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bebounce - Posted - 05/27/2018: 21:10:59
Hello all! I signed up long ago but haven't been active, so I'm still new to the site. I just got a 5 string Orpheum #1 w/ an 11 in ring, marked "Made by Rettberg & Lange New York," serial number 4960. I'm looking to see how old it is. I saw a post that has estimated dates of manufacture, and am wondering if anyone can provide me with more information. TIA!
Edited by - bebounce on 05/27/2018 21:22:33
beezaboy - Posted - 05/28/2018: 05:09:47
Congrats on getting your Orpheum 5-string #4960. I will put it in our Orpheum serial number list.
Meanwhile, to respond to your query attached is the hypothetical Orpheum date chart together with our Orpheum serial number list which we've been gathering for the past several years. Also attached is a 1921 Slater catalog describing the Orpheum #1. Since Rettberg & Lange did not alter the fundamentals of their Orpheum the catalog description should describe your Orpheum. Also attached is a brief account about the Rettberg & Lange firm.
douggoodhill - Posted - 05/28/2018: 07:51:45
John, Thank you for your work on tracing the history of these instruments. I recently purchased serial number 17128, a Super Orpheum #1 Tenor with an all wood resonator. I purchased it on ebay for 299.00. Broken head was repaired very cleanly a long time ago. The dowel was loose and it had a few other issues but is quite healthy now. I'll post details later.
blazo - Posted - 05/28/2018: 09:06:23
quote:
Originally posted by beezaboy
Congrats on getting your Orpheum 5-string #4960. I will put it in our Orpheum serial number list.
Meanwhile, to respond to your query attached is the hypothetical Orpheum date chart together with our Orpheum serial number list which we've been gathering for the past several years. Also attached is a 1921 Slater catalog describing the Orpheum #1. Since Rettberg & Lange did not alter the fundamentals of their Orpheum the catalog description should describe your Orpheum. Also attached is a brief account about the Rettberg & Lange firm.
Beezaboy -- Another one for the list. I own serial #11046, 5 string #1, R&L tag with red lettering & a C. Bruno distributor tag.
beezaboy - Posted - 05/28/2018: 10:20:17
Thanks for the new additions to our list. I'll get them in.
The Wm. L. Lange vintage Orpheums like douggoodhill's #17128 are thorny to date because there are not a lot of benchmarks to go by. I listed the benchmarks I used in the hypothetical date chart explanation.
BHO wazapicker was our go-to guy for Paramount. Wazapicker posted that Lange went out of business in 1935. But I've read other dates like the attached article from Tom Wheeler's American Guitars book. I've never found a period article talking about Paramount's demise. However, the Tsumura book of 4-string banjos ("Banjo-The Tsumura Collection [1920 ~ 1940]") shows all the Paramount banjos ending in 1935 so I'm going with wazapicker as he really knew his Paramount stuff.
douggoodhill - Posted - 05/29/2018: 08:55:44
I'm sorry about not giving all the details in my previous message about Orpheum Model 1 number 17128. The scale I measure at 22 13/16ths. It is a 19 fret neck and has a red label. Attached are photographs of the instrument wit the resonator. A neck crack was repaired some time ago I would guess, and the repair was very clean and reinforced with 2 dowels. The flange was cut back by someone, allowing the fret board to rest on the rim. I filled the neck to allow it to be supported the pot and there was some deterioration cause by this, leaving the dowel loose. That all seems good now. The resonator actually sits on the nuts that tighten the head - and they are a bit random in size so ;'m working on stabilizing that now. Any advice is welcome as I'm really a mandolin player and tech learning the tenor.
TLG - Posted - 05/29/2018: 10:11:46
Any tricks to setting up a 11-1/8" Orpheum 5 string with a resonator ?
I have a neck I am building & soon will complete.,
Thanks,
Tommy
