Miguel MC Dowell - Posted - 09/09/2011:  18:44:59

I just noticed that my 4th string has changed color to a dark brown on my nylgut strings it looks like. Could this be from just playing so much or is it from the oil from my skin? I have never used nylgut before so don't know for sure. I guess I have never noticed it on my steel strings. Also do they need replacing when this happens or will it be alright? 

beegee - Posted - 09/09/2011:  19:36:53

More likely UV light and oxidation, Nylon will discolor with age, polyester willnot.

Bisbonian - Posted - 09/09/2011:  19:59:17

Is your 4th string wound?  The normal set has a wound 4th string, and the metal winding will discolor from finger oil, oxidation, etc.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 09/09/2011:  20:05:54

I don't know what causes the colour change. But regarding your second question: I don't think this requires a string change, unless you notice a change in sound or feel of the string. Nobody can hear the colour change!

Miguel MC Dowell - Posted - 09/09/2011:  20:29:01

Yes the 4th is wound I just didn't know if that would cause problems with the sound or not, because I am not sure what the string is made of, and if the oil would eventually affect the string like rotting it or something.

charlied - Posted - 09/10/2011:  03:23:38

I think the dark color means your not playing them enough.

jest kidding

Nothing wrong there, but after a period of time my wound fourth string would fray  in the areas near the second or fourth frets.  The material would have "split ends".  It could still be played until it would cause a "buzz" or dampen the tone.  It that happens you can turn the string upside down and have fresh string on your frets.  Tuning up to A and D seemed to contribute the wear.  I used a magnifying glass to periodically check their condition in the areas that touch the frets.

My used sets sometimes get moved over to a shorter scale banjo, but don't tell anyone.

Replacement fourth strings I believe are available at the "banjo boutiques"  so you can get one inexpensively for stand by.

charlie

Tinfoot - Posted - 09/10/2011:  03:49:37

Ya, steel strings turn dark brown too. :p I kept on for a good while tho till I got that "buzzing" in the 4th, and went and just changed all of them.

banjered - Posted - 09/10/2011:  07:18:41

Bernunzio sells Nylgut classicals that have a fat, unwound 4th string. I have this set up on my Saga 10P short-scale banjo and I expect to get YEARS of playing out of those strings.

Another note regarding Nylgut Minstrel 4th strings. The Nylgut Minstrel 4th string quickly wears out so I started replacing them with classical guitar fifth "A" strings. I keep my Tradesman in open "E" (eBEG#B)  and thought raising the tension from "A" to "B" would be OK. After I broke quite a few strings in a row  I switched to using a classical 4th "D" string and then lowered the tension down from "D" to "B."  I can't say how long this string will last but it is two years old and still going strong. YMMV. Banjered

dbrooks - Posted - 09/10/2011:  12:05:22

Yes. I think the change in color is from the oil, sweat, etc., from your fingers.  There may be a slight change in tone, but nothing major.  No need to change until the windings begin to unravel-- which will happen before the other strings wear out.  I have bought individual 4th strings from Bernunzio for this reason.  My classical guitar wound strings used to unravel as well.

I tested the thicker unwound Nylgut string for Aquila.  They work OK, but I prefer the wound 4th string.  It's easier to fret and has more growl than the unwound string.  It does have a shorter usable life,however.

David