Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

I've been trying out  stroke style for a while now. I have an 1890s  "catalogue" banjo strung with nylon and tuned a little low. Up till now, I've been playing bare-fingered. Today I went to the local music store and bought a metal finger pick which I stuck it on backwards. Boy, It's a whole different animal this way, ain't it?  Is a proper 19th century-style thimble much different?

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http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=159245&whi...
Here's a similar discussion on Banjo Hangout. There's a picture of a pick made by Banjo player/builder Kyle Creed. It's on page 2 of the replies.
Paul
Thanks Ian, for bringing up this topic. I almost want to start a new topic called "Banjo Psycobabble" (for my own wandering purposes) but I'll just tag it on here. I was surprised at the number of players that use a thimble. I had nails from classical guitar for YEARS...kept them mostly out of habit. They were always strong and not brittle, thankfully. (That is not to say that I never broke one at an inconvenient moment AGHH) After a year or so of Stroke playing. I experimented with taking the nail ALL the way down. I liked it, and continue to do so. Going back to classical guitar, and fingerstyle banjo for that matter, is a matter of adjusting to playing with the flesh...which was a common 19th Century practice (Tarrega-right?). Part of what attracted me to this music and this style of playing was the lack of any "baggage" or attachments to its performance. I can pick up this light and simple instrument ANYTIME ANYWHERE (it is tolerated) and play it. No amps, picks, pedals, monitors, cables, etc. (Am I showing the true colors of my roots??). I like the feel of the string directly on my hand. (I will spare you the condom analogy). I love the simplicity of this instrument. Perhaps I will try a thimble sometime...all you guys that use them sound great.
This question really struck a chord. I never realized how many other players used thimbles, let alone liked them. I am kinda in Tim's boat, although I cannot deny the clarity, sharpness and volume gained from a thimble (or a backward Scruggs pick). I starting using the backward pick for old-time tunes on metal strings (which gives my nail a haggard jagged look), but still play minstrel tunes with my nail on nylgut. I drink a lot of milk, got strong bones.

Sounds like Deuce has a ready and willing market. Good to hear. You might turn a profit in only 3 or 4 years with this crew ;D

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