Helllo Fellers,
I'm new to the forum, but not banjos. That said, I have found a Hondo ll five string with an aluminum head. I've seen lots of them. I'd imagine vintage about 1970?
However, this one has what appears to be a cast iron system inside the resonator. It is attached to the pot in four places and has some kind of round tube from the cast iron 'thingy' about 2" diameter, up to and touching the actual head. I discovered it when I saw an unusual looking ring raising the head as I tightened it (reminded me of my wallet when I was a teenager).
Does anyone know anything about this type system?
Tanks,
Smiley Joe