For players of Clifford Essex banjos, of whatever type.

20 Members, Created 1/27/2011 -

Administrators: Bill Rogers (owner)

Hola!

From BDCA on 10/13/2011 7:48:04 AM

Nice to see a CE group. I'll take a moment to tell you folks my CE Paragon Saga.

The is 1975 and I was a lecturer at the University of Cape Town. I played in a bluegrass band named Dogge Bagge and our German banjo player was a wizard on the 5 string...maybe a precurser to Jens Kruger. Volker had an Early Clifford Essex. I was aware of the Paragon from my prior years of living and playing in Ireland.

I was scanning the classifies and discovered an ad for a Clifford Essex Paragon 5 string for R110 (+-$100). I had that "I just won the lottery" feeling as I dialed the number. I expected to either hear "I'm sorry, there was a typo and the price is really R1100" Or" This banjo belonged to my husband, Uncle, Grandfather, etc" Well an elderly English woman answered the phone. When I enquired if the banjo was still for sale, she replied "Yes and it's 110 Rand and not a penny less." I told her it was sold and 15 minutes later I was at her door, cash in hand.

The banjo belonged to her late husband, purchased new, in London in 1920. (the serial makes it a 1919) Later they emigrated to South Africa and they banjo remained virtually unplayed until his death. It also came with strings and plectrums circa 1920.

I had an open back Vega at the time, and got out the finger picks and my Earl Scruggs book, but after a few weeks I realized, I would never ever be good enough to play in our band, so I put the banjo away and never played it again.

Fast forward to February 2004.  My first tenor banjo was bought on a whim for $2000 and turned out to be an all original Gibson Bella Voce. When I discovered how valuable it was ($15,000 at the time), I sold it and bought a Gold Tone tenor for $500, much more commensurate with my skills at that point.

After years of listening, a few lessons and practice, practice, practice, my thoughts drifted to the Paragon, still patiently waiting in it's case 35 years on. I tried to sell it on BHO but had no takers, so in February I went to visit Tom Cussen in Ireland and had him make a new carbon reinforced replica neck. The banjo is finished and I will be picking it up next month.

He has had some glowing reports from visitors who have played it..I am excited! The banjo looks brand new and probably hasn't been played more than a few dozen hours since 1919.

BTW Bill, the banjo spent five years in NorCal, 3 in Boulder Creek and two in Bonny Dune with Paul Hostetter, who also has a Paragon 5 string.

Cya!

Bob

2 Comments
	banjocollector says: 12/31/2011 11:36:50 PM Good morning and a happy New Year. What a great start to 2012 finding the Essex Players group! I have always admired the quality and workmanship of Clifford Essex banjos in general and in particular the Paragon models. In the 1980's long after he retired, I met with Marco Roccia at his apartment in London and took a newly aquired Paragon for him to look at and appraise. I did not at that time realise the importance of the meeting and wish I had asked him many more questions about these wonderful banjos and his time spent with the Clifford Essex company. But I did not! Just in passing can I mention that I am needing for a restoration, hardware - hooks , armrest, tailpiece and will happily buy or exchange with parts you may be looking for. Best regards, Derek
	BDCA says: 1/1/2012 12:18:21 AM I recently picked up my Paragon and it is way beyond my expectations!!! It is the most amazing banjo I have ever played and blows my Paramount Leader and Deering GDL out of the water. Tom Cussen of Clareen Banjo did an outstanding job on the tenor neck and the banjo sounds better than 3 others I played with last week in Clare. Cya! Bob
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.