John Yerxa - Posted - 11/12/2021:  16:45:14

Hangers

Not sure whether this should go here or in setup/repair - Mod please move if appropriate. I've browsed archived topics and not seen this discussed

I'm now using Nylgut on all my banjos, love the sound. Since I changed out the Planetary 5th tuner on my main one, have had no trouble with breakage, but would expect that if I do it will be 5ths and 1rsts. As far as I know singles are not available from Aquila (anybody know different?), so I anticipate ending up with a whole lot of 2nds-4ths.

Anybody else have this issue, or know of a solution? Has anyone tried to lobby Aquila for one?

Meles_Meles - Posted - 11/12/2021:  20:31:51

Since I prefer lower-octave 4th stings on my nylgut ukuleles (added melodic range), I've found that I can get them from JustStrings-dot-com.

banjukebox - Posted - 11/12/2021:  20:32:39

Ideal set for me would be new nygut whites for 1 and 5 and reds for the rest. Not available as far as I know.

CW Spook - Posted - 11/13/2021:  08:55:12

quote:

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Originally posted by banjukebox

Ideal set for me would be new nygut whites for 1 and 5 and reds for the rest. Not available as far as I know.

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No, but that's exactly what I have on mine at the moment.  I'd broken both the 1st and 5th reds, and had an extra white set on hand so I just replaced 1&5.  It does make a nice combination.

Ken LeVan - Posted - 11/14/2021:  13:55:16

My experience is that nylgut strings break— A major PIA for builders. Maybe something to get used to for players. I'm coming from the builder side.

I prefer LaBella period instrument (read lute) strings with rectified nylon, available as singles in infinite gauges, for 1, 2, 3, & 5 and silver plated copper wound for the 4th— These don't break.

FWIW, here's a sound comparison on a banjo.

LaBella nylon vs Nylgut

 

hbick2 - Posted - 11/14/2021:  14:52:02

I took Ken's and Joel's and other's advice and tried some rectified nylon strings. They are wonderful. I'll never buy anything else. I tried both the D'Addarios and the LaBellas and preferred the LaBellas. I bought mine from Strings by Mail, but you can buy them directly from LaBella. According to their website, if you break a string, they will work with you on it.

John Yerxa - Posted - 11/14/2021:  23:40:44

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken LeVan

My experience is that nylgut strings break— A major PIA for builders. Maybe something to get used to for players. I'm coming from the builder side.

I prefer LaBella period instrument (read lute) strings with rectified nylon, available as singles in infinite gauges, for 1, 2, 3, & 5 and silver plated copper wound for the 4th— These don't break.

FWIW, here's a sound comparison on a banjo.

Interesting Ken. On your sound file the Nylguts actually sound a little "brighter" to my ear - whether that's good or not. You also say they're Nylgut Reds, which I've heard from others do have breakage issues. My Classic mediums on my bigger Stewart have been played a lot, tuned right up to A and haven't broken any.

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Ken LeVan - Posted - 11/15/2021:  14:07:38

quote:

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Originally posted by John Yerxa

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken LeVan

My experience is that nylgut strings break— A major PIA for builders. Maybe something to get used to for players. I'm coming from the builder side.

I prefer LaBella period instrument (read lute) strings with rectified nylon, available as singles in infinite gauges, for 1, 2, 3, & 5 and silver plated copper wound for the 4th— These don't break.

FWIW, here's a sound comparison on a banjo.

Interesting Ken. On your sound file the Nylguts actually sound a little "brighter" to my ear - whether that's good or not. You also say they're Nylgut Reds, which I've heard from others do have breakage issues. My Classic mediums on my bigger Stewart have been played a lot, tuned right up to A and haven't broken any.

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I am by no means an authority on nylon / nylgut strings— I don't like either one for banjos— I'm a steel string guy (and don't like skin heads, either, to reveal my banjo prejudices).  I don't like strings that break and cause me anxiety as a builder, trying to create a plinky sound I don't particularly like, so my feelings about this should be summarily disregarded.

hbick2 - Posted - 11/16/2021:  05:09:13

I am fortunate to have been doing this long enough to own a number of banjos, all of them original 5-strings except for one. I have every combination of head and strings imaginable. The two banjos I play most with my band have plastic heads and steel strings. I need to be able to depend on them in any type of weather.

I do, however, have a number of banjos with calfskin heads and nylon strings. And I love them. A number of years ago, I had carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand and it hurt to play steel strings. For several years I played nothing but a calfskin head banjo with nylon strings. Banjos with calfskin heads and nylon strings have a wonderful, warm sound that you can't get with a plastic head and steel strings. I often take them to jam sessions and they hold their own quite well. In fact, I took one to Clifftop one year and no one noticed I wasn't playing steel strings.

As to nylon strings breaking, I only have had that problem with the NylGut light gauge strings. I stopped using them for that very reason and went to a slightly heavier set. I have had virtually no problem with them breaking since. Now that I'm using the rectified nylon strings, I don't anticipate any problems with them.

I have one old banjo that I've had NylGut strings on for years. It was OK, but nothing spectacular. I just changed to the rectified nylon strings and the difference was amazing. They really brought that banjo back to life. I can't stop playing it.

For those wanting the sound of gut/nylon strings, I recommend they try using the rectified nylon ones. The good news is that they are all available as single strings, which allows you to easily replace broken strings and also allows you to play experiment with different gauges.

dbrooks - Posted - 11/16/2021:  05:32:40

Good advice, Harry. Thanks for the detailed description.

David

Libearch - Posted - 11/16/2021:  07:06:45

Nylgut whites. Perfect

John Yerxa - Posted - 11/16/2021:  13:48:04

quote:

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Originally posted by hbick2

I am fortunate to have been doing this long enough to own a number of banjos, all of them original 5-strings except for one. I have every combination of head and strings imaginable. The two banjos I play most with my band have plastic heads and steel strings. I need to be able to depend on them in any type of weather.



I do, however, have a number of banjos with calfskin heads and nylon strings. And I love them. A number of years ago, I had carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand and it hurt to play steel strings. For several years I played nothing but a calfskin head banjo with nylon strings. Banjos with calfskin heads and nylon strings have a wonderful, warm sound that you can't get with a plastic head and steel strings. I often take them to jam sessions and they hold their own quite well. In fact, I took one to Clifftop one year and no one noticed I wasn't playing steel strings.



As to nylon strings breaking, I only have had that problem with the NylGut light gauge strings. I stopped using them for that very reason and went to a slightly heavier set. I have had virtually no problem with them breaking since. Now that I'm using the rectified nylon strings, I don't anticipate any problems with them.



I have one old banjo that I've had NylGut strings on for years. It was OK, but nothing spectacular. I just changed to the rectified nylon strings and the difference was amazing. They really brought that banjo back to life. I can't stop playing it.



For those wanting the sound of gut/nylon strings, I recommend they try using the rectified nylon ones. The good news is that they are all available as single strings, which allows you to easily replace broken strings and also allows you to play experiment with different gauges.

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Yes, good details. I'l try some of the rectified at some point. Aquila doesn't list the string guages on the packets, anyone know what they are? (Classic New Nylgut Mediums)