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Recently made 2022 Clareen short scale 17 fret open back tenor banjo, in the style of the vintage Weymann banjo. The tapered rim and neck are made from Honduras mahogany with ebony fret board and headstock overlay. The neck is sleek in design which makes it a dream to play and has a scale length of 21-3/4″. Simple dot position markers and stylish custom inlayed Irish Celtic mother of pearl across the upper fretboard. Supplied with black Gotoh geared machine tuners, Oettinger tail piece, custom ebony/mahogany armrest, Clareen clear head and ebony bridge. The mahogany rim design is tapered on the inside which houses the archtop tone ring and scalloped hoop. The tension hoop pulls the head down by the ‘through rim hooks’ which reflects the Weymann style megaphonic rim. The action is set low and the tone and power from this banjo is incredible. No case with this banjo, can be bought separately from pure banjo.

video and photos to follow soon

Not for Sale

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A little bit of history

In 1897, William Rettberg and William Lange bought the J H Buckbee banjo company and by 1903 moved to larger premises and introduced Orpheum banjos. More expansion and moves followed, and in 1920 a patent was granted to William L. Lange for the Paramount banjo. Lange took sole control of the company in 1922.

In 1929, Lange began production of the final series of Paramount banjos, the ‘Super Paramount’. Three models were available – the Ensemble King, the Artists Professional and the Artists Supreme.

The most elaborate of the Super Paramount line was the Artists Supreme, with engraved inlays on the head and fingerboard, marquetry on the resonator, and an engraved celluloid sidewall. It is a spectacular instrument.

All Super Paramount banjos had a double stepped resonator, unique to Paramount, and not seen on any other banjo. All three models came with a large one piece tone modifier tailpiece mute. Fitted with Page tuners, rosewood neck and resonator with elaborate wood marquetry inlay. The fretboard is also rosewood with engraved fancy mother of pearl inlay position markers. The headstock mother of pearl is beautifully ornate MOP with multi laminated wood veeners. The unique Paramount double flange has an engraved cream celluloid sidewall on the upper flange, gold plated and fancily engraved hardware and a carved heel.

Super Paramount instruments were assigned their own three digit serial numbers, distinct from other Paramount banjos. The serial numbers range from 000 in 1929 to around 280, this banjo serial is #A237. The price of these banjos in 1929 were listed at $360.00 which was equal to the pricing of the Epiphone Concert Deluxe models. The banjo comes with an original robust Paramount hardshell case. More photos coming soon.

For Sale: Please email for details info@purebanjo.com