Many years ago, in a former life in California's San Joaquin Valley, I was visiting friends when my host pulled out the most gorgeous banjo I have ever seen (hindsight, of course, plays no part in this recollection). It was a custom Ludwig tenor banjo with a beautifully inlaid resonater, all the metal parts gold plated and with an original skin in place. It had belonged to his grandfather, who had played in college and in dance bands in the 1920's and early 1930's. Though it had been kept in pristine condition, no one in the family could play it, but they would not part with it. I would give much to get my hands on it now. Knowing the peculiarities of that family, it is probably still in the hard shell case, in someone's closet or attic, dying to be heard.