Paramount "Style L" Resonator Guitars
for
William Lange
Martin built these resonator guitars with the "Paramount Style L" name for the William Lange Company of New York City, well known as a maker of banjos.
William Lewis Lange, born in Brooklyn in 1874, was an innovator, instrumental in the transition from the five string open back Orpheum line of banjos, which he acquired with Louis Rettberg in 1897, to the tenor and plectrum banjos, which he patented in 1920 with the Paramount name, with an advance tone ring, decorative flange, and resonator. In 1921, he dissolved the partnership and began producing Paramount banjos on his own. These produced greater volume for the unamplified Jazz bands of the 1920's. Companies like Bacon and Day and Gibson all sought to copy the designs of Wm. Lange's banjos, which were both innovative in their technical design and visually stunning.
As a pioneer in resonator design, it is not surprising to see Lange's interest in this resonator guitar in 1930, especially in tenor form, at a time when the finest tenor and plectrum jazz banjo players were transitioning to Martin and their new Carl Fischer Special 14 fret tenor guitars, and and then their new Orchestra Model Spanish and Plectrum guitars as the banjo was quickly losing popularity and the Lange Company was quickly losing business. The company eventually folded in 1939 and Lange lived in obscurity until 1956.
The Paramount Guitar was offered in three styles:
Regular Spanish Guitar
Hawaiian Steel Guitar
Tenor Guitar
All styles were built with a double rosewood body.
These guitars varied greatly, some with natural tops and some shaded tops, some with pickguards and some without, some with soundholes, but most without.
The Tenor and Hawaiian Styles both had a moveable bridge and fixed tailpiece.
The Spanish Style guitar had a permanent straight rectangular ebony bridge with ivory saddle similar to a Martin Style 18.
The serial numbers were added by Lange. Known serial numbers range from 101 to 180.
1930 Paramount "Style L" Hawaiian Guitar for William Lange
Serial #110
This early six string example is unique, having a top border of the type seen on early Martin guitars, such as the Styles 27 and 30. This very well may have been one of the original order of four guitars, which included one Hawaiian and one tenor. The next order was the largest, for 20 guitars, which I assume would all be of the same in basic appearance, and no other early ones have been seen with this top border design. These did not arrive with Martin serial numbers, the numbers were added by Lange after they were received, and while not the earliest serial number, there is no reason to assume that he would have any particular reason to stamp them either in any particular order, or before the first real production batch of guitars arrived.
1931Paramount "Style L" Tenor Guitar for William Lange
Serial #180
While the catalog photo shows the Spanish model with the same basic construction, the one example I've seen is entirely different, with the top body inset into a larger body with full width sides extending to the height of the top body. The small sound holes are not on the back body, but on the sides of the top body.
The Paramount Guitars were built in over a dozen shop orders, mostly over a period of nine months starting in October 1930, with a couple of stragglers over the next year.
It is surprising that more of the Spanish models have not surfaced given that a good percentage were ordered in this form.
From the Paramount Brochure:
P A R A M O U N T
The Guitar of To-morrow
Here To-day
A supreme product by Wm. L. Lange
(Patent Pending)
Musically and
Artistically
Superior
Choose model - three types
Regular Spanish Guitar
Hawaiian Steel Guitar
Tenor Guitar
Price, each type - $165
Complete in strong three ply
padded case velour lined
Model L
MUSICALLY
SUPERIOR
Because of it's marvelously bal-
anced tone, cutting through
qualities, power and volume-
WITHOUT TONE DISTORTION
ARTISTICALLY
SUPERIOR
Because of it's unique design, in-
lays, engraving and beautiful
finish.
SKILLFULLY
SUPERIOR
Because of expert craftsmanship
employed in carrying out the fine
structural features, with the
choicest materials procurable,
selected and graded for outstanding
acoustic properties.
DESCRIPTION
Body and resonator of genuine
Brazil Rosewood, outstanding
for tonal qualities, San Domingan
Mahogany neck and genuine
rosewood fingerboard, manu-
ally fretted, inlaid position dots
and ivory nut. Permanent ebony
bridge with ivory saddle on
Spanish Model.
Tenor and Hawaiian Steel Gui-
tars are equipped with rigid tail-
piece and movable bridge for
best tonal results.
The Paramount Guitar is built with the
same care and precision as a fine violin
by an old master
The tone is amazingly effective in broad-
casting, recording and orchestra ensem-
ble work, establishing a new era for the
Guitar.
Visit your dealer at once and have him
show you this most convincing guitar.
You will make the discovery of your life
once you try a Paramount Guitar
Wm. L. Lange
Manufacturers
225-227 East 26th Street
New York
The Paramount Guitar is built with the
same care and precision as a fine violin
by an old master
The tone is amazingly effective in broad-
casting, recording and orchestra ensem-
ble work, establishing a new era for the
Guitar.
Visit your dealer at once and have him
show you this most convincing guitar.
You will make the discovery of your life
once you try a Paramount Guitar
Wm. L. Lange
Manufacturers
225-227 East 26th Street
New York
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