Paramount Style C Model Plectrum Banjo, c. 1927, made in New York City, natural mahogany finish, laminated maple/mahogany rim, laminated mahogany resonator, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
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 colored wood inlay. The mahogany neck is of multilaminate construction with carved heel, carved peghead 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. Hardware includes the Paramount adjustable tailpiece and the earlier-style flat wire armrest. Selling originally for $185, the Style C was a relatively affordable but still upscale professional grade Plectrum Banjo from that instrument's heyday, and a considerably rarer instrument than the corresponding tenor model.
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.). A lovely example; The only alteration (as is common with Paramounts) is the original fragile Page tuners have been replaced (likely in the 1970's) with Gibson branded 2-band Grover banjo pegs. The headstock face received a clear lacquer overspray, probably at the same time. Other than this all finish and hardware are original and the banjo has only fairly light play wear. Set up with a Weatherking head; a fine player and a very nice find in an original Paramount Plectrum, which we rarely see anymore. Excellent - Condition.
