championofnorthhuron - Posted - 05/13/2017:  08:54:58

Just looking for opinions here... I have the original set of Nylgut Minstrel strings on my Noel Booth Fretless, and they are getting close to being 2 1/2 years old now. I'm always messing with different tunings, and also stretching and relaxing the strings to what are probably the limits for Nylgut Minstrels (for instance using the relative tone intervals of standard G tuning, I sometimes change from as low as C and as high as E. And I've had the first string as high as a C note). And this is with a bridge in a position on the head that yields a longish 27" scale. 

So my question is, what do folks here think the limit is on string life for Nylgut Minstrels? My set has the wound 4th, and it looks pretty grimy. But to me the strings still sound good and hold pitch great, so my feeling has been... why change them? But perhaps because the deterioration of tone is so gradual, I don't notice the change.

I know that changing them is no big deal, so I'm apt to get the advice to just change them and see. And I know I could. But that's not the point of my post here. I'm really more interested in opinions, experience, and dialog of how string age, one to several years of playing, and continual tuning changes affect Nylguts or just nylon strings in general.

rudy - Posted - 05/13/2017:  09:01:40

Hi Brandon.

I tend to leave Nylguts in a specific tuning, but I've found they last practically forever without any problems or tonal change.  Most people find that the wrap on a wound forth wears through if you're playing over frets.

My advice would be to keep a spare set on hand and the strings will let you know when it's time to change them.  

trapdoor2 - Posted - 05/13/2017:  10:15:32

On my fretless...forever. I think the current set on the Ashborn is only 3 yrs old. I don't play as much as before...might last me another 3 or 4 yrs at this rate.

On my fretted banjos, I typically change them out annually or whenever the 4th starts looking skanky...whichever comes first. At one point, the 4ths were wound with very soft silver, so I bought a number of them and simply replaced the 4ths. I replaced the whole set when I noticed that there were fret 'divots' in the 3rd string...which was about 3 yrs old.

banjered - Posted - 05/13/2017:  13:42:33

Years. As long as they sound good and play good. Ditto above about the wound fourth wearing out faster and replacing more often. On Minstrels I'll use a D'Addario classical guitar 4th or 5th string for the banjo 4th.  What is the current status of Aquila's Minstrel 4th?  banjered

Bufo Bill - Posted - 05/13/2017:  15:01:47

My reds have been on two years. Not specifically what you asked but worth a mention IMO. 

All the best from Bill. :D