[Dixielandjazz] Banjitars and such

[Talegatorz at aol.com]

These days there are many types of banjo/guitars available, both acoustic and 
electric. Many can be seen at Gold-Tone's web site. I own a couple of their 
instruments and they have both been very usable and excellent values. 
A little google time will reveal availability from many reliable sources at 
competitive prices. 
As for a guitar being a banjo...Someone heard that I was taking up banjo and 
called me to do a gig the day I received my first plectrum. Never one to turn 
down a paying job, I tuned it to the first four strings of a guitar and 
successfully went for it. I also play 
the banjoukele. Now that I have learned to play proficiently in standard 
plectrum tuning (C-G-B-D), I can assure you that a banjo tuned like a guitar might 
sound like a banjo, but it is certainly not a banjo. Also, a well set up 
banjo has as much sustain as any other acoustic stringed instrument I have played.

Regards,
Gus Bloch