Snaps - Posted - 03/14/2012:  21:38:57

I guess I'm suffering from "banjo boredom", I'm thinking of putting heavy nylgut strings on a Reiter fretless. Other than boredom, my reasons are; low tuning would be cool, i think it would be more forgiving with the intonation (I'm not that good of a guesser) and (i hope) to balance the tonal difference Between open string and "fretted" notes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Am I right with my above thoughts? is the 11" rim too small? Would I be better off getting a new nut to widen the slots and keep the original unaltered? I have an Elite Amber head on it, Should I put on a skin head? And what strings to use? I've used Aquila Classical, but I no nothing about minstral strings. Or is this not the right banjo for these strings?

I really need some wisdom from the gang, Thanks in advance!

Jeff

rubicon - Posted - 03/14/2012:  21:53:06

Hello The 11 inch pot is not to small you may have to widen the nut slots a tad but I would try the fit first . I had a set of these and they were cool for sure . I started out with a fiberskyn head it worked well  I have a good friend who has  a Bill Miller Vellum calfskin head on his Reiter A scale and he  loves it .his is set up with steel strings at the moment . I would try the new set up have fun it is part of the journey and a cheap way to play a " new banjo "

Snaps - Posted - 03/14/2012:  22:02:34

Thanks Rubicon, I'll order Some strings and try. any recommendations on strings?

Bupahe - Posted - 03/15/2012:  01:45:40

I just fitted ( yesterday ) a new set of Aquila Nylgut Minstrel strings, purchased from "Elderly" to a cheapie banjo ( 22 fret ). I like the lower tuning but the ordinary strings were just a little slack. Had two pieces of advice , 1. get a long neck banjo 2. Use Minstrel strings . Went for the cheaper option of the strings . Did have to alter the groove in the nut ( string 4 ) just a little. I like the feel of the thicker strings and am delighted with them

Bupahe - Posted - 03/15/2012:  03:12:54

apologies..... just noticed it was the 3rd string groove.

Snaps - Posted - 03/15/2012:  09:58:11

The banjo is 26" scale, I just ordered the strings

trapdoor2 - Posted - 03/15/2012:  11:42:31

I put a set of the Minstrels on my Clifford Essex a few weeks ago. They sound great in the old "A" tuning (eAEG#B) but I don't like the feel of the thicker strings. It was just an experiment, so I'll swap 'em for the std. "Classic" set pretty soon.

They can be tuned up to standard (gCGBD, 26.25" scale) but they're really stiff and the sound just was not what I wanted.