1920s Langstile II (Lange) Openback Tenor Banjo

Overview: This is an excellent old Lange-made openback tenor banjo from the early 1920s. It has a rim that's a little larger than normal, a simple hoop tonering, shorter scale length, and nice decorative touches that set it apart from other "mid-grade" instruments. Lange also made the Paramount and Orpheum brands and this looks a lot like a stripped-down Orpheum-style instrument.

Interesting features: The arts-and-crafts-looking inlays in the fretboard are pretty unusual and interesting stuff. The headstock inlay follows suit and looks nice as well. It has some cool purfling-style inlay at the foot of the rim and its sides. All of the hardware is heavy-duty and well-thought-out. Someone installed nice, modern, geared pegs and fit the original ivoroid buttons to them. Nice! It has a synthetic "FiberSkyn" Remo head installed which gives a little more warmth and mellowness as compared to a Frosted Top or Renaissance model which would bring a bit more snap and high-end into the equation.

Repairs included: Tim gave it a level/dress of the frets, some buildup/breakdown to get all of the hardware seated correctly, and adjusted the setup a bit. I followed him and dialed-in the setup and fit a new bridge and it's now playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 5 lbs 5 oz
• Scale length: 22"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: slim-medium V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 13/16"
• Depth at seventh fret: 7/8"
• Head diameter: 11 1/2"
• Depth overall at rim: 2 3/4"
• Rim wood: maple ply
• Tonering: hoop
• Bridge: ebony/maple
• Fretboard: ebonized maple
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 32w-9 for CGDA tuning (at the moment)
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/small

Condition notes: The tuners, head, bridge, and armrest are all replacements and the tailpiece may be, too. It's otherwise original throughout and the finish is in excellent shape. It shows minor signs of wear and tear from average handling and use but is overall in good order. I believe we were the culprits who added the side dots.

It comes with: It's got an old chip case.

Consignor tag: BURR