deman - Posted - 11/20/2020:  06:14:14

I’m looking for an open back banjo for nylon strings that won’t break the bank.

I like the Sound Clifton Hicks gets

I currently play clawhammer, but am thinking bout trialing 2 finger pickin also

I did try nylon strings on my OME wizard and it was ok , but just ok- didn’t have t(e sound I was looking for

Thanks for advice

Edited by - deman on 11/20/2020 06:16:51

tron.miller - Posted - 11/20/2020:  06:50:28

IMHO clawhammer tone is greater than 50% in the hand, not the banjo.

Additionally I’ve found that trying to replicate another player’s tone is a losing strategy.

That said, one can find Lyon and Healy banjos on eBay that need a little work for $100 or so. Bakelite Harmony banjos are plentiful, cheap and sound great with nylon strings.

Phil

davidppp - Posted - 11/20/2020:  07:26:15

1. In practical terms, nylon strings don't break. Some people have trouble with Aquila nylgut, which is sensitive to tiny nicks and scratches --- and Aquila Reds, which break when they're too tight.

2. For the other 50%, look into set-up issues, e.g., choice of bridge.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 11/20/2020:  08:09:05

Keep in mind when looking at modern banjos (post WW2 built) that the necks will be set for steel wire strings. This is even true for banjos being built new but clamed to be for nylon strings.

By this I mean that the neck is set with a back angle. This will force you to use a bridge of 3/4" to 1" tall to prevent buzzing.

Nylon strings need more room to vibrate than wire.

As stated, "Nylgut" (polyester) strings are very delicate and often false (uneven in thickness). True nylon are abrasive resistant and extremely tough. Fishing line is good for catching fish and for that it should be used.

4 to 1 gear pegs work okay with nylon. The old "pancake" 2-1 work better. Friction pegs are the best (either well fitted violin style or patent).

Small frets tend to work better for nylon as well.

You can have a banjo custom built but the builder might need some direction and guidance in the areas of neck setting and fret choice.

Classic era banjos were made for gut or silk. Unfortunately the trend is to update them for "modem playing" which will be a recipe for buzzing. For many classic era banjos, the addition of geared pegs will make them neck heavy and unbalanced. If you go this route try to find one that has not had the heel messed with or tuners changed by the previous owner.

The other problem with classic era banjos is that they tend to sound bright, clear, and sharp. While that sound is "historical" and represents the period they were built in, it is not what is considered "old time" as viewed through the glasses of nostalgia.

That said, any banjo could be strung with nylon. But one must increase the bridge height to make it work.

The modern bridge (large, three legs, ebony cap) was designed to resist wire string wear and strain. Using a proper "historical" bridge will increase the volume and tone so much it is almost unbelievable.

mike gregory - Posted - 11/20/2020:  08:16:49

My guess is that a lot of the sound depends on the picker.

Here's Johnny Butten, whose skills got him into the Guinness Book, playing a Squared Eel banjo.

Handmade in the U.S.A, and priced so as not to break the bank.

($75 + shipping.)

banjered - Posted - 11/20/2020:  09:41:26

There is as many opinions on this topic as there are banjo noses, and then some. I think it is true that banjos these days are built mostly for steel strings and therefore overbuilt for what you perhaps want from a nylon strung banjo. A cheap Goodtime or old metal-covered pot banjo from the 1800s may be more than enough for what you seek. While geared tuners make the neck a tad more neck heavy I think their convenience outweighs that consideration. I've had a dozen nylon strung banjos to mess with over my time. Despite some hassles with Aquilla Nylguts I use them mostly but for even longer wear you could use classical guitar strings. What you want out of any banjo is not just a "note" emanating from the banjo but a musical, pleasing tone/sound and that has a lot to do with set up as well as playing technique. More $ doesn't necessarily = a better banjo for what you seek. banjered

mike gregory - Posted - 11/20/2020:  19:22:31

I have never heard the term "banjo noses" before, but I'm going to guess those are the ones which were

"Born to be picked"!

Americanraga - Posted - 11/21/2020:  04:13:02

Don’t know what breaks the bank for you, but take a look at Stone Banjo Company. I bought one of his 19th century tribute banjos and it’s beautiful. I paid $800, and there’s one on his website now that is like it, but he’s asking $990 now. He strings them with red. Nylgut when he ships them. Alternatively there a two on Elderly’s website that are civil war era replicas, each for $250. They were used to film a period movie, and the movie company sold them to Elderly.

cevant - Posted - 11/21/2020:  07:22:39

carverbanjos.com/product/ameri...anjo-kit/

I have many nice banjos, but seems that I like playing the Carver as much as anything.

KCJones - Posted - 11/21/2020:  10:12:50

Clif sells banjos. You could email him and see what he has.

Aside from the top models and collectors items, it seems to me that most modern replicas are more expensive than the real thing. If you want something that sounds like an old banjo, buy an old banjo.

Aside from that, I'd look for these features: thin rim with no tone ring, flat neck, plain maple bridge from Joel Hooks. Possibly a hide head and violin tuners, if you can tolerate them.

Bill H - Posted - 11/21/2020:  13:19:34

The three banjos I have strung with nylgut are all 19th century banjos with metal clad pots. The latest one is this 11 1/2" pot, 25 1/2" scale Bay State 331 from Elderly for $350. I love these old banjos with thin wood rims wrapped with German silver (or whatever it is) They sound great with nylgut strings.

Bay State 331