Banjo News
OME Banjos: America’s Oldest Banjo Maker — Now at Banjo Warehouse
Mar
Banjo Warehouse Is Now an OME Dealer — And the First Bluegrass Resonator Is Here
OME Banjos is the oldest active banjo manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1960 by Chuck Ogsbury in the mountains of Colorado, OME has been building banjos continuously for over 65 years. Now Banjo Warehouse is proud to carry their instruments — starting with the OME Ikon, the first bluegrass resonator production model in the company’s history.
From $72 Banjos to an American Institution
Chuck Ogsbury built his first 100 banjos in 1960 — long-neck, aluminum-pot instruments that sold for $72 to $79 apiece. He was young, he took chances, and as fast as he built them, they sold. What started as a passion project quickly took on a life of its own.
By 1961, Chuck had hired one of his best friends, Dave Walden, and together they set up their first shop — 900 square feet that they quickly outgrew. They moved into a 2,400 square foot shop, which was demolished three months later by 110 mph winds off the mountains. They rebuilt.
Around 1963, a young man hitchhiked from Ohio to ask Chuck for a job. His name was Creston “Kix” Stewart, and he brought an infectious enthusiasm for instrument craftsmanship. Together, Chuck and Kix developed a brand new line of banjos — including wooden-rimmed models and the cast bell-bronze flat-top tone ring design that would become an OME signature.
ODE, Baldwin, and Starting Over
By 1966, the company had grown so fast that Chuck sold it to Baldwin. The brand was called ODE at the time, and Chuck never expected it to become a business in the first place. After watching what ODE became under corporate ownership, he decided he wanted to start fresh.
In 1970, Chuck established OME Banjos. He partnered with Ken Whelpton and Kelly McKnish, moved operations to Boulder, Colorado, and began building again. By the late 1970s, both partners had moved on and Chuck took the company back over entirely — this time for good.
Decades of Constant Improvement
In 1989, Chuck met Ed Britt from Massachusetts, who became a critical asset in developing OME’s high-end Renaissance and Grand Artist models. Together they also created more affordable options like the Jubilee and Magician. Chuck’s philosophy was simple: constant improvement.
By 2001, OME had eighteen standard models, five tone ring options, five resonator configurations, and seven different neck styles. Demand grew through the 2010s until it outpaced what Chuck could produce. A combination of time, resources, and age presented a challenge that every master craftsman eventually faces.
The Gold Tone Chapter
In 2023, Chuck decided it was time to hand off his life’s work — but only to the right person. In April of that year, Wayne Rogers, founder of Gold Tone Music Group and a longtime friend in the banjo community, reached out. By September 2023, Gold Tone had become the new owners of OME Banjos.
The agreement was clear: continue the legacy. Chuck was keen on ensuring OME’s future matched the standards he’d spent 60 years building. Production resumed in Titusville, Florida with plans to bring back OME’s top-selling models — and to introduce something new.
The OME Ikon — A First for OME
OME has built legendary openback banjos for decades — the Jubilee, the Tupelo, the Jasmine. They’re staples of the old-time and clawhammer world. But OME never produced a bluegrass resonator model.
The Ikon changes that.
This is a high-performance, stage-ready instrument built for three-finger bluegrass picking. At its heart is the JLS (Jim Stull) sand-cast bell-bronze flathead tone ring — a 20-hole design renowned for replicating the deep, powerful sound of prewar Gibson Mastertones. The JLS tone ring is one of the most respected modern flathead tone rings available, and it gives the Ikon a voice that punches well above its price point.
The curly maple neck and resonator are stunning. The figuring on the resonator back catches light from every angle, and the tortoise binding ties the vintage aesthetic together. The ebony fingerboard carries art deco mother of pearl and abalone inlays — a design unique to OME that gives the Ikon a look you won’t find on any other production banjo.
Rickard Cyclone tuners with a 10:1 ratio and tortoise buttons provide precise, buttery-smooth tuning. The OME harp tailpiece, curly maple armrest, frosted head, and 5/8″ OME bridge round out the build. The OME Deco headstock shape with matching pearl and abalone inlay is immediately recognizable. At 12 lbs, the Ikon has the heft and presence of a serious professional instrument.
Watch: Dale Parker Plays the OME Ikon
Gold Tone’s Dale Parker puts the Ikon through its paces at Banjo Warehouse.
Specifications
| Tone Ring | JLS sand-cast bell-bronze flathead (20-hole) |
| Neck | Curly maple |
| Fingerboard | Ebony with art deco mother of pearl & abalone inlays |
| Peghead | OME Deco shape with pearl & abalone inlay |
| Tuners | Rickard Cyclone (10:1 ratio), tortoise buttons |
| Rim | 11″ 3-ply maple |
| Resonator | Highly figured curly maple, tortoise binding |
| Tailpiece | OME harp |
| Armrest | Curly maple |
| Hardware | Nickel |
| Bridge | 5/8″ OME |
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Weight | 12 lbs |
| Case | Included |
| Made in | Titusville, Florida, USA |
Pre-Order Now from Banjo Warehouse
The OME Ikon is available for pre-order now at $5,499.99 with an estimated delivery date of late April 2026. Full payment is required at time of order. Every Ikon we sell will be professionally set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships. Case included. Free shipping anywhere in the United States.
March 2026 Update: Greg Rich Is Hand Engraving the Ikons
Greg Rich — the designer behind some of the most celebrated banjos of the past 40 years — has been hand engraving the flanges, armrests, and hardware on OME Ikons at his California workshop. These aren’t machine engravings. Greg is cutting every piece by hand.
We’re still on track for late April delivery. If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, now is the time — pre-order the OME Ikon here.
We Also Carry OME Openback Models
As an OME dealer, Banjo Warehouse can order OME openback models — the Tupelo, Jubilee, Jasmine, Juniper, and Wicklow are all available. These are some of the finest openback banjos made in the United States, built with the same craftsmanship that Chuck Ogsbury established in 1960. Browse the full openback lineup at omebanjos.com and call Geoff to place an order.
Why Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse owner Geoff Hohwald has been in the banjo business for over 50 years and is the author of The Banjo Primer. We’re an authorized dealer for OME, Deering, and Gold Tone, and we carry prewar Gibson, vintage Japanese, and professional-grade banjos from makers across the country. Every instrument ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions about the OME Ikon or any banjo in our inventory.
