RARE Vintage Mystery 5 String Openback Banjo Tin Hoop? 1970s? Ready To Play

Description

This is a Very unique banjo. I believe it was made in the mid-1970s in Japan.
The tension hoop & j-hooks are completely unique to this banjo. The tension hoop is slightly bent, but the head is tight & rings nicely. The thin tin, or whatever non-alloy material the hoop is made out of, gives it a great plunky tone; not the sound of an alloy banjo. There’s a “key” to tighten the j-hooks.
The banjo weighs about 2.5 lbs.
There’s a scratch to the finish of the head/skin under the strings, Not a hole. There’s another “dent” in the plastic-like head/skin pictured near the strings & the Patent Pending stamp; it looks stable.
The tuners hold fine. The action is about 1/8” at the 12th fret bar. The frets look good. Probably sound better with new strings, either steel or nylon.
It’s looks like a 11” head & the banjo is 38” long.
Add it to your collection; it’s rare indeed.
There’s no case. I’ll pack it securely.
Thanks for looking.