around 1909. The Tu-ba-phone tone ring has a square crossection with holes perforated on its inner surface and is considered to this day, one of the finest tone rings for both tenor and 5-string frailing banjos! This particular tenor is a No. 9 model with intricately engraved mother-of-pearl inlays and a highly detailed neck-heel carving! These Tu-ba-phone No. 9 banjos are not only sought after as tenors, but are highly valued as potential conversions to 5-string claw-hammer instruments!
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