B & D Silver Bell #1, 17 fret, 23” scale length (I think), CGDA tuning. I am using a set from Stringjoy .010, .016, .023, .030. The strings sound okay but they feel “floppy” without the tension I seem to remember from other banjos. Any recommendations for other string gauges or manufacturers’ sets? I bought this banjo last fall but don’t know which strings were on at that time.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Ken
Not sure what is typical for that banjo, but the general rule is that thicker strings need higher tension to produce the same note. Get a set with higher numbers.
Thank you kindly.
Medium gauge GHS is L11C-L14C-LB24C-LB30C for CGDA tuning. Those are pretty tight on my 23" Kay. Have you measured the scale on yours? D'Addario Mediums are 9, 16, 23w, 30w.
Generally a banjo with an eleven inch head and 19 frets will have a scale length of around 23”. A Bacon & Day Silver bell tenor with 17 frets is going to be considerably shorter. Measure from the nut to the 12th fret and double that measurement to get the scale length of your banjo and choose string gauges to suit. If you want phosphor bronze strings, they will add a little more tension than the same equivalent nickel wound
A 17 fret tenor banjo with strings of 10 16 23 30 will have a floppy sound. Those string gauges were meant for a 19 fret tenor banjo, 23" scale. All you can do is try gauges of 12,18,24, 32. Jim
17 fret is probably more like 21 inches, which means go heavier on string gauge.
Exactly what Mojesty just said. Except, maybe a little thicker on the G string...I use 40 or 42 on my 17 fret.
Thanks to all for your advice. Measuring to the 12th fret the scale length is 22 inches.
Ken
quote:
Originally posted by malarzThanks to all for your advice. Measuring to the 12th fret the scale length is 22 inches.
Ken
Measure from the bridge to the nut to get the actual scale length.
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