Howdy! It has been a perfect instrument to get me started. I got mine back in July. Before I got it I was practicing the songs and stroke technique on my Deering. I modified mine after a while. I ended up putting real gut strings I ordered from Bob Flesher along with a maple bridge he made. I have mine tuned lower than what Eric recommends. I have been working out of some of the Early period instruction books which had the banjo tuned much lower. Weather will play a roll on the sound, nothing that letting the banjo sit near a heater or good fire won't take care of. Another tip, always lay your bridge down when not playing, this is to save from putting a divot in your banjo head. Another wedsite you might check is the following, http://www.milfordmusic.com/Banjo%20Audio.htm This site has many of the period instruction books on pdf and most of the songs are on a sound bite in addition they are on video.  Enjoy. 

right on! now what is a GS bridge? I am awaiting a Banjo being made by Jay Moschella. This one will have a tension ring and a 13" pot. I originally had a Deering "The Crow" which i got in November of last year. When I am in San Diego County, where I spend my time is not too far from the Deering Factory, so I am always stopping by. I was there talking with Berry Hun and talking about putting a synthetic head on and changing my tuners. He asked what condition my banjo was in and said if it looked good he would trade me for the Classic Good time, which comes with the tuners I wanted, color etc.. so we did a trade. I practice my Clawhammer tunes adding to my song list. As well as working on tunes to be played on my Tackhead. I also play the fiddle and Dulcimer, wroking all the songs out on the various instruments. I am from Chattanooga TN, but now live here in Santa Barbara. There is not a strong community like there is back east. It's cool that you live near Tim Twiss, that guy has done an incredible job bringing these tunes back to life, and creating a great reference. I hope to make the pilgrimage to the Early American Banjo Gathering, maybe I will see you there. Great questions about the History within the Michigan regiments, and the stuff about the harmonicas. I love it.

Nicholas, we will have to get together.  I live in Goleta and am very interested (albeit new) in minstrel banjo.