If you are not playing in a "period" context, it shouldn't matter. Good songs are good songs in just about any guise.

Mister and I play 18th & 19th century events. I use a chin rest (okay for 19th c) and a shoulder rest, because that's how I learned to play. I can go without the shoulder rest for a little while, but not without both. It's physically painful.

We played an 18th century event with a very accomplished fiddler out of Williamsburg. I was moaning a little because I had to have these tools to play, and he said, you know what? Nobody's ever come up to me and thanked me for playing without a chin rest or a shoulder rest.

We've had this conversation here before... it's sometimes difficult to get "period" instruments, either originals or reproductions. They cost money. Some are not so expensive, but not all of us have a spare $500 to spend on a nice repro banjo. That's several weeks worth of groceries.

The most important thing, I think, is that you choose good songs and present them well, because that's what MOST people are going to appreciate and remember.

Cheers------ Kim