This should probably be in the shop & swap but I thought I might find a better answer here. I've tried to get this recording from Frank (via my wife because she uses The Facebook and I do not) and he said he'd send some files to us but I'm sure he's busy and it might have been in the time frame of some heavy life changes. What I'm asking is if anybody has a copy that I could get a copy of? I'd gladly send some money to Frank regardless of how I acquire the recording. I've wanted a copy of him playing solo ever since first seeing the Freight Hoppers at the Guthrie, OK bluegrass festival in the last 90s, and was thrilled upon seeing this existed and then dismayed to learn it was not easily available. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

In a thread on clawhammer tunings from 2012 R.D. Lunceford mentioned:

"One other point. There are traditions/players that use only gDGBD and gCGBD tunings (You'll still need a capo for speed for A & D). They totally dispense with gCGCD and gDGCD yet still play the same repertoire."

Could someone on the BHO point me to a such a player or give me references to tabs or video clips with D tunes played out of aDGBD or maybe gCGBD capoed up?

I know Don Borchelts arguments for using different tunings on different songs and agree with them, especially the aesthetic aspects, but the prominent aspect for me at this time is feeling at home with the fretboard positions I know already.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Not onlly a great version of the tune, but one of the best show and tell lessons I’ve seen. If you want to learn melodic clawhammer, this is how to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Wiv5dRT3Q

In another thread in response to a question I asked about 4-string in OT music a member posted a link to a video of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. What do you call the finger-picking style of Don Flemons? While singing he strums but then between verses (as far as I’ve watched) he picks out a chord-melody.

If there might be a video tutorial that would be great.

Thanks for any help.

I have an idea to put together a 5 string banjo for clawhammer with a 20" scale length, and an 11" head. Having messed around with a variety of scale lengths on banjos and ukuleles I find that I really like a 20" scale. It just feels good to me, and that stretch to the 7th fret is soo much easier with a short scale. This is pretty standard for Irish Tenor banjo. I think with the right string set I could tune it open G, open C, double G, etc. If I have a neck made I would probably also have the 5th string peg at the 7th fret (thinking outside the box here).

In theory, Gold Tone sells their mini banjo neck but they just don't seem to show up in stock. Before I have someone make a neck for me I wanted to solicit feedback from the members here.