I play a Bishline Classic five string which has a good bluegrassy sound.
I had been using medium strings..ghs PF 180’s for. The most part.
11-13-16-24-10.
I thought I would try some lighter strings…ghs PF 150’s.
10-12-14–22-10.
I thought they were a little too bright and left me with more overtones.
I watched a YouTube video with Tony Trischka discussing string gauges.
He mentioned he uses 11-11-13-22-11.
Said Bill Keith and Sonny Osbourne also used these gauges.
I tried it this morning although I stuck with a 12 on the 2nd string.
I have been pleasantly surprised with the change.
Going from 10 to 11 on the 1st and 5th have allowed me get a great solid pinch and drive.
The 13 gauge on the third string has given me much more solid pull offs.
I think I have found nirvana.
Anyone else use these gauges and how did you like it?
Glen,
After experimenting with strings over time (some of which you listed) I settled on medium light GHS PF175 Sonny Osborne Signature Set 11-12-13-22-11. It’s a nice blend for my three conventional banjos, but my two Nechville banjos (one has a full tone ring and one has a hybrid ring) seem to like a 14 G string which evens out the sound intensity and volume between all of the strings. One of my conventional banjos is a Turtle Hill Woody with a Tony Pass block rim set up with a 91 drum dial head setting, and the PF175 strings really brought it to life all the way up the neck. It's hard to believe it's not a full ring banjo.
I like my banjos to have more of a growl than a tight tinny sound and the heavier strings do help with that.
Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 08/04/2024 15:26:06
I just ordered two set of the Sonny Osbournes.
I've gone full circle back to the Sonny sets. Love them.
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