Nylgut or Steel strings for fretless?

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Fretless Banjo Players

Join This Group

A group for fretless players to exchange information and ideas.

310 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: Marc Nerenberg (owner)

< Back to Home

From laertes22 on 1/16/2015 7:34:16 AM

I am considering getting another fretless banjo. I have some experience gourd fretless and historical reproduction banjos ("minstrel", "early banjo") banjos that were fretless with nylgut strings, but tuned low.

I think I would like to get a modern fretless banjo, but am unsure about whether to get one strung with steel strings or nylgut. I want to play in modern tunings like G/A, Double C/D, Sawmill, etc. I also want to be able to play with other folks, so I need to be able to tune to play in A or D, without a capo. I have heard that metal strings can be harder to fret on a fretless, and I don't know that if metal strings are going to mar or wear away on the neckboard? My worry with nylguts are being about to tune them all the way up to modern tuning without breaking a strings. A lot of the forum posts lately seem to mention nylguts breaking a lot if you try to tune up to G or A.

Accoustically, I enjoy the sound of both metal and accoustic strings. They are different, but I like them both. If I had to pick one, I would give a slight edge to nylguts as far as liking the sound, but being able to play in higher tunings trumps that for me?

Suggestions?

5 Comments
mipake says: 1/16/2015 8:16:30 AM My fretless banjos are tuned to open D for minstrel, and open E for an early shorter scale banjo. The E uses three gut strings and two nylon. I also have a full scale 1890s banjo which I have tried to tune to A using the medium classic nylgut and also the light nylgut. With the medium the tension was too high for the violin tuners. with the lights the 5th string broke twice. If I were to buy a modern fretless I think I would not have a problem. Geared tuners would help and I would have a capo spike installed at the 7th fret for the 5th string. Also the more knowledgeable guys could recommend a set of custom strings.
	Marc Nerenberg says: 1/16/2015 9:57:09 AM In my experience, Nylguts work much better on a fretless than steel. I haven't had problems tuning them up to modern pitch (though I do prefer the sound of Nylguts tuned low, and generally use them there).
	Red Squirrel says: 1/16/2015 10:03:46 AM I have tried both types and I have found that classical nylon or nylgut string give a better tone and feel better on my Deering fretless then steel strings. The only time I ever had a string break was when Aquila Strings tried to experiment with something other then nylgut for the bass string. If the tuning machine holes are rounded off so as not to have sharp edges it should go up to "A" tuning just fine. When I constantly change tunings, nylon seems last a lot longer for me without breaking.
	jack_beuthin says: 1/28/2015 1:30:25 PM Something else to consider: Steel strings on a fretless generally require growing your fingernails longer because you need to fret with the nail instead of the end of your finger to get the right tone (especially true for the first string). If you are still playing a fretted banjo, maintaining optimal nail length becomes a real balancing act. If you go with nylon/nylgut, then the problem is solved (in fact, you DON'T want to use your nails with nylgut/nylon). There are trade-offs no matter what you do, so it comes down to the sound you really want to go with. It might take some experimentation before you finally decide. I went back and forth for a while between steel and nylgut and finally settled on nylgut...at least until I change my mind again.
	TKarrow says: 2/15/2015 9:47:39 PM When I built my fretless banjo, I made it an "a scale" because I have a bum shoulder and have trouble reaching that extra couple inches.. I put plain nylon strings on it at first and then switched to steel for awhile.. Then switched back to nylon.. I tried nylgut on something awhile back but I can't tell the difference in sound and plain nylon is SO much cheaper.. Also, nylgut seemed kinda "mushy" to me..
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

Tablature: Whiskey Before Breakfast / Clawhammer Linked by janep 2 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by maryzcox 3 years ago
Blog Entry: Holiday News 2021 Linked by maryzcox 5 years ago
	I want to buy some old style FIVE-STAR 5th string Planetary Tuners. Linked by John Bowlin 5 years ago
	High quality like New! Engraved nickel plated 11 inch Banjo Tension Hoop. Linked by John Bowlin 5 years ago
Classified: I want to buy a used BROOKS fretted banjo Spartan model with the clown shape peg head. Linked by John Bowlin 5 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by m06 5 years ago
	Gourd Banjo By Prat Instruments Linked by Davidprat 6 years ago
	Gourd Banjo Linked by Davidprat 6 years ago
MP3: Half Shaved Linked by m06 6 years ago