Recently there was a thread (another reason to be Homeless?) that showed a vintage Martin that had obviously been played hard for many years. The asking price was $140,000. It occurred to me that it would be nice if there were some sort of fund that puts these instruments in the hands of worthy musicians. I believe that this sort of arrangement is in place with major orchestras and this keeps the Stradivarius's etc. in play where they belong. Sure many vintage instruments look pretty behind glass, but looking pretty is not how they became vintage instruments.

I'm hoping that the Aria Pro banjo that is on it's way to me will be in the league of the banjo's that Rick described. I sure can't afford a vintage Gibson. Apparently the parts on the Aria are interchangable with the Mastertone.