Gold Tone

Orpheum Tenor Banjo No. 1, c. 1919

Name: Orpheum Tenor Banjo No. 1, c. 1919
Brand: Gold Tone
SKU: BAN089-U
Price: 699.0 USD
Availability: InStock

SKU:BAN089-U

$699.00

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A Classic of Early 20th Century American Banjo Craftsmanship

The Orpheum Tenor Banjo No. 1, crafted around 1919 by the Rettberg & Lange company in New York, is a distinguished example of early jazz-era banjo design. Revered for its articulate tone and vintage charm, this short-scale tenor banjo was favored by players in dance bands and early jazz ensembles for its bright, punchy sound and reliable build quality.

In very good condition with a new head. Comes with original case.

Key Features:

Construction: The banjo features a spun metal tone ring housed within a multi-ply maple rim.
Neck: Crafted from maple with a mahogany center stripe, the neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. It sports simple dot inlays and delicate marquetry along the peghead and heel cap.
Headstock: The peghead displays the classic Orpheum logo inlaid in pearl, along with elegant floral engravings typical of Rettberg & Lange’s craftsmanship during this era.
Scale Length: Approximately 20.5" with 19 frets, making it well-suited for GDAE (Irish tenor) or CGDA tuning depending on the player's style.
Tone: Known for its crisp projection and clarity, the Orpheum No. 1 offers a clean, balanced voice with excellent volume and articulation—perfect for traditional jazz, early popular music, or Celtic styles when set up accordingly.
Finish: Natural amber finish on the rim and neck, showing beautiful aging and patina, consistent with over a century of careful preservation.

Historical Significance:

The Orpheum brand was among the finest American banjo lines of the early 1900s, and the No. 1 model was the entry-level version in a respected lineup that also included models No. 2, 3, and 4. Each banjo was hand-built with quality materials and attention to detail, making even the "basic" No. 1 a highly playable and desirable vintage instrument today.