Rickard Maple Tubaphone 12" Five-String Banjo New

This Rickard banjo is fitted with a Vega-style Tubaphone tone ring, a classic style that dates to the early part of the 20th century. The Tubaphone tone ring, so named because it is a cast, hollow tube, produces a clear, ringing tone with lots of projection. This banjo has a shorter string scale (25.5", same as a modern guitar) which makes for an easier-playing banjo with less fret stretch. We ordered this banjo with a 12-inch head, which, when combined with the shorter scale, which mellows the tone a bit, but still produces admirable pop and projection.