Oct 04

1921 Paramount Leader Tenor Banjo

Written by Paul Conlon. Posted in For Sale

Very rare 1921 Paramount Style ‘Leader’ 19 fret tenor banjo in excellent condition. This was one of the first run of Paramounts to leave the new factory back in 1921 making this banjo 95 years old. Made from quality Brazilian rosewood the resonator is decorated with 11 piece maple /pearwood centre stripe and outer circle 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, 19 frets (re-fretted to first 12) , 11″ weatherking white smooth top head, 24 brackets, round hole flange, raised archtop tone ring, Paramount swivel lock tailpiece, armrest, original paramount brass/nickel plated geared tuners (the best type). Comes with original paramount hard shell case finished in outer real leather skin, inner green velvet and double box pockets. 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 tonering * (SN:825)

Quick summary

Neck

5 piece Brazilian rosewood / maple neck,
checkerboard trim sides
Leader style inlay pattern on frets 3,5,7,10,12,15,17
Rosewood fretboard re-fretted to first 12 with nickel silver frets
Smooth brass nickel plated Paramount tuners (original)
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 & arm rest

Resonator

Brazillian rosewood decorated with 11 piece maple /pearwood centre stripe and outer circle rings

This banjo is now sold

Sep 16

Paramount Style C Tenor Banjo (1929)

Written by Paul Conlon. Posted in For Sale

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Paramounts have a distinctive sound, are loud and usually very good banjos, especially at the professional levels

The woods used in the instruments do make a difference in sound. Maple tends to be brighter, Mahogany mellower, walnut in the middle. The higher grade banjos have more expensive (and prettier) wood in them such as rosewood, holly, and ebony. Other banjo makers did the same thing with their banjos, the fancier they are, the rarer the wood and the more carving, marquetry, etc. on the banjos.

The Style C has a natural dark mahogany finish, laminated maple/mahogany rim, laminated mahogany resonator, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard. The Style C banjo is one of Paramount’s most attractive designs, richly decorated with elaborate wood marquetry and very fancy engraved pearl inlay. The overall look is dark finished mahogany with chain pattern wood edging, wood and celluloid binding, and coloured wood inlay. The mahogany neck is of multi laminate construction with carved heel, carved peg head back and multilayered wood binding with a chain marquetry inlay up the sides. The headstock is decorated with an extremely fancy engraved pearl inlay and the fingerboard has shaped and engraved pearl in a flying bird motif. Hardware includes the Paramount adjustable tailpiece and the hotdog style arm rest. Selling originally for $185, the Style C was a relatively affordable but still upscale professional grade tenor Banjo.

I have given this beauty the usual pure banjo once over and highly hand polished throughout. The neck is straight and the frets show little wear. I have upgraded the original Jos Rogers goat skin head for a brighter more powerful 11 2/16″ Weather King clear head. Which takes me to the detail & condition under the bonnet! I would have probably put a smooth white head on this banjo but the nickel plating throughout this instrument is in first class condition including the tone ring, so worth while showing of.

Quick summary

Original page geared tuners (all working well)
Hotdog nickel plated armrest
Paramount tail piece
Nice Carving to heal & back of neck head stock
Multi piece mahogany neck featuring holly & died pear wood
black tolex vintage hard shell case with inner velvet zipper protector

video sample of how the Paramount Style C sounds

1921 Paramount Leader Tenor Banjo

Neck

Pot

Resonator

Paramount Style C Tenor Banjo (1929)

Audio & Video

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