I can give either the long answer or the short one. I'll opt for the short one:

The banjo.

From my earliest memories, I recall being in love with the sound. I grew up listening to Pete Seeger, Erik Darling, Alex Hassilev, Roger (Jim) McGuinn... anyway, first and foremost for me, it was the banjo.

Unfortunately, my dad was dead set against it, so it never happened. He did surprise me (at age 6) with my first guitar, but at the time it proved to be more of a problem than anything else. Long story, but it is relevant to this thread. Perhaps I'll relate it later.

But, anyway, for me it was the banjo.


Jay