1924 Paramount Leader Tenor Banjo Leader

While most folks reading this description already know much more about banjos than I do, a brief history of the Rettburg & Lange Orpheum banjo company of New York might be useful to some. The company dates back to 1897, producing the first “Orpheum” banjos in 1908. In August 1920 the Orpheum Company was granted a US patent for its new “Paramount” banjo, and this new instrument (designed by William L. Lange) made its first appearance in 1921. In 1922 Lange took over sole control of the company and changed the title to Wm. L. Lange. In September of that year as successor to Rettberg & Lange he announced six styles of the “Paramount” banjos, which quickly became world famous and were much sought after by all the leading dance-band players. The Paramount “Leader” was a popular model in the 1920's, but all Paramount banjos were favorites of professional Jazz musicians in the 1920's and are frequently seen in period photographs, especially of the Jazz Orchestras of the time. The “Leader” embodied Lange's theory that rosewood was the "finest material for tone" and sold originally for $200, quite a sizeable price in the 1920's.

This Paramount Leader Model Tenor Banjo was made in 1924 in New York City, judging from the serial number of 3419. This is the only 17-fret Leader I’ve seen; the standard Leader has 19 frets. Therefore, I believe it to be a custom order from the factory in 1924, and consequently rather rare. It has a natural varnish finish, Indian rosewood resonator, rim, and neck, and the headstock and rosewood fingerboard carry very intricate engraved pearl inlays (6 on this 17-fret fingerboard); at this early production point, Lange's inlay work was exceptionally fine. This early model Leader has the “Improved Paramount” tailpiece and nickel-plated armrest, and the original “Page ‘Geared’ Peg Pats. P’nd’g.” tuners with milled metal casings--unfortunately replaced a couple of years later with cast versions that are very fragile and often now missing. It has an 11 1/8” (28.3 cm.) diameter head, and the width of the nut is 1 1/8” (29 mm.).The back of the mahogany neck is a 5-piece laminate whose two largest sections are rosewood with a golden maple stripe down the center and two purfling stripes of green wood buffering the maple. As mentioned above, the back and sides of the resonator are also rosewood, as is the rosewood dowel stick with maple center strips. The violin-style headstock with rosewood overlay is a series of scallops with a central point; the headplate measures approximately 6 ¼” by 3” and is etched with "Paramount", "Leader", and "Wm. L. Lange". There is a clean metal “Wm. L. Lange” company label inside.

This banjo is in good original playing condition overall, with some metal-plating and finish flaws but no structural repairs or changes. All major hardware is original and complete, but it is newly set up with a plastic head and newer bridge, and the original high, very narrow Paramount frets have been replaced. The original engraved pearl inlays are well preserved (although I believe one has been expertly repaired), and possibly the neck, resonator, and fretboard have been repaired and refinished at some time over the last 99 years. The bridge is apparently an experimental replacement; it sounds nice, but may not be for everyone; the possibly original bridge is in the case. The gorgeous multi-layered inlaid neck is straight and the banjo plays easy up the fretboard with low action and great sustain. On the whole, this banjo looks lovely and has the expected powerful sound in spades.

This Paramount Leader banjo comes with what is presumably the original period hard shell case (possibly not the original handle). While there is some wear in the green plush interior, the pocket is intact, all the hardware works, and structurally it is solid as a rock. It provides authentic vintage protection for this fine vintage instrument.

The buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the banjo will be shipped.

I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this instrument and case with scrupulous accuracy, but it is almost 100 years old, and I am no expert on vintage banjos. Please read the description carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before purchasing this banjo. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.

Thank you for your interest in this vintage Paramount banjo.