Gold Tone Acquires OME Banjos: Continuing a Legacy of Excellence

A Brief History of OME Banjos

The story of OME Banjos begins with Chuck Ogsbury, a pioneer in banjo-making who got his start in 1960 by crafting his first 100 instruments. Over the years, Chuck’s passion and dedication led to the formation of OME Banjos in 1970, following his earlier work with ODE Banjos. OME became known for its innovative designs and commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, producing a range of high-end open-back and resonator banjos.

As demand for OME Banjos grew throughout the 2010s, production challenges arose due to the time-intensive nature of their handcrafted instruments.

In 2023, Chuck decided it was time to pass the torch and sought a company that would honor OME’s tradition of quality. Longtime friend and fellow banjo enthusiast Wayne Rogers, founder of Gold Tone Music Group, stepped in to continue the legacy.

In September 2023, Gold Tone officially became the new home of OME Banjos. The entire OME workshop, including its specialized tools and materials, was relocated from Boulder, Colorado, to a dedicated facility in Titusville, Florida, just blocks away from Gold Tone’s headquarters. This new shop remains an independent operation, dedicated solely to producing OME Banjos with the same level of craftsmanship that players have come to expect.

Wayne Rogers and his team have taken great care to ensure a smooth transition, spending months setting up the new facility and refining production processes. The goal is not just to maintain OME’s high standards but to expand production capabilities, making these sought-after instruments more readily available to musicians worldwide.

Gold Tone has committed to resuming production of OME Banjos, beginning with eight of the brand’s top-selling models. While staying true to OME’s original designs, Gold Tone plans to introduce variations using different woods and tone rings, expanding the range of tonal possibilities. Additionally, a new bluegrass model is in the works, bringing OME’s craftsmanship into the hands of even more players.

One of the most exciting aspects of this transition is the wealth of existing OME parts that were acquired in the move. Hundreds of unfinished necks, rims, and resonators from the Boulder shop are now being carefully assembled into special one-off models. These unique instruments, including bluegrass and Irish tenor banjos, will be available in limited quantities while standard production ramps up.

With Gold Tone at the helm, OME Banjos is poised for a bright future. The goal is to make these incredible instruments more accessible while preserving the artistry and quality that have defined OME for decades. Gold Tone’s experience in instrument production, combined with a deep respect for OME’s heritage, ensures that Chuck Ogsbury’s vision will live on.

For musicians eager to get their hands on an OME Banjo, production is already underway, and more models will be available soon. In the meantime, those looking for something truly special should keep an eye out for the one-of-a-kind instruments being crafted from OME’s historic parts inventory.