Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/07/2024:  00:53:05

I’m asking this of old-time and folk-style players, not Classic style banjoists (nor, obiously, bluegrassers). I’m looking for no answer beyond steel, or nylon/gut. As an example, I play steel strings for the most part, though I have banjos strung with both nylon and gut. So my answer would be “steel.” Thanks in advance to those who choose to participate.

srrobertsiii - Posted - 09/07/2024:  04:02:30

My banjos are strung with steel strings, mostly (tho I also have banjos strung with nylon strings).

reubenstump - Posted - 09/07/2024:  04:20:17

Steel. Two finger.

Edwards - Posted - 09/07/2024:  04:51:34

Hey, good morning Bill,

Agreements from down the road, congratulations congratulations on your resignation. I am using 12 inch pot scale steel phosphorus bronze or nickel. Gauges are ; 10, 12, 23, 16, and 10. Style is two finger and Seeger. Although I do have a 11 inch long neck which tune in Open A or C. Have a nice day, Bill and enjoy your retirement from moderation.

JSB88 - Posted - 09/07/2024:  05:34:34

As reubenstump above, steel, 2 finger.

janolov - Posted - 09/07/2024:  06:20:34

I prefer steel for CH and 2 finger (and OT 3-finger). No picks!

Emiel - Posted - 09/07/2024:  06:23:18

My banjos all have steel strings (except the Clifford Essex CE Special which has nylon strings).

KCJones - Posted - 09/07/2024:  06:29:46

Steel strings on everything except an old 1890s SS Stewart and an 1890s Wullitzer which both use nylon.

I had run nylons on a Bart Reiter WL#2 for a while but it sounds better with steel so that's what it has now.

anonymonachos - Posted - 09/07/2024:  06:37:52

two contemporary are strung with steel, as is a 60s longneck. three antiques are strung with nylon. I am going to try a wound 4th on at least one of them. and the antiques are tuned down, to open e or thereabouts.

Mike Thompson - Posted - 09/07/2024:  07:15:58

Two banjos with steel, one with nylon. I play 2F.

raybob - Posted - 09/07/2024:  07:43:24

Steel on a Bart Reiter A scale and nylon on an old Lyon and Healey. I play clawhammer and a little 2 finger.

GrahamHawker - Posted - 09/07/2024:  08:22:14

My banjos have medium steel strings - mainly d'Addario 10-23 or similar Eagle Music in house brand and used to use Andybanjo in house banjo. Except for my Clifford Essex CE Special XX which has Clifford Essex nylon sytings as does my vinatge Windsor made Barnes and Mullins.

Bruce Berry Banjos - Posted - 09/07/2024:  09:30:19

Sorry Bill,
None of us can follow directions, or answer a simple question.
Including me.
So, I have to say that my preference oscillates between steel and nylgut.
my answer is: YES

rcc56 - Posted - 09/07/2024:  09:59:13

Steel. Nickel wound 4th.

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 09/07/2024:  10:14:58

Elixir.

mr.banjo - Posted - 09/07/2024:  10:36:21

John Pearse for me

Comtngal - Posted - 09/07/2024:  10:51:29

Steel on all mine. I prefer OME lights or mediums.

gentrixuk - Posted - 09/07/2024:  11:31:06

Steel on the modern ones, and the vintage one that's strong enough to take it (phospor bronze wound 4th). For the two more delicate vintage banjos: one has nylon (regular nylon rather than nylgut); one with fluorocarbon (as an experiment)

A Drum On A Stick - Posted - 09/07/2024:  11:38:46

"nylon" (long answer: 5 nylon / 2 steel)

Willbe - Posted - 09/07/2024:  11:47:36

Steel

johnstephen - Posted - 09/07/2024:  11:55:58

I have always used steel strings, but just yesterday I put nylon strings on one of my tenor banjos to give it a try. I don't know if my response helps your survey or not, but thought I would respond.

jduke - Posted - 09/07/2024:  15:36:25

Nylon - on my main number one player, and a steel or nylon on the others.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 09/07/2024:  15:57:55

Steel, CH
Nylgut on my Ashborn, stroke style.

I've been using the D'Addario J55 set (medium, phosphor bronze) for 40yrs. On my short scale I use a custom 9.5 set from American-made Banjo Co. I use their standard Jazz set on my 19-fret tenor, a modified Irish Tenor set on the 17-fret tenor.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 09/07/2024:  16:31:23

I’m up with Bill above.

Depending upon the style, or the banjo, different strings.

Predominately for clawhammer and Uncle Dave Style. Steel.

Depending upon the banjo, open backs, light gauge. Gibson banjos, Medium.

I have a few early banjos I keep organic gut strings on….when I can find them anymore.

Lwadams4 - Posted - 09/08/2024:  02:15:58

Steel

TreyDBanjoKS - Posted - 09/09/2024:  07:58:48

Short answer: Steel

Long answer: On my old time banjos (Bart Reiter Round Peak half-fretless and 21' Whyte Laydie) I use steel, medium gauge. On my Bell Boucher copy I use real gut strings tuned down around E or D. I play a mix of old time styles on these banjos including primarily Clawhammer with some 3-finger and 2-finger. 



I know you didn't ask, but for Bluegrass on my archtop I use light gauge steel.



-TD

Edited by - TreyDBanjoKS on 09/09/2024 08:06:15

rcc56 - Posted - 09/09/2024:  14:00:19

How about another thread on strings we mostly do not use?  

AndrewD - Posted - 09/10/2024:  02:14:14

Modern (post c. 1920) banjos I use steel (the Stacey, the Slingerlands, the Goodtime..). I've got other older banjos from the gut days that I string with nylguts. But I don't take those out to sessions or gigs. I've also got a couple of zither banjos currently unstrung. I'd probably be lazy and use light steel on them.

tonygo - Posted - 09/10/2024:  07:43:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by rcc56

How about another thread on strings we mostly do not use?  

---

I tried the Julia Belle low strings on my Recording King R80 (3rd string tuned to E) and the 4th string was always off from the second fret on. My guitar friend said it was called Sitaring.  I went back to regular steel strings and the problem went away. I have a second set of Julia Belle strings sitting in a drawer....

Barnacle Joe - Posted - 09/10/2024:  08:45:05

I have steel strings on fretted instruments, nylon/Nylgut on the fretless ones. I end up playing the steel a lot more not because of the strings but because the frets are easier to play while mentally on auto-pilot.

Dan Gellert - Posted - 09/10/2024:  10:38:08

Steel at modern pitch (thumb string @ G or A). Gut/synthetic at lower pitch. That's assuming the banjo has the sort of tuners and sturdy enough general construction that there is a real choice.

MatthewH - Posted - 09/10/2024:  11:17:03

Steel.

Patrick Dengate - Posted - 09/12/2024:  07:08:47

Steel.

Eric A - Posted - 09/19/2024:  17:40:04

Steel. Sorry I'm late.

RDP - Posted - 09/19/2024:  19:26:57

Steel .09 gauge, it don’t matter to me the name brand. Clawhammer. I also have a gourd banjo that’s strung with nylons though.