Hi will, reading your message on the mudcat site about you having a Framus banjo in the sixties. I bought one in the sixties as well and I am still playing it! It has taken some 'mods' over the years(a few small brackets and a plate inside the drum to keep it true and it is still playing well. I had the machine heads renewed and replaced the direct drive fifth peg with a machine head, much better! Looking at some of the other messages on the thread I have to say that I am an 'open back' player and that the only complaint I have is that it can be a bit heavy. I actualy tune the thing to open D to give me the option of keys that suit the band that I am playing in. It gives it a somewhat mellow tone which I really like. I play with a band called 'Hobsons Choice' We are based in Perth Western Australia and are an Anglo/Celtic outfit also playing original stuff about W.A. and the U.K. Perhaps you would like to visit our website at hobsons.perthwa.com and have a listen!

Regards,

Pete Proctor