Banjo Hangout Logo
Banjo Hangout Logo

Premier Sponsors

  • The Murphy Method
  • Elderly Instruments - Since 1972
  • CROSSROCK
  • Deering Banjos
  • Gold Tone


 All Forums
 Other Banjo-Related Topics
 Other Banjo-Related Topics: Clawhammer/Old-Time
 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Talk to me about nylon strings [UPDATE w/ MP3]


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: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/167169/2

Page: 1  2  

Stoneface - Posted - 01/23/2010:  10:22:48

Wow,
this sounds great !!
Did you change the bridge just because of the wider slots, or does a minstrel type bridge sound better with nylon strings ?
How is it about the nut, do the thicker nylons fit in the slots ?

Best,

Oli

FretlessFury - Posted - 01/24/2010:  05:23:05

Hi Oli,

Apparently, a modern thick ebony capped bridge lends a thinner sound when used with nylon strings. Cathy Moore referenced that Joel Hooks article and recommended that I switched bridges along with strings to something lighter and uncapped. I really liked the results.

I did not have to file the slots with the Chris Sands lights. I just put on a set of Aquila Standard tension nylguts, and I didn't have to file the slots either. I'll record the nylguts hopefully later today and post another sound sample.

Best,

Tom

strumn1 - Posted - 01/24/2010:  05:53:43

Where else could you possibly get this kind of feedback unless you were sitting right next to Tom and judging for yourself. The internet and this site in particular is just amazing! Thank you Tom for posting this.

BrittDLD1 - Posted - 01/24/2010:  06:33:52

quote:
Originally posted by FretlessFury

... Apparently, a modern thick ebony capped bridge lends a thinner sound
when used with nylon strings...

The first commercial ebony-topped bridges (Grover, etc.) started showing up in
the late-'teens, as the use of steel strings gained popularity -- especially with the
new higher-tension tenor banjos.

The steel strings would easily chip the all-maple bridges, which were commonly
used on gut-strung the 5-strings of the period. The ebony-top was primarily a
solution to that pesky chipping problem -- and NOT specifically for tonal improvement.

Softwood bridges -- pine, etc.-- were the preference for low-tension minstrel banjos
in the 1850s and '60s. Several of the modern minstrel banjo makers agree that the
softer bridges tend to sound better (volume and tone) on the large-headed, low-tuned
minstrel banjos.

Best-
Ed Britt

Edited by - BrittDLD1 on 01/24/2010 06:38:23

Stoneface - Posted - 01/24/2010:  09:33:26

Tom and Ed,
thanks for the interesting info about bridges, really good to know !!

I tried both Aquila nylgut sets (light and standard tension) on my Lee banjo with an ebony topped moon bridge.
Both sounded great, but the string tension is very soft, even with the standard set. I got used to it, but still prefer a higher string tension.
The nut slots weren't wide enough, so I filed them a bit.

Some folks recommend the Savarez yellow card high tension strings, which I also tried.
I have to say, the tension is really nice for nylon strings but I didn't like them at all. Maybe there a different gauges of these yellow cards. The strings I've bought are much too thick for my taste. They even didn't fit in the already filed slots.
I didn't like their sound, either...

Keep us posted, Tom. I'm curious how you like the Aquilas.

Oli


Page: 1  2  

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)

Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.





Hangout Network Help

View All Topics  |  View Categories

4.589844E-02