Greetings! First time poster here…
I won a gold tone plucky and I think I want to put nylgut strings on it. I assume I’d have to modify the bridge and perhaps the nut to accommodate the larger strings. However, I’m not sure what gauge I should us and I’m hoping you all would provide some insight.
Thanks!
I have one of these "plucky" banjos. It was a gift from my folks for use when traveling and that is what I use it for. It is okay... but I think they are way over priced (even back when I got mine).
I only play with nylon strings (or recently polyester "nylgut" since I started importing them in the correct sizes) on all my banjso. On my "plucky" I use my standard set of nylon (which is thinner than anything you can buy in sets from most sellers) .017, .019, .023, .024 silver plated copper wound over nylon floss, .017. I use nylon from Labella. The current set of "No 17" on the market are thicker than this.
I would presume that the hugely thick polyester "nylgut" sets sold from the usually sources would be so thick that it would make playing cramped on the fingerboard. I would also expect buzzing.
I'll be taking mine on a business trip next month. I usually carry it in a uke bag which goes under the seat in the plane, but I think I am going to try and put it in a backpack this time (still shoving under the seat) with a sock over the peghead that sticks out the top. The original bag fell to pieces shortly after I got it.
Since I use it in hotel rooms it is always muted, but I seem to remember it sounding kind of toyish or like a cheap uke in tone.
I would not ever use it to play for others, it is purely a tool to try and keep my practice up when I can't access a full size banjo.
That said, I've played it enough that I have worn the finish off of the back of the neck.
I don't know about the Plucky itself, as I've never seen one, but I've put Nylgut Minstrel strings on 19-3/4" scale length banjos to tune them to G or A for those who want to do that, and regular weight nylguts for the usual pitch range. If you need to widen the slots I recommend a triangular file from the hardware store. They are under $10 and will last for many banjos, and can be used to make V shaped slots that will work with steel strings or nylon strings. Maybe the banjo you have already has V shaped slots, in which case you could skip that step.
quote:
Originally posted by Joel HooksI have one of these "plucky" banjos. It was a gift from my folks for use when traveling and that is what I use it for. It is okay... but I think they are way over priced (even back when I got mine).
I only play with nylon strings (or recently polyester "nylgut" since I started importing them in the correct sizes) on all my banjso. On my "plucky" I use my standard set of nylon (which is thinner than anything you can buy in sets from most sellers) .017, .019, .023, .024 silver plated copper wound over nylon floss, .017. I use nylon from Labella. The current set of "No 17" on the market are thicker than this.
I would presume that the hugely thick polyester "nylgut" sets sold from the usually sources would be so thick that it would make playing cramped on the fingerboard. I would also expect buzzing.
I'll be taking mine on a business trip next month. I usually carry it in a uke bag which goes under the seat in the plane, but I think I am going to try and put it in a backpack this time (still shoving under the seat) with a sock over the peghead that sticks out the top. The original bag fell to pieces shortly after I got it.
Since I use it in hotel rooms it is always muted, but I seem to remember it sounding kind of toyish or like a cheap uke in tone.
I would not ever use it to play for others, it is purely a tool to try and keep my practice up when I can't access a full size banjo.
That said, I've played it enough that I have worn the finish off of the back of the neck.
Thanks for the response! I intend on using it exactly as you've described - just to keep in practice on trips. I'll see what I can find in the thickness range you've recommended. Thanks again!
quote:
Originally posted by Zachary HoytI don't know about the Plucky itself, as I've never seen one, but I've put Nylgut Minstrel strings on 19-3/4" scale length banjos to tune them to G or A for those who want to do that, and regular weight nylguts for the usual pitch range. If you need to widen the slots I recommend a triangular file from the hardware store. They are under $10 and will last for many banjos, and can be used to make V shaped slots that will work with steel strings or nylon strings. Maybe the banjo you have already has V shaped slots, in which case you could skip that step.
Thanks for the recommendations! This forum is great.
