I have an old OME XX
does anyone know the first year of manufacture?
Mine has the OME logo on the back of the peg head, not the front. When did that change?
I have an OME XX purchased in 1973 (if I remember correctly) and was curious about this. Found the following online (so it may be suspect) in regards to a 1971 OME XX being sold on Reverb. Information seems about right as my XX is serial #451
Collector’s banjo! Great player! Rare find! Serial #24- from Ome’s first year of production. I bought it on ebay five years ago, it looked like it had never been played and I have barely touched it. Zero fingerboard and fret wear. A+ condition. Here is copy from the 1972 Ome catalogue: The style XX rim features our flat top spun tone ring for a more balanced and responsive tone. The eight ply laminated hard maple rim is double-bound with tortoise shell and finished to match the neck. A grooved tension hoop, 24 brackets. The Peruvian mahogany neck is hand shaped and has a rosewood fingerboard, pegyead overlay, and heel cap with a thin maple lamination under each. Planet tuning pegs, scroll peghead, nickel silver frets, abalone front and side position dots, ivory string nut, rear adjustable tension rod and natural finish. New hardshell case.
quote:
Originally posted by pmiller510I have an OME XX purchased in 1973 (if I remember correctly) and was curious about this. Found the following online (so it may be suspect) in regards to a 1971 OME XX being sold on Reverb. Information seems about right as my XX is serial #451
Collector’s banjo! Great player! Rare find! Serial #24- from Ome’s first year of production. I bought it on ebay five years ago, it looked like it had never been played and I have barely touched it. Zero fingerboard and fret wear. A+ condition. Here is copy from the 1972 Ome catalogue: The style XX rim features our flat top spun tone ring for a more balanced and responsive tone. The eight ply laminated hard maple rim is double-bound with tortoise shell and finished to match the neck. A grooved tension hoop, 24 brackets. The Peruvian mahogany neck is hand shaped and has a rosewood fingerboard, pegyead overlay, and heel cap with a thin maple lamination under each. Planet tuning pegs, scroll peghead, nickel silver frets, abalone front and side position dots, ivory string nut, rear adjustable tension rod and natural finish. New hardshell case.
Thanks for the info!
Mine is a 1972 and the Serial # is 232, so that fits with the other info you gave.
Mine has the OME logo on the back, not the front - does yours?
Yes, mine has the logo on the back of the peg head.
Since OME sold to Gold Tone I think a lot of this historical information will be lost now.
The OME history with dates of each instrument was on the OME website which alas no longer exists. I wish I had made a copy before it went.
Try the internet way back machine.
web.archive.org/
These old Ome XX banjos are spectacular instruments. One of my first great instruments was a mid-70’s Ome XX and I regret selling it.
