|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link.
Ray58 - Posted - 09/05/2009: 15:48:04
From what I can tell most frailers prefer medium strings. My guess is because when playing up near the neck or over a scoop the strings would be too mushy if lighter. I just received my open back and find 24 for a forth string to be a bit much. I also noticed my hammer on the 2nd string doesn't work so well as with lighter strings. Do any of you use something lighter than medium? I might try "Almost Mediums" from GHS. For me, that might be the ticket. Thanks. Ray
Bill - Posted - 09/05/2009: 15:50:20
I'm currently using GHS PF-150 -- 10 12 14 22 10
Bill
Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/05/2009: 15:53:58
You could try the set I use for my banjo tuned up to A: .010 x2, .012, .014, .022 or .023 wound. I see that GHS set above fits there. You can go .001 lighter on the 2d and 3d, but not on the 1st and 5th. .009 is just too floppy. You can always make up your own sets from singles, and not depend on some maker's pre-selected set.
Bill
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 09/05/2009 15:55:31
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 09/05/2009: 16:26:57
I use Dean Markley lights on a banjo tuned a whole tone low, but switch out the 15 for a 16 as I tend to tune the 3rd string even lower at times. It would be at "Eb" open when I'm in "F tuning (capo 2 for key of F) (capo 4 for "G").
It took me a while to get used to light strings but I managed to do it.
http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
Rocket Science Banjo - Advanced Clawhammer Techniques for beginners and long time players alike. Plus videos and 25-40 EZ Clawhammer Tunes.
& check out "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
banjo brad's great banjo site
scruss - Posted - 09/05/2009: 16:36:51
Chris Coole told me the other week that he's taken it to the next level and uses a 13 for his fifth.
--
http://scruss.com/blog/ - Hug a wind turbine today!
John Gribble - Posted - 09/05/2009: 17:33:48
I think I'm in a minority here, but I like the livelier sound of light gauge strings (.009 first and fifth) on instruments with steel strings. They are a little easier to play, but that's not the issue with me. I find I can adjust pretty quickly to heavier strings. Heavier strings seem to dampen or deaden the tone more than I want.
I don't know, but I suspect Cathy Fink used light gauge strings on her Banjo Haiku CD.
John Gribble
Tokyo, Japan
howseth - Posted - 09/05/2009: 17:48:52
I currently favor 10 12 14 22 10 gauges. I like the steel/nickel wound 4th string better than the bronze wrapped 4th. Martin had this type of set (I have a a supply) - but, alas! this set may have been recently discontinued. John Pearse "1900" strings are in these gauges, also, Black Diamond, and Gibson have them in these gauges. So does Ome, with fuzzy chenille ends - but they cost a lot more than the other brands. (The GHS 150's have a Bronze 4th string - I used them for awhile - but not anymore.)
Howard
Edited by - howseth on 09/05/2009 17:51:57
jamie_t123 - Posted - 09/05/2009: 18:24:18
Ditto on the lights...why make life harder than it is?
Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!
scruss - Posted - 09/06/2009: 05:00:57
A light fifth makes frailing harder for me. Since it's the home position for my thumb, I'd rather it didn't move away from me as I play. A 12 does exactly what I need.
--
http://scruss.com/blog/ - Hug a wind turbine today!
Alpha Omicron - Posted - 09/06/2009: 09:31:53
I've been using mediums, but I intend to try lights on my next string change. (D'Addario brand in both cases.)
MrSrubas - Posted - 09/06/2009: 10:21:36
Ome Heavies for me: .011, .026, .018, .013, .011.
Used to play some GHS PF160s. Had nice tone, but went flat a little too fast for my liking.
Steve Donnelly - Posted - 09/06/2009: 13:38:47
It sort of depends on your banjo.
On my Reiter tubaphone I use (right now) 10 12 16 23w 11 and
on my 12" thin rimmed Ramsey 10.5 12 15 24w 11
I have a short necked 11" w/ wooden tone ring which I lent to my train hopping grandson
and on it I used to use 11 13 17 24w 11.
smd
Ray58 - Posted - 09/07/2009: 00:19:41
Since I received my banjo and have been picking on it, I must say I have no complaints about what came with the banjo ( 11 24 16 13 11 with silver wound 4th). At first it seemed very heavy compared with what I was used to (Crow Stage strings), but the tone is so beautiful I can't imagine an improvement going to a lighter string. I'll try it someday to be sure. Thanks for all your comments. Ray
BRUNO25 - Posted - 09/07/2009: 05:12:54
I switched to lights on my Orpheum no.1 a few months ago. I was having trouble with mediums in a couple of ways. One, my fingernails were getting really chewed up. And two, I had a hard time playing quiet enough most of the time. What changing to lights did for me was teach me to lighten my touch, which I really needed. Mind you, my touch is lighter, but not that light. My big problem with the lights is that I always break strings, esp. the 5th. It gets pretty irritating. So, I might change back to mediums or at least beef up that 5th.
John
JohnJ - Posted - 09/07/2009: 05:40:00
quote:
Originally posted by scruss
A light fifth makes frailing harder for me. Since it's the home position for my thumb, I'd rather it didn't move away from me as I play. A 12 does exactly what I need.
Went to school with a lady that advises saving your old 2nd string when you change and using it as your new 5th.... Sounds like a good idea to me.... JJ
majikgator - Posted - 09/08/2009: 11:38:06
JohnJ - that sounds good to me and i'm going for it next string change, i'm sick of my over lively 5th string and having to compensate for it with my playing, Gauge? most people use mediums for frailling and brands that market steel strings that way sell medium strings and call them Frailing or Clawhammer strings, but it's one of those personal choice things.
jk
clawforlife - Posted - 09/09/2009: 10:21:33
i think it depends on the banjo. set-up, tonering, etc. if the banjo has a basic rolled brass ring i like lighter gauge strings, but with a brighter ring like a WL i go with a set of mediums
tomberghan - Posted - 09/10/2009: 15:23:36
I always buy singles and make my own sets. I currently am playing with:
.010
.012
.017
.026 Ph Bronze
.013
Those gauges may seem heavy to many of you, but consider the following points:
* My mensur (vibrating string length) is 65 centimeters (about 25.5 inches) which is shorter than “standard”
* I tune gCGCD quite a lot, so I like a heavier fourth. I also like a heavier 3rd – just because I do!
|
Feeds
