Jessie Harris is just about to finish up his seven week tour opening for Joshua Radin (and serving as a sideman in Radin’s band). His new CD, Watching the Sky has just been released and this tour is the first of many shows he will be doing to promote the recording. His next dates will be three weeks in Japan.

Harris took some time to chat about his Deering Banjo, Boston 6 model (six string banjo).

Why, in a general sense, do you use a 6 string banjo?

I got really tired of the amplified sound of the acoustic guitar and always felt I had to fight with it to get notes heard -- by the band, myself and the audience. The banjo not only cuts through but is more percussive, which suits my style of playing and outlines the harmony more clearly. Coupled with percussion, it feels completely natural and it leaves plenty of room for me to sing.

Why the Deering? I know there are not a ton of high end 6 strings out there but what appeals to you most about this banjo?

One day I drove out to Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island and the Deering Banjos just sounded best. I picked the loudest one, which I needed because I had been doing a lot of gigs on the street playing in Kenny Wollesen’s marching band, Himalayas.

I soon put a pick-up in it and played it in clubs as well. Gradually I introduced it on other people’s gigs and, last of all, for some reason, on my own. Whenever I picked it up I felt happy and whenever I played acoustic I couldn’t wait to pick up the banjo again. Finally I decided to stop bringing the acoustic to shows at all, though I still use it in the studio on some songs.

How do you amplify your banjo? What sort of pick up or mic-ing do you use, and why?

I have a custom-made pick-up that was installed by someone who works on my guitars in New York.

Do you play 4 or 5 string banjos? If so tell me a little about the differences with a guitar tuned banjo? Do you finger pick? Use a pick?

No, I am not a real banjo player per se. I don’t know the technique for picking a regular banjo or playing in that tuning. I use a six string one and play guitar chords—though it’s not exactly the same thing. I finger pick and also use a flat pick.

Is there anything you would change about this banjo if you could?

I might clone it.

Is it a "value for the money" instrument?

Not particularly. Mine was about $1300. I noticed the cheaper ones didn’t sound as good or as loud.

Keep an eye open for Harris on tour.