mimmo2us - Posted - 03/21/2013:  04:58:49

Hi Guys,

I am very happy to announce officially  that the new Aquila 5 string banjo Red Series sets are now  available!

ask to:

elderly.com

kalaukulele.com/index.htm

bernunzio.com

ukuleleworld.com

 Minstrel  banjo reds: still not available

All the best

Mimmo

Edited by - mimmo2us on 03/21/2013 05:04:24

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 03/21/2013:  05:07:29

Mimmo

who will stock the Red strings in Europe especially UK?

mimmo2us - Posted - 03/21/2013:  05:27:06

the distributors are:
Uk: Sutherland Trading co
Germany: Proarte
Italy: Eko Group

Ciao
Mimmo

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 03/21/2013:  08:44:36

Hello.

What distinguishes the Red Series from other aquila strings?

Thanks.

R Buck - Posted - 03/21/2013:  10:29:44

Mimmo,

Got mine just now, will string them up and let you know how I like them.

Bob

mimmo2us - Posted - 03/21/2013:  11:00:46

The envelope! Reds use red envelopèe like in the picture. The white use the traditional brown colour. different product codes...
see in our website or ask to the seller: they should do their job with you
Mimmo

Snaps - Posted - 03/21/2013:  18:25:12

I'm putting mine on now, Quite a bit different from the original. I'll give a post when there up and running.

Thanks Mimmo

​Jeff

howseth - Posted - 03/21/2013:  18:49:35

Alas, Both my first and second string 'New Red Nylgut' set snapped when I was tightening them up to pitch on my Ome (Harp tailpiece). I never put anything but metal strings on before this - perhaps I did something wrong?

Snaps - Posted - 03/21/2013:  20:30:29

Howard, Where did they break?
I got mine on ok on an Ome northstar (different tailpiece). Now the stretch and tune part.

howseth - Posted - 03/21/2013:  23:28:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snaps

 

Howard, Where did they break?

I got mine on ok on an Ome northstar (different tailpiece). Now the stretch and tune part.

---

I think they snapped at the end of the tailpiece closest to the bridge. Not sure. I kept tightening and tightening and they would not get up to the right pitch - just kept winding around tuner my knot at end of tailpiece did not seem to be slipping - but maybe it was slipping somehow - I don't know - I think the release of pressure when string snapped may have even loosened my neck a bit: disconcerting! If your Northstar has a different tailpiece - may not be a problem.

Quartermaster James - Posted - 03/22/2013:  23:44:47

First, many thanks to Mimmo for letting me be part of the test group. By shear luck and timing I was fortunate enough to get one of the trial sets.

My previous non-wire string experience is with his minstrel set on my minstrel banjo (doh!), and with Trilene fishing line on a regular scale banjo.

These red series strings tune up to higher tension than either of those. They give good resistance, greatly reducing if not eliminating the slack,  "picking spaghetti" feeling sometimes reported from nylon strings. They also have an interesting texture to them that I find helps the right hand bite without interfering with left hand movement. Oh! And they look really cool too!

They are much brighter than plain monofilament. I suspect because of the higher tension. But, not bright like wire.  I also noted better sounding slides than with the plain monofilament. Again, perhaps due to the higher tension.

I installed them on a NoKnot tailpiece, using it as designed. I had no installation or breakage issues at the tailpiece end. The strings fit the slots fine, and held with no slipping. I did break the 1st string, but at the nut. Upon inspection, I found a sharp edge at the break of the nut. Now that I have tried the red series, I will be recutting the nut slots on all strings for a better fit, and taking care to make sure the slots are smooth. I will be ordering some more of these strings. I previously posted a recording of the Trilene to have as a reference. Once I get a full set back on, I'll post a new recording of the red series for comparison.

My verdict: these are a very welcome addition. I really like them.

Edited by - Quartermaster James on 03/22/2013 23:58:14

Quartermaster James - Posted - 03/23/2013:  00:01:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brooklynbanjoboy

 

Hello.

What distinguishes the Red Series from other aquila strings?

 

Thanks.

---

Take a look here: banjohangout.org/topic/256745

Quartermaster James - Posted - 03/23/2013:  00:07:00

Oh! And the banjo I installed them on has a spike instead of a 5th string pip. The red series 5th string installed in it just fine, and no breakage issue.

oldfart - Posted - 03/23/2013:  05:49:34

Hi
Has anyone tested these red series nylguts on a tackhead fretless ?

ACFairbanks - Posted - 03/30/2013:  17:24:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by mimmo2us

 

Hi Guys,

I am very happy to announce officially  that the new Aquila 5 string banjo Red Series sets are now  available!

ask to:

elderly.com

kalaukulele.com/index.htm

bernunzio.com

ukuleleworld.com

 

 Minstrel  banjo reds: still not available

All the best

Mimmo

 

---

Howdy Mimmo,

I thank you for the set of Red Series strings you sent to me...

I put them on my 1906 Whyte Laydie, and am extremely happy with them. They have a wonder "pop" to them, and feel great.

Sincere thanks for the great product,

A.C.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 03/31/2013:  07:50:55

I was originally going to shoot a video with my old (white) nylgut strings and then another video using exactly the same set up (mic, camera etc.) using the new (red) strings on my 1909 Fairbanks banjo.

Unfortunately, when I was playing a bit, and trying to decide what tune to play for the video, my second string of the old white set broke. So, rather than replacing that with a white string, I set about to change the banjo to the new set of red strings, starting with the second string.

Inexplicably, the new second string broke (somewhere between the bridge and the neck, it appears - so not from contact with any sharp edge) just as it was getting up to pitch. I am now left with a red second string that is too short to put on this banjo.

I then opened a new package of white strings (I ordered a dozen sets when I started converting many of my banjos to nylgut a few years ago, so i still have some unopened sets) and was dismayed to find that it was missing the second string! (What a weird coincidence!) I opened another new package and, happily, found it to be complete (as, of course, they usually are!)

So I have now replaced that second string with a new white one - and I suppose I will replace all of the strings with the rest of the new white set. Then I can make a video with a brand new set of white strings to use as a comparison video for the new set of red strings.

However - I no longer have a set of red strings to be able to try this out. I suppose I will send a note to Mimmo asking him if he will send me another set to test.

Another alternative will be to simply test the set I have (with the now shortened second string) on this very tiny five string that I have that was converted from an old banjo uke. However, I don't think this would really be a fair test of how the strings behave on a full sized banjo - so, much as I would like to do that test, I still would really like to test the red strings on the Fairbanks.

In any event, all my testing is, unfortunately, on hold for the moment.

I would observe, though, that, as seems to be the case with all nylgut strings, there seems to be a possibility of a flaw creeping in occasionally to some strings that causes unexplained sudden breakage before the string even gets up to tension the first time. This same experience has happened to me a couple of times in the past, and I hear of others sharing the same problem. I think these strings are wonderful enough that I'm prepared to live with that little flaw - but it sure would be frustrating if I didn't make sure to always have extra sets on hand whenever changing strings.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/01/2013:  07:05:40

I just mounted my Red set from Mimmo last night and also broke a string...repeatedly. Fortunately it was the 5th string, so I had lots of extra to keep trying. The banjo is a Clifford Essex CE Special which has had several gut/nygut sets on it...never broke a string. This one broke at the tailpiece knot, three times...each time as I was 'stretching it in'. I guess I just overstressed it. A well, third time's a charm...it was playing nicely when I finished.

As some folks have noted, the "Red" set is a little thinner than the standard "Classic" set and although they feel stiffer in their package, they do not seem to feel stiffer when mounted and up to pitch. They do feel noticeably thinner and the surface of the string is noticeably coarser...actually a tad bit noisy when classic fingerstyle playing. The solid fourth is really soft and rubbery, I'm going to have to take some time to get used to that. Once I had it up to pitch (and well stretched), it actually started to go sharp rather than flat...that was strange!

I found that they stretched in a good bit faster than regular nylguts. I went thru the stretching routine about 6 or 7 times for each string and within a half-hour, they would hold pitch for a whole tune (5-6 minutes). This morning they were only a half-step flat (except for the 4th, which was sharp...)

Tonally, they sound quite a bit brighter than the "Classic" nylgut set. They seem to have a sharper attack and faster decay. My wife said she thought my playing was louder than normal...and she shut the door between us, something she only does when I'm playing my steel-string banjos.

I played mostly classic fingerstyle on them...but did a little clawhammer work too. I don't usually play clawhammer on nylguts so I have nothing to base a comparison on. Still, they did work nicely and tonally they were quite nice. I will have to purchase a set to mount on one of my regular clawhammer banjos to see.

I'll spend a few evenings working with this set and then post some sound files. Right now, I think they're going to be great strings!

chadp - Posted - 04/01/2013:  07:38:24

I find that when I drop the 4th to "C" instead of "D" to play in double c, the string loses some volume

ZEPP - Posted - 04/01/2013:  10:08:32

For those looking to purchase the new red strings, our shipment arrived today!

Cheers,

ZEPP

66-365-5189

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 04/01/2013:  10:12:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZEPP

 

For those looking to purchase the new red strings, our shipment arrived today!

 

Cheers,

ZEPP

66-365-5189

---

Is that a complete phone number? It looks like it's missing a digit in the area code.

stevel - Posted - 04/01/2013:  10:23:20

looks like zepp missed a digit.


Local: 919-365-5189 or Call Toll Free within USA: 866-365-5189

ZEPP - Posted - 04/01/2013:  13:39:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by stevel

 

looks like zepp missed a digit.





Local: 919-365-5189 or Call Toll Free within USA: 866-365-5189

---

Oops.  Well, it does keep down those pesky toll-free calls that I have to pay for! 

(Thanks)

Cheers,

ZEPP

blockader - Posted - 04/03/2013:  20:36:26

I got my Aquila Reds in from Zepp today, and after some mishaps installing them, i really like them.

The 1st string kept breaking at the bowline knot, luckily they are plenty long enough to give you lots of tries to get it right! After 5 identical breaks at close to pitch, i said screw it and tried a different knot for that string. Not sure what its called, its the knot you put in a rope to hitch the rope back to itself or to make a no-slip loop on one end. it worked beautifully! i think the bowline made the thin 1st string crimp too much, causing the break. the bowlines are working for the other strings just fine. i haven't gone up to A (its a 24" scale banjo) because i am having too much fun playing it in G and would hate to pop a string now!

these strings are nice and loud, decent tension, and between steel and nylgut in tone. They sound great fretless.

-Justin

blockader - Posted - 04/04/2013:  08:36:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by blockader

 

I got my Aquila Reds in from Zepp today, and after some mishaps installing them, i really like them.

The 1st string kept breaking at the bowline knot, luckily they are plenty long enough to give you lots of tries to get it right! After 5 identical breaks at close to pitch, i said screw it and tried a different knot for that string. Not sure what its called, its the knot you put in a rope to hitch the rope back to itself or to make a no-slip loop on one end. it worked beautifully! i think the bowline made the thin 1st string crimp too much, causing the break. the bowlines are working for the other strings just fine. i haven't gone up to A (its a 24" scale banjo) because i am having too much fun playing it in G and would hate to pop a string now!

these strings are nice and loud, decent tension, and between steel and nylgut in tone. They sound great fretless.

-Justin

---

update: Its called a figure eight knot, i believe. and to get up to A i had to use it on all the strings except the 4th, which i think indicates a problem with my bowlines, rather than the strings haha.

R Buck - Posted - 04/12/2013:  13:52:26

I finally put the Reds on the banjo that had Sands Classics on them.  While they are less hard than the Sands the sound and feel is sooo much like gut and dark with the 12" calfskin head on this banjo.  I like them a lot.  They went into tune very quickly and have held it well as I played them for about an hour with retuning etc.  Great strings!!!

atleson - Posted - 04/12/2013:  15:07:07

R.Buck---did you use a figure eight knot as well?

cheers,

jim

banjo bill-e - Posted - 04/12/2013:  15:12:34

Mimmo,  Why red, and do they HAVE to be red? It seems like an odd choice for an item that will often be used on vintage and vintage-looking instruments. Just wondering. 

Bill

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 04/12/2013:  16:02:51

I think that may be the colour of the oxydized metal content component of the strings (if I understood correctly how they are made.)

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 04/13/2013:  07:33:39

Actually, it's not oxydized metal - it's copper in the strings. This is Mimmo's description from the thread in which he introduced these strings (with bold added by me for emphasis):

"The name is Red Series classic banjo set. Instead to increase each gsuge i was able to,increase the density of each string. so all the 4 strings has similar diameters. This can be done using different quantity of metal copper powder additioned into the melted Nylgut during the extrusion of the product."

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 04/13/2013:  19:19:44

I have yet to see a set...
Are we talking "reddish" in color or full-blown
fire-engine red?

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 04/13/2013:  19:59:42

Pretty close to fire engine red.

10sbum - Posted - 04/14/2013:  14:14:32

I'm a bit late to the party, but here's my $.02:

First, the good:  Thanks to Mimmo for the trial strings. I put them on my 90+ y/o Supertone, replacing steel strings.  I have no experience with synthetic strings, so bear with me.  To my ear, the sound and volume has improved, significantly.  I'll buy more.

Now, the bad:  I carefully de-burred a new no-knot, with the intention of using bowline knots.  Broke both the 1st and 5th at the knot, not the TP.  Don't know if I used the wrong knot, or tried to tune up to pitch too quickly.  

And, the ugly:  Used bowlines for 2-4 and no-knot for 1 & 5.  Hey, it worked!

Calv - Posted - 04/14/2013:  16:28:43

Can i ask a somewhat stupid question?

There seem to be so many breakages reported putting these things on, and this happened with my first effort with Nylgut strings too.

Unfortunately i'm not made of money and don't want to go paying out yet another tenner on a whole set when i just broke one.

Does everyone else buy back up sets expecting to break one? Or can they be bought singularly?  It's going to work out expensive if i break one and have to get a new set every time. To be honest, the experience put me off getting any more. It was annoying enough finding out they needed a loop tying in them (not easy on bouncy string), let alone them snapping whilst trying to tune them.

No doubt it was my fault, but i couldn't have gone any slower with the tuning, it just snapped.

Calv.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 04/14/2013:  17:32:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by Calv

 

Can i ask a somewhat stupid question?

There seem to be so many breakages reported putting these things on, and this happened with my first effort with Nylgut strings too.

Unfortunately i'm not made of money and don't want to go paying out yet another tenner on a whole set when i just broke one.

Does everyone else buy back up sets expecting to break one? Or can they be bought singularly?  It's going to work out expensive if i break one and have to get a new set every time. To be honest, the experience put me off getting any more. It was annoying enough finding out they needed a loop tying in them (not easy on bouncy string), let alone them snapping whilst trying to tune them.

No doubt it was my fault, but i couldn't have gone any slower with the tuning, it just snapped.

Calv.

---

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions about fault. it seems to me that these strings are very subject to sudden unexplained breakage. It's quite annoying. I buy multiple sets at once - but i have a lot more broken 1st and 5th strings than the others.

chadp - Posted - 04/16/2013:  05:02:13

My god, the "pop" on the 5th string with these, if you string it right in the right spot - holy crap they sound good.

csbdr - Posted - 04/16/2013:  07:28:59

Does anyone have a link which has a set for sale? I tried both Bernuzio and elderly and could not find 5 string sets on either. Elderly had uke sets, and Bernuzio has a set of regulars with the 4th string substituted with red. Maybe I'm looking in the wring place.

SCclawman - Posted - 06/10/2013:  10:28:31

You guys have made me feel a lot better about myself after reading this thread.

First of all, thanks to Mimmo for giving me one of these sets to try out. Unfortunately, i'm not going to be able to try it out.

The 1st string broke 3 or 4 times. I wish I would have read this thread first and tried Justin's (blockader) recommendation of a different knot. I'm sure that my bowline knots are not the best, so that could be it. Additionally, i'm using a rickard tailpiece that is smooth as can be. It broke each time at the tailpiece. The final time it popped, it got my finger real good, and I promise you that I just about threw the banjo against the wall. Fortunately, I was able to take a deep breath.

I also took the 5th string once I ran out of room on the 1st string, and tried to put it on and it popped as well. I couldn't take it anymore, so I had to take a break. I may try again tonight if I can find some room to tie another knot.

These are made to be brought up to pitch right? Or should it only be low tuned as in a tackhead fretless?

Anyway, the strings seem really cool, and I'd love to be able to play around them. Thanks again for the donation Mimmo.

J-Walk - Posted - 06/10/2013:  11:15:01

Dan Levenson put a set of Reds on his Bowlin. I assume these are the "minstrel" set.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/10/2013:  11:27:26

For a few years I had no problem with breakage then I tried putting a set (on a no-knot that had never had nylguts on it) and broke 3 firsts in quick succession. I went to a knot rather than the no-knot method and that worked. I've also noted that tuning the 5th up to A open didn't work so well either. It may have been the tailpiece.

I love the sound of Nylguts and can't imagine going back to steel. Nylguts and skin heads are the perfect combo in my opinion, and that combination has transformed many an old junker into a player. I'll stick with Nylguts, but I won't be putting any red strings on my vintage Dobsons or S.S. Stewart... or any of my other banjos. Sound is the most important, but bright red is going a bit to far for my personal taste. Hopefully regular Nylguts will continue to be available. Recently, I have seen some Nylguts with some coloration added to give them a slightly yellowed appearance to closer approximate gut. To me that is going in the right direction, although I realize that the red strings are produced in an effort to improve the technical/sonic aspects of the strings.

Mimmo: Overall I love your product, but no red strings for me.

I would suppose that Nylguts are primarily marketed to orchestral string-players, lutenists, etc.
I'm curious as to how players of fine old Italian 18th Century violins feel about red strings.

Montanarick - Posted - 06/10/2013:  11:42:30

I recently installed a Joel Hooks ebony tailpiece on my Geo Dobson and haven't had any string breakage since....even when I tune up.....I think it looks pretty cool too. Rick   P.S. this is a picture off of Joel's website....

trapdoor2 - Posted - 06/10/2013:  12:18:26

I installed the "red" set at the beginning of April...now they've been on for around 10 weeks.

I have played these strings quite a bit, probably averaging 3-4 nights a week. I usually practice for at least an hour, often two. They sound great, feel great and look, um, well...red!

I couldn't deal with the solid 4th string, so I replaced it with a more standard silk/silver 0.028" 4th from Clifford Essex. It is a much more well behaved string and it really complements the set (aurally. It is silver...not red). The solid 4th was just too rubbery under my fingers. It felt odd from both the L/H and R/H perspective.

Frankly, it only took me a few minutes to get over the color of the strings. No big deal to me.

When I order strings again, I will certainly go looking for the RED set. I like them a lot!

ZEPP - Posted - 06/10/2013:  13:23:27

I haven't had any breakage problems using bowlines, though I do tie them to make a large loop.  This is the initial set I received, on my great-grandfather's S.S. Stewart:

The red color doesn't bother me in the slightest...in fact, I kinda like it!

Cheers,

ZEPP

unclekurty - Posted - 06/10/2013:  15:01:56

I put them on my Brooks 30 Silverspun and won't be taking them off. I much prefered the Saverez Cristal Corum strings over the regular nylgut strings. I put a set of those on this banjo before putting on the reds to confirm I still don't like the regular nylgut. My impression didn't change.

I put the reds on. I am using a cammed no knot tailpiece on this banjo which makes it very easy. No knots necessary. When putting these on they are less stretchy then regular nylgut. But it's still a process. I would tune a string up until the stretch was gone. I could feel it. Then I would do the other strings and come back. I took my time. I am sure I would have broke a string if I tried to tune it up anywhere near pitch right away.

Once I got them to gCGCD I came back the next day and started over. The 4th string stretched the most. After a couple of days they settled in and sounded great. Then I decided to tune them up a step. I got them up but they felt too toght. Sure enough the first string broke. So I leave them in C and G now. This is a banjo I play a lot at home. So it's just fine to leave it at that pitch. I could also use a capo but I have other banjos. But if you had only one banjo (really?) with a capo these would be fine.

I actually like the unwound fourth string. I was sure I wouldn't. There's something about these string being closer in diameter that makes them sound good. And to me they sound better than the Savarez and the regular nylgut. They do sound less like a nylon string. It's hard to describe but I think they're great. And now I love the color. On this banjo they look pretty darn good. But the banjo they look best on is the Deering Zombie Killer for sure.

Clawdan - Posted - 06/10/2013:  16:25:04

banjohangout.org/global/ckedit.../icon.png) center no-repeat #ff0000;cursor:pointer;top:-8px;-moz-border-radius:2px;border-radius:2px" title="Insert paragraph here">↵

Just

a regular set. Review coming up in July's Banjo Newsletter Old Time Way. Get the issue to see my complete review. Love the strings, love the red color. Now if it was a minstral set.... Is such available (that would match the John Bowlen guages he has custom for his banjos?)

Dan

quote:

---

Originally posted by J-Walk

 

Dan Levenson put a set of Reds on his Bowlin. I assume these are the "minstrel" set.

 

---

SCclawman - Posted - 06/10/2013:  16:47:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by SCclawman

 

You guys have made me feel a lot better about myself after reading this thread.

First of all, thanks to Mimmo for giving me one of these sets to try out. Unfortunately, i'm not going to be able to try it out.

The 1st string broke 3 or 4 times. I wish I would have read this thread first and tried Justin's (blockader) recommendation of a different knot. I'm sure that my bowline knots are not the best, so that could be it. Additionally, i'm using a rickard tailpiece that is smooth as can be. It broke each time at the tailpiece. The final time it popped, it got my finger real good, and I promise you that I just about threw the banjo against the wall. Fortunately, I was able to take a deep breath.

I also took the 5th string once I ran out of room on the 1st string, and tried to put it on and it popped as well. I couldn't take it anymore, so I had to take a break. I may try again tonight if I can find some room to tie another knot.

These are made to be brought up to pitch right? Or should it only be low tuned as in a tackhead fretless?

Anyway, the strings seem really cool, and I'd love to be able to play around them. Thanks again for the donation Mimmo.

 

---

Happy to announce a little bit of a good update.

I tried again tonight to get the 1st string in place. I just couldn't mess with it anymore last night.

I currently have it tuned up to the equivalent of Double C except it's double Bb. I'm not sure if I'll try to boost up to double C in a couple of days or not.

Overall, i love the feel and sound of it. The color doesn't bother me at all.

J-Walk - Posted - 06/10/2013:  17:38:14

Dan, if that's a standard set of Reds tuned 5 half-steps lower, that alone is impressive. Aren't they too floppy?

Clawdan - Posted - 06/10/2013:  19:02:07

They were but still sounded pretty good! All the time and experience of the years and still I almost missed that fact. Did figure it out, and still like the strings, but hope to get a more appropriate set someday.

Play Nice,

Dan

Clawdan.com

blockader - Posted - 06/10/2013:  19:07:49

That figure eight knot ended up breaking on me as well, same spot both 1st and 5th strings. It was clear to me that it was breaking right where the knot cinched causing the brittle string to weaken. They didn't even break playing or tuning, just sittin there! 

So with the second set from Zepp i tried the knot i thought would have the least amount of cinch and it has worked fine for over a month. I meant to update the thread with that info. Only problem is i don't know the proper name for the knot i used! It is one of the knots i use to tie a rooster tail or other lure on for trout fishing so i call it a lure knot haha.

You make a loose overhand knot a few inches from the end of the string, run the string end through that overhand knot,wrap it around the long side of the string a few times and then back through the overhand knot. You have to hold the loop when you tighten it down. I tried to find a google image diagram for it but not knowing the name makes it pretty tough to find. I assume its a real knot and knot something my old man invented haha.

I still like these strings for solo play, but i didn't feel they were quite loud enough in a group setting, personally. I have them on my half fretless mogi which i tend to play solo or with just a fiddler, for which they work great. The fourth is my least favorite of the strings, but its still alright. I'd like more tension on it. 

Justin

quote:

---

Originally posted by SCclawman

 

You guys have made me feel a lot better about myself after reading this thread.

First of all, thanks to Mimmo for giving me one of these sets to try out. Unfortunately, i'm not going to be able to try it out.

The 1st string broke 3 or 4 times. I wish I would have read this thread first and tried Justin's (blockader) recommendation of a different knot. I'm sure that my bowline knots are not the best, so that could be it. Additionally, i'm using a rickard tailpiece that is smooth as can be. It broke each time at the tailpiece. The final time it popped, it got my finger real good, and I promise you that I just about threw the banjo against the wall. Fortunately, I was able to take a deep breath.

I also took the 5th string once I ran out of room on the 1st string, and tried to put it on and it popped as well. I couldn't take it anymore, so I had to take a break. I may try again tonight if I can find some room to tie another knot.

These are made to be brought up to pitch right? Or should it only be low tuned as in a tackhead fretless?

Anyway, the strings seem really cool, and I'd love to be able to play around them. Thanks again for the donation Mimmo.

 

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Edited by - blockader on 06/10/2013 19:09:49

ZEPP - Posted - 06/10/2013:  19:56:33

Oh...I forgot to mention, I do have them in stock...

Cheers,

ZEPP