Ome Southern Cross (c. 2023)

Ome Banjo Company spent decades atop the Colorado bluegrass banjo food chain, and this 2023 Southern Cross, one of the final instruments to roll out of the Boulder factory, shows exactly why these instruments were so highly regarded during their time. With a mahogany neck and resonator in combination with a flamed maple pot and the company's proprietary Holy Grain sand-cast tone ring, this is a remarkably versatile and powerful five-string just at home in traditional Flatt & Scruggs territory as it is grooving on some 90s jamgrass. Visual appointments err towards the modern while still paying homage to high-end resonators of yesteryear, with a bound resonator and fingerboard, a full gloss finish, and mother-of-pearl inlays on the headstock and fingerboard.

This instrument arrived in our store in excellent condition, with very light playing wear indicative of careful, one-owner use. Scuffing is for the most part extremely fine and isolated to the back of the resonator, and is only really visible under oblique lighting. Playability is excellent, with low, comfortable action in all zones of the neck and no fret buzz. Included in the price is the original hard-shell case.

Specifications

Scale Length: 26.25"
Nut Width: 1.25"
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard Wood: Ebony
Peghead Overlay: Rosewood
Peghead Inlay: Mother-of-pearl
Fret Markers: 3rd, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, and 19th frets
Nut Material: Bone
Spikes: 7th and 9th frets
Tuners: Chrome planetary with pearloid buttons
Finish: Full gloss
Rim Size: 11"
Rim Wood: Flamed maple
Rim or Resonator Binding: Grained ivoroid
Resonator Wood: Mahogany
Tailpiece: Presto
Head: Frosted white
Armrest: Chrome
Case: Original hard-shell case