Charcloth, I hear you about wanting to have another open back to avoid changing from double C to G tuning (and no doubt back again) if you're on stage a lot! Even worse is from double C to G minor. . . but then I don't do much live playing and can't afford another banjo anyway. Have had the experience of playing clawhammer style on a resonator banjo; as far as I'm concerned, it's just "different", I don't think it's a question of "better" or "worse" and both personal preference and playing situations might dictate one's choice.

cheers, Aux