ballynally - Posted - 12/21/2015:  02:35:38

Hi there,

I'm going down the route of using nylon strings for my banjo-mandolin (GDAE), to get rid of the harsh tones, and have selected an Aquila Red series soprano ukulele set to get the D and G UNWOUND strings. However, the Red series don't offer a D string but a C (for ukelele).The C in the res series could break if tuned to D. I think the normal white nylgut ones are different so the strings might be unbalanced.

I could go with wound D and G from a nylon set.Or get Aquila's Red series nylgut mandolin strings.However, i think the D an G strings are wound so i might just get regular nylon D an G strings from some left over sets.

Mark Ralston - Posted - 12/21/2015:  03:30:41

Hi Claire - Nylgut used to make a mandolin set of nylgut strings........ they were wonderful, but Aquila decided to stop producing them. I bought all of the sets I could since I like to set up banjo-mandolins with nylon strings, but used up my supply. I asked Aquila if they would make me a bulk batch of the strings but they declined. I'm not familiar with the strings you mention so I can't respond to your questions.

However, I've been using nylon fishing line for the D (20 lb), A (30 lb), and E (50 lb) strings and a (roughly) 0.6 mm wound-over-nylon-strand string (from a classical guitar set) for the G string. I use Shakespeare Omniflex Monofilament fishing line that I buy at Walmart. I bought some very stout 80 lb monofilament fluorocarbon line that I plan to try out as a G string, but haven't had the opportunity yet. I rough up the nyon line by pulling it several times through a folded-over sheet of 200 grit sandpaper. Doing this a) makes the sound significantly less "twangy", b) gives a much nicer feel for playing, c) scuffs the smooth surface & makes clear nylon monofilament look more like gut string & less like fishing line.

Good luck......... hope the fishing line approach works for you if you don't find another solution.

ballynally - Posted - 12/21/2015:  05:18:47

quote:

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Originally posted by Mark Ralston

 

Hi Claire - Nylgut used to make a mandolin set of nylgut strings........ they were wonderful, but Aquila decided to stop producing them. I bought all of the sets I could since I like to set up banjo-mandolins with nylon strings, but used up my supply. I asked Aquila if they would make me a bulk batch of the strings but they declined. I'm not familiar with the strings you mention so I can't respond to your questions.



However, I've been using nylon fishing line for the D (20 lb), A (30 lb), and E (50 lb) strings and a (roughly) 0.6 mm wound-over-nylon-strand string (from a classical guitar set) for the G string. I use Shakespeare Omniflex Monofilament fishing line that I buy at Walmart. I bought some very stout 80 lb monofilament fluorocarbon line that I plan to try out as a G string, but haven't had the opportunity yet. I rough up the nyon line by pulling it several times through a folded-over sheet of 200 grit sandpaper. Doing this a) makes the sound significantly less "twangy", b) gives a much nicer feel for playing, c) scuffs the smooth surface & makes clear nylon monofilament look more like gut string & less like fishing line.



Good luck......... hope the fishing line approach works for you if you don't find another solution.

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Thanks for that Mark. Before i go fishing line i'd be keen to try the Aquila reds as they seem to have superior qualities to the whites. I think my banjo-mando needs them to get to the inbetween nylon and steel sound. But the standard mandolin come only in white and they're still on the site..

Mark Ralston - Posted - 12/21/2015:  05:22:03

Claire -  do I understand you to say that you are seeing Nylgut mandolin strings listed for sale ????  If so, where ???   Thanks,  Mark

ballynally - Posted - 12/21/2015:  05:49:15

quote:

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Originally posted by Mark Ralston

 

Claire -  do I understand you to say that you are seeing Nylgut mandolin strings listed for sale ????  If so, where ???   Thanks,  Mark

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Apologies, Mark. Through this link i thought i was unto something : aquilacorde.com/modern-instrum...?lang=en.

But then i checked the official site ( online sales) and the mandolin strings (M1) are nowhere to be found. Sorry to get your and mine hopes up..

Edited by - ballynally on 12/21/2015 05:52:03

Mark Ralston - Posted - 12/21/2015:  05:58:01

Tnx, Claire.   

Aquila lists their Soprano uke string sets as being capable of tuning to GDAE and having a wound 4th string.... two sets of Soprano uke strings might work on a banjo-mandolin for you .

ballynally - Posted - 12/21/2015:  06:02:05

It might not be worthwhile for Aquila to make a separate  Nylgut (red or other) mandolin set, especially the D string. Too bad because i really like it that they make an unwound G already. The baritone RED set is available DGBE with 2 wound red nylguts, but because they're wound one could use any nylon strings.

Now if only some company could make an unwound D. C b possible maybe to take a single baritone red E and tune it down to D..

ballynally - Posted - 12/21/2015:  06:03:06

Oh, my banjo-mandolin will go with 4 strings..

dhergert - Posted - 12/21/2015:  08:25:52

Seasons' Greetings!  

I was just looking at the Aquilla site too.  I agree about the soprano uke strings.  One other option is to peruse their "Lute and Baroque Guitar" strings section for a set that offers the most of what you need.  You'd probably be getting extra strings, but then the tone-vs-guage selection would be pretty complete.  From my experience with a soprano banjo uke, sometimes getting thicker strings improves the tone significantly.

I'm a fishing line lover too, but if you're wanting tone much closer to gut, I would easily agree that Aquilla is probably the best.

(Attached MP3 is with an ca. 1889 short scale SS Stewart American Princess sporting fishing line strings.)

-- Don

Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

dhergert - Posted - 12/21/2015:  09:32:04

P.S.  Mark, I'm still using and loving Yellowstone heads on most of my banjos.  They're working well.  Thanks for your work and help in going that direction!  -- Don

jerry54 - Posted - 12/23/2015:  17:38:03

you can try strings and beyond they sell single nylon strings and make your own set