Hi Lonesome Gillette,

Loud is not as important as projection and they are not necessarilly one in the same. Some loud banjos are muddy. You want one that sounds good loud or soft but has the ability to cut through. Some banjos break up when played too loud.

Each banjo has it's own characteristics and there are no formulas. Some require a Kershner or Price tailpiece and other require a different kind. Setting up a banjo is an individual matter. The tailpiece, the bridge, the string guage are all factors but they are subject to the player and to the banjo itself.
You will find that on some banjos those tailpieces or bridges that are highly recommended just sound terrible. Then, something that you might discard will work like a charm. The best set-up is done by people who actually play the banjo. They know what feels right for a gig and that's not necessarilly what you find in the banjo set-up world. You're the one in the trenches.

Sometimes, if you have a very good mic, you can place it in the back of an open-back and it will sound good. No finger noise. Even a lesser sounding mic will work in some situations.

This wouldn't be The Black Rose would it? It's the famous Boston Irish pub and is a killer to work.

Frank