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jackiej - Posted - 04/14/2026: 08:34:23
Hi! I am new to BanjoHangout and was hoping to get some insight and current resale value into a Lange Paramount style C Plectrum Serial #3307 (the serial number on the rim matches the dowel stick) as we are interested in selling it. Original hard shell case and a few vintage accessories included.
The Banjo belonged to a family member who helped pay his own way through Ohio State Medical School in the late 1920's playing in a band in the Cleveland, Oh area (his hometown area), the Columbus, Ohio area (while in school), as well as a few radio spots. His son recalls the band was named after his dad (the banjo’s original owner) as "Boot's Baldie and the (????? – not sure…). The story goes "Boots" was earned from a football play that would be considered poor sportsmanship today..... We can supply the original owner’s full name to whoever buys the banjo.
All carved areas and wood and mother of pearl inlays are present and undamaged, I see no damage to the instrument beyond a loved and used piece that's over 100 years old. The skin was reportedly replaced around 1950. I can upload additional pictures if there is something you want to see specifically!
Thank you!
update/more questions... As I research this instrument further, I have not seen a 22 fret OR 9 inlay neck in the Style C's I have found - not even in the catalog pages I have discovered. I have read each instrument, being hand made, differs in final appearance so, maybe it was a custom neck or just an over zealous luthier!? That's a lot of fret and inlay to fit into a 20 inch neck! another edit... -I DID just find a photo of a 22 fret/9 inlay banjohangout.org/archive/374555 posted by Hardwulf on 5/5/2021 - last visit to BanjoHangout 8/7/2022. I'd be really interested in this instrument as he has the picture labeled as a 1921 Style C - no serial number with it though. So they were "fancy" on the Style C along the way - not just on all!
I based the 1924 build date from the serial # 3307 and the data bases found on Banjo Hangout's most "As for the Dating Chart (obviously rounded the figures, estimated good +/- 1 year)" banjohangout.org/archive/374846
Edited by - jackiej on 04/17/2026 11:55:01
The Old Timer - Posted - 04/14/2026: 08:54:36
Wow. How nice is that!
The plectrum banjo market is mighty tiny nowadays. Perhaps the Philadelphia area may have the most plectrum banjoists due to the famous Mummers Parade. If you're anywhere near Philly you may want to sniff around there for interest.
Lots of "eyes" here on BHO; somebody should come up with something for you.
Good luck, that's a beauty of an old banjo.
jackiej - Posted - 04/14/2026: 09:09:55
Thank you! Certainly a piece of history the right person will enjoy owning!
Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/14/2026: 14:26:02
jackiej
As the original poster, you can add more pictures to the original post. The picture limit is 3, but that is a limit on how many you can upload at one time. So add some more pictures, 3 at a time.
Bob Smakula
DSmoke - Posted - 04/14/2026: 17:13:15
Your banjo is a Paramount Style C, not B. I am sorry, but I don't know the value for a plectrum version.
jackiej - Posted - 04/15/2026: 03:40:56
quote:
Originally posted by DSmoke
Your banjo is a Paramount Style C, not B. I am sorry, but I don't know the value for a plectrum version.
Good catch Dan - I'm embarrassed..... I updated the title now. 
jackiej - Posted - 04/16/2026: 09:00:17
quote:
Originally posted by jackiej
quote:
Originally posted by DSmoke
Your banjo is a Paramount Style C, not B. I am sorry, but I don't know the value for a plectrum version.
Good catch Dan - I'm embarrassed..... I updated the title and content now.
Mark D - Posted - 04/17/2026: 08:43:23
I contacted Guitar Center about the 1926 Paramount C about a year ago. It is a 19 fret (tenor ?) banjo, while yours has 22.
I asked specifically about the condition of the carved heel because I had read that they were often prone to cracks and poor repairs.
This was their honest reply:
Subject: Vintage 1926 Paramount Style C banjo at Guitar Center Manchester CT
Thank you for contacting us about the vintage Paramount banjo. The carved heal looks very good, but the neck has a slight twist. The treble side has a distinct forward bow whereas the bass side is fairly straight. You are still more than welcome to stop by to check it out in person. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm always happy to help. Have a great day!
The current price might reflect the condition of this specific neck. When I was considering Paramount B & C tenors and plectrums I was seeing prices ranging from $700 to well over $2K.
jackiej - Posted - 04/17/2026: 11:16:39
quote:
Originally posted by Mark D
I contacted Guitar Center about the 1926 Paramount C about a year ago. It is a 19 fret (tenor ?) banjo, while yours has 22.
I asked specifically about the condition of the carved heel because I had read that they were often prone to cracks and poor repairs.
This was their honest reply:
Subject: Vintage 1926 Paramount Style C banjo at Guitar Center Manchester CT
Thank you for contacting us about the vintage Paramount banjo. The carved heal looks very good, but the neck has a slight twist. The treble side has a distinct forward bow whereas the bass side is fairly straight. You are still more than welcome to stop by to check it out in person. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm always happy to help. Have a great day!
The current price might reflect the condition of this specific neck. When I was considering Paramount B & C tenors and plectrums I was seeing prices ranging from $700 to well over $2K.
Hi Mark~ Thanks for your input and sharing Guitar Center's response on the Paramount C. Interesting, if it is the one they still have up in their (Manchester?) store, they make no mention of a twist in the neck, however slight - and they still price it over $1K - after a mark down. Maybe they accounted for it in their "fair" condition. That bodes well for ours as our neck is straight with a solid carved heel.
As I comb the internet for current and past sales and reach out, I'm getting more and more impressed with the condition of this +100 yr old instrument, with provenance.
While Wm L Lange and the Paramount style banjos are not largely represented "out there" in the market, (maybe they were not in production long enough to have the numbers, have not made it through time, or maybe they are beloved family treasures that are not given up to the market?) they seem to definitely have their place in banjo history as the precursor to what other "newer" banjo makers carried forward in their construction. And, Paramounts are noted for their mellow sweet sound and loud enough for professional players.
I do have an observation and question that I will add to the original post as well - I have not seen a 22 fret OR 9 inlay neck in the Style C's I have found - not even in the catalog pages I have discovered. I have read each instrument, being hand made, differs in final appearance so, maybe it was a custom neck or just an over zealous luthier!? That's a lot of fret and inlay to fit into a 20 inch neck!
Mark D - Posted - 04/17/2026: 15:41:36
Jackiej,
Your Paramount banjo definitely looks to be in much better shape than the few I ran across when I was looking for a plectrum version in the past.
I ended up purchasing a great looking and sounding Ome Mogul plectrum from a BHO member otherwise I would have an interest in yours.
Good luck with your research and eventual sale. The fact that it is an archtop plectrum is a plus to me.
jackiej - Posted - 04/19/2026: 05:47:40
Thanks for sharing Mark! That is a great find! From the photos Gruhn posts, our Plectrum surely holds its own against this banjo, also a 22 fret / 9 inlay neck instrument. Ours appears to be in as great or better condition in many areas, again, with provinance. Definately for the historical collector who can enjoy playing their instruments, if they want.
Fingers crossed Gruhn gets what they are asking and it is not a start point for discount price advertising. I had not found that one yet so maybe it is a recent listing?
In researching, I am coming to believe that Paramounts in general and the fancier styles are the models to collect, historically. They were bought as the banjo for band/professional use and the Paramount catalogs even served as directories of professional bands of the era, who played them. These vintage banjos of the 1920's are not flooding the market as owners/family's keep them and that makes them all the more precious and a rare find when one comes up for sale.
