Frank, I am very pleased to have stumbled upon your name here. My father was Howard Caine. My memory is that you two were friendly. I was interviewed on his behalf for the May 2010 issue of Banjo Newsletter. A gentleman who writes for the newsletter contacted me to do an article on my dad because, as he put it, the banjo community is not aware that Major Hochstetter was a banjo player.

I have just pulled his banjos out and found out the hard way that standard banjo strings are not long enough to accommodate either his Vega long neck or his fretless long neck. This thread was of great assistance. I wish to string up his banjos and make use of them.

In any case I was thrilled when I saw you had posted here. I would love to send you an email and say hello. I also have a very fond memory of being in attendance for a jam session that occurred between you and Don Mclean when I was a kid. My email address is evanzen@sbcglobal.net I would love to hear from you if you are so inclined. Wishing you all the best, Lyle Caine