DonH60 - Posted - 08/30/2014:  09:22:25

I am trying to string up a mountain banjo with red nylgut strings. When I first strung it I tuned it close then waited some hours then tuned it up to open G  Except #5 broke before I got it to g. I replaced # 5, put some tension on it then waited until the nex day before tuning it on up to g. I have done this now with two different string, two times each. Before I strung it the last time I polished the hole in the tailpiece to be sure there were no burrs. I think I have narrowed the problem down to the string breaking either just before or just after the bowline knot as per Zepp. HELP?

BTW, I have used red nylguts before with "A" tuning (2 banjos).

banjered - Posted - 08/30/2014:  09:36:59

To quote that world-reknown nobody, me, from another thread:


I dunno for sure but the red strings act as if they are brittle, don't like to be bent very much or tuned up too quickly. I question whether the bowling knott is too much tightness/kinking for a brittle string? I have always used the overhand knott for nylguts, tie a "catch" knott at the tip and then use another around the post such that it catches the catch knott at the tip. Never had a problem with the plain nylguts but gave up on the red ones due to breakage. Still, I think the overhand knott imparts less stress on the strings, but all our milages vary, don't they? Best of luck to you! Banjered

10sbum - Posted - 08/30/2014:  09:38:34

See here for more info/discussion for the Reds:

banjohangout.org/forum/topic-r...d=3296597

banjered - Posted - 08/30/2014:  09:41:51

banjohangout.org/topic/290316    is that other thread I mentioned. A lot of times your, my, and other questions can get answered in the search box in the upper right hand corner. Banjered

DonH60 - Posted - 08/30/2014:  15:56:16

I checked out those threads, guys, and got some ideas, including abandoning reds. While reading what others have tried/used I had a brainstorm. If it works I'll report; if not you won't hear a peep!

Thanks.