prossignol - Posted - 05/12/2008:  13:05:14

I have a modern "no-knot" tailpiece on most of my banjos. I have one of them strung with Nylgut strings using a "perfect loop" fishermans knot creating loops in the strings to attach to the end of the tailpiece. I am going to change the strings soon and I was wondering if I could use the "no-knot" method of the "no-knot" tailpiece with the Nylguts like I would with steel strings? I know Nylguts are supposed to be a bit cut sensitive, will using the "no-knot" method end up causing the strings to break loose at the end? Anyone else try this with Nylguts? Just curious whether or not to try this method or just stick to tying some loops. Thanks for any input.


"....I wish I had that pan full of squirell head gravy..."

guitdawg - Posted - 05/12/2008:  13:55:21

should work fine. I will post a link to a photo soon. just be careful of any sharp edges. As long as you don't "skin" the string the No=Knot method works fine.

"Conservatism besets the arts at every turn" - anonymous (more operatively unknown)

dhergert - Posted - 05/12/2008:  14:10:47

Here's Michael Holmes' Mugwumps discussion of no-knot string attachment: http://www.mugwumps.com/no_knot.htm

I've got an original elite and am successfully using the method as described..

Best,

-- Don
http://home.att.net/~dhergert
http://mysite.verizon.net/don_hergert

"If you must use your banjo as a snow shovel, do so:
only don't wonder if it sounds dull afterwards."
-- S.S. Stewart catalog, 1896.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 05/12/2008:  14:10:58

I've not had 100% success with using the "no-knot" as it was designed. Not that it was a severe problem, just that the thinner strings tended to be slippage problems. I solved that by tying a figure-eight 'stopper' knot in the end of each string and then applying the string to the post as directed.

I got a bright idea once and tried just the stopper knot and used the slots as if the strings were "ball end". The thin outer strings got a 'thicker knot' but otherwise it worked fine. I've been thru several sets now on the Flesher with no problem that way.

===Marc

"If banjos needed tone rings, S.S. Stewart would have made them that way."

prossignol - Posted - 05/12/2008:  15:06:09

Thanks for the input so far...I was familiar with the mugwumps article and had wondered if people had success with Nylguts, I suppose that the "no-knot" design was intended for use with gut strings so it should work OK with the sythetics that are supposed to be similar. Ill give it a try, i guess the worst that can happen is I have to go back to my previous method....


"....I wish I had that pan full of squirell head gravy..."

oldtimer - Posted - 05/12/2008:  15:12:57

Zepp shows how to tie them here:

http://zeppmusic.com/bowline.htm

It has always worked for me.

stay tooned....
Glenn Godsey

"Time passes unhindered"

prossignol - Posted - 05/18/2008:  08:33:18

well, i used the "no-knot" method, and the tailpiece ends up "nipping" the 5th string at the end. This is a modern "no-knot" tailpiece and it definitely has some sharp edges at the cam, I filed it a little bit but it still cut my 5th string when I brought it up to the high G for standard tuning. I ended up just tying a perfection loop for the drone. the other strings are still using the "no-knot" method, but I have a feeling Im gonna stap the end of the 2nd string as well by the looks of it. I do believe that if the cams were not so sharp/edgy the method would work great. I guess thats why those vintage "no-knot" and "Elite" tailpieces are in demand even with the modern replicas being so inexpensive and available.


"....I wish I had that pan full of squirell head gravy..."

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 05/18/2008:  09:23:02

Start by filing and sanding out the slot. That wasn't enough for my Nylguts and I ended up tying a square knot in the end of the string, then running a half hitch around the post of the no knot - nothing running through the slot. The square knot keeps the half hitch from slipping and it doesn't stick up above the top of the tailpiece.
My ultimate solution was to go to Chris Sands classical banjo strings.

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