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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

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Vega Vegaphone Professional 19 fret tenor banjo in pristine condition. All original with matching serial number on rim and perch pole #89335 dating the banjo at 1927. Beautiful sunburst finish to the resonator with tortoise shell binding side walls and maple bound pie-section to rear. All metal parts are nickel plated in excellent condition. The rim is made from 1/2″ maple ply with 28 brackets and 4 piece flange plates, 19 fret ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl vega inlays. The headstock bears the Vega name surrounded with a floral design. Heavy duty tension flange and tubaphone tone ring. Original Vega armrest and Vega Professional stamped Presto tailpiece, Grover off-set geared tuners with ivoroid buttons all working perfectly and holding tune. The banjo has a scale length of ~23-1/8″ and has been recently refretted. The neck is straight and plays beautifully up the fret board. It has been very well cared for over its life time, so why not own a classic. The banjo comes with a new brown leatherette hardshell case with gold latches.

For Sale £1475