The reason many people criticise the tuning of banjos is because most banjos are out of tune. It's an inherent design defect.

Many banjos may be out of tune, but an inherent design defect it is not. It's all down to the neck seating in the pan, skin tension, quality of strings, scale length, action, bridge placement - and the person playing like it. A bit like other stringed instruments, really.

I went to see Debbie McClatchy recently. Her banjo playing was beautiful - immaculate, bang in tune, sophisticated - and the tone of the instrument was clear and sweet. And if you want ultra sophisticated and modern banjo sounds, have a listen to Bela Flack. End of my thread digression...