Yet another nylgut question

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Polymer Strings

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Advice and links for using Nylgut and other plastic/ polymer strings of all brands, including fishing line.

108 Members, Created 12/11/2011 -

Administrators: Bufo Bill (owner)

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From Lester M on 2/4/2014 2:16:51 PM

Hello! I am new to this group. This is probably gonna be a bit long.........I am a beginner clawhammer player of 18 months. Three months past I purchased a new banjo :), so I decided to try and improve the sound of my original starter instrument. A Gold tone CR100. (resonator removed). I installed a John Balch hide head ( Beautiful!!), a Bart Veerman bridge, a Rickard "no knot" tailpiece and finished off with a set of nylgut classic strings.

I get the stretching issue, and after a couple of weeks staying in tune has not been a real problem. What I don't get is the overall "sloppyness" of the string, and I am getting some movement of the bridge...(I have read that tightening the head might help with this??).....Overall, It just seems that the strings are too loose. The scale length of the instrument is 26 -1/4". The 1st. and 2nd. strings are the ones that especially don't feel right to me. When I tune to Double C things seem to "feel" better. Am I maybe using the incorrect string for this scale length?? I have ordered a set of the" All Red" nylguts. Don't know if anything is different with them other than the unwound 4th.

Apologies for the long "maiden" post.

Lester.

9 Comments
	Strumelia says: 2/4/2014 2:28:03 PM Nylon/nylgut strings are a bit 'bouncier' than steel strings. That takes some getting used to. But your bridge should not be moving around by itself! Is the head tight? there should not be a 'sinking bowl' effect. Trying tuning to double D instead of double C- does it feel better then? If the problem persists you could try the slightly heavier Nylgut "minstrel set"- that would tighten the string tension up some more. But maybe just play some more in double D and tighten the head up a bit.
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 2/4/2014 2:35:35 PM Welcome Lester and who cares how long your "maiden post" is! It is always good to welcome new people on the BHO. There are many much more qualified than I am to answer your question. All I can say is that nylgut strings do feel more floppy, especially after using metal strings, and I felt the same way as you do. However I soon got used to nylgut and they feel "right" to me these days. I have read comments on the red strings and my memory of those comments is that they are firmer, more like metal. I have not tried the red ones yet. I hope that you soon receive some more knowledgeable comments.
	john bange says: 2/4/2014 2:55:20 PM I use a Kirschner t/p to add downforce. this helps with the bridge movement.
	Strumelia says: 2/4/2014 3:04:06 PM John, are you using the Kirsch with Nylgut strings? I have found Nylgut to be very sensitive to metal edges with hard edges or sharp bends.
	john bange says: 2/5/2014 6:09:36 AM I use fishing line on my long neck Vega. I wanted a heavier string and could not find any sets that were long enough. I tie a loop knot and slip it around the little pegs on the t/p. I have never had a problem. I use a nylon 4th string from the Aquilla all-nylgut set also. I have not changed strings in over a year.
	Lester M says: 2/5/2014 7:13:50 PM Thanks!! for the replies everyone. I will wait for the All red nylguts, install them, tighten the head and see what gives. It is probably as you have mentioned, just the basic difference between steel and nylon that will take a bit of time to get used too. I will let y'all know how I get along with them. Meanwhile...Back to, The blackest crow...on steel :)
	Lester M says: 2/11/2014 2:13:04 PM Well, the votes are in and yes...I'm an idiot!! Guess who was tuned an Octave too low?No wonder they felt sloppy uh? Ok now, nice feel, great tone and even the bridge stays in place...whod'a thunk it? I put on a new set with the red 4th. I will save the All reds...Maybe for the Maple ridge.
	Strumelia says: 2/11/2014 3:11:59 PM Too funny! Glad you got it sorted out Lester. No wonder your bridge was moving around- I'm surprised it didn't just fall on the floor! ;D
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 2/11/2014 6:40:10 PM Fancy someone making a mistake! Who has ever heard of such a thing? What does it feel like? Good on ya Lester.
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