OME Alpha Openback Banjo
$1,695.00
The Alpha is OME’s most affordable openback: a 12 inch maple multi-ply tone rim, a mahogany neck with a scooped rosewood fingerboard, and brass hardware, voiced for clawhammer and old-time. Built by OME in Titusville, Florida, and in stock at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Padded gig bag included. $1,695 with free shipping.
In stock
Questions? Call or text us at 404-218-8580Read customer reviews
At a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Openback Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 25-1/2"
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
OME Alpha Openback Banjo: 12 Inch Maple Tone Rim, Made in the USA
The OME Alpha is a 5-string openback banjo with a 12 inch maple multi-ply tone rim, a mahogany neck and a scooped rosewood fingerboard, made for clawhammer and old-time players. At $1,695 it is the entry point to OME, the American banjo maker that has been building since 1960. Available from Banjo Warehouse, an OME dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
In stock now. OME built this Alpha in its shop in Titusville, Florida. It is at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and ships from there, insured with FedEx, with tracking sent to you personally. Shipping is free.
OME builds every Alpha to order in Titusville, Florida, and you can customize one with your own choice of options. The specs below are for the banjo we have in stock now. Call or text us at 404-218-8580 to spec a custom one.
Watch: OME Alpha Openback Banjo, Video by OME Banjos
Why the Alpha?
The Alpha keeps to the parts that matter for an old-time sound and leaves out the rest. There is no metal tone ring. The sound comes from the wood of a 12 inch maple rim under a Remo Renaissance head, which is the combination that gives an openback its round, woody plunk. A larger 12 inch pot also gives more low end than the 11 inch pot on most bluegrass banjos.
This banjo (in stock in Yellow Springs)
- Neck: Mahogany, rolled-over heel, hand-rubbed oil finish
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, dot inlays, S-shaped scoop at the end for clawhammer
- Frets: 17, nickel
- Scale length: 25 1/2 inch
- Nut width: 1 11/32 inch
- Truss rod: Two-way adjustable
- Headstock and tuners: Mini paddle headstock, K&H low-profile planetary tuners in brass
- Rim: 12 inch thin multi-ply maple tone rim, thin satin lacquer finish
- Tone ring: None
- Head: Remo Renaissance, medium collar
- Hoop and brackets: Notched aged brass tension hoop, 14 brackets, aged brass shoe lugs
- Rim stick: Mahogany rim rod with aged brass coordinator rods
- Tailpiece: Aged brass No Knot
- Bridge: OME Trillium
- Armrest: Mahogany, 12 inch
- Strings: OME custom gauge (.010, .012, .015, .024, .010)
- Case: Padded gig bag (not a hard case)
What’s Included
Padded gig bag. Free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Financing available through PayPal at checkout.
In stock at Banjo Warehouse. $1,695. Call or text us at 404-218-8580 with any questions.
Where does this banjo ship from?
It ships from Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio, insured with FedEx, with tracking sent to you personally. Shipping is free.
Is the OME Alpha good for clawhammer?
Yes. The scooped fingerboard gives your striking hand room over the end of the neck, and the 12 inch wooden tone rim with a Renaissance head is the classic clawhammer voice. The 25 1/2 inch scale is also comfortable to tune up for old-time keys.
Can I order a custom OME Alpha?
Yes. OME builds every Alpha to order in Titusville, Florida, and you can customize one with your own choice of options. Call or text us at 404-218-8580 to spec a custom one.
Is the OME Alpha made in the USA?
Yes. OME builds the Alpha in Titusville, Florida. OME was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1960 and is now part of Gold Tone Music Group.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call or text us at 404-218-8580.
Email us anytime at [email protected].
Follow Banjo Warehouse:
- Facebook – Join our community
- YouTube – Watch demos and lessons
- GeoffHohwald.com – Banjo lessons and books
Want to visit? Call or text us at 404-218-8580 to set up a time at our Yellow Springs, Ohio shop.
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