Montanarick - Posted - 06/11/2013:  10:02:51

quote:Dan and others.....I have the Geo Dobson the I restored/refurbished.....Fretless....John Balch goat skin head....Joel Hooks ebony tail piece....two footed uncapped maple bridge......The action is high because of the original design of the neck (I think). I really like the Aquila strings....I'm going to try the Reds....I also have tried to use fishing line (works pretty good). My problem is that no matter what I do....it sounds a little dead to me.....at least compared to Dan's playing ( I know that also has to do with his playing ability versus mine)....However I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong with set up or maybe it just sounds dead from behind versus in front....I don't have any discerning ears to put in front of my banjo right now....but I will work on that....Also, didn't mean to change the topic of thread but I really like the strings (except for breakage.....Ebony tail piece seems to help)....Thanks, Rick

---

Originally posted by Clawdan

 

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.

 

---

 

---

Montanarick - Posted - 06/12/2013:  08:40:48

Will  high action affect the tone or sound quality of nylon and nylgut strings? This relates to my question above

biscuit joiner - Posted - 06/12/2013:  16:27:02

If you're dying to try these out and want to save a few bucks, I'm selling 3 packs of them here: banjohangout.org/classified/36923

GSCarson - Posted - 06/13/2013:  07:04:25

I have mostly converted to flourocarbon fishing line since I stocked up on that a few years back but also have Nylgut minstrels on two banjos which I mostly like.  I bought two sets of the red strings recently to try after reading about them here. So far I like the sound and feel a lot but don't like the bright red look on the old banjo I intended to use them on. Its an all rosewood 1870-80s? flush fret Hammig I am restoring, they just look totally wrong on its old rosewood fingerboard and I am having a hard time getting past that. I'm going to swap them with my Fielding A scale where they'll probably look kind of cool against the ironwood board. Glenn C

shannonhearne - Posted - 07/25/2013:  18:25:57

shannonhearne - Posted - 07/25/2013:  18:32:03

I just received 3 sets of the red strings. My experience with nylguts has not been good. They continually break.''



I will be using a new highly polished Fielding tailpiece. No burs or sharp edges to cut the strings, and I will let them stretch in slowly.



I hope this will work, because I really like the tone and the feel of the Reds.



I will let you know how they work out.

Edited by - shannonhearne on 07/25/2013 18:33:33

csbdr - Posted - 07/30/2013:  10:17:24

I've had the same experience with breakage and not once has it been caused by part of the instrument. Always broke mid-string. I finally have a full set on and like them so far, but have to say if this happens again I'm giving up and getting a set of flourocarbon strings.

cbcarlisle - Posted - 07/30/2013:  19:15:55

This must be the epitome of "Your experience may vary." I've used Nylguts (regular and minstrel), since before they were available in this country and I had to order them direct from Italy, on most of my several-dozen fretless banjers and Never had a string break. I'm looking forward to using the reds, too.

dbrooks - Posted - 07/30/2013:  19:58:15

I am a long-time user of Nylguts on my 19C banjos, and I have been very satisfied.  I have had a set of the new Red Series for 2 months or so, and I am very pleased with them.  On my rather quiet Bay State, they provide added punch and volume.  The strings have a textured feel as well.  I did not care for the unwound 4th strings I tested a couple of years ago because they seemed too slick and did not have the bite (or the growl) of the wound 4th string.  The Red Series have more bite, though the 4th string does not growl like the wound strings do.

David

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/30/2013:  20:26:01

i'm another member of the No Nylguts Please camp, having had nothing but trouble with them. I find it hard to reconcile my experience with that of many on this forum who love them. But they probably find my complaints (and those of several others) completely incomprehensible. 

The one thing that seems consistent among us No Nylguts Please people is that the strings mostly break in the middle - not at the tailpiece or tuner. I know I'm not the only person who mentioned the 4th string winding coming off, although that might have to do with the 19th Century thin high frets on Jackie-O - the only banjo I ever put Nylguts on.

cbcarlisle - Posted - 07/30/2013:  20:39:55

To paraphrase the (apocryphal) quote from Abraham Lincoln: People who like this kind of string will find it just the kind of string they like.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/31/2013:  01:49:35

I like my Chris Sands Classic Banjo Strings. Latest set is beginning to fade out now, but it has been on for over a year.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 07/31/2013:  08:33:27

For those who have used several types of gut/nylon strings: Which type has most tension in low tunings? I have recently acquired a Menzies Tackhead with a rather short scale (as the bridge is positioned now in the middle of the head) it is strung with regular Nylguts and currently tuned to eBEG#E. It sounds really good there, no issues with that, but I am having difficulty adjusting to the floppy string feeling. They feel better tuned up closer to standard pitch, but I don't care for that sound. Wondering how the REDS would feel tuned down---(see this really IS on topic!)

Any tips are most welcome.  Do Minstrels have more tension? What about real gut? 

Bill

biscuit joiner - Posted - 08/11/2013:  06:27:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjo bill-e

 

For those who have used several types of gut/nylon strings: Which type has most tension in low tunings? I have recently acquired a Menzies Tackhead with a rather short scale (as the bridge is positioned now in the middle of the head) it is strung with regular Nylguts and currently tuned to eBEG#E. It sounds really good there, no issues with that, but I am having difficulty adjusting to the floppy string feeling. They feel better tuned up closer to standard pitch, but I don't care for that sound. Wondering how the REDS would feel tuned down---(see this really IS on topic!)

Any tips are most welcome.  Do Minstrels have more tension? What about real gut? 

Bill

---

I'd try the heavier Chris Sands ones. Higher tension than Nylguts and don't break like the Reds (in my experience at least)

R Buck - Posted - 08/11/2013:  08:20:39

I have to say that the first string broke when I tired to tune up to A.  This banjo has been strung with nylon strings for over a decade.  I am going back to Sands even though I like the sound and feel of the REDS.

I ended up putting the banjo up as I got busy this summer and did not have time to fool with it right now.

Edited by - R Buck on 08/11/2013 08:21:47

cbcarlisle - Posted - 08/11/2013:  08:36:48

My deepest sympathies for anyone who doesn't have time to fool with their banjer.

Helix - Posted - 08/11/2013:  11:21:10

I learned so much here, thanks everyone.


Is anyone else de-burring first?? Zepp's looks smooth and round and old like it should.

Any more nautical specialists (sailors?) of knot-tying dementia, I mean demeanor, that would suggest working With the material.

Red is rad, Century Modern. Grasswhackers is a name of a local band.

has anyone else seen or used white house paint on the underside of a head with nylon? Maybe I'm the only one who hasn't heard of this.

I see both sides here, I brought a new thing forward. Evolution is good.

Schendricks - Posted - 08/15/2013:  11:50:07

My reds arrived last night. I had ordered three because all the talk of breakage. But the first set installed just fine. Now I did take my time--over an hour. I used perfection knots, very easy. What's more, is the banjo is a new Gretsch Broadkaster whose setup I'm playing with--all sorts of metal. The tailpiece was a nightmare to deal with. Whatever you call that kind of tailpiece, don't expect to use it with these strings without much effort and a mess-looking outcome. Get a different tailpiece, that's what I'm doing.

Anyway, no breaking, left tuned very very low overnight, now tuned up to gDGBD but one half-step down. Early tomorrow morning I'll take it all the way up.

Great sound, great look, great feel, thanks Aquila and Elderly!

BobTheGambler - Posted - 08/15/2013:  20:01:31

The Reds are the best set of nylon banjo strings I've ever used. My experience with Nylguts over the last few years has been very positive in general, but the Reds have a particular sound and feel that I love. I've never experienced any of the breakage problems that other people here complain about, but I don't generally tune them very high. 

Schendricks - Posted - 08/16/2013:  02:43:38

Update: After leaving them tuned a half-step down from gDGBD for about 24 hours, I tuned the red strings up to standard G a few hours ago. As they evidently were still stretching, and as I'm generally impatient, I somewhat vigorously pulled at them to help them along. The first string responded to this treatment by breaking at the perfection knot. I replaced it using a bowline (don't ask why) and impatiently tuned it all the way up to D over a period of 10 or 20 minutes. When I then took it up about half-way to D# (hoping to shorten the stretching period for some weekend playing), it also broke. I'll try a third time tomorrow with more patience, allowing it to stretch on its own time from a much lesser tension. If that doesn't work I'm switching to steel strings until I can order something else that members of the "no nylgut, please" camp recommend. I hope it doesn't come to that because it's only taken a day for these marvelous-sounding strings to spoil me. I really do love the way they look, sound and feel.

Hunter Robertson - Posted - 08/16/2013:  03:16:29

My S.S. Stewart has a repro no-knot on which I've widened the 3rd and 4th strings' slots and smoothed off the edges. I just tie a square knot at the end of the string and use it like a ball end string. On another banjo, the tailpiece has holes (something like this: elderly.com/accessories/items/BA18.htm ) and I do the same thing. I've never had trouble with Nylguts breaking. 

Hunter

Schendricks - Posted - 08/16/2013:  08:55:54

Seeing as how I have three spare sets of stings 2 through 5 but no extra first strings, I wonder--are the Aquila Red Series sold anywhere as singles?

Thanks!

Stephen

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 08/16/2013:  09:23:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schendricks

 

Seeing as how I have three spare sets of stings 2 through 5 but no extra first strings, I wonder--are the Aquila Red Series sold anywhere as singles?

Thanks!

Stephen

---

You should be able to use 5s for 1s. They have the same diameter.

Schendricks - Posted - 08/18/2013:  15:13:42

Thanks Marc! I will definitely try that when the time comes. So far, my third first string has held up fine at C#. This time I followed Hunter Robertson's lead; instead of tying a loop, I made a ball at the end of the string with several square knots and let that catch on the hole in my tailpiece. It's working great. Man I love how these strings sound.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 08/18/2013:  19:54:51

I usually make a square knot loop just large enough to easily fit over the posts. This means that some of the strings "dress" on the right side of the post and others on the left. the middle string can be a problem using the cheap Asian No-Knot, but using a Rickard Tailpiece there is plenty of room.

The Rickard Tailpiece has to be bought from Canada, so I imagine shipping gets expensive if it is the only item you get. It would be nice if Bill Rickard were to get an American distributer. He makes a lot of excellent parts, including a 12 inch Whyte Laydie tone ring that is superbe. I know Mike Ramsey and Chuck Lee both use Rickard WL tone rings, as does my friend Roy Smith (Less well known but one of the best builders I've ever met). I suspect a lot of other banjo builders get their WL and Tubaphone rings from Rickard.

Here is his new web address:

rickardbanjos.com/site/

DEmery - Posted - 08/19/2013:  17:06:52

Good BHO member Fred Marshe had an extra set of  "reds" and passed them on to me. I have been wanting to try them and tonight they were installed on the Dan Knowles Goshen banjo. This is a flush fret banjo with an ivory tail piece made by Dan. I have used Nylgut strings for years. Early on I admit to breaking a string and getting frustrated with slippage when tied to the tail piece. I studied the knot used by Bob Flesher on a minstrel owned at the time and found it tied just like my father taught me when tying fishing line to a lure. It makes for a clean loop knot and tightens against itself. Works great.

For me the color is not a draw back. It is a dull but deep red. Interesting. As for performance they are more powerful projection wise and provide much more pop to the note. They feel a little more firm and are responsive. I tune this banjo to double A and for me have never found nylon or gut comfortable tuned to a standard G. The strings came to pitch easily but like any nylon string I expect to tune them for a few days before they become totally stable. If these strings work like the classic Nylguts; once they settle in they require little attention. In short...I like them a lot, find them interesting visually, and the tone is superior to my ear compared to classics. Thanks Fred. David E.     

strokestyle - Posted - 09/12/2013:  11:10:38

Hello Mimmo

What's up with discontinuing the All Nylgut Sets? These have been my top choice for strings. As I understand it there are no All Nylgut Sets anymore, you have substituted the red series fourth string. So four regular strings and one red making the set not match in color? What will I wear to compliment this mystery?

Christine

Edited by - strokestyle on 09/12/2013 11:11:27

banjered - Posted - 09/16/2013:  18:43:52

I put'em on and the 4th red string broke 2X in a row after less than five minutes after they finally got up to pitch (doing so slowly, not all at once). Third time I put on a classical guitar 4th D string - no problem.

I know all about nyguts and sharp edges, have used them for years.

My 2 cent theory - whatever makes the strings red also makes them brittle. Both strings broke at the nut where the sharpest "break" angle occurs.

The other strings seem fine after a day or so.

Until proven otherwise, I won't be buying anymore red series.

How come Aquila can't get their 4th strings right? Banjered

strokestyle - Posted - 09/17/2013:  10:46:22

Banjered your set is all reds, if I understand your note properly. The All Nygut sets are no longer available, to replace this set there will be one fourth Red Series and the rest of the strings will be white as in the original set (unless there is a misunderstanding). I contacted Mimmo and he is staying with the new set arraignments. If anyone else want to keep the original All Nyglut sets in place send him a note, so far I am the only one that has contacted him about this. Mimmo is a wonderful person and I enjoyed my conversations, but I still want the original sets back on the market, I can't be the only one, at least I hope not. The new sets are hitting the US market now.

Noah Cline - Posted - 09/17/2013:  13:44:13

I like the look of the white Nylguts better than the red ones. I hope that they keep making the white Nylguts.

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 09/18/2013:  12:39:18

Hey - I've got some all white Nylgut sets for sale y'all!:

banjohangout.org/classified/37633

banjered - Posted - 09/23/2013:  14:21:30

Just had the first string break while it was just sitting on a stand. Broke near the nut. This string had been on for about a week and I had just got done playing for about a half hour. I've never had nylgut strings break like this. I am used to putting them on and have them last many months to years.

Does anyone know if strings 1-3 have that stiffing factor? Again, my theory on the 4th strings that broke is that whatever made them red also made them brittle/fragile.

Has anyone sent this thread to the maker?

Again, Red Series - not recommended (by me at least). Banjered

banjo bill-e - Posted - 09/23/2013:  18:54:28

The maker started this thread!

csbdr - Posted - 09/24/2013:  10:55:03

I did get one set on and like the sound but I'm not sure I will ever get used to the floppy feel. I'm likely to use these until something breaks then put some Sands nylons on.

OldTimeGal - Posted - 11/01/2013:  22:42:15

I put the new Aquila Red Series strings for ukulele on my 1920's Favilla soprano ukulele, pic below.  Initially I didn't like the grittiness of the strings or the sound. Then I very lightly sanded the strings with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper, and let the strings stretch out about four weeks.  Now they are very stiff, and sound wonderful on my uke - almost like a guitar.  I usually pick my uke when playing.  I'm going to try out a set of the banjo classics on my junk banjo next.

Red Aquila strings on ukulele

mbuk06 - Posted - 11/02/2013:  05:54:36

I'm just about to restring an old short-scale banjo with a calf-skin head with one type or other nylon/nylgut strings. Reading this thread has put me off trying the red series Aquila.

I don't know much about the various alternatives to steel strings and it would be helpful to get some guidance onwhat are the real identifiable difference(s) between say a set of Aquila classic nylgut, a Sands set or other brands?

trapdoor2 - Posted - 11/02/2013:  07:34:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by mbuk06

 

I'm just about to restring an old short-scale banjo with a calf-skin head with one type or other nylon/nylgut strings. Reading this thread has put me off trying the red series Aquila.

I don't know much about the various alternatives to steel strings and it would be helpful to get some guidance onwhat are the real identifiable difference(s) between say a set of Aquila classic nylgut, a Sands set or other brands?

---

Nobody's done any "real identifiable" testing on the various "soft string" sets so we're left with subjectivity. I do believe I've seen where someone measured the thickness of the Red set somewhere. They're somewhat thinner than the std. "Classic" set. I've been playing my "Red" set since April. Still like 'em a lot...but I got rid of the "Red" 4th and substituted a "Weaver 4th" (wound over silk or nylon, I don't really know) for it. You can get the Weaver 4th strings from Clifford Essex Music. The "Red" 4th was just too much like a fat rubber-band for my liking.

It has been my experience that Clawhammer players almost always end up preferring the Chris Sands sets. The "heavy" version seems to give the best feel to the R/H fingernail (my theory). I used 'em for fingerstyle for years but now prefer the Red or the standard Aquila "Classic" set. I use the Aquila "Minstrel" set on my Ashborn and love 'em (played stroke style which is, for comparative purposes, CH).

Soft strings (meaning all the non-steel types) take a good bit of 'getting used to' if you've been using steels all your banjo life. They require a slightly higher action and they can be cut (and then "snap!") by sharp corners like fret ends or tailpiece burrs. The Aquila sets are handmade by Mimmo and his family in small batches. A little variation can be expected. They're more sensitive to breakage, you can't just whip 'em on the banjo like a set of steels.

Soft strings take more time to 'settle in' than steel strings. If you put a set on and do not stretch them out, it can take weeks for them to hold their tuning. I stretch mine (all brands) and they're usually ready to play the next day. Sands strings stretch in quickly, Aquila nylguts take more time.

When it all boils down, you just have to spend the money and test 'em all. You'll never know which you really like until you do.

OldTimeGal - Posted - 11/05/2013:  08:33:25

Trapdoor2 is right, you really need to just experiment and try out a few to determine what you like.  I just installed the Classic Red Series on my junk fretless for the first time, and they're stretching out rather quickly, I added pictures below for those who haven't seen them.  Interestingly, the red banjo classics are not as gritty as the red ukulele strings.  Also, my 4th string is not rubber-band like at all, it's just as stiff the rest of the strings.  I don't play clawhammer style, though, so that might make a difference.  I like the stiffness of the reds without the sharp tone of the steel strings for this particular banjo.  Explore :-)

Edited by - OldTimeGal on 11/05/2013 08:39:44

Aquila Red Series strings - close up

Aquila Red Series strings - close up

Davidprat - Posted - 11/19/2013:  09:02:38

The owner of a Ukulele store from here in Barcelona that I make some repair work for give me a set of Aquila Red series to try, I think he is the only one in spain having this kind of strings in stock, I just finished a Tackhead banjo and I thought that was the right banjo to try the strings.

youtube.com/watch?v=rKsdW-EKeFQ

I like it but I have to get use to the feel of this strings on my fingers... Is a different touch than other "nylon" strings.

Beacon - Posted - 11/27/2013:  08:58:12

I would highly suggest people be very careful before purchasing these strings.

I bought three sets of these strings. On the first set I put on, I was able to get everything on except for the first string. When I tried to tune the first string up to pitch, it snapped.

I tried again, more slowly. I tried a total of 5 times (1st and 5th string are the same gauge). Sometimes I would get them up to pitch, and they would break randomly a day later when I wasn't even in the room. The last string I put on I tuned up to pitch over the course of two days. It stayed on and at pitch for about 3 days after that. I went into the room to pick it up the next day, and it had just randomly snapped.

I made sure there are no snags or sharp edges on my tailpiece. I have never had this issue before with any set of strings, including the old Aquila "Classical" strings.

This was beyond frustrating and a waste of money. I'd recommend going with an alternative string set.

stevel - Posted - 11/27/2013:  09:17:15

there's a set of these red strings on my recently acquired Brooks Masten banjo. i like them so far (i could care less about the color).

i don't know how much, if any trouble the previous owner had getting them on. i have them tuned a bit low right now, fCFAC / fBbFBbC and haven't decided if i'll try bringing them up to G or A.

mimmo2us - Posted - 01/05/2014:  11:05:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by mimmo2us

Hello guys,

It a lot of time that I am not here

I would like to know if you guys like mi choice in matter of timeless banjo strimgs

1 the all nylgut set was replaced with one red 4th and the rest white nylgut

2 1 wound 4 to and the rest white nylgut

Some suggested me to preserve all nylgut and cancel 1 wound and switch to 1 red instead

May I ask, which is your feel ?

Grazie

Mimmo

---

BlowingRockNC - Posted - 01/05/2014:  12:42:50

I like for them all to be red, with no wound strings. I have two sets on order right now, and those will be my first venture into the use of Aquila strings. Thanks for asking.

banjered - Posted - 01/05/2014:  16:02:24

They sound great but this many people with strings breaking (me too) indicates that there is some quality control issue that needs to be fixed before considering anything else. I suspect that whatever makes the strings red also makes them brittle or just plain weak.

I've had Minstrel Nylguts on an old Stewart and the top three strings are still going strong after two years. The fourth string lasted about 4-5 months and I've replaced that with a classical guitar medium D string that I lower down to B.

A lot of us like Nylguts so I hope the quality control issue is resolved. Banjered

strokestyle - Posted - 01/06/2014:  09:09:25

Mimo

My vote...Keep the original all nylgut sets as they were. It was a tried and true string set. No need to reinvent something that works and players use.

Red Series -  Some users have stated they really like these.

It would help us is to understand from your manufacturing view why things change. If your clients understand what the issues are then we would be more understanding of how this change came about.  I can only guess at the reasons.

As a business owner myself it is refreshing that you care enough to listen and make changes for the good of your clients and changes to enhances your business. When my manufacturers change products I need to know the reasons so I can explain to my clients why things will be different. This drives my own decisions that make sense to my profit line and customer satisfaction. We deal in laminates and the industry is always changing the finish selections or colors so every 10 years or so we go through the pain of not being able to exactly match a finish, the new matches are often close enough that the common public would not notice the difference. Some of the changes are major such as a discontinuation of a particular color. In your case maybe something along those lines...materials harder to get...the fourth wound all nylgut was problematic from a manufacturing stand point...Red Series was brought on board to add a new look and address a feel to match steel strings, working towards a larger market...?

Thanks for listening once again.

Christine

mimmo2us - Posted - 01/06/2014:  22:47:32

Thanks.

The reasons are that  mostly ask us 1 wound set while others told us that the 4th white is too dull. This opened the idea to introduce 1 red set, just to compensate the lost of sound of the 4th string. And launch the reds as new technology on strings.

However, I learned here, thanks to your useful  suggestions, that the best choice is to keep stable the all white set and the 1 red set-  The problem of a wound string is that it last less time and became rusty.

Ciao

Mimmo

 

ClayTech - Posted - 01/07/2014:  12:21:28

Personally, I like the whites with one red. The all reds were too bright compared to the whites for my taste, but I do like the red 4th. The wound 4th just doesn't match the sound of the whites.

I recently tried my first set of all reds, and had no problem with breakage. I put them on, cranked them up past their tunings, and let them stretch out. I do the same when putting on whites, and have no breakage issues. I don't baby them at all.

mimmo2us - Posted - 01/07/2014:  12:44:19

Well , the final decision was to keep the all white nylgut set normal & light tension and set 1 red 4th light and normal tension.
No 1 wound set at all . Deleted
Mimmo

Banjo Isaac 2012 - Posted - 01/17/2014:  11:29:59

I liked the old style far better. The red string didn't seem to improve the sound, and it broke within a few days after I put the set on. I now buy Chris Sands strings. They are far different and don't sound quite the same, but they still sound good and they hold up to a few months of heavy use. Please go back to your old style.