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banjotech - Posted - 01/25/2025: 18:50:42
It’s been sometime since I’ve logged into BHO and hoping I’m on the right forum. If not, I’m sure a moderator will move this topic.
I found a Paramount 4 string banjo and I would to get some information about it. The owners are in their 90’s and go to our church and need the money so I told the owners I would try to sell it for them. I don’t have any interest in keeping it.
I’ve had other banjos like this in the past that I’ve sold on BHO and I have to say this one is in outstanding condition even though you can tell it’s been played a lot. There is finish worn off on the back of the neck and the head is dirty. Owner wife says she remembers her dad playing it all the time. Other than that, no excessive wear on the metal and as shiny as it probably was when new. Nothing appears to be altered and even tuner buttons are in very good condition with no signs of being brittle or broken. Amazing and there’s even a rod coming out of the pot assembly for some kind of adjustment? The case is still intact however the handle is missing and the case covering has started to crack and fall off in some areas. I did a serial number check on this website which says it was made in 1929.
I was in a hurry when I was at the owners house and I only snapped a few photos which I will attach tomorrow. I will get more photos soon. Any opinions for a high and low $ is appreciated. Thanks
Bill Rogers - Posted - 01/25/2025: 20:30:45
The pictures show no resonator. Is that missing?
OldFrets - Posted - 01/26/2025: 03:44:25
What does the front of the headstock say?
banjotech - Posted - 01/26/2025: 05:42:41
The banjo has resonator and headstock has a banner says Paramount. I wasn’t sure I could post more than 3 photos in this forum? They had other non-banjo instruments they wanted to get rid of too. I can see I’m going to have to go back out there and bring those instruments home and take more photos. Give me a couple days.
DSmoke - Posted - 01/26/2025: 05:44:13
We definitely need to know which model to give an estimate of market value. More pictures will be helpful, full front and back photos being the most important.
Bob Smakula - Posted - 01/26/2025: 06:03:19
quote:
Originally posted by banjotech
I wasn’t sure I could post more than 3 photos in this forum?
Mack,
You can post as many pictures as you want, but you can only upload a maximum of 3 at a time.
Bob Smakula
kyleb - Posted - 01/26/2025: 06:38:02
You can get 150 to 200 for the Tailpeice. Don Reno played one of those, I have a couple on some old banjos of mine and love them.
trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/26/2025: 08:44:05
I believe this is a "Style 1", probably 1930s (they stopped production in 1932, I think), which is the lower end of the Paramount line, below the Style A. However, it appears to have the Paramount/Page mute fitted (the knob next to the heel of the neck). That will add some value to it. It also has the neck adjuster (the two bolts on either side of the heel). I wouldn't touch those with a 10-foot banjo. They'll crack the heel of the neck in a minute.
There is a serial number listing by year around here somewhere on BHO.
If it is missing its flange and resonator, that detracts significantly from the value...but any Irish Tenor player will love this banjo.
Edited by - trapdoor2 on 01/26/2025 08:45:00
DSmoke - Posted - 01/26/2025: 09:52:55
quote:
Originally posted by trapdoor2
I believe this is a "Style 1", probably 1930s (they stopped production in 1932, I think), which is the lower end of the Paramount line, below the Style A. However, it appears to have the Paramount/Page mute fitted (the knob next to the heel of the neck). That will add some value to it. It also has the neck adjuster (the two bolts on either side of the heel). I wouldn't touch those with a 10-foot banjo. They'll crack the heel of the neck in a minute.
There is a serial number listing by year around here somewhere on BHO.
If it is missing its flange and resonator, that detracts significantly from the value...but any Irish Tenor player will love this banjo.
That's a good eye Mark. The fingerboard inlays do indicate a lower end model.
banjotech - Posted - 01/26/2025: 17:10:45
So I’m home and have had more time to look things over again more carefully. It’s not quite in as good shape as I originally stated, but still pretty good overall I think. Then again I know next to nothing about 4 stringers, so…
The serial number is 12741. As I said in my original post, I checked a link here on BHO which dated it 1929. There is a crack on each side of the neck heel, but they don’t meet in the center of skunk stripe is. I know this is an easy and quick repair for any good luthier. There is a decorative binding at the bottom of the rim which has cracked at about the 5:00 and 11:00 positions. Resonator appears not to have any cracks. I’m adding more photos which should answer any other questions. If not let me know. For those that want to help, thanks.
Edited by - banjotech on 01/26/2025 17:27:02
banjotech - Posted - 01/26/2025: 17:29:09
More
trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/26/2025: 21:12:33
I found two Style 1s listed on Reverb...$850 and $900. Personally, those asking prices seem high to me...by ~$200.
The mute should add a little to the value of yours...but only to a collector...and yours is a player. Selling the mute mech. separately would probably make the most value out of that piece of kit.
There have been reproductions of the mute (I have one). An original would tempt me!
eljimb0 - Posted - 01/26/2025: 21:44:27
Nice banjo. Thanks for showing us all the pictures. You got to love Paramounts :)
DSmoke - Posted - 01/27/2025: 04:59:04
Heel cracks are very common on Paramount banjos which makes shipping them "risky business". I would value that at $400 to $500 in that condition. Currently, Style A & B are around $1000 in decent shape ready to play.
banjotech - Posted - 01/27/2025: 06:58:35
Had some problems trying to upload some photos. Here’s a few more showing the crack's.
Edited by - banjotech on 01/27/2025 07:08:27
banjotech - Posted - 01/27/2025: 08:26:49
After I viewed these cracks on the photos. I got the banjo out and used magnifier to get another closer look. You know, I can see no cracks in the wood, just in the finish? Is this possible?
OldFrets - Posted - 01/27/2025: 08:50:48
It might be a clean break that's been glued, but it's definitely deeper than the finish.
mainejohn - Posted - 01/28/2025: 13:06:07
I've seen a few Paramounts over the past 60 years, (I owned a Leader for 40), but I've never seen a Paramount neck as plain as that one. As has been pointed out, the cracked heel is very common on old Paramounts due to the lack of mass (mine broke twice). I'd say what the banjo has going most for it is the hardware, but the condition of the neck really hurts the value. The previous estimate of $400-$500 seems accurate, and probably closer to $400.
