Nice image, although he doesn't look that old timey to me, and he's playing a 5 string rather than a 4 string, usually used for that frailing style. I like the look of this one.
Its hard to make blue jeans and a T-shirt look very old-timey. But the 5-string banjo is the type used for southern Appalachian oldtime music, or just about any rural banjo music. Its a 1920's Supertone, complete with original skin head. I wish you could hear it too John, but I dont play all that well. I know maybe 15 songs but I'm still learning.
I am coating them very poorly. But I seriously like that uneven, unpredictable look, for now anyway. I imagine it wil get old but I've only exposed a few plates so far. I've got some suction cups laying around, so I will try that technique sometime.