play gentle banjo? Hmm, that wasn't my goal - but I am damn curious about the sound.

Have you tried it yet Mick?

And speaking of 6 string banjo, I believe there is a place for a real 6 string banjo NOT the 6 sting guitar on a banjo body thing that Gold Tone and Deering make - but a 5 string banjo with the normal configuration - but with a 6 string added on the low end. I guess it would be another G in the G tuning. It would give you some more room to play melodies out of the first position - and allow bass note-style playing. BUT then I'm a guitar player, what do I know about playing banjo!