japus - Posted - 01/03/2014:  07:19:13

I've asked this question before, however I don't recall any answers received.

I have been using nylguts ( Aquilla ) for a while, since my hearing isn't in the best condition I am wondering if

nylgut strings should be replace periodically the way steel strings are. ?

mbanza - Posted - 01/03/2014:  07:26:24

You may fing the polymer strings group of interest:  banjohangout.org/group/polymerstrings

maneckep - Posted - 01/03/2014:  08:09:14

Jim,

I have had Nylguts on some banjos for 3+ years and they still sound good - I have replaced a few 5th stings because they broke due to sharp tailpiece or sharp RR spike.

BTW - have you ever gone to the Bluegrass Jam at the Brown Hotel on Thursday nights from 7:00 - 9:00 PM?  Just curious what it is like.

Paul

japus - Posted - 01/03/2014:  08:26:57

Paul

Brown Hotel yessir

Was there last night, had a very nice time, no smoking, 7 people were there and very cordial.

I only walked down to check it out, however I'l surely be there next  jam in Feb.with banjo on my knee..



The folks at the Brown were absolutely cordial, no pressure on buying drinks or anything like that, almost felt like I was sitting in my family rooom.

Courtney's doing a great job here, I sure hope it takes off...I'm thinking he even mentioned a bluegrass show coming up in Indiana on Feb 28th..

rudy - Posted - 01/03/2014:  08:29:22

Biggest problem is intonation accuracy on a fretted banjo.  Over time they can stretch non-uniformly so the string mass varies along it's length.  They can exibit also that problem when they are new, particularly if someone is is a rush to bring them to pitch by manually stretching.  It's best to allow them some time to settle in naturally.

If you're talking fretless, nevermind.

dculgan - Posted - 01/03/2014:  09:05:48

quote:

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Originally posted by rudy

Over time they can stretch non-uniformly so the string mass varies along it's length.  They can exhibit also that problem when they are new, particularly if someone is is a rush to bring them to pitch by manually stretching.  It's best to allow them some time to settle in naturally.

 

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Hadn't thought of that. I do the stretch between the thumb and fingers thing on my gut strings and I can see how that might alter the uniformity of the diameter along the string. The guts I use probably aren't as "true" as polymer strings but its something to consider. When I have the time (not changing a string at a gig) I think I will let them stretch out on their own.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/03/2014:  09:41:13

I stretch the crap outta my nylguts as soon as the go on and they're holding tuning for the time it takes to play a classic banjo piece (4-5 minutes) within an hour or so. More stable the next day but essentially done after that.

If you can hear problems, do what works for you. I'm admittedly insensitive to such stuff (though when I was younger, had 100% hearing and the engineering interest in such things, I went all OCD over intonation for a while. Now, I'm happy to have the bridge set in the proper position and a comfy chair to sit in).

I usually end up replacing the Nylgut 4ths (on a fretted banjo) long before the rest of the set is ready for replacement. When I'm playing regularly, the 4th gets replaced about twice a year, basically when I start noticing the windings are getting deep notches. The rest get replaced when I start seeing big wear notches (I'd say the average was 18months). On a fretless...heck, I don't think they ever wear out. The set on my Ashborn are gonna be 4 yrs old this year.   The nylgut "Red" set I'm currently playing on my Essex was put on in April of 2013...but didn't play it a lot last year.

I know a Van Eps banjo that has its original set of nylon strings on it...personally put on by Fred himself in 1959. The banjo still gets played from time to time!