Interesting experience this evening. I've been playing the same set of strings on my Calico for a couple of months now, gone through a few gigs and have one coming up this weekend so thought I'd change them. I've been using GHS PF160 meds. Just for a change of pace I thought I'd try a set I'd bought a while back to try, John Pearse John Hartford sigs, which are somewhat lighter guage, especially on the 3rd and 4th string and have a steel 4th instead of the bronze of the PF 160s.
Put them on and my Calico went from a rich full bodied tone to a much harsher twangy sound. After about 15 minutes they started to sound like traditional bluegrass sound I hear quite often but the Calico definitely sounded cheaper and less full bodied and the sound of the strings was very biting. Some might have called that a traditional sound but I didn't like it as much and they definitely didn't bring the Calico to her full potential? Anyway, my spouse used to dislike banjo but actually fell in love with the sound of the Calico over the last few years. But tonight with the Pearse strings she actually told me to stop playing, she couldn't stand the sound, that it wasn't the Calico she loved to hear. I put a set of GHS 160s back on and all is well.
8 Comments |
 | SirRight says:
12/6/2011 8:53:41 AM
Hi Rustystill,
I had a string conversation going here: banjohangout.org/group/deering...blog/2420 on this group and you are the second person recommending GHS strings. I just recently switched from Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature light strips (I broke the 5th string while playing around with the tailpiece), to D'Addario J69 light phosphur bronze and I too have lost some sound from my Calico.
What are the best strings for a Calico? I too do not care for the twang, and my wife and I also like the crisp, clear, bell like quality sound.
The Gibson strings or GHS or maybe someone has tried many types and can say for sure what is the best for this particular sound?
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 | RUSTYSTILL says:
12/6/2011 2:33:44 PM
Hi Sir,
I tried the Gibson ES Sigs on my Calico and they sounded similar to the Pearse I just tried, pretty thin and twangy and cheap sounding. There are lots of GHS types but I recommend trying the PF 160 mediums. I get mine from Elderlys and they are quite reasonably priced. Be interesting to see what you think of them.
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| SirRight says:
12/6/2011 3:46:05 PM
dthomas swears by the Martin pink box light gauge strings but I don't know what Deering banjo model he plays. Ever tried these?
As a beginner, should I move up to mediums? I have pretty good calluses from the amount of playing I do.
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| RUSTYSTILL says:
12/6/2011 5:28:02 PM
I think the GHS PF 160s are less than $3 a set (less than a good coffee drink) so if they don't feel good on your fingers, don't feel bad about changing them. I'd give them a good try though because at first they might be somewhat stiffer than you are used to. Some things might be a little tougher to do at first but other things might sound better. Experiment a bit and have fun. Jim
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| SirRight says:
12/6/2011 8:12:47 PM
I'm going to order a Moon bridge and strings but check out this site which demonstrates the tonal quality of the Light, Medium, and Heavy Moon bridges: zeppmusic.com/bridges.htm My wife and I personally like the Light the best and Maybe I could try out that sponge between the adjustment rods idea, in the other thread, to bring out the bass more.
I've also been trying to figure out what all the different "PF" numbers mean for the GHS strings...I'll keep looking and won't order until I find out.
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| SirRight says:
12/6/2011 8:27:27 PM
Here is a great answer on strings for Deering models (first two posts): folkofthewood.com/page1756.htm It seems that Deering uses GHS strings.
Here is a quote from Mickey of Folk of the Wood: "When playing Scruggs style and Bluegrass, a medium gauge will add more punch. When playing melodic (Bill Keith/Alan Munde styles) banjo, you'll find that the light gauge strings seem to add a more waterfall-like character to this approach.
I must admit, that I find myself switching back and forth between light and medium gauge strings. If I had to settle on one, I believe I'd use light gauge for their versatility and ease of playability. I also am looking for the light popping sound..."
GHS makes a PF185 which is listed as "Almost Medium", I wonder if these would be the best of both worlds?
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| RUSTYSTILL says:
12/6/2011 11:13:26 PM
If you are not satisfied with the timbre from the strings you are using, keep searching. And sometimes the concept of "best of both words" involves some compromise to both worlds depending on the level of detail one's ears demand. You might try a set of Thomastik (at $40 a pop) but most others are far cheaper. The way I look at it is, both the Blossom and Calico are expensive quality instruments so spending $40-50 on a dozen different types of strings to learn what they do for these banjos is cheap in comparison. Try a bunch and see what you like best on your Blossom for different styles. And have fun.
Jim
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| SirRight says:
12/6/2011 11:45:45 PM
Ordered 3 sets of the GHS PF145 Medium Lights, a 5/8" Light Moon Bridge and a Wall mount banjo holder from Janet Davis. Like you said, it's time to experiment. I'll update this the next time I change the bridge and strings.
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