Oh yes, arnie - I agree that there are plenty of good open backs available (I just bought a new Vega a few months back, and I've seen others on the market). I just meant the sheer volume of production seem to go to the resonator style. It seem thats for for every 30 or 50 resonators they make an oen back (my numbers may be way off, but you get the idea).

In fact, I played a beautiful brand new open backed banjo at a shop in Fredricksburg VA - a local/regional maker, I didn't recognize the name (though I'm not a banjo expert). It had a sweet, crisp sound and a beautiful neck. The damn thing played itself! I was really impressed - and its was priced at about 1000. If I hadn't just bought my Vega, I'd have scooped it up!