Original Paramount B tenor banjo in A+ condition. Circa late 1920's. Serial number 11710. This is a Wm. Lange Paramount made with a black walnut neck and rim. The headstock and position markers are pearl. The hardware is nickle plated and the plating is is very good shape without oxidation. The tailpiece is marked "Paramount". The armrest also looks original and is clean. Original Page tuners marked "Page Geared Peg". The Page pegs work and the housings are not cracked. The neck is marquetry trimmed and is solid without cracks anywhere and particularly at the heel and peghead. The neck is straight and is not warped, bowed or twisted. The back of neck is smooth with no dings. Action at 12th fret is 3/16" with 1/2" bridge. Skinny frets show no wear and fingerboard is smooth without tunnels. When I bought this banjo years ago it was described as "totally original condition". When I took the banjo outside in the sun for the first time to photograph it for this ad I concluded that sometime in the past the neck and resonator have had a thin coat of lacquer (?) professionally applied. This because there is some slight crazing of the finish but the areas feel smooth. Same with the resonator which has a slightly lighter spot but the finish over it is smooth. It's hard for me to tell for sure but I've described my observations as best I can in case the finish has been enhanced. The banjo came to me in a plectrum case. Later I got a Paramount style zipper shroud case. The outside of the case has an owner's name painted on with a template. Otherwise the case is in pretty nice condition. Shipping at buyer's expense only to lower 48 states. Please email any questions to email address included below and thanks for looking.
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