Monday, October 22, 2012

Rare 1950's PARAMOUNT Electric on eBay

This seller is offering a rare bird.  A PARAMOUNT brand guitar that appears to be have been made by harmony, Kay or Regal.   Unusual combination of features the strangest of which is the 16-fret to the body neck.  I have seen many 12, 14 and 15 fret to the body guitars but this is the first hollow body I can recall with 16.  The body shape resembles a Kay Swingmaster while the hardware is decidedly Harmony Chicago.  Those pickups are something new to me - overall some very unique features here.

Not to send any collectors into undue conniptions but that case strikes a resemblance to a 1950's Gibson Les Paul Junior case - it would be the first time I've ever seen a Harmony made case with fur lining from this period. 

Anyone who knows more about this particular model feel free to chime in.  As far as i know PARAMOUNT was a banjo company - part of the 1930's Golden Era - who like Deering experimented with the occasional guitar but mostly through outsourced manufacture. - JC

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VINTAGE 50's 60's PARAMOUNT HARMONY MAR*TIN DeARMOND ARCHTOP GUITAR nice!


This guitar is well over 50 years old. Is this a Harmony? Not sure. Martin made Paramount guitars early on. It has been sitting unused for more then 25 years. Selling just the way I found it. Neck is straight (action low). Made in USA in the 50's I think. Very little in the way of scuffs & scratches.  Electronics working well. Knobs & pick ups (DeArmond?) working. This guitar can use new strings and a good cleaning.  A Fabulous find. I real pleasure to play. Big warm sound out of these pick ups. No issues, still selling "as is".  Sold as found. Looks like the pickguard, screw on pickup & strap button are missing. What looks like the original case (poor shape. top detached). Will pack well with 3 layers of thick bubble wrap.

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4 comments:

  1. Ron NeelyOctober 22, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    I've also seen those guitars labeled as Orpheum. A friend of mine had one and it was a great guitar. I have a pair of those pickups that I'm trying to decide what to do with.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 1, 2021 at 7:34 PM

      Hey Jim... what did you ever find out about that Paramount? I have a parlor acoustic with the same badge. It's so gard to find info on these.

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  2. UnknownNovember 1, 2020 at 11:54 AM

    That may well be my guitar. I started lessons at 8 years old (I was born in 1954) and that was my first "real guitar". The case lid is off the hinges just like mine was! Too bad I missed the listing, I would have loved to buy it for sentimental reasons. I've been playing professionally for over 60 years now and it would be a kick to have that hanging on my wall.

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  3. UnknownNovember 1, 2020 at 11:58 AM

    holy cow!! that was my first guitar! I think that is the actual instrument! It was my first "real" guitar after I started lessons at 8 years old. Now, after playing professionally for almost 60 years it would have been a real treat to buy it back! My case had the lid off the hinges too as well as that missing screw!

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I appreciate your comments but please no commercial links or non guitar related conversations. Thank you. - JC