The plectrum banjo is a 4 string banjo. It has 22 frets. The standard tuning is CGDB but is often tuned like the 1st 4 strings of a guitar. It is used predominately for Dixieland Jazz or solo banjo playing. Probably the most famous plectrum banjo player was Eddie Peabody. I suspect that among most banjo players Perry Bechtel would be favored in terms of ability although he was not the showman that Peabody was. If you want more information about 4 string banjos in general check out the links on http://homepages.together.net/~induni/4string.htmNoel