wsharp - Posted - 07/16/2015:  08:13:08

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I have 2 banjos.  One set up with nylguts and one with steel.  I am liking the nylon better I think-both sound and feel, and am thinking of switching the other banjo to nylon as well.  But, I'm hesitant to make the big leap-not being quite sure.  Question is.....can I put steel back on after the nut and bridge slots have been filed for nylon?  Or, will the strings be too loose and wobble around in the big slots?  thanks.

mbanza - Posted - 07/16/2015:  08:27:31

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Wendy, changing from synthetic to steel the slots will be a bit big, but may not present an issue.  Try it and if you have a problem when and if switching back deal with it at that time.  You might consider a seperate, lighter weight bridge for synthetic and then there will only be the nut to be worried about.

Like you, I went from steel to nylon on one banjo, then changed all the others as well.  I doubt I'll change back.

 

LWC - Posted - 07/16/2015:  09:16:29

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That is one real advantage to having a zero fret or zero glide nut system. the nut becomes nothing more then a string holder/guide so you can have the slots wide enough for either string and I've never had a problem with the bridge holding nylon strings. I tend to be a more subdued frailer if I was more wild man  they might pop out . 

bartmcneil - Posted - 07/16/2015:  13:54:51

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I would not hesitate to switch to nylon or Nylgut from steel. If you have a problem with stuck strings in the slots just use a small file and widen the slots slightly to use the thicker nylon strings. Some newer banjos (and perhaps older) have nuts which are cut to accept either but it is not a serious issue. Frets.com is awfully good on this kind of adjustment for nuts and I think if you are slow and careful you should be in good shape. Remember that nuts are cheap and are made to be adjusted to the needs of the player and his instrument. And you can make a servisible nut out of Popsycle sticks, or an old plastic comb easily, and it will work just fine for your needs or as a temporary nut. and yes, you can switch back an forth between nylon and steel once you have adjusted your nut and bridge slots.

 

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Edited by - bartmcneil on 07/16/2015 14:00:54

cbcarlisle - Posted - 07/16/2015:  17:18:21

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Of course you can go back. Nothing irreversible about it. On the other hand, why would you Want to? [Obvious solution: you need another banjo.]

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/17/2015:  02:20:50

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Safest route is to cut a new nut and bridge with the proper thickness for nylon and switch them out when you wish to change. This does not mean there aren't any banjos that can't do either. Jackie-O, my avatar has triangular slots in the nut that will work with either, but most banjos do not. The steel strings ride in the bottom of those slots while nylon strings ride higher. The banjo was built at a time when steel strings were just coming into use on banjos but I have no knowledge of whether the builder had anything like this in mind.

Jackie O

J.B. Schall circa 1893

Greg Galbreath - Posted - 07/17/2015:  06:59:58

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I agree with oldwoodchuck - in order to get the best sound out of your banjo, it's probably best to simply get a separate nut and bridge for each setup and then you can switch back and forth depending on the strings you are using. I would definitely avoid using a popsicle stick or comb for a nut though, and stick with a harder material like bone that will transfer the strings vibrations better.

bartmcneil - Posted - 07/17/2015:  11:33:04

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I was examining my Goodtime nut just a few minutes ago and realized that it can likely handle nylon strings without adjustment.Although Goodtimes come with steel strings the nut grooves look wide enough for nylon.

ZEPP - Posted - 07/17/2015:  12:19:01

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I have configured many banjos that came with steel strings to use nylon or gut instead.  It has usually been necessary to widen the bridge slots, but very rarely was it necessary to alter the nut.  When switching back to steel, I have never found it necessary to replace the bridge.  

So my advice is that I always gave my customers:  Just put the new strings on.  If they pop out of the bridge slots when you play it, you'll need to widen the slots; if they don't, don't mess with it.  

If you switch back, just try your steel strings.  If they're not buzzing, you're done.  If they do buzz, keep a second bridge on hand--that's less than the cost of the strings.

Cheers,

ZEPP

wsharp - Posted - 08/04/2015:  18:51:44

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Thanks so much for all the help.  You guys are great.  Really, really appreciate it.  wendy

csacwp - Posted - 08/07/2015:  07:11:52

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quote:

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Originally posted by oldwoodchuckb

Safest route is to cut a new nut and bridge with the proper thickness for nylon and switch them out when you wish to change. This does not mean there aren't any banjos that can't do either. Jackie-O, my avatar has triangular slots in the nut that will work with either, but most banjos do not. The steel strings ride in the bottom of those slots while nylon strings ride higher. The banjo was built at a time when steel strings were just coming into use on banjos but I have no knowledge of whether the builder had anything like this in mind.

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Your banjo was not made for steel strings and should not be strung with them. Furthermore, banjos were not made with steel strings in mind pretty much until the 1920s, and any serious 5 string player still gut. It's total hogwash to propose steel strings were becoming popular in the 1890s and that a Schall banjo was made to support. Your banjo, like all late 19th and early 20th century 5-strings, was made for classic style and therefore gut strings.

OldPappy - Posted - 08/14/2015:  14:24:22

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Perhaps somebody should do a little more research before using the label "hogwash" for something Tony says, and a few remedial lessons on comprehensive reading skills wouldn't hurt either.

Tony didn't say his banjo was designed for steel strings, and he didn't say steel strings were "popular" in the 1890s.

He said they "were just coming into use on banjos", and that statement is demonstratively correct.

All it takes is a simple search of the Internet, or ever right here in the BHO archives.

What is incorrect is the statement that implies all 5 string banjos from that time period were made for "classic style". Now that is total baloney.

 

 

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 08/15/2015:  15:56:22

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At least all my hogs are nice and clean!

RV6 - Posted - 08/15/2015:  17:12:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by oldwoodchuckb

 

At least all my hogs are nice and clean!

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And yummy?

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 08/16/2015:  15:26:15

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If I go through all the trouble to wash a hog, you know I'll not harm him - in any way.

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Edited by - oldwoodchuckb on 08/16/2015 15:26:48