I have an additional comment. Joe Sweeney's original banjo can be found at the Los Angeles County Museum which has probably moved its quarters. Pete Seeger took me there to see it.

I have an additional question. Who makes Minstrel-style five-string banjos today and where are they located? I understand that they are tuned lower than the usual gCGDB or gGDBD.
Maybe something like fBbFAC?

The plectrum banjo (sans fifth string) crosses over from the five-string using the same tuning in early 20's jazz bands.



Frank