Like me i would love to have a good selection of Banjos too,ahhh to be able to say which one today.From what i read on the banjo hangout its all about tone rings.I know some deering openbacks have the mastertone tone rings in them,the folk era and black diamond i think.Maybe go to the Banjo hangout and put a post on their forum,some of those guys really know banjos,im sure you will get good sound advice there.I have sold my standard neck merlin banjo now and now have a longneck type,took me 15yrs to find one.all the peg gears are inside the neck as it is cast aluminium.For me the ultimate banjo for others a monster but it suits my needs.The Merlin company only ran for a few years and in 1965 only sold 100 banjos.Im with you in crowded situations,that is why i used to have a mastertone tone ring.From what i hear on the Banjo hangout Deerings seem to have the loudest openbacks and i can imagine the stelling but i have never seen one openback.

   Good luck and many regards Tom