Banjos > 5-String Open-Back

5-STRING OPEN-BACK

STYLE FRETS SCALE NUT WIDTH TUNING
5-String Old-Time 17 25.5″ 1.34″ GDGBD
5-String Standard 22 26.25″ 1.28″ GDGBD
5-String Long-Neck 25 31.188″ 1.28″ EAEG#B

Most early banjos were 5-string open-back styles until the early 20th century when 4-string tenors and plectrums started being used in the popular dance bands of that era and eclipsed the 5-string. It wasn’t until the revival of “Folk Music” and the emergence of “Bluegrass” in the 1940’s and 50’s that the 5-string started to regain its popularity. Today, the 5-string banjo is used in many types of music including folk, old-time, bluegrass, country, and more. The 5-string open-back is tuned in a variety of ways such as: “Open G” (GDGBD), “C Tuning” (GCGBD), “Double C” GCGCD, “D Tuning” F#DF#AD and “G Modal” (GDGCD) Tuning.

OME 5-string open-back banjos are offered in our standard 26.25” scale with a 1.28” wide string nut and in our shorter 25.5” scale with a wider 1.34” string nut. All open-back models are available in either an 11” body size for a brighter, punchier tone, and in a 12” size for added bass, depth, and warmth. OME open-backs also offer a wide variety of tone rings, inlay patterns, metal hardware, and tone-wood options.   Most models can be fitted with our Omega or Standard resonator, and all banjos come complete with a hard-shell case and Limited Lifetime Warranty.

MODELS

Old-Time

Cherry Tupelo Front - Full Size

Vintage

Professional

Custom