Circa 1920 Orpheum #1 Guitar Banjo

Here is a very interesting piece you don't see every day.

This rarity from New York's Rettberg and Lange, an Orpheum #1 openback banjo-guitar with a full 14" rim. Fancy shaped pearl inlay on the headstock and fingerboard, multiple wood laminations, and curly maple everywhere -- a fancy instrument by any standard and quite unusual in this 6-string format. Typical Orpheum raised tone ring; the precursor of the Paramount system. This is one of the few extant guitar banjos with a similar sound to the Gibson style GB. 

This instrument is in outstanding shape for at least a 100 year-old instrument. The dowel stick was replaced by long time vintage banjo expert Bob Smakula, hence not knowing the the exact year since Orpheum serial numbers were on the dowel stick. The tuners as well as some hooks and tailpiece look to have been replaced as well. 

Amazing instrument! Comes with custom flight case.