Banjercat - Posted - 06/22/2022:  17:20:30

I have been fortunate enough to snag a new, all Walnut Enoch Tradesman 12" from Elderly Instruments, should arrive soon.
My thinking right now is to string it up with Aquila Reds. After initial playing with its stock strings of course.. Hopefully I'll not have to modify the nut or bridge just yet.
Looking for feedback on this set up or alternative recommendations for nylon strings? Set up , that sort of thing?
I'm blessed that I have another banjo I can leave strung with steel. It has a really narrow nut and 26.5 scale. Did not work well with the Reds. The Tradesman is 25.5 scale should be good??
Thanks!

rubicon - Posted - 06/22/2022:  17:44:44

The scale has no bearing on whether the reds will work or not ,not being sure of what you mean by didn't work ? with the 26 inch scale if you didn't like the tone a head swap , tailpiece ,and bridge can make all the difference as well as head tension on the head you have on it .

banjered - Posted - 06/22/2022:  17:49:33

The bottom line is you can't predict if you'll like any of the changes above that you do to your banjo until you actually try them out. Most banjo players become perpetual tinkerers even if they did not start out that way. So, TINKER AWAY.... banjered

lapsteel - Posted - 06/22/2022:  17:50:03

AQ-1B sound better than the reds.

davidppp - Posted - 06/22/2022:  17:53:51

One of several frustrating things with Aquila is that their packaging does not always distinguish substantially different strings. Reds, i.e., with copper powder for weight, went into their third formulation about three years ago. I had the fun of being a tester and rather liked them. They're thin. So, you may well be OK on nut slots. They're a "sugar" derivative polymer -- something they started using earlier with ukulele strings. As best I recall, they broke on 27" scale, standard pitches. Mimmo Peruffo, the boss there, prototyped with 26 1/4", I think. I found that to be boarderline in terms of breakage. I think you'll be fine with 25 1/2". Funny how a half inch or half step make the difference. The point is that banjo, unlike the other instruments they make strings for, is always perilously near disaster -- and they're famous for that.

LaBella 17's are indestructible (clear nylon) and preferred by many. (In modern times the "17" refers to strings that are actually 19's.)

For any change of wire to synthetic strings, it's worth considering a lighter bridge. Make one [it's easy!], buy one, or sand one down. You get more pop, i.e., initial volume and less sustain than with the wire-string bridge. You can go as low as half the weight. Of course, you might prefer the enhanced mellow of keeping the original bridge...

Banjercat - Posted - 06/23/2022:  07:31:05

quote:

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Originally posted by davidppp

One of several frustrating things with Aquila is that their packaging does not always distinguish substantially different strings. Reds, i.e., with copper powder for weight, went into their third formulation about three years ago. I had the fun of being a tester and rather liked them. They're thin. So, you may well be OK on nut slots. They're a "sugar" derivative polymer -- something they started using earlier with ukulele strings. As best I recall, they broke on 27" scale, standard pitches. Mimmo Peruffo, the boss there, prototyped with 26 1/4", I think. I found that to be boarderline in terms of breakage. I think you'll be fine with 25 1/2". Funny how a half inch or half step make the difference. The point is that banjo, unlike the other instruments they make strings for, is always perilously near disaster -- and they're famous for that.



LaBella 17's are indestructible (clear nylon) and preferred by many. (In modern times the "17" refers to strings that are actually 19's.)



For any change of wire to synthetic strings, it's worth considering a lighter bridge. Make one [it's easy!], buy one, or sand one down. You get more pop, i.e., initial volume and less sustain than with the wire-string bridge. You can go as low as half the weight. Of course, you might prefer the enhanced mellow of keeping the original bridge...

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The Labela strings sound interesting as well, I'd probably have to modify a nut and bridge,  I see that nut files are really expensive,  a concern also is if I decided to go back to steel strings.  How hard is it to set up for nylon? Is there a cost effective source for the needed nut files??? I'm pretty handy with tools, im a mechanic after all and have done woodworking too.

rubicon - Posted - 06/23/2022:  08:09:22

I had a tradesman there was no need to file the nut I have used nylon strings on several banjos and have never modified the nut or bridge . I would get the banjo and try the strings before investing in a "expensive " tool you may not need ,you will also find as you get more play time on a banjo your taste in sound will change , that is what makes the instrument fun . My advice is change one thing sat a time that way you will know what makes the banjo sound the way you want or not . For example you may not like the sound of the tradesman with the stock renn head and bridge put the nylons on and that bridge may sound great , or adjust he head tension tighter or loosen it and that may make a huge difference to your ear . Try a skin head with that stock bridge and the nylons ,try a different tailpiece other than the stock no knot ,that can make a huge difference the possibilities are endless ... all part of the fun of ownership

spoonfed - Posted - 06/23/2022:  08:13:25

I bought an old Vega Whyte Laydie a few years ago and it arrived with steel strings that the previous owner had always used for many years, I switched to Labella 17s and needed no modifications at all, they are quite thin ! I changed to a two legged all Maple light weight bridge (home made) but that was just my preference.

davidppp - Posted - 06/23/2022:  08:36:30

Nut files are for people who need to do many. A set of "welding nozzle tip cleaners" likely costs less than $4. For nuts and bridges, they're slow, but they work. Calipers help to know what you're doing. What about fine sandpaper with a sharp fold used as the "file"? Work slowly; when it's too big, back off a few strokes ;) . Aquila Reds and LaBella 17's are thin. Don't file unless you're sure there's a "need."

Nick Spoonfed, a musician & not a mechanic, was able to make his own, appropriate bridge for synthetic strings.

Banjercat - Posted - 06/23/2022:  10:21:15

quote:

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Originally posted by rubicon

The scale has no bearing on whether the reds will work or not ,not being sure of what you mean by didn't work ? with the 26 inch scale if you didn't like the tone a head swap , tailpiece ,and bridge can make all the difference as well as head tension on the head you have on it .

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Banjercat - Posted - 06/23/2022:  10:25:11

I was vague on that. Sorry. The nut width on that banjo is 1.16" and the nut slots are quite shallow my second string would pop out anytime I did a pull off. I intend to leave that banjo strung with steel. I've got the tone where I really like it anyway.