"Paul--regarding the banjo in the painting,an old friend of mine was in an antique store recently and spied a previously undiscovered Boucher banjo with wall-mounted brackets very similar to the one in the portrait.  His plan is to first make an…"

"Thanks Dave - yes it was mentioned in the description. The exhibit was quite good - called “Perfect Harmony: the musical art & life of WSM”. some other pieces on display were the Bone Player, Fiddler, Dance of the Haymakers, power of…"

"THANKS to EVERYBODY who made it out to this event and made it so special.  We can look forward to doing it again next year! If you attended this year, please PM me your mailing address so that I can send out items from the event to…"

"Paul, you probs know this but that bajo playing dude has been identified as  George Freeman- a man "bound out" to Mount’s brother's father-in-law, John Brewster where William Mount visited and convinced Brewster to let…"

"They were selling both fretted and fretless banjos in the 1880s. If your concern is civil war era, every picture I have seen with soldiers and common people were fretless.  There were some banjos that had fret lines cut into the neck, but did…"

"Thanks! Strumelia’s advice and yours sounds good. "

"From what I've read and understand, the originals did not as they were modeled after the gourd instruments that did not have frets. However, as the banjo evolved, frets were added (borrowed from the guitar). For the era, I'd say…"

"I have a Dogwood fretless and because I’m essentially at a beginner’s level kinda intimidates me. I just put Nylgut strings on it and playing it seems a little easier. I play Bass, guitar and Mandolin so I’ used to having frets. No…"

"Nice! I'd love to see any of his paintings in person."

"Someone got a deal!"

"Sold."

"Thanks much!"

"Hey Rob.  It was great to meet you too.  It has been a couple of years since I've been able to come to one these things, and I've really missed it.  Some of these people, like David Kirchner, I've known for over 25…"

"I use them on my minstrel era banjos.  There are people who also like them on classic banjos.  The difference in sound is subtle. I far prefer the gut strings.  Although I have done sound studies comparing modern banjos with minstrel…"

"I’m thinking about using gut strings. Gamut also makes Lutes. What banjo do you use them on? I’m thinking about using them for a Vintage turn of the last century banjo and to get an authentic sound from a reproduction Minstrel…"