I haven't seen any mention of my first ever banjo, the Windsor Popular made in England ( Birmingham ?) pre- World War 2 after which the factory burnt down. It has a 12 inch ring and a real skin. No resonator, 5 strings which originally were steel but I changed to gut. Very low action - beautiful for playing finger-picking style melodic lines. Hopeless for frailing, but I don't frail.
I don't play this banjo much now since I fell in love with a modern 5-string banjo made by the wonderful James Bowen of Griffin Banjos, Lydbury North, Shropshire.It is a Griffin Majestic, based on the Whyte Lady model, but it has a beautiful clear and sweet tone that works wonders with traditional English lyrical songs. As soon as I tried it I refused to let him take it home - I bought it on the spot.I have never heard a banjo sound like it anywhere else.
I can recommend Griffin Banjos to anyone - he makes superb instruments of a wide variety.
Mary Humphreys