Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/306840
joemcg - Posted - 07/24/2015: 12:32:43
I just received my Nylgut strings from Elderly and want to get them installed on my Prust fretless banjo.
What kind of knot do you tie?
Also have any of you ever used these on a Goodtime open back? I'm tempted to go to Deering and buy one if I could use Nylgut for Old Time on it (and if my wife would let me get away with it!)
Thanks.
Joe
Culloden - Posted - 07/24/2015: 12:43:47
When I install nylon strings I use an arbor knot.
Crusty - Posted - 07/24/2015: 12:49:50
The Anglers Perfection loop has never let me down.
joemcg - Posted - 07/24/2015: 12:53:27
quote:
Originally posted by Crusty
The Anglers Perfection loop has never let me down.
Do you then pass the string through the loop on the tailpiece? The original strings that are on it simply have knots in them to keep them from passing through the tailpiece holes.
greenbrooms - Posted - 07/24/2015: 13:24:20
joe: was thinking of doing the same thing. kind of hard to tell what knot mr. prust is using by just looking at the stock nylons he uses. he'd probably let you know if you shot him an email. i think he offers nylguts on his banjos, so maybe he has a certain way of doing it for his tailpieces. feel free to share the wealth if you do find out 
joemcg - Posted - 07/24/2015: 13:29:22
quote:
Originally posted by greenbrooms
joe: was thinking of doing the same thing. kind of hard to tell what knot mr. prust is using by just looking at the stock nylons he uses. he'd probably let you know if you shot him an email. i think he offers nylguts on his banjos, so maybe he has a certain way of doing it for his tailpieces. feel free to share the wealth if you do find out
Good point, I just hate bugging him all the time.
GrahamHawker - Posted - 07/24/2015: 14:49:37
As it's a no knot surely you only need the simplest knot possible to prevent the string slipping though the peg on the tailpiece. No need for anything needing diagrams.
Bill H - Posted - 07/24/2015: 15:07:22
With a no knot tailpiece you just slip the string into the slot and give a couple of wraps around the post, hence the name no knot. If you only have a post a bowline never fails.
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/24/2015: 16:31:54
I find that a Square knot in the string works every time. I use one even on the so called No-Knot being sold today. It is a lousy tail[piece for nylon or Nylgut however, and will attempt to cut through your strings - no matter how much time you waste trying to tak out all the burrs. I've replaced most of mine with Rickard tailpieces, which are smooth, even though I use steel strings on all but one of my banjos.
rudy - Posted - 07/25/2015: 18:01:41
quote:
Originally posted by joemcg
quote:
Originally posted by Crusty
The Anglers Perfection loop has never let me down.
Do you then pass the string through the loop on the tailpiece? The original strings that are on it simply have knots in them to keep them from passing through the tailpiece holes.
If you have the type of tailpiece with small holes you can tie a stopper knot in the end.
If you have simple holes use the following:
Edited by - rudy on 07/25/2015 18:08:38
chip arnold - Posted - 07/25/2015: 18:04:58
I use bowlin knots on all my mountain banjos. I've never had one slip.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 07/25/2015: 19:25:51
I've become partial to this one.
Gumbograss - Posted - 07/25/2015: 21:59:51
Terry Bell also has a good video on tying a bowline knot. youtu.be/4tFjCFaN8zo
Edited by - Gumbograss on 07/25/2015 22:01:04
rudy - Posted - 07/26/2015: 04:09:24
Joel, Thanks for that. I'm going to give that one a go.
Pine Cone - Posted - 07/28/2015: 23:02:32
I have a couple of Prust banjos. If your Prust tailpiece is like mine, it is not related to No Knot tailpieces. A simple line of 5 holes thought a piece of wood. I would use a figure-8 knot on your strings.
joemcg - Posted - 07/29/2015: 05:51:47
Joequote:
Originally posted by Pine Cone
I have a couple of Prust banjos. If your Prust tailpiece is like mine, it is not related to No Knot tailpieces. A simple line of 5 holes thought a piece of wood. I would use a figure-8 knot on your strings.
Yes that's the way my tailpiece is configured, thanks.
Joe
dculgan - Posted - 07/29/2015: 06:39:15
I have a couple of early style banjos and used to use the figure 8 or stopper know like Scott shows on his Prust but decided the "tailpiece knot" that Rudy illustrated above looked a lot better. Both tying on methods can be used to make sure the string exits the thickness of the tailpiece on the side closer to the head which will give a little bit more break angle over the bridge. Every bit of angle helps with these early style banjos. Dave
rudy - Posted - 07/29/2015: 10:25:45
If your attachment uses the actual knot to directly hold a string (as shown in Pine Cone's Prust example) I highly recommend the pdf detailing the Ashley's stopper knot. The reason is because Ashley's forms a unique three lobed knot that retains the knot in a more even way without putting side stress on the knot. It can make the differance between reliable use and broken strings if your strings are finicky about the type of knot. (Nylguts, particularly the reds...)
Sometimes what works well for some may be problematic for others.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 07/29/2015: 16:38:43
quote:
Originally posted by rudy
Joel, Thanks for that. I'm going to give that one a go.
You are welcome, I hope it works for you. Ian on the Classic Banjo Ning site posted this and I snatched the image and printed a copy to put in my string box.
Unrelated but I work for the manufacturer of a popular stretchy jewelry cord and I take phone calls two to three times a week to walk people through the process of tying monofilament. This is the best I have found for this sort of thing.
banjered - Posted - 07/30/2015: 07:49:43
I'll try the knott too Joel, thanks! I am wondering - if you passed over the lead string only once instead of twice and then passed it through the top instead of the bottom, you'd have a figure 8 knott and wouldn't that be sufficient? Too, if you were still concerned about slippage, wouldn't a simple overhand knott at the end be even more insurance against slippage without bulking the knott so much as doing the double wrap? Gonna experiment a bit here but I like the looks of this basic knott. Banjered
rudy - Posted - 07/30/2015: 17:33:51
I have a friend that uses a simple overhand knot for Nylguts. She has no problems with slippage. This is from here hubbie's page here; "you can chweck his home page for additional photos; "nuts" here on the forum.
