Ome Banjo Serial Numbers

вторник 05 мая

Gold Tone

Nechville

Bart Reiter

Turtle Hill
Banjo Company
David E. Schenkman
P.O. Box 2866
La Plata, MD 20646
301-274-3441

Used Banjos
5 String Resonator - 5 String Open Back - Four String

Below is a list of used banjos currently in stock. See something of interest? We will be glad to furnish a complete description and price on request.

Alvarez 4285.Mahogany wood. Nice condition, with only a very little fret wear.Geared tuners and friction 5th string tuner. Hardshell case. This is anice sounding and playing banjo for the money. Pics
Bishline Patriot.Although used, other than a wisp of fret wear it is virtually inlike-new condition. Walnut neck, with a burl walnut resonator; satinfinish. Ebony fingerboard with blackbinding. Three ply maple rim and a tone hoop. This American-madelight-weight banjo is ideal for someone with back problems. Itoundsgreat, but has a little less volume as a banjo with a heavy metalring. Incidentally, any standard bluegrass-type tone ring can be fittedto the rim, if the owner desires to do so at a later date. Pics

Crafters of Tennessee Mahogany Classic. Wesold this banjo new, and had it made with a Tony Pass old wood TS-500rim. Overall condition is excellent and there is hardly any fret wear.The metal parts are oxidized but could be easily cleaned if the newowner so desired. This is a great sounding banjo, and in my opinion abargain for the price. Pics

Custom banjo with prewar Gibson 40-hole archtop tone ring. Mapleneck and resonator; wreath inlay. Although this banjo wasevidently made about fifteen years ago, it is in nearly like newcondition, with only a tiny hint of fret wear. It is a really nicesounding archtop. Pics

DeeringDeluxe. This banjo is absolutely as nice as a used banjo could be, withjust a tiny bit of wear on the first couple of frets. We sold it new in2012, and obviously it was barely played. Pics

2003Desert Rose BG-75. Mahogany, with a Tony Pass Lost Timber rim.We sold this new and the owner evidently rarely played it, so itremains in virtually unplayed condition with just a hint of wear on thefirst two frets. ScottZimmerman is one of finest builders in the world; unfortunately heevidently isn't currently making banjos, so they are few and far between. Pics

2003 Desert RoseSalt Creek Custom. Mahogany, with a beautiful resonator (which can't beseen well in the pics). Tony Pass Timeless Timer rim. We sold this newand the owner never tried to learn to play, so it is in virtually mintcondition with just a tiny bit of fret wear. ScottZimmerman is one of finest builders in the world; unfortunately heisn't currently making banjos, so they are few and far between. Pics

2001Fender Prototype Concert Tone. This one-of-a-kind banjo was built asthe result of an agreement between Fender and Scott Zimmerman for apossible Fender re-entry into the professional banjo market. Thewood is American walnut with a beautiful burl resonator. JLS #4 tonering and 3-ply rim. The label is signed and dated by Scott, and thereis a letter from him verifying the above. It is in virtually newcondition, with not even a trace of fret wear! Pics
1927-late1930s GibsonBella Voce. The pot on this extremely rare banjo was, in allprobability, built in 1927, and the neck a decade later. There is nocarving on the neck, and the peghead inlay is completely different thanon the standard Bella Voce. It is absolutely original, with tube andplate flange and a 40-hole archtop tone ring. We had Richie Dotsonbuild a 5-string neck that matches the original perfectly. It is areally neat instrument and you'll probably never see another like it! Pics

1927 Gibson Granada.FON 8886. The previous owner installed a Mitch Meador conversion ringon top of the original 40-hole archtop ring. It can be easilyremoved if the buyer so desires. It has a decent 5-string neck ofunknownmake, with the original tuning pegs and pearl knobs. There is just alittle fret wear, mostly at the 2nd fret. Worn gold platedparts. New coordinator rods, and one missing resonator thumbscrew. A really nicesounding banjo! Pics

1928GibsonGranada. This was Steve Sparkman's banjo, which I acquired in trade forhis 'dream' banjo, a 1927 style 5 no-hole. The banjo was started byGibson in 1925, as the peghead inlay indicates. In 1928 they finishedit, in the process changing the tone ring from ball bearing to 40-holearchtop. Steve had Frank Neat build a really nice 5-string neck. Thepot is all original; gold plating is nice, although the armrest has arepair. Pics
1929Gibson Recording King. Chrome plated metal parts, maple wood, fancymulti-color binding, and 40-hole archtop tone ring. This is a very rareGibson; the wood and inlay resemble the style 6 Gibson.Very nicecondition, and a wonderful sounding banjo. Pics
1930s GibsonKK-10 conversion. The pot is all original except for the tailpiece. The flange ispulled up a little, but is better than most; it is very solid. RichieDotson made a new 5-string neck with Flying Eagle inlay, and installedone of his new Dotson 75 flathead tone rings. A great sounding and verypowerful banjo! Pics
1930s Gibson KK-11 with new wreath inlay 5-string neck by RichieDotson. The rim is uncut and still has the original hoop tone ring. Thepot is all original except for the tailpiece; it even has the originalRogers skin head. The flange is pulled up as usual, but is solid. Ithas great tone, and of course Richie did a great job with the neck. Pics

1930s GibsonKK-11. The pot is all original except for the tailpiece. The flange ispulled up as usual, but is very solid. RichieDotson made a new 5-string neck with Reno inlay, and installedone of his new Dotson 75 flathead tone rings. This is an excellentbanjo in all respects. In my opinion, TB-11 and KK conversions areabsolutely the best bargains in bluegrass banjos. Pics
1970s Gibson RB-250.Decent overall condition with practically no fret wear. There is somegreen vertigris on the metal parts which could be cleaned. The tube hasa couple of breaks, which are harmless because it is stable as is. If you arelooking for an RB-250 at a great price, look no further. No case. Pics

1929 Gibson TB-2. One piece flange. Very nice condition and 100% original. The flange is solid and not badly warped. It is pictured as a tenor, and it is available this way or with a new Florentine Special inlay neck built by Wyatt Fawley. Call for details if interested. Pics

1925GibsonTB-3 banjo. New mahogany 5-string neck by Richie Dotson withHearts & Flowers inlay. Ball bearing tone ring. The potstill has the skin head. The resonator has a very dark, almost black, stain andappears to be original, but I can't be sure. One of the resonator wall lugs is missing. Original Presto tailpieceand new Gotoh tuners. A good banjo at a good price! Pics
1926GibsonTB-3 banjo with ball bearing tone ring. We had a new 5-string neckmade, and the resontor was refinished to match. The pot is 100%original except for the tailpiece, which is a new Presto. One ofthe resonator screws is missing. It still has the original skin head. Pics
1927GibsonTB-3 banjo. New mahogany 5-string neck by Richie Dotson withWreath inlay. No-hole archtop tone ring. The pot in verynice condition and is 100% original, including the tuners and Prestotailpiece, except for the armrest which is newer. This is a really niceprewar banjo. Pics

1928 GibsonTB-3 with no-hole archtop tone ring. New 5-string neck with Hearts& Flowers inlay by Richie Dotson. The pot is 100% original. Thereare numerous scratches on the resonator. This is a really goodsounding banjo. Pics
1929 GibsonTB-3 with 40-hole archtop tone ring. We had Richie Dotson make a new5-string neck with the Reno inlay pattern. The pot is 100% original,although the top cover is missing from the Presto tailpiece.Theresonator has seen a LOT of hard use and has numerous worn spots, etc.It could be refinished, but most people prefer not to do so. This is avery strong banjo! Pics

1932 Gibson TB-3 with one piece flange. Very nice condition. The resonator has been refinished and it looks 'right.' The flange is very solid, with no problems. We have a great 5-string neck for it, made by Wyatt Fawley. Call for details if interested (1472). Pics

1935 Gibson TB-3/75, with 40-hole archtop ring. I'vedealt in prewar Gibsons for thirty years and this is by far thecleanest one of its type I've ever had or seen. The metal is about asbright as it would be on a new banjo and the wood is great. I just puta new Wyatt Fawley neck on it, and it is available that way or as atenor. Notice the rare Bella Voce inlay on the tenor neck. Pics

1925 Gibson TB-4. Ballbearing tone ring. Nice 5-string neck by Robin Smith, with FlyingEagle inlay and rosewood fingerboard. New Presto tailpiece. Theresonator has the expected scratches, etc. The banjo still has theoriginal skin head, and it has a really great tone. Pics
1925 Gibson TB-5. The post is 100% original, and it has a new5-string neck by Richie Dotson, who did a fantastic job building it. Ithas the cleanest metal parts you'll ever see on one of these banjos.The walnut resonator is exceptionally clean, with just a littlescuffing in the center. Pics

1928Gibson TB-6 with Checkerboard binding. 40-hole archtop tone ring. Thisbanjo is exceptionally nice in all respects. I assume it was a customorder, since it has a honey maple finish instead of the usual Argentinegray. I've never owned one of these with nicer gold plating. The new 5-string neck was made by Richie Dotson. Pics

Huber JimMills. SN 453-21. Gold plated with engraved armrest and tailpiece.Mahogany wood with speed neck. It has the expected fret wear, mostly onthe first few frets. The resonator has a number of 'marks' which canonly be seen by tilting it. Overall a very nice banjo.Pics

HuberVRB-4, with Truetone Engineered rim and HR-30 tone ring. Beautifulwalnut wood and chrome plated parts. SN 513-60. Like new condition,with virtually no fret wear.Pics

MullinsBluegrass Special with tunnelled 5th string. Built by Clancy Mullins in2016, it has a prewar Gibson hoop type tone ring (as used onTB-1, etc.) maple neck and resonator, Pass-Schaeffer old wood rim, Waverlytuners, and Price tailpiece. Great condition. Pics
Ome Phoenix Custom. Maple wood. Radiusedfingerboard with gorgeous abalone and pearl inlays and a Tony PassThinSkirt old wood rim. The metal parts appear to be chrome. I soldthis in 2005, and the customer can no longer play it. Other than headwear, it is in virtually new condition, without even noticeable fretwear. This banjo is stunning in all respects! Pics

2005 Stelling Crusader Deluxe. Mahagony, with gold plated and engraved tailpiece, armrest, and tension hoop. It has the Tony Pass rim, as made. Condition is like new on this great banjo!PicsOn Hold

1993 Stelling Sunflower. This banjo has been taken care of very well andis in great condition, although it does have the expected fret wear,and a few marks on the side of the peghead. The wood is exceptionallyattractive. I installed a Tony Pass Lost Timber rim for the owner a fewyears ago; the original rim comes with the banjo. Pics

5 String Open Back Banjos

Mike Ramsey Presentation Grade with 11' pot and Whyte Laydiestyle tone ring. Curly maple neck with extremely fancy inlays,beautifully carved heel. The tension hoop is engraved. Scale is approx.26 inches. Like new condition. Pics

Mike Ramsey12' Fretless with Presentation Grade inlays. Brass hoop tone ring. Curlymaple neck. Scale length is approximately 25.5 inches. The tension hoop pl;ating is dull, but the banjo is in like newcondition. Pics
Mike Ramsey fretless with Stelling tone ring.That's right; you read it correctly. This banjo wandered into my shopabout fifteen years ago, and has remained in the back room until now.It was built while Ramsey was in Ohio; serial number is 190. Scalelength is approximately 25½.' The tone ring is a flathead Stelling, andis marked as such. It apears to be aluminum, but I haven't removed it.I talked with Geoff Stelling and he remembered it as an experimentalring, but didn't recall how it left his shop. So, it is absolutely aone-of-a-kind instrument. Sounds great, and is in excellent condition. Pics

1928 Vega Tubaphone with Mike Ramseycurly maple neck. Fancy Tubaphone style inlays on peghead, fingerboard,and on the back of the peghead and heel. Backstrap. 10 15/16' pot.Scale is approx. 26 inches. Like newcondition. Pics

Vega Little Wonder. 1928. 10 15/16' pot. This banjo started life as a tenor. It now has a new 5-string neck made by Wyatt Fawley, with an engraved griffin inlay on the peghead. Pics

1921 Vega Style N. We had Wyatt Fawley build a new mahogany neck with torch inlay. Other than some rusty brackets, two of which don't match the others, the pot is in decent condition. This is a really nice sounding banjo. Pics

Back to the topFour String Banjos
(Tenor unless otherwise specified)

Power iso 6. Gibsonone-of-a-kind Florentine, circa 1934. This is undoubtedly the rarest prewar Gibson archtop banjo in existence! From the front it looks like a regular Florentine, with the ice cream cone peghead and scenes of Italy on the fingerboard, but the resonator and neck carvings are completely different than on any other banjo. It also has one piece flange construction, which is found on only a few Florentines. -- Pics

Ome Grand Artist plectrum. This was sent to me on consignment from the estate of the original owner, who paid $15,000 for it. It is in absolutely like new condition, with just a tiny hint of fret wear. The metal parts are heavily engraved. The resonator and neck heel are carved, as are the sides of the rim. There is abalone trim around the resonator and sides of the neck, and even two bands of it on the outside of the rim. The family will consider a realistic offer. Contact me if you have any questions. Pics

1916 Vega Tubaphone. This early Tubaphone has the 10 3/4' pot, which many players prefer to the later 10 15/16' pot. It has a 17-fret neck. The banjo is in nice condition, and still has the original skin head. There is a little rust/darkening on some of the brackets, as usual. Pics
1920s Vega Vegaphone with Tubaphone tone ring; serial number89120. This Tubaphone has the 10 15/16' pot and a 19-fret neck. Thebrackets have been replaced with later ones. Original (and rare) Grovertuners and engraved Presto tailpiece. Pics

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Historically, Chuck Ogsbury`s 1960-1966 era Ode banjo enterprise was a mail-order business, and his Muse instruments were for retail purposes. It is doubtful that his current OME banjo business has archives of the old Muse serial numbers, but you can phone his workshop and talk to his daughter Tanya who works the front desk. Gene, I am not a spring chicken either. I bought a new LDG, and I cannot remember when I bought it. I know it came from the Goodman warehouse in Cinci. My serial number is 11639. Could you please help. Thanks, Ronnie Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of.