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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!

7210 reviews in the archive.

Ome: 4936 OME Baldwin

Submitted by itsnotyou on 9/29/2024

Where Purchased: Music Store

Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

With a proper setup it sounds great, easy playing, clear and clean notes over the whole fret board.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Initially it did not play well and sounded horrible but being an OME, I figured that could all be corrected. When I purchased the banjo it had the wrong crown head, improper bridge, tailpiece mounted incorrectly, and excessive relief in the fret board over .30 at the 7th fret and the action was high. This banjo had at least two previous owners and I am positive it did not leave OME setup the way I found it. Once high-quality correct components were installed with a proper setup, it became an easy playing and wonderful sounding banjo. I found the truss rod adjustment a little challenging because you must remove the neck to access the adjusting nut.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

I agree with the original owner Tony Gillispie's review on Banjo Hangout 10/10/2010 of the appearance ---- “This banjo is made of walnut and maple. Craftsmanship is outstanding with both wood and hardware. It has a style D Baldwin neck and Mastertone style pot with a Gibson one piece flange, very pretty banjo.”

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I have owned this banjo for a short time, but I am certain it will be very reliable. The quality of build speaks for itself, as does Chuck Ogsbury's reputation and the reputation of OME.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

I have never delt with OME before and it just recently changed hands. Now owned by Gold Tone and they are in the process of getting the OME shop up and running in Florida. I have dealings with Gold Tone before and they were friendly and helpful.

Customer Service: 9

Components

Nothing needed to be upgraded, but I did choose to take the Keith D tuners off and because I did not have two Waverly tuners to replace the Keith’s with, I installed a set of Rickard tuners with amber buttons that I had. I thought the amber buttons looked nice on it. I did keep the Waverly 5th string tuner on it and the original tuners and buttons are being kept with the banjo.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Quoted from Tony Gillispie’s review “4936” on Banjo Hangout 10/10/2010

“Sorry I don’t have a model for this banjo but OME built it for me and that name stands for a lot. In my opinion, OME has the best craftsmanship offered. I have a Gibson, a Stelling and the OME. The OME is the best playing banjo I have.”

To add my comments, the Model listed on the OME warranty card is OME Baldwin Megatone 200 Serial Number 4936, and Tony Gillispie is stamped inside the rim. The neck has the current OME 26 ¼” scale not the earlier Baldwin 27 1/8” scale, and it does have the propeller inlay. I would think that all four were made this way. This banjo is a keeper for me along with my Deering GDL.

The following is an excerpt from an email Tanya Ogsbury sent to the previous owner’s daughter’s inquiry. Apparently she contacted Tanya trying to find out about the banjo. It seems they may have been told it was not an OME and was just a banjo made of parts.

Hi Tanya,

I read some of your input on the user forums. It's obvious that you are well thought of in the industry. Your help is greatly appreciated in helping me identify this banjo. I have attached a picture of the warranty card. It says "Baldwin" in quotes and the banjo does say Baldwin on the neck. The body, however, says ome in several places and has the ome logo in several places and the serial number on the inside. I will send you some other pictures from my iPhone--One at a time of course, since it's an iPhone.

Is it possible that you guys would have custom made a banjo in 2005 with a Baldwin neck? I don't know where ya'II draw the line.

Thanks and God Bless You,

Tanya Ogsbury’s response to the inquiry

“Ah-ha!!

This info helped. I guess you bought the banjo from Tony Gillispie in Texas? We custom made this banjo for him, with a Gibson style flange at his request. It is walnut with ebony, and nickel plated OME hardware (except that flange.) The neck was one of 4 we milled around 2000.

This is a rare banjo!

We call it an "OME Baldwin". It's a copy of my father's original design, the Style D, which was part of the ODE Banjo line when he sold ODE to Baldwin.

When Baldwin first made the ODEs, they used a banner on the peghead and engraved with Baldwin.” Congratulations!!!

Tanya

Overall Rating: 9