Vintage Kasuga five-string 'Masterclone' banjo

Vintage Kasuga five-string RB600 'Masterclone' banjo in amazingly good condition. In the 70s/80s, Japan led the way in producing excellent banjos for players who couldn't afford 'Gibson Mastertone' level instruments. Tokai (Goldstar) Alvarez, Kasuga etc were all best sellers at the time and are now increasingly in demand. The build quality, better nickel plating, reliable hardware, mellow tone, even the deep gloss varnish, all add up to far superior banjos than similar priced instruments being produced today. Check out the patina on the neck edges and resonator cover. It takes 40-50 years to get that colour. This example has been upgraded with a block maple rim (original rim included), clamshell tailpiece, Grover bridge and fifth string railroad spikes. The hard-case is in equally good condition, inside the storage box is the original leaflet in it's unopened cover. Google 'Vintage Japanese Banjos' for more background info.