Paramount Style B Open-Back (c. 1926)

Description

While its authentic old-time tone truly can't be beat, this Paramount Style B, which dates from around 1926, has a mysterious pedigree and cache that makes it all the more fascinating to anyone interested in the early history of the five-string banjo. Paramount were, at the time, part of the storied William Lange family of banjo manufacturing, and were tangentially connected to other important names in the pre-war banjo world, including Bacon & Day, Silver Bell, Orpheum, and William Rettberg, but the vast majority of Paramounts were resonator banjos, and (generally) four-string tenors used in Dixie jazz or other similar styles of music. By contrast, this highly unique Style B is an open-back five string, and even features a substantial archtop tone ring under the head, for a tremendously unique voice. Whether the instrument started its life as something else and was altered is unclear, although there is no evidence of alteration on the pot. The neck appears to be original as well, as it still sports the original inlays and the original Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

As comparable instruments are not easy to find, we've been forced to conclude that this instrument may have been custom-built for a musician who wanted something slightly different from Paramount's regular offerings - or that it may have come from a transitional period in Paramount's history as a brand, during a time when they were more enmeshed with a line like Orpheum, who were known to make archtop open-back five-strings. Regardless of its exact provenance, this is a wonderful instrument with a bright and complex tone that has opened up remarkably well over the course of 100 years. Overall wear is below average, and the only parts that are definitively non-original are the clearly new Five Star planetary tuners and the period-correct Paramount tailpiece. The calfskin head may be original, and likewise for the chipboard case included with the instrument. We consider it to be in very good condition and are looking forward to handing it off to its next owner.

*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*