Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-01 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-02 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-03 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-04 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-05 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-06 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-07 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-08 Paramount-Leader-Short-Scale-09

A very rare custom 17 fret tenor banjo from the famous William Lange Banjo Company, New York. I’ve only ever come across a Paramount Style A and Style B short scale models, both of which I have owned. So now I have to offer the Leader model in all its original glory.

The matching neck & rim serial numbers SN: 3633 make the build date 1924. Made from quality Brazilian rosewood the resonator side walls are decorated with herringbone wood marquetry binding, usually found on the Style C, E & F models. The back of the resonator has a maple /pearwood centre stripe and outer circular herringbone rings. 5 piece Brazilian rosewood / maple neck, with checkerboard trim under the bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard. Headstock overlay features logo, model and floral inlays, Leader style inlay pattern up the fretboard, 17 frets, which are original and still have plenty of life and the neck is arrow straight. The short scale length measures 20″ / 50.5cm. Newly fitted 11″ weatherking clear head, 24 brackets, round hole flange, raised archtop tone ring, Paramount swivel lock tailpiece, flat bar armrest. Has the original ‘non-destructible’ Paramount solid brass geared tuners, all greased up and holding perfect tune. The resonator has been refinished to preserve the life of the wood binding for another 100 years. Comes with a brand new brown leatherette hard shell case with red fur lining. The banjo has been very well cared for throughout its lifetime as seen from the photos, straight neck and powerful sweet sustain from the archtop tone ring. All the usual purebanjo work has been carried out by myself and I’m sure this little treasure is going to a new home real soon.

Quick summary

Neck

• 5 piece Brazilian rosewood / maple neck,
• Scale length 20″
• checkerboard trim sides
• Leader style inlay pattern on frets 1,3,5,7,10,12,15,17
• Rosewood fretboard
• Paramount solid brass geared tuners with ivoroid buttons
• Headstock overlay features logo, model and floral inlays,

Pot

• Multiply Brazillian rosewood rim with checkerboard inlay pattern
• Raised arch top tone ring
• 24 nickel plated brackets & round hole flange
• Smooth Weather King head
• Paramount swivel lock tailpiece & flat bar arm rest

Resonator

• Brazillian rosewood decorated with maple /pearwood centre stripe and herringbone wood marquetry side wall binding

Sold

Photos coming in next day or two

Come along and visit my popup shop at this years Fleadh Cheoil 2022 and try out some fantastic Tenor Banjos and Mandolins. The shop is open from Wednesday 3rd August until Saturday 6th August from 10am – 6pm daily (maybe even later). See below a sample of the banjos I’ll be bringing with me. Looking forward to seeing new and old faces again…. The shop is in the centre of the town at this address:

Unit 2 Blackhall St,

Commons,

Mullingar,

Co. Westmeath.

I’ll be displaying around 20 tenor banjos with my good friend Des Tracey from Wednesday 3rd until Sunday 7th Aug. Call by the shop today 1st Aug as Des will be there with his own selection of banjos, concertinas, etc. Please do call in for a chat, It’s actually the offices of TD Peter Burke, it will say his name on the building front. Check address link below

https://goo.gl/maps/ysoQG2WHiKYQKKhJ9