Super Paramount Artist Supreme Tenor Banjo

In 1897, William Rettberg and William Lange bought the J H Buckbee banjo company and by 1903 moved to larger premises and introduced Orpheum banjos. More expansion and moves followed, and in 1920 a patent was granted to William L. Lange for the Paramount banjo. Lange took sole control of the company in 1922.

In 1929, Lange began production of the final series of Paramount banjos, the ‘Super Paramount’. Three models were available – the Ensemble King, the Artists Professional and the Artists Supreme.

The most elaborate of the Super Paramount line was the Artists Supreme, with engraved inlays on the head and fingerboard, marquetry on the resonator, and an engraved celluloid sidewall. It is a spectacular instrument.

All Super Paramount banjos had a double stepped resonator, unique to Paramount, and not seen on any other banjo. All three models came with a large one piece tone modifier tailpiece mute. Fitted with Page tuners, rosewood neck and resonator with elaborate wood marquetry inlay. The fretboard is also rosewood with engraved fancy mother of pearl inlay position markers. The headstock mother of pearl is beautifully ornate MOP with multi laminated wood veeners. The unique Paramount double flange has an engraved cream celluloid sidewall on the upper flange, gold plated and fancy engraved hardware and a carved heel.

Super Paramount instruments were assigned their own three digit serial numbers, distinct from other Paramount banjos. The serial numbers range from 000 in 1929 to around 280, this banjo serial is #A237. The price of these banjos in 1929 were listed at $360.00 which was equal to the pricing of the Epiphone Concert Deluxe models. The banjo comes with an original robust Paramount hardshell case. More photos coming soon.