Paramount Style B Tenor Banjo (1931)
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Item # 3497
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Paramount Style B Model Tenor Banjo (1931), made in New York City, natural varnish finish, laminated walnut neck and resonator, original black hard shell case.
This is a wonderful example of a latter-day Paramount tenor banjo, in almost unbelievably fine condition. The Style B was a midline instrument in the company's professional line, retailing at $150.00…by 1931 sales of expensive banjos had dropped off precipitously as the Depression worsened and these instruments were built in greatly decreased numbers from their 1920's peak. This banjo includes several advanced features found on later Paramounts, including an ingenious neck-angle adjustment system and the body band with decorative cutouts around the rim.
The resonator also has an extra band of wood marquetry around the edge compared to an earlier Style B. Also featured are small-housing Page tuners, the engraved adjustable Paramount tailpiece and the company's trademark "hot dog" shaped armrest. The Style B is a medium-fancy tenor with all the sound of the best Paramounts and this is as fine an example of a 70+ year old banjo as we can imagine.
Overall length is 33 in. (83.8 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
Simply one of the best-preserved 1930's instruments we have ever encountered. This Paramount is completely original (including the bridge and fragile tuner housings) except for a missing mute assembly and a new skin head and shows almost no signs of play wear. The case is complete but has some serious deterioration to the outer covering; inside the pocket are a number of original Paramount strings in envelopes and an instruction sheet for the neck adjusting mechanism. A great time capsule banjo! Excellent + Condition.
This is a wonderful example of a latter-day Paramount tenor banjo, in almost unbelievably fine condition. The Style B was a midline instrument in the company's professional line, retailing at $150.00…by 1931 sales of expensive banjos had dropped off precipitously as the Depression worsened and these instruments were built in greatly decreased numbers from their 1920's peak. This banjo includes several advanced features found on later Paramounts, including an ingenious neck-angle adjustment system and the body band with decorative cutouts around the rim.
The resonator also has an extra band of wood marquetry around the edge compared to an earlier Style B. Also featured are small-housing Page tuners, the engraved adjustable Paramount tailpiece and the company's trademark "hot dog" shaped armrest. The Style B is a medium-fancy tenor with all the sound of the best Paramounts and this is as fine an example of a 70+ year old banjo as we can imagine.
Overall length is 33 in. (83.8 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
Simply one of the best-preserved 1930's instruments we have ever encountered. This Paramount is completely original (including the bridge and fragile tuner housings) except for a missing mute assembly and a new skin head and shows almost no signs of play wear. The case is complete but has some serious deterioration to the outer covering; inside the pocket are a number of original Paramount strings in envelopes and an instruction sheet for the neck adjusting mechanism. A great time capsule banjo! Excellent + Condition.