Just a bit of a follow-up,

Yes acoustic miked up is ok for the bigger venues - and I must admit our "sound man" does a great job - but outside of the festival scene we're stuck with the pup/club situation and the inherent noise to overcome and with comes the problems!

Just put the new swan through a carlsbro sherwood 65 back line acoustic amp (the sherwood seems appropriate as Swan banjos are made in Nottingham!) then DIed into the PA adding a bit of "fun" from a pandora 3 effects (even adding the cr... drum machine and bass)and WOW!! instant lift music, bluegrass Beatles, jazz and even some traditional music - it all came out they can't get me off stage!!!! Yes I still have acoustic banjos (7) and will still play them and record with 'em but the swan is a great new tool to add to the other instruments - not a replace more a new friend.

I will continue to play with the Swan and if time allows I will lay down a CD of music played on the Swan - I thought of calling it "Pete's Swan Song" but that seems a bit terminal :-)

As I have said before the "banjo" sound, of this instrument (when played through the right amp - I found the acoustic amp with the right eq setting gave me a good range of banjo sound from "old time" to ultra bright "bluegrass") compares to the way my acoustic sounds on the Cds. They're great value - I want another please, Mum

OK I'll stop rabbiting but I have really enjoyed playing it!

Take care

Pete