ClayTech - Posted - 12/21/2015:  11:30:58

I've had Nylgut Classic light strings on my banjo for the last two years, and I love them. My new banjo is a shorter scale, 25.5", and the strings are a bit loose on it. If I tune up a half step they feel and sound much better, but I'd like to be able to tun it in open G, not G#. Are medium strings higher tension- will they solve my problem?

Edited by - ClayTech on 12/21/2015 11:31:27

trapdoor2 - Posted - 12/21/2015:  12:42:04

quote:

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Originally posted by ClayTech

 

I've had Nylgut Classic light strings on my banjo for the last two years, and I love them. My new banjo is a shorter scale, 25.5", and the strings are a bit loose on it. If I tune up a half step they feel and sound much better, but I'd like to be able to tun it in open G, not G#. Are medium strings higher tension- will they solve my problem?

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 I would say that the medium strings would be indeed something to try. Also, you might try a harder string like the Chris Sands nylons (mediums or heavies). They're a different formulation and might give you the feel you're looking for. I really like the Chris Sands "heavies".

True gut is a little stiffer feeling for a given diameter. Quite a bit more expensive though!

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 12/21/2015:  13:31:59

If it's made from the same material and tuned to the same pitch a heavier gauge string will ALWAYS be at a higher tension. I'd definitely try the mediums.

mdthib - Posted - 12/21/2015:  15:27:59

You don't need medium strings, but you might love them. Experimenting with strings is a modest investment of time and effort. Even here in Japan, where I end up paying more for shipping, I'm glad I've tried several sets as it has helped me really get the most out of my instrument. You'll be glad you did it, go for it!

RV6 - Posted - 12/21/2015:  18:18:34

I've had "Super Nyguts"  (4th string is not wound) on my 26 3/16" Reiter Buckbee for a couple of months.  I tried the "Reds" a couple of years ago and the 1st and 5th broke after taking two weeks to tune them up to open G.  I tuned the "Super's" up over a two day period with no problems. I've had Chris Sands mediums on my Reiter A Flat (24 34" scale)  for over a year.

The Sands on the shorter scale Reiter work quite well and I'll probably stay with them on this banjo.  The "Supers" work pretty well on the R. Buckbee but are stiffer.  The "Supers" are also louder than the Sands (and they are cheaper). (Both banjos have Ren. heads tensioned the same).  The fatter 4th string too me some getting used to but I now switch back and forth between the two banjos with no problem.  I like the ivory color of the "Supers", too.

When I installed the "Supers", I pre-stretched the strings and, after threading strings 1 and 2 through the post holes, I clamped on a forceps, stretched the string as much as I dared and locked the strings in and wound them up.  Even with all of the stretching, I still ended up with lots of windings on 1 and 2.  I decided to try a walnut tailpiece I made so switched the strings to it and rewound them, using the same forceps procedure on strings one and two and the number of windings on the posts is now perfect.

One caveat.  If your banjo has short tuner posts, like Gotoh's on a 5/8" thick headstock, I don't think you'd care for the "Supers" much.  The Reiter's have 5/8" thick headstocks and use 5 Stars which have a larger string winding area (taller post) than, as an example, Gotoh's) .  If your banjo has "short posts", I'd stick with the Sands strings (and still use the forceps trick on strings 1 & 2).  The Sands mediums don't have a "stack up" problem like the "Supers".