What kind of strings do you use (make, gauge, etc.) and what is it you like about them (sound, feel)?

I'm in experimental mode and plan to try a bunch of them, but this might help me start in the right direction.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Happy pickin'! Happy Birthday, America!

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  06:06:04        

I've been using Medium gauge strings on my banjo - and I tune it high, to A. I know that's a lot of strain but the banjo has been holding up just fine - and it sounds great!

Medium strings have a fat sound. They aren't really any harder to play and they are much easier on intonation. Bbecause light strings are easy to bend accidentally, your pitch can be off unless your fingering is extremely precise.

So mediums get my vote!

I use even heavier strings on my banjola - same reasons. The wooden body of the banjola has such fine rich sound with heavy strings and it responds beautifully to hard playing.

Jed Marum
http://www.jedmarum.com/

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  06:27:18        

I use medium gauge strings. (10, 12, 16, 23w,10) Light gauge play easier, but I like the medium sound. I used Martin/Vega for 30 years, but switched to American Banjo Co. cryogenic strings late last year. The Martin/Vega strings would have to be changed ever two months or so, depending how many hours I played them. They would start loosing their crisp edge, and get to the point of not staying in tune. The original medium American Banjo Co. cryogenic strings are still on my RB-800, still sound good, and stay in perfect tune. (As far as you can keep a banjo in tune, haha) I tried light gauge cryogenic strings, but still prefer the mediums.

"Opportunities are never lost. Someone will pick up the ones you miss!"
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Glenn

Edited by - Glenn Tate on 07/02/2009 06:31:42

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  06:33:59      

like banjo strings. Medium ones but a 16 third is too heavy to sound in tune way up the neck so I try to find a 15 3rd in the set with at least a 24 fourth string. Hope this helps.

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

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  06:55:21  

I use Stelling Medium/Heavies and like them. They have a more full bodied sound than a lighter gauge i tried once, but honestly i haven't experimented a whole lot.

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  06:59:17  

For me, it depends on the sound I want and the type of venue. Generally speaking, I prefer medium gauge or custom lights w/ phosphorous bronze coating on the D (4th) string. Outside or in a densely packed indoor venue, I go with the mediums. If I'm playing around the house or with a couple of friends, then I prefer the Elixir lights or GHS custom lights.

I've had good luck with Elixir, GHS, Martin & Vega. I'm sure many other brands perform equally well. These happen to work well on my banjo and my setup. Actually, I've never had "bad" strings.

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  07:38:57        

My fav is GHS 150's. .010-.022. Heavy enought to play hard without flopping and buzzing too much, yet light enough to still fret easy with minimal fret wear.

Dean

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  07:45:47      

AMB....Cryogenically treated ......best stings out there !

Lites are best for starting out

Edited by - Dustyone on 07/02/2009 07:47:30

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  08:04:35      

I ,like 1four 5, was a P 150 man for yrs BUT, I found that Black Diamond strings in the same gauge were less corrosive and lasted ME longer. I have high acid skin and gum up strings in a heartbeat. These ware better too as far as keeping their "CHEE".
John

http://www.myspace.com/johnkuhnbluegrass

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  09:21:08      

You might do best to simply try several different brands and gauges of strings. Different pickers prefer different strings, but different banjos sometimes seem to like a particular kind of string too. There's no way to find out what you and your banjo like best, except by trying strings out!

Red

Red Henry
www.murphymethod.com/red2.html
New Murphy Method blog:
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Read it and leave us your comments!

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  09:56:11          

I use D'Addario J61's. .010, .013, .016,.023, .010. I like them because they have firm tensile strength. They seem fairly even in tone. I get good pop and plenty of bottom both with these strings on my bluegrass banjos. I suspect I have a heavy attack with my right hand and these just suit me best.

Kevin ( )==''=~

''Possum, It''s what''s for dinner . . ."

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  10:39:26          

Black Diamond .011-.024 BUT that's just my banjo, my ears - other banjos may sound better with lighter strings.

Cheers,
Laurence

It takes a lot to laugh, but it takes a train to cry

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  10:52:37        

D'addario J60's right now, .09 .10 .12 .20 .09 they are light for sure. I was using mediums for a while but I felt the lights gave me a better tone, more pop! You have to play with a lighter touch though.

Posted - 07/02/2009 :  12:43:12          

I have been through the string experiment several times and have finally found my favorite. While I used vega lights for ever I never cared for the complete tone of them. I now use GHS JD Crowe signature strings in both the stage and studio gauges. (depending on what I can get localy)... I also use the mediums GHS sonny's on ocassion. I still want to try two others the huber tone strings and AMB'S but havent ordered them yet. I think the strings thing is almost as personal as what picks to use or even what banjo to buy. Just gotta find yours. Good luck and happy hunting. :)

jeremy

shut up and pick!!!

Posted - 07/03/2009 :  06:19:16  

GHS medium gauge for me. If not GHS, at least medium gauge.

http://www.theleavingband.com -- Swedish bluegrass and more

Posted - 07/03/2009 :  07:20:29    

GHS Sonny Osbourne Med/Lites get my vote

tallface out

Posted - 07/03/2009 :  11:34:06  

Anybody tried the Gibson Earl Scruggs signature strings? I have been seeing them at my local store, but haven't tried them yet.

________________________________________________
"The most thought provoking thing in this thought provoking age is that we have not yet begun to think."
--Martin Heidegger
________________________________________________

Posted - 07/03/2009 :  17:13:34      

Gibson ES Signature. Yup, tried them. A couple of days of new string "jangle" but they settled down.
d'Addario medium settle quickly and are easy to tune up and keep in tune.

We do not know where we are going.
Nor do most of us care.
For us, it is enough that we are on our way.
Le Matelot

Posted - 07/03/2009 :  20:25:19      

The Martin Vega mediums are great strings when they are new, plus the sizes are balanced based on the relative pitch in G tuning. They do, however, tend to get a bit cranky after a few months and difficult to keep in tune. The AMB Cryo Brad Leftwich signature strings are the same weight but intonate much better than the Martins and, so far, seem to be lasting a lot longer.

Jerry

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we''re here we should dance."

Posted - 07/04/2009 :  05:54:49      

I've been using the JD Crowe lights for a few years now. I usually change them at least once a year! I use Fast Fret and wipe them down constantly. It probably depends on what type tone you seek. With lights I get much more slurs and bends in the notes. When I used mediums I did notice more volume but it seemed like work when I played them.

Posted - 07/04/2009 :  09:53:59    

I'm using the Elixir mediums right now but am seriously thinking about going to D'Addario J60+

This Must Be The Place!!

Posted - 07/05/2009 :  08:23:43        

I tried the thickest set I could get. GHS 160. 11, 13, 16. 26. 10.
I felt there was no particularly difference in sound. These heavy strings forced the neckbow to increased a little and caused higher action. But I could actually set the string action somewhat lower than before. It was hard to bend the string which was the only drawback.
Now my preference is GHS 150. 10, 12, 14, 22. 10.

Posted - 07/06/2009 :  09:40:20  

I use John Pearse lights

Posted - 07/06/2009 :  11:38:56  

Light Earl Scruggs strings

Craig
________________________________

From the Heart of the Bluegrass

Posted - 07/06/2009 :  11:40:18  

Light Earl Scruggs strings

Craig
________________________________

From the Heart of the Bluegrass

Posted - 07/06/2009 :  12:42:03  

I use Elixir mediums on my Stelling Redfox and JD Crowe GHS strings on my Fender Artist. Both are great strings.

"Weee doggies, listen to that boy sipher !!