What is "banjoline"

''Not to be confused with banjolin or mandolin-banjo (called banjoline in French)

The Banjoline is a four coursed instrument similar to a tenor guitar or plectrum banjo. The instrument was developed by Eddie Peabody in the 1930s, initially as an acoustic instrument. In the early 1950s, Peabody approached the Vega Company of Boston, Massachusetts which produced several electric versions of the instrument, but never put them into full production. In the mid 1950s, Peabody approached Rickenbacker, which built the 6005 and 6006 model electric banjoline under the supervision of Roger Rossmeisl. In 1962, Fender created a banjoline for Peabody shaped with their signature double cut-away body. In about 1966, another banjoline prototype was created by Roger Rossmeisl who had been employed at Fender since 1962.