zac987 - Posted - 12/08/2015:  11:17:33

Does anyone ever do this? I know zither banjos were strung with a variety of string types.

I'm currently using a nylon 5th string with the long strings all steel - 23w, 16, 13, 12. I think it works super well for 2-finger banjo. It takes some of the ring out of the fifth string without killing it entirely. 

Here's an example of how it sounds for me.

Edited by - zac987 on 12/08/2015 11:24:30

VIDEO: "Clinch Mountain Backstep" old time 2-finger banjo (click to view)

crazybilly - Posted - 12/08/2015:  11:30:26

Nice! That sounds solid! I've been using a steel 5th string on my long neck (which is strung up w/ nylons), b/c I don't think the nylon 5th string would last, considering how often I jam the 5th string under the railroad ties.....I'm not really a fan of how it sounds, but fortunately, I've got a pretty light touch w/ my thumb, so it's not TOO bad.

DH#52 - Posted - 12/08/2015:  13:48:29

I agree with Jake, Zac.  I play two-finger most of the time and will change one of my banjos to like yours.  Thanks for the good idea.

Steve

RevSpyder - Posted - 12/08/2015:  13:53:03

Wow! What a great sound. I play mostly clawhammer, though, with a bit of two finger sometimes, so I think unless I have another banjo to switch (I wish! Santa, you hear me?) I'll probably stick with steel all around. But you never know...

mbuk06 - Posted - 12/08/2015:  14:37:50

Whenever I (rarely) use nylon strings I keep a steel fifth. Kind've like what you do but the other way round.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 12/08/2015:  14:57:28

Really nice two-finger CMBS there, Zac! Your banjo sounds good like that. I use the (open) fifth for melody notes quite often so I'm not sure that it would work for me, but it sure works for you.
But I do wish that I had tried it when I had an RK-R25 last year. That one had such a bright ringing fifth that it gave me a headache to play it. Even though no other banjo had ever sounded like that to me, the only advice I got was "learn to play with control".
I just sold it.

jonredmond - Posted - 12/08/2015:  14:59:39

I like a muted fifth string also. So I sometimes stick a small piece of leather under the fifth string near the pip. I do this on banjos strung with nylon or steel strings. The drone of the fifth string just sounds better (more rhythmical?) when muted. 

RG - Posted - 12/08/2015:  19:44:51

I use an old 2nd string for the fifth whenever I re-string a banjo (which isn't too often), have never mixed nylon with steel...

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 12/09/2015:  10:01:30

When I was using steel strings I used to use a silk and steel 4th.
I'd also muffle the 5th with tape so a nylon 5th sounds like a good strategy to me.
I always used to make up my own sets of strings by ordering each string individually by gauge.
If you invest in say, a dozen of each string, you can get a price break. Just look for string sellers on the net.

I can't see any reason to buy pre-packaged strings sets unless you happen to like the gauges and materials
the manufacturer has selected.

Most of us CHers are looking for a less-bright sound, so I am with RG... changing to bright, new strings is the last thing I want to do.
Unless they break, I don't change strings.

zevio - Posted - 01/04/2016:  20:16:55

hey Zac.. What string guage are you using for the nylon 5th? Would a 1st (E) guitar string work?

Stlouisblues - Posted - 01/04/2016:  21:30:06

For a short while, untill I bought more strings I was using...

fishing line for my 5th string
nylon with silver winding from la bella gut banjo for 4th
gut from labella for 3rd
nylgut from Aquila for 2nd
plain steel 1st

Probably should have recorded something, it was weird. I've been going back and forth between nylgut and steel, currently enjoying steel. I need a second banjo.


Matt

zac987 - Posted - 01/06/2016:  19:16:24

quote:

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Originally posted by zevfink

 

hey Zac.. What string guage are you using for the nylon 5th? Would a 1st (E) guitar string work?

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Yup, that's what I use. I like the extra tension.