Bill H - Posted - 08/08/2023:  02:57:04

Quite a few months ago Mr. Hooks posted about some nylon strings that he is offering that he recommends for period banjos. I am never sure of which strings to buy and have tried all sorts on my two 19th century banjos--some have been real duds. I have tried light gauge metal strings on my Fairbanks Electric and hated the result, so I have settled on nygut as the best option. Always looking to improve the playability and the sound, I order two sets of Aquila 1892 sized nylgut strings from Mr. Hooks sometime last winter but hesitated to install them since my Electric was sounding pretty good with its current strings. So, I tossed the new strings in a drawer for a later time.

This past weekend I decided it was time to give my 1924 Senator bit of love as it approaches it 100-year anniversary and install a new set of strings. As I gathered supplies for the task, I saw the Aquila Nygut strings in my drawer and decided to give them a try. Wow. I was blown away. These are the best sounding strings I've ever heard. They are bright and have wonderful volume with a sweet distinct tone that is perfect for cutting through the fiddle clatter at any jam. The Vega Senator is all original, set up with a Renaissance head and replacement small shaft geared tuners. The original Vega friction tuners were causing some small cracks in the headstock, so I swapped them out. It plays like a dream with the new Aquila strings.

I can't wait to restring my 1898 Electric and 1895 Bay State 301 with new nylguts. I promptly ordered 4 new sets this morning. Mr. Hooks offers 2 types of Classic Era strings on his website, Aquila Nylgut Historic 1893 sized strings and Labella True17. Anyone who is considering trying nylgut strings should give these a try.

davidppp - Posted - 08/08/2023:  08:30:41

I bought a few sets of the Historic 1892 Aquilas -- in spite of concern that they might feel floppy. I did not feel the decrease in tension but was delighted that they sounded clearer and sweeter than standard Aquilas. I now have them on two Stewarts and a Luscomb. Thinking outside the box, I put a set on a stock Goodtime. No adjustment to nut or bridge slots was necessary. To my age-addled ears, the sound was rather like my Stewart 20th Century (currently with a heavy mylar head for practical reasons) -- only better.

dbrooks - Posted - 08/08/2023:  10:08:26

Thanks for sharing this information. I have been pretty happy with Nylgut Classic strings on my vintage banjos. I will need to give Joel's strings a try.

David

A Drum On A Stick - Posted - 08/08/2023:  10:33:05

Regarding the tension, has anyone tried downtuning them? I'm curious if they'd be suitable at all for that, as I like to keep a banjo in E or F as it matches my voice better.

banjered - Posted - 08/08/2023:  11:36:50

For downtuning to match the pitch of my voice I use Aquilla Minstrel Nylgut strings. E tuning would be eBEG#E. Look up "sing with the banjo" in the "Q" to the left of this page. banjered

Bill H - Posted - 08/09/2023:  03:03:10

quote:

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Originally posted by davidppp

I bought a few sets of the Historic 1892 Aquilas -- in spite of concern that they might feel floppy. I did not feel the decrease in tension but was delighted that they sounded clearer and sweeter than standard Aquilas. I now have them on two Stewarts and a Luscomb. Thinking outside the box, I put a set on a stock Goodtime. No adjustment to nut or bridge slots was necessary. To my age-addled ears, the sound was rather like my Stewart 20th Century (currently with a heavy mylar head for practical reasons) -- only better.

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The tension is perfect. Definitely not floppy as some other nylon strings I have tried, and I am blown away by the tone and volume.