OME Ikon Resonator Banjo — The First Bluegrass Resonator from America’s Oldest Banjo Maker
The OME Ikon is a professional-grade bluegrass resonator banjo featuring the JLS sand-cast bell-bronze flathead tone ring, curly maple construction, and art deco mother of pearl inlays. This is the first bluegrass resonator production model from OME — the oldest active banjo manufacturer in the United States, building banjos continuously since 1960. Pre-order now at $5,499.99 from Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Established by Chuck Ogsbury in Boulder, Colorado in 1960, OME is now produced under Gold Tone Music Group in Titusville, Florida. The Ikon carries that 60+ year legacy forward with a high-performance, stage-ready instrument engineered for the serious bluegrass player.
Pre-order now — estimated delivery late April 2026. Every OME Ikon we sell ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Watch: OME Ikon Preview
Why the JLS Tone Ring?
At the heart of the Ikon is the JLS (Jim Stull) sand-cast bell-bronze flathead tone ring — a 20-hole design renowned for replicating the coveted prewar bark. This is the same tone ring that serious players seek out for custom builds. It delivers deep, smooth low-end with crisp, powerful highs and the kind of projection that cuts through any ensemble.
The JLS tone ring is widely regarded as one of the best modern flathead tone rings available, known for capturing the sound of prewar Gibson Mastertone banjos at a fraction of the price of originals.
The Neck
The curly maple neck carries an ebony fingerboard with art deco-style mother of pearl and abalone inlays — a design unique to OME that gives the Ikon its distinctive vintage character. The OME Deco headstock shape with matching pearl and abalone inlay completes the look.
Rickard Cyclone tuners with tortoise buttons provide a 10:1 ratio for precise, buttery-smooth tuning. A 2-way adjustable truss rod, 22 nickel frets, ebony heel cap, bone nut at 1.3125″ width, and dot position markers on the side round out the neck specs.
The Pot
The 11-inch 3-ply maple rim pairs with a brass tension hoop and 24 brackets. A one-piece cast nickel flange, curly maple armrest, frosted head, and 5/8″ OME bridge complete the assembly. The OME harp tailpiece is designed for clean string transfer with no unwanted overtones. Dual 2-way adjustable coordinator rods give you full control over neck angle and action.
In short: the Ikon delivers professional-grade tone from America’s oldest active banjo maker, with the JLS tone ring that custom builders trust, at $5,499.99 with case and professional setup included.
The Resonator
The resonator is where the Ikon truly shows off — highly figured curly maple with tortoise binding that catches light from every angle. The tortoise rim cap ties the vintage aesthetic together with the tortoise tuner buttons and binding.
The OME Legacy
Chuck Ogsbury built his first banjos in 1960 — 100 long-neck, aluminum-pot instruments sold for $72 to $79 apiece. From there, he developed the ODE brand, which was sold to Baldwin in 1966. In 1970, he started fresh with OME, and the company has been building banjos continuously ever since.
In 2023, Wayne Rogers of Gold Tone Music Group acquired OME with a commitment to continue Chuck’s legacy. The Ikon is the first bluegrass resonator model produced under that partnership — and it’s worth the wait.
What’s Included
Case included. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website. Need more options? Reverb offers Affirm, eBay offers Klarna.
Pre-order now — estimated delivery late April 2026. Full payment required at time of order.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Material | Curly Maple |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Inlays | Art Deco Mother of Pearl and Abalone |
| Headstock Shape | OME Deco |
| Nut Width | 1.3125″ |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Tuners | Rickard Cyclone (10:1 ratio) |
| Tuner Buttons | Tortoise |
| Frets | 22 Nickel |
| Truss Rod | 2-Way Adjustable |
| Heel Cap | Ebony |
| Position Markers | Side Dots |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 11″ 3-Ply Maple |
| Rim Cap | Tortoise |
| Tone Ring | JLS Sand-Cast Bell-Bronze Flathead (20-hole) |
| Head | Frosted |
| Tension Hoop | Brass |
| Brackets | 24 |
| Flange | One-Piece Cast Nickel |
| Armrest | Curly Maple |
| Bridge | 5/8″ OME |
| Tailpiece | OME Harp |
| Coordinator Rods | Dual 2-Way Adjustable |
| Resonator | |
|---|---|
| Material | Highly Figured Curly Maple |
| Binding | Tortoise |
| Dimensions & Details | |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Weight | Approximately 12 lbs |
| Strings | .009, .011, .013, .020w, .009 |
| Tuning | Open G (G, D, G, B, D) |
| Case | Included |
| Country of Origin | USA (Titusville, Florida) |
Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse is located in Yellow Springs, Ohio with additional operations in Atlanta, Georgia. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business and is the author of The Banjo Primer. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OME Ikon?
The OME Ikon is the first bluegrass resonator production model from OME Banjos — the oldest active banjo manufacturer in the United States. Established in 1960 by Chuck Ogsbury in Boulder, Colorado, OME is now produced under Gold Tone Music Group in Titusville, Florida. The Ikon features the JLS sand-cast bell-bronze tone ring, curly maple construction, and art deco inlays.
What is the JLS tone ring?
The JLS (Jim Stull) tone ring is a sand-cast bell-bronze flathead design with 20 holes. It is widely regarded as one of the best modern flathead tone rings available, known for replicating the deep, powerful sound of prewar Gibson Mastertone banjos. This is the same tone ring serious players seek out for custom builds.
Is OME still made in the USA?
Yes. OME Banjos has been building instruments in the United States continuously since 1960 — longer than any other active banjo manufacturer in the country. Production is now based in Titusville, Florida under Gold Tone Music Group, continuing Chuck Ogsbury’s legacy of American craftsmanship.
How does the OME Ikon compare to other professional banjos?
The Ikon sits in the professional tier alongside instruments from Deering’s Golden Series, Huber, and Yates. The JLS tone ring, Rickard Cyclone tuners, curly maple construction, and OME’s 60+ year heritage make this a serious contender for any professional player. At $5,499.99 with case and setup included, it offers premium components and American craftsmanship at a competitive price point.
When will the OME Ikon ship?
The OME Ikon is currently available for pre-order with an estimated delivery date of late April 2026. Full payment is required at time of order. Every Ikon ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com.
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Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.
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