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All original Epiphone ‘A’ Recording 19 fret tenor banjo. X style flange model featuring the 3rd generation tone ring where the tone ring rests upon 26 metal spacing segments that are embedded  on the 3/4″ ply rim. American walnut neck is reinforced by three veneers of holly and ebony. The fingerboard is genuine Gaboon ebony, mounted on three veneers of contrasting woods, bound on the side with white pyralin. The neck is decorated with diamond style position markers and the head plate is ebony with an elaborate inlaid design of mother of pearl. The original tuners are Grover type all working perfectly. Straight neck with low playing action right up the fret board. I have used nickel strings 12, 17, 28, and 38 gauge and is perfect for playing Irish trad. The sound of these banjos has to be heard to be believed, the tone is vibrant, powerful and far reaching, yet when played lightly moving the pick away from the bridge it has a low lilting sweetness and sonorous in quality. I have fitted one of my own hand made 5/8″ walnut and ebony tipped bridges.

The resonator is made from 6 ply American walnut with inlays of holly to match the neck. Original Epiphone clamshell tail piece, and armrest, comes with the original Epiphone vintage case which is in good restored condition. The overall condition of this banjo is in excellent shape including the original lacquer.

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1925 Paramount Style C 19 fret tenor banjo made by the Rettburg and Lange Company New York. 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) woods 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. The neck is straight with good frets and good action. Hardware includes the early Paramount flip tailpiece and the flat bar style arm rest. Selling originally for $185, the Style C was a relatively affordable but still upscale professional grade tenor Banjo.

This Style C is in excellent original condition and has a beautiful tone. I have set so many up over the years, each of them have their own individual tone, depending on the head I install or different bridge etc.  I have upgraded the original Jos Rogers goat skin head for a brighter more powerful 11 – 2/16″ Remo smooth white top head. Which takes me to the detail & condition under the bonnet! The nickel plating throughout this instrument is in first class condition including the tone ring, so worth while showing of if you would prefer a clear head installed (extra). Comes with original paramount tenor banjo case with green lining.

Quick summary

• Original (indestructible) page geared tuners (all working well)
• flat bar nickel plated armrest
• Paramount tail piece
• Nice Carving to heal & back of neck head stock
• Multi piece mahogany neck featuring holly & died pear wood
• original vintage banjo case

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Check out the sound of this beautiful Paramount…