Thanks for the info. I haven't got very strong nails so will need a fingerpick but relieved to hear that only the one is needed. I will try and get to the sewerby hall thing - anyone from Hull going?

I would ideally like to own a half decent old time banjo, the kind with a real skin, open back and heavy body, does anyone know how much i might get one for at this festival? I'm rather skint and have got my name down on a cheap banjo by Vintage, open backed, but im not sure about it.

I've also had some bad banjo advice from some local shops i've been to recently, so its good to talk here to people who know what they're on about. It does annoy me when people just won't own up to not knowing much about an instrument, but they try and tell you stuff thats clearly wrong!

Rant over!

Jane