This extremely handsome,
and tastefully decorated, middle-of-the-line Paramount (“William L. Lange”) tenor
banjo shows normal signs of use and wear including light scratches and dings on
the back and sides of the Brazilian rosewood veneer resonator, hand-wear,
indentations and other signs of use on the back of the neck. The metal parts
are in reasonably good shape but for some minor nicks and marks along various
edges, oxidation and wear from the arm on the armrest. The fingerboard has normal relief and then
after that the neck is slightly bowed but not enough to affect playability - it
plays easily and comfortably and with its brand new Mylar Remo Weatherking) 11
1/8" diameter frosted head, it sounds exactly the way a fine tenor banjo
should sound - crispy, clean and clear with great volume and projection. It has the original "Improved, Paramount, Pat.
Pend" quick-release tailpiece, a flat nickel-plated arm rest that might
have been original. Inside the case are
the original red and blue lights that were used as a showy performance tool
during vaudeville, and which were, as well, also used to warm up the old skin
head it once came with and keep the skin from becoming flaccid. As shown in our photos online, there is a
metal mute positioned just below the bridge to be used when you need to play
the banjo late at night when everybody's asleep.
This banjo’s headstock retains its original four pot
metal Page brand tuners, each stamped "Page
'Geared' Pegs, Patent Pend'g." This
model features the Brazilian rosewood resonator and neck with the
crème-black-crème center stripe on the neck and the twin concentric rings of
light colored wood purfling on the back of the resonator with three-plies on
the side. The head plate is considerably
inlaid with a festival of bells and flowers; the fingerboard is inlaid with
large design inlays on frets 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 and 17. This is a fine looking professional quality
performance tool, and one that, properly cared for, can likely provide its new
owner another 80 years of stage, screen and radio use.