Tom, you have no idea how lucky you are to have a banjo with my fathers work on it. He does his work so selectively and on a very small scale. This was my favorite job he did with Chuck & Tanya. I'm really glad to see it in the hands of a great player such as yourself!
Russ, Thank you so much for this comment. When I first bought the Omega, I reached out to your dad to let him know where his work ultimately ended up. He gave me a lot of insight into where he gets his inspiration, and how he does his work. He is an artist of the highest caliber, and I don't think it's a stretch to say he should be considered a national treasure. He's such a class act of course, that you'd never get him to admit this! Anyway, I deeply appreciate you taking the time to comment. I had no idea that you were his son! I love your channel, and your banjo playing is simply mind blowing. Every day when I walk into my studio, your father's work is here to greet me and encourage me. I'm truly lucky indeed. Cheers to you and your family! Tom
@@TomCollinsBanjo I'm confused by the Ome Omega. Clearly it's an incredible instrument, and yet I can't find much at all about it on the Ome website. Is it a custom build?
@@quailcreekbanjos Yeah, it's a little confusing for sure. I had thought that the Omegas were regular production models, but I found out that they only do about one a year. The other strange thing about the Omegas is that the inlay and the specs are different for each one. One of the Omega's that came up for sale recently was not radiused, for example. I think there's a BQ member who is on the wait list for one and he was quoted a 12 mo wait. I believe as of right now three Omegas have been completed. One is a resonator. Hope that helps!
Tom you are so blessed! I lived in the USA (legally) for 24 years and had to come back to Brazil because I lost my 33 years job (banker), health plan ran out and my wife had cancer. She died one year after we came back. Now I am 70, too old to go back, even though I proudly hold an American passport. I started on banjo (both clawhammer and bluegrass, 3 fingers). This week I decided I prefer the clawhammer/two finger/oldtime. Easier to sing with, more melodic, soft and pleasant. I never pretended (know my limitations) to be a great picker. Besides even thought I love the bluegrass/country/folk/gospel side of the USA, this is not my main culture. But clawhammer will get me pretty close, actually I believe that in the beginning it was the most popular form of banjo playing. I wish I could live in the USA and afford this brand of banjo. Here it is very, very difficult to find and very, very expensive to buy a decent banjo. I put all my coins together and bought an entry level clawhammer Deering. And I love it. My treasure. Thank you a lot for your lessons. By the way, I am also a drummer (my main instrument), particularly a jazz drummer. God bless. Be safe. CB
Great video....Ome’s masterpiece openback banjo and you make it sound amazing! Yes!....it’s all about getting inspiration to elevate your musicianship....nicely said. Thanks for posting
I had to post and say thank you for this. This video itself is moving and inspirational. The idea, the video quality, the description of the banjo and narration, the tune choice and the way you played it...truly beautiful, thank you.
Damn...Tom, you hit the nail on the head with why I picked up the banjo 10 years ago. There's a place to go where I should be. I'm still on that road discovering new and beautiful things along the way.
Very cool video and I agree, I have some nice open-back banjos here but when I finally received my Pisgah 12 inch rim walnut Possum it seemed to open new doors to creativity. Thanks for posting!
Wonderful. The banjo and your narration. I wish I could have had the inspiration that you give twenty years ago. I tried and failed then, but I still have a couple of the fine banjos.
John, I'm so glad the video resonated with you. You haven't failed to learn the banjo yet because you're still breathing. Do what I do: keep banging your head against that wall, and eventually you will break through!
Beautiful! Is this banjo related to the Ode banjo made in Colorado? I liked the sound of the Ode Magician 11”. I love my Vega Vintage Star 12” with Dobson tone ring but in the market for a punchier 11” for a second banjo. I also looked at Pisgah. Any advice?
sorry to miss this comment! Yes, Ome used to be Ode. Made in Colorado. They're my favorite production banjo, but there are so many to choose from now. Those Vintage Stars are absolutely wonderful! You're lucky to have such a nice instrument. Yes, 11" will give you more clarity than 12". Pisgah makes a great instrument too! If you can, get them in your hands and see which one speaks to you. Good luck!
It’s my circa 1924 Clifford Essex Paragon original five string. I removed the flange and resonator. It’s an archtop and very similar to an Orpheum #3 by Rhettburg and Lang. Weighs about twelve pounds. History in my hands. I gave up a Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie to buy this.
HUGE fan of the old arch tops, Charles. They have such a unique and characterful tone. Sounds like you have a true treasure there! Thanks for the comment.
Just watched your EQ video, your worst banjo video - now this 'Best Banjo' . Wonderful series you got going!. I played the Worst banjo in the world for about 15 years - friction tuners on a particularly nasty old Dobson - Bottom of their line - I suppose. Then I upgraded to a Stew Mac Tuba-phone kit - solid - stayed in tune - worth the upgrade for sure... then I bought and sold a few more better quality banjos - finally in 2008 I decided to order a custom instrument from Ome... a 12" Custom Primrose - with a Silver Bell style tone ring - radius board - maple banjo... It's what I use everyday: It's inspirational owning and playing a really fine banjo. When I ordered the Ome I had never played one before - just saw Ken Pearlman playing live once - and a few RU-vid videos...had a feeling...Called Tanya at Ome...Your Omega is a beauty.
I appreciate banjo videos that do not trumpet the Blue Grass sound that I personally detest. My goal is to develop a dark, sad sort of sound that is just the opposite of the typical “happy” banjo sound.
Me again Tom, they seem hard to come by the omega. Unfortunately such beautiful tone. Have u ever played the ome Tupelo. Wondering what your thoughts on it are and how it would fair in playing a time like.lost Gander. With harmonics involved
Hi Glen! I adore my Tupelo!!! I purchased it a couple of years ago to lend to out-of-town students, and it has quickly become one of my very favorite instruments I've ever played. They are deep, rich with wonderful bass response, and yet are still clear as a bell. Here's me playing my Tupleo on "Piney Woods": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-POZDdac7wHU.html The Ome Tupelo is my goto recommendation for anyone wanting an Ome.
Cheers again Tupelo sounds beautiful aswell but that omega is something special. Unfortunately in Ireland where I am based there's not alot of places that offer a variety of open back five strings to play or choose from so I am forced to search RU-vid for banjos to potentially purchase
Hey man! I finally tracked one of these Omegas down. I have it on hold! 😁 My question to you is, how does this Banjo handle fingerpicks? Not necessarily for a scrub style but more of a melodic style. I like a very dark sounds so I’m not going for that bright ice pick of a resonator banjo.
WOWOWOWOW!!!!! CONGRATS!!! You are one lucky banjo player. I think you're going to find it responds beautifully to finger picks. That 11" pot with the vintage tone ring is hugely flexible, and works well for all styles. You can push it to the dark side with some setup stuff: heavier bridge, natural hide head, looser tension on the head will all push it dark. Welcome to the Ome family!
@@TomCollinsBanjo Thanks man! I’m pretty darn stoked to say the least. These things just about never come up for sale used so I had to hop on it. I think it’s a little different from yours because it is the first one they ever built so, it does not have the radius board which may be the only thing I’m concerned about. Also, it has a tubaphone tone ring which I typically love but any departure from the one you made a video about psychological has me a tad nervous. I LOVE the sound of yours but I’m hoping you this one will have the goods too. I could send you a photo of it if you’re you’re on Facebook or something. I don’t have Facebook other than messenger but, I could send them through there.
Do you know if these are still being made? I don't see the model listed on the Ome website. Also, have you ever tried nylon or Nylgut strings on yours?
The Ome Tupelo is a bit over $2k. I play one as my daily driver. Ome released a new line called “Ode” and they start at the $1300 mark. Ome is a family owned, small company with decades of experience and true American craftsmanship. I’m so proud to own these heirloom instruments. Are they cheap? No, but you get what you pay for.
Hey Fred! Long time no see. Hope all is well. I haven't played Lukas's banjos yes, but he's such an incredible player that I would guess his instruments are superb in order for them to bear his name. I hope to play one sometime soon.
As usual I have one of Lukas' banjos. It is on You Tube with him playing Big Footed Man in the Sandy Lot. I've owned aso many banjos and still can't play anything. Keep switching between banjo and dobro and weissenborn. Take care.
Hi Tom-- why did you end up retiring your Romero banjo from many years ago? A Romero banjo may be my grail banjo at the moment but I do love the Ome North Star banjos...
Hey there! I stupidly sold that Romero slothead many years ago. It's my #1 "banjo regret" in life! Jason's instruments are truly world class. Highly recommended!
Ome banjo are extremely fine- amongst others that are also fine! Something special about Ome though... Where did you learn that version of the Lost Gander? Lukas Pool? Clifton Hicks? E.t.c.?
I first heard the tune from Mike Seeger. I modified his version very heavily, including adding a whole part (which you hear when I modulate the chord in the clawhammer section). To my knowledge, Lost Gander has never been clawhammered...so I'm taking a little bit of a risk when I drop down to the low part. I think it works though.
Not sure where you're getting your info, or why the all caps, but this isn't a custom instrument, and the Omegas aren't close to 7500. What's your point?
Ha! I'm gonna take that as a compliment, Mark! You're not the only one who's told me to just shut up and play the banjo....I'll be making that track downloadable when my Patreon campaign launches if you're interested. I'll let everyone know when that goes live, so subscribe to this channel and you'll be notified. Thanks for putting up with my narration! Tom
I WOULD be interested so I will keep an eye out for that. You say you don't need to spend a lot on a banjo, but....I'm still on my $160 beginner banjo I got on Amazon. Been taking lessons, my teacher says it's holding me back so I'm looking at RKs. Now I'm thinking of OME, any recommendations for a learner wanting to upgrade? Great videos Tom!
Hey Mark: I think your teacher may be right. While you can make good music on a crappy instrument, that kind of thing only really comes after you build your skillset up. It can be hard to break through with an instrument that doesn't stay in tune, or that buzzes, or doesn't have volume. Having a banjo you love will inspire you to play and practice more, so it's money well spent. My suggestion is to spend as much as you can reasonably afford on your next banjo. Don't go for an incremental upgrade. We are living in the golden age of banjo building, so the world is your oyster. Obviously, I love OME. I'm in the process of making another video though, and it's going to highlight my instrument from Kevin Enoch. He makes an "entry level" instrument called the Enoch Trademan. By entry level, they are $800-$1200. They are absolutely awesome, and are my goto recommendation for beginners looking for a pro-level instrument. Good luck in your search! Please let me know what banjo you end up getting. See you in Banjo Quest!
