i have the same problem with bagpipes... adding an amp is the next step. i was thinking about the JM1000 as everybody says it is extremely loud. recently somebody said the x30 is almost as loud as the JM1000 (the emeralds are more of my licking)... 

maybe harder picks? steel nails if you play fingerstyle?

I have a JM1000 and it is loud - but not banjo-loud.  I've often wondered how loud those guitar-banjos are, and if the tone could be made less harsh with a larger head area.

The loudest sound I can get from any of my acoustics (short of striking a gong with them) is strumming with an extremely heavy pick (i.e., 3mm or more).  And not folk strumming with my arm, but more of a quick wrist-flick (all down strokes).  I guess in some ways I am promoting a quick attack, which is what the ultra-thin head seems to do for banjos.  This gives me a good loud rhythmic splat that can be a nice complement for banjos or violins or other cutting instruments.

Using this technique though I will get more brute volume from an archtop or gypsy jazz guitar than I will from my RainSong.  To get the beautiful RainSong tone into banjo territory I would have to amplify, or get the banjo player to play more quietly.

If you form a trio consisting of a banjo, an accordian, and bagpipes, you could quickly clear out a room and those few remaining hardy souls would be able to easily hear an acoustic guitar - once their ears stopped ringing.

Tony

I play with a group that includes one or more banjos, as well as other instruments and face the same/similar problems.  

I have two solutions:  1) teach the banjo players (as well as others) to listen not only to themselves, but to the other players in the ensemble so that folks don't get over-powered [BEST solution, but extremely hard to facilitate];  2) use a small amp when playing with them [I use a Roland AC-33 on battery power and it cuts through the banjo noise nicely + you can control the volume -- I keep it near my feet when I play].  Both solutions mean taking a bit of a risk, but what solution doesn't?

Overall, I think the problem lies in folks learning to play "with other musicians" --  a much more difficult proposition than playing solo.  This is not only true in volume, but also in tempo -- how many of us have played with those who are "self expressive" in their cadence, and they wonder why we can't play "with" them in a musical manner?!  Learning to "listen" seems to be the key.

JMO,

Ray

I ride with Ray on this one; a really good banjo player can get right with, right over, or right under a guitar.  I had the good fortune of recording with a banjo player who managed to work with my nylon string guitar without becoming over powering.  The rambunctious ones are hard to deal with--if you go to an amp to keep up, then they play louder and you turn up the amp--pretty soon you're making a bunch of noise.    

A really good drummer is like what Evan describes too.  Instead of just pounding on the damn things, a really good drummer PLAYS the drums and can really control dynamics.  I assume that is what Evan is talking about - control of dynamics.  That is, I am sure a real skill that needs developing as does any other musical skill.

Tony

Tony;

I saw your point on one of Buzzards recording.  He had a drummer who was right with it--delicate, smooth, sweet.  I don't know if bag pipes are as controllable as drums and banjos. 

I've been playing a bit with a clarinetist and a trumpeter(!) - I was worried about not hearing, but they say they can hear me fine (I have a GX). Not so easy to hear on my end, though, unless I strum. So much for complex, subtle fingerpicking. Maybe when I get more financial I'll invest in a small acoustic amp.

Keshav is wonderful... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQkel3ePLjo and his daughter (at about 1:55) at three years old sings and keeps time better than many adults.  :)

Good point about bagpipes.

Tony