does anyone have a view on the relative merits of the Barnes Bros "Paratone" models which were made at more or less the same time as the Clifford Essex "Paragon" models?
they are broadly similar in appearance to the "Paragon" (similar hardware) but the Barnes Bros product has a rim that is more akin to the higher grade Abbott banjos (thick wooden rim, spun-over brass cover, heavy archtop tone ring pushed up against the skin by a series of internal adjustable brackets)than to the Essex product. the "Paratone" does not seem to be a "copy" of a "Paragon" at all but a rather different design in some ways ...
the "Paratone" models being relatively scarcer than "Paragon" banjos, I wonder if anyone out there who does a lot of session-going might know of a place where both types appear and get played at the same session ...... ? and what the result might be?
andybanjo at the banjo works has a paratone for sale also some paragons im sure he would be able to comment on the comparison of the two he might even sell you one!!
Paragons are brilliant, beautiful to play, good volume, nice action and feel. The resonator seems to come apart a bit on a lot of them though but that's not a major problem.
actually have few paragons, prefer the earlier paragons (ones in under the name Clifford essex and co. grafton street. - 1900-1919) they're the best. The later ones are comparible to paratones, but so are nice paramounts and epiphone recording A's and B's.
never thought paratones were as good looking an instrument as paragon, but that makes no real difference.
Paratone vs Paragon banjo
Paratone vs Paragon banjo
does anyone have a view on the relative merits of the Barnes Bros "Paratone" models which were made at more or less the same time as the Clifford Essex "Paragon" models?
they are broadly similar in appearance to the "Paragon" (similar hardware) but the Barnes Bros product has a rim that is more akin to the higher grade Abbott banjos (thick wooden rim, spun-over brass cover, heavy archtop tone ring pushed up against the skin by a series of internal adjustable brackets)than to the Essex product. the "Paratone" does not seem to be a "copy" of a "Paragon" at all but a rather different design in some ways ...
the "Paratone" models being relatively scarcer than "Paragon" banjos, I wonder if anyone out there who does a lot of session-going might know of a place where both types appear and get played at the same session ...... ? and what the result might be?
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by teetotaller
Re: Paratone vs Paragon banjo
paratone 4 me. It jst feels so right
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by byheck
Re: Paratone vs Paragon banjo
andybanjo at the banjo works has a paratone for sale also some paragons im sure he would be able to comment on the comparison of the two he might even sell you one!!
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by myparasgon
Re: Paratone vs Paragon banjo
Perhaps someone can introduce teetotaller to andybanjo.
# Posted on July 22nd 2008 by Lurcherjohn
Re: Paratone vs Paragon banjo
Paragons are brilliant, beautiful to play, good volume, nice action and feel. The resonator seems to come apart a bit on a lot of them though but that's not a major problem.
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by camwebby
Re: Paratone vs Paragon banjo
have both, prefer paragons.
actually have few paragons, prefer the earlier paragons (ones in under the name Clifford essex and co. grafton street. - 1900-1919) they're the best. The later ones are comparible to paratones, but so are nice paramounts and epiphone recording A's and B's.
never thought paratones were as good looking an instrument as paragon, but that makes no real difference.
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by WorzelGummidge