Frank - I undertsnad what yo mean about a guitar player's approach to banjo, and I never realized that is how Pete played, but I understand, and have to say that is very much my approach too. I do know that I use a more three fingered style then Pete, though - and add a good bit of brushing. It started out accidental, but it is becoming a style I like. I am still pretty limited with my left hand .. since I play alone quite a bit, I have to provide the acompaniement and whatever "instrumental" is done, so I don't stray too far up the neck. I love it, though. What a great instrument, even in the hands of a guitar player!

Don - I have to say that my PUTW pick-up is probably the only reason I'm bitching about the tone issues, sans capo. I find the banjo actually picks-up pretty well ... BUT I do have tht gripe about going below the third fret and wanting to 'redial' the freq settings. I am going to try some of the adjustments and see if I can;t do better. Actaully, the banjo picks up well over a mic too - so maybe I'll just drop the pick-up.

GUEST - my first thought was that you were being totally cynical - but there is certainly some truth to your comment. I can see that the long-neck banjo really does have some limitations, below the third fret. If I knew when I bought the thing what I know now about the banjo, I would have bought a regular neck - BUT I have to say, I love my Vega longneck. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I do play in F pretty regularly, and yes I could play cross key in a G tuning - it's a lot easier then I used to think - it's become second nature, actually; but I ain't as happy about where the scales fall for solos. Still, life is for learning, eh?