Durkin - Posted - 01/16/2012:  02:11:27

Hi I live in the UK and I'm in the market for some nylgut strings for my banjo, and wondered if anyone can recommend a retailer?

I usually get most of my banjo stuff from eBay of Eagle Music Shop, but can't seem to source any 5-string nylgut strings, only ukulele ones...

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated! Thanks

Edited by - Durkin on 01/16/2012 02:16:27

BanjoBaz - Posted - 01/16/2012:  02:28:39

Hi,

I just received a set of these from themusicroom-online.co.uk/inde...er_id=108 easy transaction, no hassles.

I ordered the classic set. Mine came with the non-wound 4th string, which sits a little high in the nut, but might be a little longer lasting then the wound version.

Cheers!

Durkin - Posted - 01/16/2012:  03:23:11

Hi thanks for the help!

What does having a non-wound/wound 4th string mean? I've got a no-knot tailpiece which i picked up the other week so would this be a problem?

BanjoBaz - Posted - 01/16/2012:  03:36:43

You'll be fine with a no-knot. There are a few posts elsewhere on the hangout about nylgut strings breaking when in contact with sharp edges, so I took some fine wet-and-dry paper to mine to smooth the tailpiece posts.

I (believe) some nylgut strings are wound in a similar way to the 4th steel string, with a core wire and a fine wire wound around it to provide extra weight. Mine wasn't like that, so it's a little chunky, but perfectly usable.

Durkin - Posted - 01/16/2012:  03:40:24

Ah i see. that's what I thought.

I'll try some of the ones you suggested and see how i get on! thanks very much for the help

R Buck - Posted - 01/16/2012:  07:34:08

I like Sands better and they come from the UK!

Bagie0 - Posted - 01/16/2012:  07:56:26

The Music Room at Cleckheaton, Yorkshire definitely sell them because I bought some there myself recently. Make sure you get the right ones. I think the Minstrels are for gourd type banjos only. Check this out before you buy as they are not cheap. The other place you might get them which is closer to you is Frailers at Runcorn. Link attached.
frailers.com

hoverflytheo - Posted - 01/16/2012:  08:57:41

I use stringmail.co.uk

They have all three versions of nylgut (wound 4th, plain 4th and minstrel.)

Trentvalleybanjo - Posted - 01/16/2012:  09:01:59

Hi, I use Nylon strings with a wound 4th from Andy banjo, they are excellent strings at £3.00 a set and if you order over £10, p&p is free. I play clawhammer on a J.E. Dallas and they sound great on this banjo.

Bufo Bill - Posted - 01/16/2012:  10:05:18

I use Stringmail.co.uk as mentioned above ( highly recommended ),and they can often be found on eBay too.
The minstrel set is for low tuning ( dGDF#A), I swapped the G 4th string for a regular wound acoustic guitar A 5th string to make the tuning more suitable for the songs that I am playing regularly ATM.

I'm linking this thread to the Polymer Strings Group, where you can find lots of info on these strings.
All the best from Bill.

Bufo Bill - Posted - 01/16/2012:  10:23:02

By the way, the Sands strings are good, but I like the sound of the Nylgut strings better. It's a matter of personal taste as always, but there's my opinion.
All the best from Bill.

Durkin - Posted - 01/16/2012:  12:17:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by Trentvalleybanjo

Hi, I use Nylon strings with a wound 4th from Andy banjo, they are excellent strings at £3.00 a set and if you order over £10, p&p is free. I play clawhammer on a J.E. Dallas and they sound great on this banjo.

---

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! Really useful. I went with andy banjo in the end mainly because of the price, cheers Trentvalleybanjo!. Really looking forward to getting them and clawhammering late in to the night :)

weetmans - Posted - 01/18/2012:  07:52:46

I find that Elderly Instruments supply Nylgut strings at a very reasonable price.  They charge $10 shipping to the UK, but it still works out at under £6 a set. Bear in mind, though, that you need to keep the value of the goods under £18 (excluding postage), or you'll get stung for customs charge plus a Post Office "handling fee" of about £8.  

However, I agree with TrentValleyBanjo's statement about AndyBanjo's nylon strings.  I had a set on a Bart Reiter I bought from him.  I changed them over for Nylguts, as I have a few sets of them around, but when I've used all my Nylguts, I'm going to use Andy's strings. They sound a little bit different from the Nylguts, but not that much, and they are nearly half the price!