George Wunderlich made his banjos with the same tools as would have been used during the 1800's minstrelsy period. This banjo strongly resembles the famous banjo painting by William Sydney Mount. Four of the strings are gut. It was originally commissioned for Debbie McClatchy who performed Lotta Crabtree professionally for many years. I've posted several videos of me playing this Wunder banjo. Truly I have too many banjos for my needs. This one is a treasure to the right person. The price is less than half what I paid Debbie, in honor of her retirement.