mkwbanjo - Posted - 05/04/2026:  19:34:37

I am curious if I can buy a pack of 5-string banjo strings where the 5th string matches the 2nd string instead of the 1st? I use a Medium gauge, 10-12-16-23-10. I'd rather it be 10-12-16-23-12.

Will Frady - Posted - 05/04/2026:  19:43:20

Try Mapes , May be Mapes piano string , but they sell individual banjo strings also. Best of luck

slou92 - Posted - 05/05/2026:  03:40:26

GHS also sells individual strings and the price is ok if you get past the free shipping threshold. I don’t remember what that is but it’s not bad.

The Old Timer - Posted - 05/05/2026:  09:07:49

Try American Made Banjo cryogenic strings, in custom gauge of your own choosing. I get my banjo strings from Tom Mirasola there (Florida) 6 sets at a time. Prices are very reasonable and service is quick.

mikehalloran - Posted - 05/05/2026:  10:53:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Old Timer

Try American Made Banjo cryogenic strings, in custom gauge of your own choosing. I get my banjo strings from Tom Mirasola there (Florida) 6 sets at a time. Prices are very reasonable and service is quick.

---

I agree with Dick. If you know what you want, get sets—normally less expensive than buying singles.

Besides AMB, D'Addario, La Bella and  StringJoy dealers can put together custom sets with no upcharge or minimum. AMB may be faster.

Old Hickory - Posted - 05/05/2026:  11:18:24

Mapesstrings.com, the piano wire maker that also sells guitar and banjo strings in stock and custom sets, has its non-piano business on a temporary pause. The website says they'll be back. But this has been months now.

I was finally going to use their build-your-own option to order sets of 10-11-13-22-10 a number of months ago. They were already on pause, so I ordered several sets of GHS PF-190 from Strings and Beyond.

They also sell singles. So you could buy singles in 12 to use as your fifth string and save the extra 10s as spares. I believe this would cost less than ordering a whole set from singles and less than AMB's custom-assembled sets of cryogenics.

Banjo strings at Strings & Beyond.