I don't particularly care about my guitar, a Montana classical guitar that, while it's all right, is of no particular distinction.

My banjo, however, is another thing. It's technically an 11 inch Ramsey Special, but is more customized than that description implies, having been custom made to my order in 1999. The wall of the pot is thicker than Mike Ramsey normally makes his Specials, and it has no tone ring. It's effectively all maple, with ebony fingerboard and bubinga trim, and at the 12th fret is inlaid the banjo's name, OLGA, in mother of pearl.

The history/reason for the name OLGA I've given in other threads. It's a sort of family in-group joke.

Now, this is not an extremely valuable instrument, having cost me about $850 four years ago, but it is a fine piece of work by a recognized master banjo maker, with a wonderful tone. I'd hate to see it wasted. Well, I guess I wouldn't see it wasted, but I hate the thought prospectively.

Dave Oesterreich