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Sterling grass - Posted - 03/20/2010: 12:58:06
I have a Deering Sierra and have been unhappy with the sound of the 1st and 2nd strings above approx. the 14th fret. They sound very muffled--even when playing closer to the neck. I've always used light gauge strings and just for the heck of it, I tried a set of GHS mediums. They sound good except for the squeeking on 3rd and 4th if I pick more softly.
The best part is the great sound of 1st and 2nd high up the neck. The difference is night and day!!! I'm going to start ordering customized sets with the heavier 1st and 2nd. Anybody else ever tried this?
I'd really never noticed the muffed sounds earlier on because 12th fret was about as high as I'd ever learned to play. I was trying to convince myself that I needed a new banjo  until I tried the heavier strings. Now I'll have to find a different reason to upgrade
Jeanie
Brian T - Posted - 03/20/2010: 14:17:02
Jeanie:
Others may disagree but some brands of strings do not sound good at all, at least not on my Sierra.
Which Sierra did you get? Maple or Mahogany (what I have).
DR was very plunky/woody, the loop ends broke off the Gibson Scruggs, GHS had days and days of "new string jangle," and so on.
Of about a dozen brands, I got what I wanted from d'Addario mediums, all the way up the neck.
steve davis - Posted - 03/20/2010: 20:51:06
I order made up sets from First Quality Music.Same price as regular sets.
I've used D'Addario and GHS and can't tell any difference in sound as long as
the gauges are the same.
pdbanjo - Posted - 03/21/2010: 07:19:16
Gotta try out as many brands as you can to find the perfect fit for you. I found the American Made Banjo Co. medium cyros to be the best for my "go to" banjo and the way I pick but I'll bet another player on that banjo wouldn't care for the tone they get and change them. Also, I don't use AMB strings on my other banjos. Strings are very personal and the way you pick has much to do with how they sound as what the guage is. Let your ear be your guide but you gotta try a bunch and then try to remember how they sound, how long they last and cost before committing to one size and brand. Once I made those final decisions, I order them in dozens of sets at a time which reduces my cost some.
banjodad1 - Posted - 03/21/2010: 07:51:56
While waiting for my order from Janet Davis I purchased and installed a set of strings from my local chain music shop- they stink!!! I used to like that brand, too.
10gauge - Posted - 03/21/2010: 22:51:09
You know I have seen again and again on here that Sierras are really responsive good and bad to small set-up changes. Is this just me or has anyone else noticed a trend?
Brian T - Posted - 03/22/2010: 09:32:36
10gauge: I believe it. I've done very little to tinker with the setup since I got my Sierra 3 yrs ago. Twice now, I've tightened the head a little. It just didn't sound "right." Other than that, I'm reluctant to mess with success.
The one other real surprise came during the month that I had a set of DR strings in play. Woody, plunky, as I've said many times, not the sound I wanted but decided to give them their month in the sun anyway. Right in the middle of that was when I got a vertical-grain bamboo bridge from xnavyguy (gift from my kids). Practiced for a while. Slacked off the strings and changed bridges. Tuned 'er up again. What a difference to behold! Far, far, brighter, which I really like, even with the DR strings. So, I've stayed with the "Bamboozler".
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