Twangcat - Posted - 09/07/2016:  19:17:07

Greetings everyone.  This is my first post after a lot of looking around, and I hope I've posted this question to the correct forum.  I've read through numerous posts in the archives relating to string breakage problems with the Red Nylgut strings.  I understand the possible contribution of sharp contact points at the tuning pegs, bridge, and tailpiece; and also the sensitivity of this string material to crimping at the knots.  There are also numerous posts in the archives telling of breakage in the middle of the strings while tuning to pitch or even overnight without any contact.  One post mentioned something about a flawed production run and a particular lot associated with it.  Having learned all of that, I'd still really like to try them out on my Pisgah Woodchuck.  I've not seen any recent posts about this so I wonder whether the string breakage issue has been resolved (especially if indeed there was a flawed production run) or it still exists.  I'd be grateful for any new insights, tricks, an all clear, or other experiences from folks who use these strings and particularly have strung an instrument successfully using recently purchased strings.  Thanks in advance.

rudy - Posted - 09/07/2016:  19:57:03

Hi Cliff,

A big Hangout welcome aboard!

Here's one of the more recent topics regarding the formulation change for the Reds:

banjohangout.org/archive/308322

There are a few recent topics posted on Mimmo's permutations in formulation for the Red series.  The last version of the Reds seems to have cured the problems reported earlier, BUT Aquila is no longer marketing the all Reds with a plain 4th string.  I've been very happy with the all reds with plain 4th, but the closest red set now ships with a metal wound 4th string.  GRRR...

The "flawed" sets were corrected by a change in the formulation of the actual material, with the newer formulation being almost a brown clolor as opposed to the much brighter red color of the older sets.

I LOVE the Reds, but a very close second is the "New Nylgut" formulation.  Here is the medium tension New Nylgut set:

elderly.com/accessories/string...o-set.htm

So, What you have to decide is if you don't mind a wound 4th, or if you want a solid 4th string.  I like the solid 4th, but many feel that the wound version has a better bass response for the string tension necessary to tune at proper pitch.  They are cheap enough that you might need to experiment a bit to see which you prefer.

The main drawback to synthetics (if you're unfamiliar with using them) is they require a bit of settling time and tweaking when changing tuning.  If you're playing in a performance situation this can be problematic.  If you're hanging in a tuning for a longer length of time it's not so much a problem, but if you shift tunings several times during a set then it can be a bit of a problem playing in tune with others.

If you're used to wires it's not a problem to grab another tuning, but with synthetics it's a bit more work.  Since you are most likely playing clawhammer then this would apply in your case.

It's a good excuse to have multiple banjos, though.  Steel strings make performance easier, but synthetics just sooth the troubled soul...

Edited by - rudy on 09/07/2016 20:06:29