R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 08/13/2016:  12:22:59

They're out of stock at Elderly and no one else seems to carry them.

Does anyone have a source?  Is the supply drying up?

drfordo - Posted - 08/13/2016:  12:36:43

I inquired about these with Elderly about a month ago.  They have a note indicating that the Sands factory was relocating, but could say nothing more specifically.  Calling again might  get you an update on that situation.

RV6 - Posted - 08/13/2016:  14:00:23

From this thread: banjohangout.org/topic/320535/#4072818

*************

I contacted Elderly about Chris Sands strings availability and received this reply.  I had asked Elderly about the Essex strings:

"Hi Bob -

Sorry for the wait. Apparently the manufacturer Chris was using abruptly went out of business last winter and then there were some issues with the new maker. Our understanding is that prototypes are being checked out by Chris with product expected to ship maybe later this month. We will look into the Essex strings.

Regards, Ray"

*********************

R.D.  I gave up on the Sands for now as I didn't want to wait, who knows how long, for them to go through "Beta" testing so I decided to go to "plan B".  I was going to try the D'adarrio Classic Guitar strings but had  good luck with the Aquila "Super Nylguts" on a couple of banjos so put them on my Sagmoen.  banjohangout.org/topic/321570

Edited by - RV6 on 08/13/2016 14:10:45

R Buck - Posted - 08/13/2016:  15:08:56

That's bad news, they are my strings of choice on a couple banjos.  I sure hope they are still in business.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 08/13/2016:  15:34:28

Thanks everyone and especially RV6 for the information.
Sands were pretty much my choice for my fretted banjos
so I'm not too happy to hear of all this.

I've got a short-scale Brooks with a 12" rim and Dobson ring
that sounded really good with the Nylgut mediums. Experimenting,
I tried some of the light gauge NG strings. OK, but a it thin for this banjo.
The thing that surprised me a bit was the NG 4th rather than a wound string
in the set. It did feel a bit "fat", but sounded good and I got used to it pretty
quickly. It was a little difficult to install on my no-knot tailpiece...kind of stiff to bend
around the post. I discovered I had a small stock of Sands, so I put a set on. They sound
good as always, but I'm not so sure I didn't like the NG's better on this banjo, and I'm thinking
I may have actually liked the thick NG 4th better than the wound string. Hmm.

Do any of you know what the difference in gauge of the NG 4th in the light set as compared to the medium set is?

Again, thanks very much for the information and for taking the time to respond.

RV6 - Posted - 08/13/2016:  15:47:13

I don't know what diameter the 4th string is on the light "Super's" is but it's .039 on the mediums (5B's) compared to .028 on the wound Sand's "heavies". 

I had my Sagmoen set up with Sand's heavies and the Reiter A Flat with medium "Super's".  I generally keep the Reiter tuned to "A" and the Sagmoen to double "D".  It took a very slight bit of time to get used to the differences in feel as I switched back and forth but that's all behind me now

I think I'll stick with the "super's" on both banjos for awhile (unless another strong urge to "tinker" overcomes me.

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 09/26/2016:  12:24:46

Guages don't mean a lot when you're talking about strings that are made from different materials, due to the differing properties of the materials themselves. Sands are nylon. Nylguts are some other polymer.

One can also never accurately compare sizes between wound and plain strings.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/26/2016:  14:23:27

I make my own sets from high-tension guitar string singles of various brands.  So far that's worked for me.

bohemian - Posted - 09/27/2016:  07:19:35

R.D.

I have two sets of SANDS Nylon Banjo Strings.

One Heavy, one Medium.

You are welcome to them N/C.

I'm in So Oregon.. just need an address.

Edited by - bohemian on 09/27/2016 07:20:08

banjered - Posted - 09/28/2016:  05:58:45

Back in the 90s pre-NGs and Sands, Savarez Yellow Card High Tension Classical guitar strings were the way to go for synthetics. They last years. Just had to buy two sets to get the first and fifth strings. Still available? Banjered

bohemian - Posted - 09/28/2016:  08:16:49

Hi Tom,

I'll give RD first crack at the Sands.

Agreed on the Savarez... great strings.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 09/28/2016:  18:03:39

Bohemian:

That is remarkably generous.
For now, the banjo I was thinking of putting them
on is sporting a set of the new NylGuts quite happily.
I ordered a special bridge from David Cunnngham (DC BanjoWorks)
that makes all of the elements come together nicely.

That said, I defer to Tom.

A favor offered is the same as a favor received.
I owe you one.

Best Regards.
With Appreciation;
RD

banjered - Posted - 09/28/2016:  20:13:23

Nay, not me! When I said "still available?" I was referring to Savarez. I am fine with Nylguts, stocked up for Amerigeddon. Drop thumbs, not bombs! Banjered

bohemian - Posted - 09/29/2016:  13:58:38

OK..

I'll keep them and two sets of NYLGUT available...

That is unless,  and of course, you have both tempted me to go back to nylon..

I need to change the strings on my Bart Reiter Grand concert and have a top quality no knot, I believe from Rickard.. just waiting.

FYI.. Savarez Yellow card here:

juststrings.com/savarezclassic...llow.html

Single  strings here

lhttp://juststrings.com/rectifi...trings.htm

Edited by - bohemian on 09/29/2016 14:03:55

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 09/30/2016:  16:18:33

For whoever is interested:

I e-mailed Chris sands asking about projected availability of his strings and received the following:

>>>I am very sorry for the "blip" with the banjo strings..... I am working hard on this and expect to resume 
>>>supply soon.
>>>I'll keep you posted .

So the good news is that at some future, hopefully not too far off date, CS will be available again.
I was afraid that they might have been discontinued.