Now there's an interesting idea, Charley. Somehow I doubt they'll do it, but okay - I've sent an e-mail to them and we'll see what happens. It has occured to me that if luthiers and music stores sold made a regular practice of posting sound files, we'd all be able to make better decisions.

In time, it may be possible to get hold of a Galax closer to home, but apparently Bart has hurt his shoulder and has slowed down his production schedule quite a bit. My impression is that he makes banjos when he feels like it, so one could wait forever for the right instrument to show up.

I've been able to hear a couple of recordings of Reiter Whyte Laydies, and had the chance to play one of them at the Bucks County Folk Music Shop here in Pennsylvania, but it's hard to judge. The BCFMS has them all set up to, in the words of the owner, "be the most that they can be," which I take to mean that is most to his personal taste. (And his taste is BRIGHT.) Of course, nobody but Elderly has the Galax right now.

Part of the problem for me is that banjos are so mechanical - the factors that affect tone are different than anything I'm used to with autoharps, guitars and dulcimers.

Whether or not it helps me choose a banjo, I'd still be interested in what folks think about the effect of neck wood on tone. Does it really have much of an effect?

Thanks for the advice, folks. If need be I'll just sit tight and wait - but for some reason I have a burr in my saddle to do this soon.

Dan