pisgahbanjos - Posted - 08/19/2015:  15:15:03

I have a customer who wants a partial fretless A-scale banjo with Nyle-Gut strings.  I do not have much experience with tuning nylon strings to the key of A without a capo.  Are there any brands of nylon strings folks recommend or anyone out there who has tried this?   Thanks! Please only post if you have tried this.  Not looking for opinions.  Patrick.  

jasper - Posted - 08/19/2015:  15:30:07

I made a 24in A scale fretted banjo with Chris Sands strings for my wife, we love it.  A friend of mine plays a 24 in A scale fretless banjo with same strings, no problem,.

Neither of us care for Nylgut, just love Chris Sands Heavies or Mediums.

What scale length is the banjo? 24-24.75 or ?

Noah Cline - Posted - 08/19/2015:  15:31:35

I've made a couple of a-scale (23" scale) mountain banjos strung with Classic Nylguts, and they tuned fine. (I think I used both light and medium tension sets on different ones.)

leadbelly - Posted - 08/19/2015:  15:39:12

I have nylguts on a GoldTone OTCC-A open back A scale.  They can be tuned to A as advertised, and they can even be tuned down to G without buzzing.  They work well and sound good.

rudy - Posted - 08/19/2015:  16:18:42

Patrick,

If you're making a true A scale you'll have absolutely no problem with tuning Aquila Nylaguts (the classical set) to pitch.  I've used them on both 23" and 24" scales. and used them for A and D tunings with no problems.

jenorma1 - Posted - 08/19/2015:  17:29:36

Hey Patrick - I actually have the aquila nylgut medium set (ref# 5B without the red 4th) tuned up to A on the 25.5" scale semi-fretless you converted for me recently.  

I tried tuning directly up to A from the get go and they immediately started breaking but I tried a new set, tuned up to F# for a couple days, then G for a couple days, and now they're all tuned up to A no problem, even on that long scale length.  Should work fine, just have to be patient in getting them to pitch.

Enjoying the semi-fretless!!

Jeff

jenorma1 - Posted - 08/19/2015:  17:34:08

(also) - I originally had the lighter set (ref #6B) on there and it felt a little weak/floppy for my taste with the 25.5 inch scale.  However I was able to tune it to A immediately without breaking so I guess there's a tradeoff - my sense is that you should try the aquila nylgut mediums on an A scale.

Noah Cline - Posted - 08/19/2015:  17:38:43

I also free that the med. tension Nylguts (all Nylgut set) would be best; that's the set I mainly use. They even sound good tuned down to F.

Balsam Banjoworks - Posted - 08/19/2015:  17:46:22

Very cool! Thanks for the replies folks! I've tuned up to A before on a standard scale with classical nyle guts however the fifth string tends to break pretty quick. Jeff, I like your idea of slowly tuning up and not over stressing. The scale of this banjo I'm building will be 23.5" just like out other A-scales. sounds like this build is doable. Any luck from anyone with using Aquilla Reds on an A scale? I think that's what my customer prefers but he probably won't be too picky if they don't. Sorry to post as Balsam Banjoworks.  Sometimes I'll post under both depending on what device I'm using. Thanks again guys! 



Patrick.

Edited by - Balsam Banjoworks on 08/19/2015 17:49:05

rudy - Posted - 08/19/2015:  18:01:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Balsam Banjoworks

Very cool! Thanks for the replies folks! I've tuned up to A before on a standard scale with classical nyle guts however the fifth string tends to break pretty quick. Jeff, I like your idea of slowly tuning up and not over stressing. The scale of this banjo I'm building will be 23.5" just like out other A-scales. sounds like this build is doable. Any luck from anyone with using Aquilla Reds on an A scale? I think that's what my customer prefers but he probably won't be too picky if they don't. Sorry to post as Balsam Banjoworks.  Sometimes I'll post under both depending on what device I'm using. Thanks again guys! 



Patrick.

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My only experiance with the Reds resulted in breaking two of them on a 25-1/2" scale length after tuning to standard G tuning.  That hypothetically should have been no problem, but it was in a real world situation.  My opinion?  Much as I love the tone, the spirit's willing but the flesh is weak.

The reds aren't ready for prime time.

jenorma1 - Posted - 08/19/2015:  18:05:06

I tried the reds on a short scale buckbee fretless way back but the first and 5th broke three times before getting to A and I had bought a 3 pack so I gave up - I went to the standard nylguts on that banjo without issue - however I never tried the "let them stretch" approach on the red strings.