

21zna9 - Posted - 10/09/2023:  21:22:39

Pics of last Ome

Shuffler - Posted - 10/10/2023:  02:35:47

I like Gold Tone, for what they are. They fill a needed space in the banjo market and offer a great selection for beginners. It seems they are starting to cater to more boutique-minded players these days. I just got a High Moon A-scale and its really great, if not trying a bit to hard to be "old-timey". It'll be interesting to see where this goes./ I think they see a market and hopefully will cater to it more.

banjowannabe - Posted - 10/10/2023:  03:04:39

When I got my first Gold Tone, you could call and Roger would usually answer the phone. I don't know if anyone has noticed but times change.

Shuffler - Posted - 10/11/2023:  22:09:25

Times do change, and that's not always a bad thing. I don't think one can expect every amazing boutique builder to continue indefinitely. Gold Tone grew but they did so to offer really wild and innovative things like banjitars and affordable fretless banjos. Definitely not the finest of instruments that have been spit-shined under the full moon, but I think they are good for what they are.

21zna9 - Posted - 10/11/2023:  22:14:11

The GoldTone company isn't really the issue for me. They do okay for what they do. It's the end of the Ome Banjos company and craftsmanship that saddens me. I'm not planning to ever buy another banjo after this so it doesn't matter. There are no builders I know of who can match what Ome and Ode have done. 

banjoez - Posted - 10/12/2023:  08:31:17

The problem with any brand that is only known for entry/intermediate level imports and then tries adding a premium product line is that they are “type cast” as that lower end market company and pricing becomes an issue. Consider RK when they tried moving upscale to the USA made line. Think about the Twanger vs the Bela Fleck model. Almost the same banjos but one is 1/2 the price. The OME acquisition should be interesting.

BeardedHen - Posted - 10/12/2023:  09:13:27

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Originally posted by 21zna9

Pics of last Ome

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Would love to see it. Is it the last serial numbered OME made? I just read your previous post regarding it. Look forward to seeing it.

Edited by - BeardedHen on 10/12/2023 09:16:04

Shuffler - Posted - 10/13/2023:  09:19:43

quote:

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Originally posted by 21zna9

The GoldTone company isn't really the issue for me. They do okay for what they do. It's the end of the Ome Banjos company and craftsmanship that saddens me. I'm not planning to ever buy another banjo after this so it doesn't matter. There are no builders I know of who can match what Ome and Ode have done. 

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Agreed

21zna9 - Posted - 10/13/2023:  09:55:53

I'm trying to upload photos of my new Ome banjo but I don't know how to do it. I've tried using the 'UPLOAD PHOTOS' button but it's not working for me.

21zna9 - Posted - 10/13/2023:  09:58:13

Another attempt at uploading a photo...