1920s Lange Super Orpheum I Resonator Tenor Banjo

Overview: While Lange's Paramount line of instruments was the top-end of their production when this "Super Orpheum" was made, this later-'20s Orpheum line had almost all of the same features as a concurrent Paramount banjo but with slightly less bling and sculptural details. This has all of the stuff you want from a Paramount at the time -- "hot dog" armrest, adjustable-tension tailpiece, archtop tonering, resonator, and multi-ply neck with volute -- but it's just slightly simpler in build and decoration to keep the costs down.

Tone: It's bright, clean, and loud with the usual Lange clarity. It has its original skin head, still, which knocks the volume down just a hair and mellows-out the tone a bit vs. a modern synthetic head.

Feel: The neck is quick and easy and I like the rosewood fretboard -- many Lange products from the '20s were using ebonized maple boards which don't hold-up as well.

Interesting features: Aside from all of the good stuff described above (tonering, sturdy build, and whatnot), the other thing this banjo has is looks. The resonator (with its maple flange and cool marquetry stuff on the rear) is sharp-looking and the fretboard inlay has a classy, updated look compared to late-teens/early-'20s Lange products.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, restring, and setup.

• Weight: 8 lbs 1 oz
• Scale length: 22 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 11 1/8"
• Resonator diameter: 13"
• Depth overall at rim: 4"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: archtop Orpheum-style
• Bridge: maple/ebony 2-foot
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w, 20w, 13, 9 for CGDA standard tuning
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/small

Condition notes: It's all-original and in good order save the bridge (later replacement) and the tuners. This originally would have had geared Page tuners but they often break down in their housings and I expect that's why it's currently fit with 1:1 Grover friction pegs. Per the usual, there's mild usewear throughout but it's looking good.

It comes with: It has an original case in good order (not pictured).

Consignor tag: BBCK