flint_hill_fan - Posted - 10/27/2009:  08:57:06

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I play for about an hour each day. How often should I restring? I've heard anything from monthly to much less frequently.
Thanks.
Perry

asmcsgac - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:04:15

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My ears tell me when. (So does my imagination) Couple hours a day playing.....my strings satisfy sometimes up to two months. More frequently when I "think" they sound less than pleasing.

PharmBoy - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:13:54

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I second the "ear" test. Also, I notice that when my strings get old, they are harder to keep in tune.

I also play about an hour or more each day, and I change mine about every 4 weeks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

Glenn Tate - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:14:26

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It depends on the strings you use, and how well you keep them clean by wiping them down when you get thru playing. If you start losing sustain and the strings start to sound dead, change your strings. If you start noticing that your banjo seems harder to keep in tune from one chord to another, change your strings.

I personally have found that AMB cryogenic strings last much longer than any other brand I have tried. I have tried most brands, but I haven't tried them all. I use medium, .010, .012, .016, .023, .010

"The more you know, the more you kmow you don't know."

Glenn

Cajun_Hillbilly - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:21:07

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Wow. I am getting my first banjo soon and I was not aware of this. Why do banjos need to be restrung so often? I know guitar players who play as much as mentioned above but they go months--year+ before changing strings. I guess I incorrectly assumed that aspect was the same.

This wouldn't concern me so much but for the fact that I live in a near Banjo-free zone. Local music stores either don't sell them or only sell one begginer box type. I doubt they would know what they are doing when servicing them.

What others regular maintanance/changes should I be aware of?

rhopkins249 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:22:27

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I change mine when I change my clocks

R Buck - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:40:10

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I knew and old guy who changed his strings every year on his birthday, whether they needed it or not. When I gigged nearly every day, they lasted a week. I get more from them now because I don't get to play THAT much banjo. But they will tell you when they need changed. Just listen to them.

RobBob
Music; the best way to count time. It is a journey not a destination.
www.blueridgerounders.com

---

Edited by - R Buck on 10/27/2009 09:41:13

Catman - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:53:55

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I play quite a bit and have found that the Elixir medium gauge strings outlast any other brands I have tried. They are more expensive initially but are worth it in the long run because thet hold their sound forever and are very durable. I purchase them from First Quality Music via the internet at a very reasonable price. Try 'em you'll like 'em!

"Weee doggies, listen to that boy sipher !!

klgera - Posted - 10/27/2009:  09:54:57

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It also depends on where you live, and the moisture and oil content of your hands. I have very dry hands, and half of the year where I live, it is very dry and cold, so I find that my strings last for months.
Other stuff to watch for, I always mark the location of the bridge so that if it moves I can get it back the correct position quickly. It might fall over, or move when you do change strings.
As far as buying strings, if you don't have a local store, find a good mail order place, such as First Quality Music and buy several sets from them, plus then they'll send you a catalog.

Ken Gerard

Thor - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:05:21

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cajun_Hillbilly

Wow. I am getting my first banjo soon and I was not aware of this. Why do banjos need to be restrung so often? I know guitar players who play as much as mentioned above but they go months--year+ before changing strings. I guess I incorrectly assumed that aspect was the same.

---

Some banjo players don't change strings unless or until one breaks. I probly go three or four months on a set, or more.

quote:

---

This wouldn't concern me so much but for the fact that I live in a near Banjo-free zone. Local music stores either don't sell them or only sell one begginer box type. I doubt they would know what they are doing when servicing them.

---

Internet. I get my strings from http://www.janetdavismusic.com/

quote:

---

What others regular maintanance/changes should I be aware of?

---

Read up on the Banjo Building Set-up and Repair forum:
http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/f...?FORUM_ID=12
Lots of good info there.

Pepper Laing - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:20:33

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I change a string when it breaks or when re doing a set up. I never break strings tho so. I have had the set I`m playing now on for at least 6 months and have noticed no deterioration in tone, or it`s ability to stay in tune. I do believe some people with different chemistry need to change more often. There are very few actual string manufactuers, most of the string companies buy from them and put there brand on it.

www.myspace.com/pepperlaingt...nestarkillers

1four5 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:23:06

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I try to get 2 months out of mine, at about 4 hours a day. They get gritty and dark dispite wiping them down after every session. I can tell the time is drawing near when the punch into a michrophone starts to drop off and the 3rd string get's harder to keep in tune. It never fails, when I finally change them, I wonder why I didn't do it sooner I buy mine a dozen packs at a time from juststrings.com

Dean

slowdeath - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:37:03

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Maybe a month. People are saying they don't notice any deterioration in their sound over 6 months, but I assure you that when you put a new set you will see how much deterioration has occurred.

Regards,

Matt

www.myspace.com/slowdeathandloneliness

steve davis - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:42:56

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I like the tone better in my conversion after the first month on
new strings.The last set of GHS I used were on 11 months and still sounded fine.

They didn't really need changing...I was just bored and decided to change them.

That was about 6 weeks ago and they're starting to sound good now.

DaveOmega - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:45:03

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I agree with most everyone that the strings will make it apparent you. I usually get a feeling that they need to be changed every month or two for me. Once you get the new set on you'll know you made the right decision right away. I'm kind of cheap, so when I change strings they're usually closer to black than silver in color. I like my strings to be a little bit played in to sound their best.

Dave

I pick for money & I pick for free & I'll pick for you but I pick for me!

( | )===='==[::/
^KatEyz ^Gumby

---

Edited by - DaveOmega on 10/27/2009 10:45:53

harold saxton - Posted - 10/27/2009:  10:49:56

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I change mine when I can't remember when I changed them last time. My banjo teacher taught me that.

dpete210 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  11:07:11

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I just love how varied the answers can get on this question and how different the time period between changes can be, from one show to the next or a few days to many months, and in some cases several years between changes. I was jamming with a fellow one time who claimed his strings were at least 5 years old. Yes, his guitar sounded like the strings died quite some time before. He almost seemed proud that his strings were ancient. At any rate, unless a string or strings break, I have learned to let my ears tell me when to change strings, and that works for me. I don't have the unusually oily hands that can be so hard on strings like some folks, but when I notice that the punch or clean sound seems to be disappearing, I change the strings. It really depends on how much playing I do with a particular instrument as to when that occurs. I use the elixir strings on my guitar and go 3 to 4 months before changing and my banjo strings (GHS or American Made Banjo cryogenics) get a change about once a year. I could be wrong, but it seems like the banjo strings last much longer before they sound like it is time to change them. Barring breakage, I believe our ears can tell us when we change our strings. Some like the crisp "new" sound from new strings and when that is gone they change, others like the "broken in" sound and keep the strings on for longer periods of time, so I believe it really boils down to personal preference. At any rate, it is very interesting to read the different replies whenever this question comes up. Welcome to the BHO, flint hill fan! Hopefully your ears will tell you when you need a change of strings!

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

ac5aa - Posted - 10/27/2009:  11:41:59

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Commenting on the remark above about guitar strings lasting a lot longer, I've found the opposite. I think it's because the strings are wound and that gives an opportunity for skin oils, moisture and "dirt" to get in between the windings and the core of the string, deadening them. On my guitars, a set of strings lasts about 4 - 6 weeks until they sound so dead I can't stand it! On the banjo, only the 4th string is wound, and I've found with the stainless steel wound strings for some reason they last about twice as long as guitar strings do - about 8 weeks. For whatever that's worth - our answers are all over the place!

Duane C.
Sullivan Greenbrier, Gibson RB-250

dpete210 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  11:55:00

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Duane, if you refer to my post, I wrote: "I use the elixir strings on my guitar and go 3 to 4 months before changing and my banjo strings (GHS or American Made Banjo cryogenics) get a change about once a year. I could be wrong, but it seems like the banjo strings last much longer before they sound like it is time to change them."

It sounds like we agree on that point.

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

MitchellB - Posted - 10/27/2009:  11:56:34

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I don't have a set time limit. If I am going to record or play in public I will usually put on a new set if I know the strings are old. I can usually tell when I need to change them due to loss of tone, rust or intonation problems. Like some of the others, if they've been on a while and I break a string, I will usually change all of them at once. When I was gigging everyday I would change every couple weeks, but nowadays every season or two.

Mitchell

Granada90 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  12:42:49

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I use GHS lites and have had them on for a little over 2 yrs. and they still sound great....to me.

http://www.youtube.com/Parsonbanjo1967

PharmBoy - Posted - 10/27/2009:  14:36:30

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Cajun_Hillbilly

Wow. I am getting my first banjo soon and I was not aware of this. Why do banjos need to be restrung so often? I know guitar players who play as much as mentioned above but they go months--year+ before changing strings. I guess I incorrectly assumed that aspect was the same.

---

Guitar players going months or as much as a year before changing strings?? That's a player who really does not care about the sound of his instrument. Strings are not designed to last that long. Sorry, but if you play a lot you need to change your strings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

dpete210 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  18:24:48

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Cajun Hillbilly, regarding your question, "What other regular maintenance/changes should I be aware of?"
Check out the info in the "Learn To Play" menu. When you put your mouse on "Learn to Play" you'll see another menu pop up. Choose the "Browse Lessons" and you'll then see a listing "Instrument Set Up/Maintenance" Look through that stuff and you'll get some good tips.

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

ome - Posted - 10/28/2009:  03:28:06

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In "Masters of the 5 string Banjo." Sonny Osbourne states he never changes his strings. The only time is when the fourth string becomes unwound. Ray.

It's not the notes, but the spaces between them.

John Allison - Posted - 10/28/2009:  06:17:17

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Second what Glen Tate says. If you find yourself tuning more often that usual, it is time to change. Also, when you notice that the strings seem to get a dead sound, it is time to change. I used to use GHS PF 175 Sonny Osborne strings (rated light @ .011, .012, .013, .022W, .011) and change them roughly every other month. I now use the same size strings, but made cryogenically by AMB. Get from 10 to 12 months out of them.

Froggie
"Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.

---

Edited by - John Allison on 10/28/2009 07:07:47

Ronnie - Posted - 10/28/2009:  06:52:41

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I usually get several years out of a set of strings and don't normally change a string unless it breaks or the wrapping wears out on the 4th. To me, they sound a lot better after a few months break-in period to get rid of the new string "twang." After all, how often do you change the strings on your piano??

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

ac5aa - Posted - 10/28/2009:  06:58:56

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Hi dpete - Yes, on guitar strings I was addressing the standard wound guitar strings - I mostly use D'Add EJ-17's on my dreads, or Martin PB's, all mediums. The Martins keep their ring a week or two longer than the D'Add's. I have tried Elixir's several times and have not liked the sound of the covered string -- somehow, to my ear, it sounds like it's already half dead. Probably the combination of string/guitar. Either way, we do agree that banjo strings last longer!

Duane C.
Sullivan Greenbrier, Gibson RB-250

njwater - Posted - 10/28/2009:  07:08:15

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cajun_Hillbilly

Wow. I am getting my first banjo soon and I was not aware of this. Why do banjos need to be restrung so often? I know guitar players who play as much as mentioned above but they go months--year+ before changing strings. I guess I incorrectly assumed that aspect was the same.

This wouldn't concern me so much but for the fact that I live in a near Banjo-free zone. Local music stores either don't sell them or only sell one begginer box type. I doubt they would know what they are doing when servicing them.

What others regular maintanance/changes should I be aware of?

---

any guitar player who doesn't change strings for months to years has no ear, IMO.

for guitar in particular, the oils in your fingers get into the winds of the bass strings and dull the sound. it is unmistakeable.

for the treble strings, similar to banjo I would guess, it's more a matter of the metal losing it's natural strength from playing over time... flexing with each "pluck", hence less frequent, but still mandatory, replacements in order.

I'm guilty on the banjo.. .bought the strings but have been too chicken to try changing them (especially the 5th string :) )... BUT guess I have to do so soon!

-----------------------------------------------
-- Rob

Grace and Peace

noofus - Posted - 10/28/2009:  07:43:57

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I fear restringing. Whenever I do it, my cat thinks its playtime... *sigh*

Ronnie - Posted - 10/28/2009:  10:28:42

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Guitar strings need to be replaced much more often than banjo strings.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

PharmBoy - Posted - 10/28/2009:  11:46:11

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie

Guitar strings need to be replaced much more often than banjo strings.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Where are the data to back this statement up? I don't believe it, frankly, and the evidence I have is pretty solid: strings (guitar OR banjo) start sounding bad when played reasonably often over 4-6 weeks. Change your strings regularly, and you will like the results.

Funny about some banjo players, they'll spend hours trying different bridges, tuning/tightening/changing heads, etc., etc. How about something simple like changing your strings? It takes about 20 minutes and cost maybe $8.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

Thor - Posted - 10/28/2009:  12:00:25

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by PharmBoy

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie

Guitar strings need to be replaced much more often than banjo strings.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Where are the data to back this statement up? I don't believe it, frankly, and the evidence I have is pretty solid: strings (guitar OR banjo) start sounding bad when played reasonably often over 4-6 weeks. Change your strings regularly, and you will like the results.

Funny about some banjo players, they'll spend hours trying different bridges, tuning/tightening/changing heads, etc., etc. How about something simple like changing your strings? It takes about 20 minutes and cost maybe $8.

---

Heheh...
I chuckle at "solid" evidence that consists of subjective terms like "start sounding bad", "played reasonably often", and "you will like the results".

steve davis - Posted - 10/28/2009:  12:07:33

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I put my strings on 6 weeks ago and they didn't sound the way I like til yesterday.

I'm pretty sure they'll still sound fine next August when I change them
out of sheer boredom.

Ronnie - Posted - 10/28/2009:  13:04:50

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by PharmBoy

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie

Guitar strings need to be replaced much more often than banjo strings.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Where are the data to back this statement up? I don't believe it, frankly, and the evidence I have is pretty solid: strings (guitar OR banjo) start sounding bad when played reasonably often over 4-6 weeks. Change your strings regularly, and you will like the results.

Funny about some banjo players, they'll spend hours trying different bridges, tuning/tightening/changing heads, etc., etc. How about something simple like changing your strings? It takes about 20 minutes and cost maybe $8.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

Well, I guess 50 years or so of experience playing both instruments might have something to do with my statement. We all see things differently, though.

---

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Edited by - Ronnie on 10/28/2009 13:30:17

Solo - Posted - 10/28/2009:  13:42:14

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Ac5aa and Ronnie are right on this one. Want evidence? Look at the windings on guitar strings. This is what collects dirt, oil and kills sound. About elixirs, I would stick with nanowebs, and not even give polywebs a try. Initially, uncoated strings sound much better, but the plastic coating increases longevity and feels smooth. I'll use elixirs until the plastic starts flaking off ... badly. That being said, I usually prefer regualr, uncoated phosphor bronze strings.

Strings don't undergo some magical molecular change, perhaps caused by vibration .. or some other mystical mojo. Banjo strings sound good for a long time.

slab149 - Posted - 10/28/2009:  14:32:28

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cajun_Hillbilly

Wow. I am getting my first banjo soon and I was not aware of this. Why do banjos need to be restrung so often? I know guitar players who play as much as mentioned above but they go months--year+ before changing strings. I guess I incorrectly assumed that aspect was the same.

This wouldn't concern me so much but for the fact that I live in a near Banjo-free zone. Local music stores either don't sell them or only sell one begginer box type. I doubt they would know what they are doing when servicing them.

What others regular maintanance/changes should I be aware of?

---

MTBanjo - Posted - 10/28/2009:  15:22:39

---

I guess it's just preference. They don't undergo some molecular change because of vibration, but they do get broken down by the chemicals in your skin. And what someone else said is correct. People with different body chemistries will wear strings out faster than others. Some people are much more acidic.

It's interesting to read how infrequently some people change their strings! That's good to know. I'll probably start changing mine a bit less often. Sometimes I'll think they're sounding pretty good, but think "man they've been on there for a long time, it MUST be time to change them", thinking maybe I'm just not noticing that they're dull sounding. Funny how we can trick ourselves, huh?

I agree though, sometimes you don't realize they needed to be changed until you change them. They deteriorate in sound gradually so you don't really notice how bad they are until you throw new ones on. Piano strings don't get changed often, but you don't touch them either.

Zach

Solo - Posted - 10/28/2009:  16:09:41

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by MTBanjo

I guess it's just preference. They don't undergo some molecular change because of vibration, but they do get broken down by the chemicals in your skin. And what someone else said is correct. People with different body chemistries will wear strings out faster than others. Some people are much more acidic.

It's interesting to read how infrequently some people change their strings! That's good to know. I'll probably start changing mine a bit less often. Sometimes I'll think they're sounding pretty good, but think "man they've been on there for a long time, it MUST be time to change them", thinking maybe I'm just not noticing that they're dull sounding. Funny how we can trick ourselves, huh?

I agree though, sometimes you don't realize they needed to be changed until you change them. They deteriorate in sound gradually so you don't really notice how bad they are until you throw new ones on. Piano strings don't get changed often, but you don't touch them either.

Zach

---

I forgot to add the most important observation. I don't like the feel of poorly maintained strings, and always have Fast Fret in my cases and also next to my instrument stands. This stuff keeps the strings clean and lubed. It's also good for the nut, for anyone who is inclined to swap tunings. I also wipe the under-side of the strings ... but all too infrequenty.

---

Edited by - Solo on 10/28/2009 16:11:04

1four5 - Posted - 10/28/2009:  16:20:48

---

quote:

---

Strings don't undergo some magical molecular change

---

I totally (but respectfully) dissagree. Bend a paper clip. It's fresh and resilant and bends easy. Bend it some more, it become brittle and unstable. bend it some more and it eventually breaks. It's a property of metal. Strings do the same thing. I can feel it, especially the 3rd string, gets stiffer and lifeless over the frets about the same time it gets harder to keep in tune.

Dean

Solo - Posted - 10/28/2009:  16:44:23

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1four5

quote:

---

Strings don't undergo some magical molecular change

---

I totally (but respectfully) dissagree. Bend a paper clip. It's fresh and resilant and bends easy. Bend it some more, it become brittle and unstable. bend it some more and it eventually breaks. It's a property of metal. Strings do the same thing. I can feel it, especially the 3rd string, gets stiffer and lifeless over the frets about the same time it gets harder to keep in tune.

Dean

---

I will say that I've never liked the feel nor longevity of light strings. I tend toward mediums, which is probably a better insurance against the stresses of bending. My strings get the bends frequently, and it is a radical stress. Mostly, my strings snap at the nut.

slowdeath - Posted - 10/29/2009:  08:41:09

---

You don't usually directly pick your piano strings though. Not unless you're John Cage...

Regards,

Matt

www.myspace.com/slowdeathandloneliness

PharmBoy - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:20:23

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie

quote:

---

Originally posted by PharmBoy

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronnie

Guitar strings need to be replaced much more often than banjo strings.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Where are the data to back this statement up? I don't believe it, frankly, and the evidence I have is pretty solid: strings (guitar OR banjo) start sounding bad when played reasonably often over 4-6 weeks. Change your strings regularly, and you will like the results.

Funny about some banjo players, they'll spend hours trying different bridges, tuning/tightening/changing heads, etc., etc. How about something simple like changing your strings? It takes about 20 minutes and cost maybe $8.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

Well, I guess 50 years or so of experience playing both instruments might have something to do with my statement. We all see things differently, though.

---

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Well, I would point out to you that I did not start playing music yesterday either.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

gdoc - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:20:26

---

I'm lazy about changing strings, but after I do, I love that fresh sound.

I also buy my strings not by brand, but by price and pretty packages... I've been told so many times that strings all come from only a couple places anyway, since there aren't a lot of companies set up to make strings. So Price first...........

I flop back and forth on the wound string too... bronze, nickle, whatever else there is. The best thing is once you buy a set, your not stuck with them for life, in fact your not stuck with them for as long as you might like. Switch around with sets, gagues, materials,,, but most important, Remember the pretty packages.

gdoc

PharmBoy - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:28:32

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Thor
[Heheh...
I chuckle at "solid" evidence that consists of subjective terms like "start sounding bad", "played reasonably often", and "you will like the results".


[/size=2]

---

Glad you're amused. Did you get an equally loud chuckle out of the dogmatic "Banjo strings don't have to be changed as often as guitar strings" statement? Further, you don't think I and anyone else on this board can hear the difference between new and old strings? I'll tell you this: if you can't, you're tone-deaf.


Laugh at that , god of thunder...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

( )======"===::}

Ronnie - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:45:41

---

Did not mean to get involved in a controversy. Of course you can hear a difference! It is a matter of what you want the banjo to sound like. I confess that if I were playing very much. hard-driving bluegrass I would change banjo strings frequently.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

---

Edited by - Ronnie on 10/29/2009 09:46:12

steve davis - Posted - 10/29/2009:  12:17:36

---

I know a respected luthier that claims that the older a string gets,the more load it produces on the guitar top.
Something about the string losing elasticity.

MTBanjo - Posted - 10/29/2009:  12:41:42

---

Yeah Ronnie somehow someone is getting a little worked up and almost nasty here, while the rest of us seem to be having a nice discussion...don't worry about it.

Zach

MikeR - Posted - 10/29/2009:  23:23:15

---

Well like all other things in life, we all have an opinion. This thread got me listening closer
to my tone and decided it was time to change. I got about 3 months out of em and the new strings were a definate improvement. Old ones weren't bad, but the new are better..

Thanks for the reminder!

Mike Robbins
Yates Rattlesnake #21

eagleisland - Posted - 10/30/2009:  06:10:27

---

Couple thoughts here.

First of all, the banjo left unattended other than regular playing will change its sound over time. The head will stretch a little, becoming looser; the strings will age; minor knocks might ever so slightly move the bridge, etc. Because we play them regularly, we're really not inclined to notice the change in the tone. It's OUR banjo; we like the way it sounds, and our ability to detect differences in that sound is really quite subjective in the first place, moreso in that the changes in sound occur gradually over time. WE might like the sound, but to others, it might not sound so wonderful. This is one reason why people who've not had a great setup job done in a long time often chime in here about how astonished they are with the setup wizardry of (insert name of setup wizard here).

More specifically, as to strings: I personally like the sound of a fresh set. That's just me. Having been a guitar player for more than 40 years, I absolutely agree with those who note that banjo strings require less frequent changes than do guitar strings, and the reasons cited (dirt, oils, skin, etc. getting trapped in the windings on strings 4 - 6). Unwound strings are certainly less prone to that, and we banjo pickers only gotta contend with one wound string.

At Nashcamp a few weeks back, one of the pros - IIRC, it was Frank Neat - made the observation that a new string vibrates freely over its entire length. But fretting it puts pressure on the string at the fret(s), which, over time, changes the shape of the string at that location. Think in terms of microscopic bends in the string at that point, or slight flattening of the otherwise round cross section. These microscopic bends DO have an impact on the ability of the string to engage in that free vibration over the entire length. Dunno about you, but that makes perfect sense to me.

That's not to say that if your banjo's sound pleases you with old strings on it that you should change out on the say-so of someone else. Each of us has our own taste in strings (brand, guage, age), picks, tone rings, etc. Besides, there's enough going on in this world that the correct time to change banjo strings should be pretty far down anyone's list of important problems to solve.

The good news is that banjo strings are cheap. Change 'em if you want to. Tie 'em back together if you don't.

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe