The Orpheum brand launched as a banjo line in 1897 by Rettberg and Lange who bought the remains of the Buckbee Banjo Company. Following the retirement of Reggberg around 1922, the name was used by Lange on banjos and guitars until folding in 1942. Guitar models were medium to professional quality instruments, the archtops featuring carved tops.
In 1944, the brand was purchased by Maurice Lipsky Music and used on beginner to intermediate instruments, ultimately made in Japan in the late 1960s.
In 2001 the brand was revived by the Tacoma Guitar company with the instruments produced in Indonesia. In 2004, Fender purchased Tacoma and moved Guild production there, and the Orpheum models ended in 2006.
