aeroweenie - Posted - 03/09/2012:  11:14:16

I've noticed that when using Nylgut strings, my banjo sounds better with the head looser than with metal strings.  This is on an A-scale banjo with 12" renaissance head, brass rod tone ring.  However, as I loosen the head, it progressively sounds more like a uke than a banjo, which I do not care for.

I've also noticed, with the Nylgut strings, that the banjo sounds better with a 2-footed cherry bridge than with a 3-footed maple/ebony bridge of about the same height and weight.

So, are these differences in set up between Nylgut and metal strings typical or is it just this particular banjo?

JimHand - Posted - 03/09/2012:  11:18:21

Sorry, to new to Nylgut strings to answer the question, but interested in the answers you get.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 03/09/2012:  11:28:46

Yes, setup is significantly different. Of course, there are no firm rules, you'll have to experiment. However, for my ears, the best sound comes from just what you've documented.

Lighter bridges seem to be better (although I prefer the maple "Cole" type with 5 feet) and the head need not be glass-hard.

Like I said, experiment. My Stewarts sound fine with the Cole-style bridges but my Fairbanks didn't "wake up" until Joel Hooks put one of his two-footed bridges on it. My Essex does really nicely with its Cole-style and does not like the two-footed bridges at all...and prefers a very tight head.

My Ashborn sounds simply awesome and tubby but you can almost push the head in far enough to touch the dowelstick, it is so loose and floppy. I don't like a soft head...but I'm afraid if I replace it, I'll loose "that sound".

stevel - Posted - 03/09/2012:  12:15:08

yup.... lots of "subjective" opinions on this one.

my experience- i didn't like the all maple Morris bridge when using the Classical weight NylGuts on my Chuck Lee Ovilla. there was no depth to the sound what-so-ever. I keep the skin head pretty tight on this banjo.

so i tried a few others (different wood types and tips), and settled on a Will Fielding Walnut bridge with the Ironwood tip.

Recently i swapped out the Classical NylGuts for the Minstrel NylgGuts. I am still using the Feilding bridge with this set up, and it sounds fantastic.

One of these days i might give the Morris bridge another try with the thicker Minstrel strings, because I have a similar no-tip bridge on my Hartel Boucher, and it works great on that banjo.

However as Marc has mentioned, the skin head on my Boucher is much more loose than on my Ovilla.

YMMV.

shannonhearne - Posted - 03/09/2012:  12:28:41

Steve,

I have also found my Fielding Bridge is excellent with both Minstrel Nylgut and Chris Sands Nylon strings.  (The Fielding  bridge has been a  disappointment with metal strings, where I have tried it  on several different banjos.)

I also have a maple Morris Bridge, which has been poor when tried with several different banjos, with steel, Nylgut, and nylon strings. I know players who love the Morris Bridge with Nylguts, but my experience has not been good.

Less head tension with Nylgut strings enhances the tone on several of my banjos that have Renaissance Heads. 

    ~ sch

Edited by - shannonhearne on 03/09/2012 12:33:42

trapdoor2 - Posted - 03/09/2012:  12:43:34

quote:

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Originally posted by stevel

Recently i swapped out the Classical NylGuts for the Minstrel NylgGuts. I am still using the Feilding bridge with this set up, and it sounds fantastic.



 

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A few weeks ago, I swapped out my std. Classic set of nylguts on my Essex to the Minstrel set...just to experiment with. Tuned up to gCGBD, the sound isn't all that good and they feel like I'm trying to play a set of telephone-poles (fingerstyle).

When I dropped the tuning down to eAEG#B, the banjo "woke up" and sounds pretty cool. The strings are still feeling very fat...and a little on the "flabby" side to boot. I plan on switching back to the std. set this weekend.

stevel - Posted - 03/09/2012:  15:06:58

Marc- I keep the Minstrel set tuned to E and Dbl A. Haven't dropped them down to D yet.

I don't find the tension to be too slack, and I often play over the neck.

Edited by - stevel on 03/09/2012 15:08:17