easing into Minstrel banjo

[John Vincent]

Planning on ordering an open back with a duel setup.  That is two bridges and two nuts to allow switching between steel and some type of minstrel style strings.  My intent was to get a short scale (25.5 inches), however I've noticed most minstrel banjos seem to have a much longer scale.  So my question: Would the regular 26.5 inch scale be better for the heftier strings? or is a duel system just a bad idea?  Needing advice.