Good advice here. Thanks.

I did order a Schub from Deering (for the long neck), and a box of string sets too (Mediums cause they sound best).

I too like the sound of the uncapoed string, but I've been working some folks from time to time who switch from Bflat, to G to A to F etc, and even with an electronic tuner I'm finding it tough to make the switch as gracefully as I'd like. I usually plan out my songs based upon banjo retunings, when I have a say-so about it!

I know with the 5th string capo there will still be the fine retunings, but these are a lot easier.

I considered spikes, but that seems even more invasive a surgury, and disfiguring to the neck. I can't call myself an old timey player. I suppose I'm still just another guitar player with a banjo, but I love the instrument. I use my right hand my the way I do for guitar, some 3 fingered pickin', and some brushing - no picks just long nails. So I have a sort of bastardized style - but it works.