Capybara - Posted - 02/06/2026:  09:36:17

O great fount of collective banjo knowledge and wisdom, I come before you today to ask about Osborne branded Remo heads.

I've recently come into possession of 10 such NOS medium crown heads. I would like to know more about them, as I am unfamiliar with the history and desirability of these heads (i.e., are they known to sound different vs. other Remo heads? Are/would Osborne banjo players be interested in these?, etc.) and I really have only really a cursory understanding of Osborne/Chief banjos (I assume that is relevant here).

I could not find anything specific on BHO except for this active classified with a head + Dogwood Designs strap (banjohangout.org/classified/113810 (as606 perhaps you have some insights?)).

Any insights on the history and/or desirability/use for these heads would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Osborne Remo Head Logo

 

Culloden - Posted - 02/06/2026:  10:58:05

Do they sound different from other Remo heads? Probably not.
As far as the logo is concerned, it's likely that Sonny Osborne had a dealer who could get Remo to put the custom logo on the heads to be installed on his Chief banjos. That's not unheard of.

BanjoBowers - Posted - 02/06/2026:  11:09:16

Dave Osborne had these specially made.
He was the owner /operator of the Music Barn, in Greensboro, NC, (which is closed, now). He drew the design and sent it Remo to have these heads custom made with the Music Barn Logo.
What happened is Remo used the same size of the drawing that Dave sent them, which was on a sheet of paper, (Dave meant for it to be small so it would fit under the tail piece, he thought they'd understand but they didn't). So, there's the big logo.
I have a couple myself.
They're a good banjo head with its own personality.
Later, Dave had another batch made for him that had the small emblem that will fit under the tail piece.
Sadly, Dave passed away a couple of years ago. He was a fine person for sure; he owned the 9584-1 Granada for thirty years and was a friend to all.
He was not related to the Osborne Bros. but was good friends with Sonny.....Hope this helps.

BanjoBowers - Posted - 02/06/2026:  13:33:40

I meant Dave Osborne logo, not the Music Barn...my bad....

Pigeontown Banjo Co - Posted - 02/06/2026:  14:27:35

Thanks Danny - I couldn't remember the story but I knew these heads had no connection with Sonny! They're nicely frosted and done in the pre-EPA era. 10 NOS heads is a SCORE...too bad theyre not high crowns!

Pigeontown Banjo Co - Posted - 02/06/2026:  14:28:26

Also I think these are slightly later than the first batch - which have a different logo.

desert rose - Posted - 02/06/2026:  19:26:57

I dont know about niw but back in these days if you commited to a certain quantity Remo would accept custom orders, both coating and logo