Paramount Style A Model Tenor Banjo (1923), made in New York City, serial # 1973, natural varnish finish, laminated maple neck, rim and resonator; rosewood fingerboard.
Paramount's Style A was the lowest-priced instrument in the company's "letter series" line retailing at $130.00; in the 1920's this was still a very expensive banjo by most standards! William Lange's Paramount line were the most popular professional banjos of the 1920's (along with the Vegaphone) and basically set the pattern for the 'modern' 1920's resonator tenor banjo. These banjos were the lynchpin of the rhythm section of every jazz and dance band in the country, as well as a featured soloist's instrument.
This Style A is typical of earlier Paramounts, featuring the original milled-case figure-8 Page tuners, the engraved adjustable Paramount tailpiece and the company's original bent metal armrest. The neck and rim feature All-maple construction with rosewood-bound edges and notched diamond pearl fingerboard inlay, marquetry under the fingerboard and a particularly fancy and attractive peghead design. This Style A is a medium-fancy tenor with all the sound of the best Paramounts and this is a fine example of a 90 year old banjo.
Overall length is 33 1/2 in. (85.1 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) diameter head, and 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.). A nicely original early Paramount banjo with some moderately heavy play wear overall; all hardware is complete and intact including the early heavy Page tuners and first version "Pat P'n'd'g" hinged-cover tailpiece. There are numerous scuffs, scratches and some moisture wear areas on the resonator but everything is solid; the neck has play wear overall and the original thin frets are intact but quite low. Still a good player, set up vintage style with a nice calfskin head this banjo absolutely resounds with the expected classic 1920's Paramount sound. Overall Very Good + Condition.
