TW18 - Posted - 06/29/2019:  05:52:23

I switched to nylgut strings for fretless clawhammer. I was worried about a loss of volume, so I took many players' advice and made a two footed bridge out of basswood I got at Hobby Lobby. The banjo is actually louder now than it was with steel.

I also found that tuning the nylgut half a step over standard pitch shortened their stretching time to just a couple of hours.

Just wanted to share the experience in case anyone is thinking about synthetic strings.

john bange - Posted - 06/29/2019:  06:38:26

total agreement...ebony topped bridges lower volume on a nylon string banjo. I use Stringbean45's 2 footed bridges on all my banjos...no ebony tops.

the idea that nylon looses volume probably comes from strings driving wood guitar tops...doesn't take much to drive a banjo head.
don't over stretch the nylgut too much. nylon Harp string sets can be made up from different gauges. they are very loud as well. Harp strings last for years too. I don't use a wound 4th.

rudy - Posted - 06/29/2019:  06:56:45

quote:

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Originally posted by TW18

I switched to nylgut strings for fretless clawhammer. I was worried about a loss of volume, so I took many players' advice and made a two footed bridge out of basswood I got at Hobby Lobby. The banjo is actually louder now than it was with steel.



I also found that tuning the nylgut half a step over standard pitch shortened their stretching time to just a couple of hours.



Just wanted to share the experience in case anyone is thinking about synthetic strings.

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Most folks are surprised by how loud synthetic strings can be when used with a low mass bridge.  I have a couple of friends that both play vintage banjos fitted with nyluts and light bridges.  No problem hearing them in a jam!

banjered - Posted - 06/29/2019:  07:50:21

And just to show variableness, I use a heavy Sampson compensated bridge on my 12" Enoch Tradesman banjo lowered from open "G" to "D." It lessens the volume and evens out the tone to better match my not-too-strong voice. banjered

TimMcElhannon - Posted - 06/29/2019:  09:10:12

I'd appreciate any recommendation for nylgut strings (brand and gauge) and two-footed bridges without ebony. I've been playing a Mike Dawson fretless for a number of years with a mix of nylon strings for banjo and guitar and I don't even remember the gauges. I like to tune a half step below standard to get the best tone out of the instrument but I'm starting to play more with other musicians and I feel like I need more volume.

Edited by - TimMcElhannon on 06/29/2019 09:10:36

rudy - Posted - 06/29/2019:  09:17:14

quote:

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Originally posted by TimMcElhannon

I'd appreciate any recommendation for nylgut strings (brand and gauge) and two-footed bridges without ebony. I've been playing a Mike Dawson fretless for a number of years with a mix of nylon strings for banjo and guitar and I don't even remember the gauges. I like to tune a half step below standard to get the best tone out of the instrument but I'm starting to play more with other musicians and I feel like I need more volume.

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"Nylgut" is the trade name for the synthetic strings marketed by Aquila.  They are widely available from many retailers (the usual suspects.)

If you're more or less using standard tuning or a bit lower than Nylgut classics are the correct "guage".

For an excellent two footed bridge I'd recommend our own Joel Hook's offerings:

banjothimble.com/shop/historic...dges.html