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I bought a Banjo last fall and need new strings. Any advice?

May 20, 2025 - 6:29:32 PM
1 posts since 12/2/2024

I bought an Ibanez B50 5 String Banjo from Guitar Center last fall. I have really enjoyed picking it up and learning on it since. Lately the sound is off and I am wondering if the stock strings it came with are toast or just low quality. Any advice on a good set of strings for Scruggs style?

Also, is my banjo a decent starter banjo or on the cheaper side?

Thanks in advance!

May 20, 2025 - 8:11:17 PM

pinenut

USA

299 posts since 10/2/2007

Any brand is fine for steel strings.

During my first few years the 9-11-13-20-9 plain steel or nylon/nylgut were 'Goldilocks'. Light strings are easier to play.

I currently prefer 10-12-14-22-10 plain steel (ex: GHS PF150) or medium nylon/nylgut without picks; probably would stick to this size even if I started using picks more regularly. These are the heaviest that are easy to play and give good tone/range with my bare fingers.

phosphor bronze = warmer side
nickel wound = brighter side
I like them both depending on the banjo, my mood, the weather, etc.
https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/236748



If the sound is off; I would first check the neck to rim connection, head tension, tailpiece position and make sure that every thing that is supposed to be secure, is secure.

There is the strong possibility that the banjo is fine and your ear has grown and wants a different tone... Beware the BAS.

May 20, 2025 - 10:40 PM
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Dean T

USA

691 posts since 4/18/2024

Definitely a cheaper starter banjo, but fine for learning. It’s definitely time for new strings. GHS PF 150 is a good string choice. I personally like the PF155 strings, as they are a touch lighter.

Also, if you’ve never tightened the head, especially on a new banjo, it probably needs it, and also a top reason a banjo starts sounding off. Take the resonator off (4 screws) and then tighten each hook nut 1/4 turn. You can go more or less depending on how you like your banjo to sound.

May 21, 2025 - 6:10:28 AM

heavy5

USA

3395 posts since 11/3/2016

Guitar Center

May 21, 2025 - 6:13:19 AM
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92 posts since 6/18/2023

Besides banjo head tension, learn about bridge placement. Bridges are easily moved out of place and will make your banjo sound bad. It will also be hard to keep it in tune. Check intonation of the bridge every time you play your banjo.

May 21, 2025 - 6:29:20 AM
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RB3

USA

2368 posts since 4/12/2004

After you've done your investigation to understand why and how the bridge is supposed to be located on the head, use a pencil to draw two short lines on the head next to the outside edges of the outer bridge feet. Then, if you remove the bridge or inadvertently move it, you can easily return its to the proper location.

May 21, 2025 - 7:19:11 AM

1555 posts since 10/23/2003

Being played eventually wears out the srings. Worse, particularly if were not educated to wash your hands before you started playing, sweat, oil, and dirt from your hands can accumulate on the strings. All this is bad for your banjo and bad for your hands. I know because when I started learning the banjo, I worked in a facility that fixed buses and rebuilt engines and transmissions would race home and pick up my good time/  A friend who isl a banjoist came over and took one look at my Goodtime he knew I had had only a month or two and read me the riot act about washing my hands before I laid a finger on a banjo!

 The strings accumulate crud and oil even fromthe cleanest player.  Being played and played they eventually lose their elastiscity and do not sound as good. I know performers who change their strings every single week, but a normal player can get by changing them once a month or so.  

So part of learning to play the banjo is learning to change the strings. When you change your strings you should also CLEAN YOUR BANJO, ESPECIALLY THE FINGERBOARD. You have to know how to set the bridge to do this, but you should know how to set the bridge or reset or adjust it to play the banjo.

There is nothing that a banjoist can do that can make the banjo sound better as much and as easily as changing the strings. This is something that every banjoist can do and learn to do well. There are lots of good videos out there on how to change your strings. Most of these videos include instruction on setting and resetting the bridge.   There are other separate videos on how to do these things separately.   It is not rocket science, though I do know at least two rocket scientists who are great banjoists.

The thing about changing the strings is that you need to include setting the bridge with changing the strings since banjos have free standing bridges.

Most videos on changing the strings will inform you about setting or resetting the bridge which is something that you should know how to do if you own any kind of banjo.

LOL the one I have been using is the one on the Deering Website, been using it so long that the guy in the video was just a technician when I first downloaded it, but now he introduces himself as Deering Vice President for whatever!

If you have not changed your strings, then your banjo probably  needs some cleaning of the fingerboard and perhaps of the head. Deering and other banjo companies also have good videos on that. I like the Deering Video because they dont use an expensive banjo with special features, but a good time to show this, but there are lots of nice videos out there that you can look at and just follow the steps.

While it is good to learn to use videos, it is good to ask other banjoists, especially veterans you trust. If you know banjoists in your area, someone may be able to help you, although it really is not that difficult. However, looking back at when I started out, it continues to be shocking in a positive way how helpful other banjoists, people I did not know at all, were willing to help me learn some of these practical things about banjos. We are all looking to increase the ranks of the banjo army!

If there is either an old time music or bluegrass jam in your area go there and meet some of the banjo players.   One thing I continue to be shocked about is how generous banjo players both bluegrass and old time are in trying to help any person who wants to join the elite, the select, the wonderful tribe of banjoists.   As much as online assistance and web sites help,  finding other persons who you can sit with and talk to in your local area is something you should do.  You will be surprised with how generous other banjoists will be.

Edited by - writerrad on 05/21/2025 07:28:53

May 21, 2025 - 7:47:40 AM

1555 posts since 10/23/2003

I had been playing the guitar since I was 15 and was about 52 when I finally took up the banjo.   I had a pretty good relationship with the guitar luthier at a local professional music store near where I lived, and when it went out of business and I also moved, I started going to the guitar center since one of the luthiers I had at the other store got hired there.   He had done excellent work both on my acoustic Martin and on my Ibanez Jazz artist.  
When I got my first good time banjo,  I had the problem I have had with every banjo I have owned, and even the oldest banjo we know about in a museum in Amsterdam has, the fifth string peg came out.   I first when I took the banjo up to the Guitar Center and asked the luthier to fix it, thinking this was a terrible problem, not just something that a banjoist needs to put up with every now and then and can fix easily.   The luthier told me to take a little walk with him over where the banjos were to show me something.  His real purpose was to get away from other employees at the main counter.  He told me the guitar center like lots of music stores really was in the guitar business and as a rule even the better luthiers and technicians there knew squat about banjos. 
  He suggested a local music store whose owner and staff knew about banjos.  I later learned this store made a habit of hiring local bluegrass and old time players.   In the new store, the person at the counter who I later learned was  a well known local bluegrass banjoist, fixed it right in front of me showing me how to do it myself the next time because it always happens.
Most music stores are essentially guitar selling and servicing operations and focus on electric guitars at that.   Find out where local banjoists take their banjos, even if you do not have a fancy expensive banjo.  Quite often, especially in my early days on that Good Time, when I got around the pickers, someone would see something I needed to fix and adjust and would ask me to come over their place and fix it  themselves .
Get to know the local banjo players because we really want to help anyone who aspires to the greatness of being a banjoist.  Dont be shy to ask for help!   Dont feel shy.   Every great banjoist or local legend, or salty old veteran was once a young person who did not know squat about banjos, or worse was someone like me who had sent decades playing the guitar and getting filled with wrong ideas about banjos especially fixing and maintaining them as well as playing. 
 Find local banjo players and let them know you are aspiring to be one of the  few, the proud, the select, the banjo army.   Other local banjoists will help you even if you are a stupid and wrong as I was when I started playing banjo.

Edited by - writerrad on 05/21/2025 07:54:31

May 21, 2025 - 8:02:41 AM
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GS

UK

214 posts since 11/24/2023

quote:
Originally posted by Dean T

Definitely a cheaper starter banjo, but fine for learning. It’s definitely time for new strings. GHS PF 150 is a good string choice. I personally like the PF155 strings, as they are a touch lighter.

Also, if you’ve never tightened the head, especially on a new banjo, it probably needs it, and also a top reason a banjo starts sounding off. Take the resonator off (4 screws) and then tighten each hook nut 1/4 turn. You can go more or less depending on how you like your banjo to sound.


I'm pleased I read your post, Dean, regarding tightening the head. I've only been learning two years so a lot of stuff is new to me. My banjo is not cheap cheap (deering 5 string parlor) but the strings were sounding lifeless one day, not so bad the next day and I guess shortly they'll need to be changed. I've only done that once so I'm not looking forward to it, but needs must. Anyway, I tightened the head - it didn't need much - and, boy, the difference it made was great. I think lack of confidence on my part put me off doing it, but I'm glad I did. 

Edited by - GS on 05/21/2025 08:04:56

May 21, 2025 - 8:15:26 AM
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Players Union Member

Eric A

USA

1974 posts since 10/15/2019

quote:
Originally posted by pinenut

Any brand is fine for steel strings.

During my first few years the 9-11-13-20-9 plain steel or nylon/nylgut were 'Goldilocks'. Light strings are easier to play.

I currently prefer 10-12-14-22-10 plain steel (ex: GHS PF150) or medium nylon/nylgut without picks; probably would stick to this size even if I started using picks more regularly. These are the heaviest that are easy to play and give good tone/range with my bare fingers.

phosphor bronze = warmer side
nickel wound = brighter side
I like them both depending on the banjo, my mood, the weather, etc.
https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/236748



If the sound is off; I would first check the neck to rim connection, head tension, tailpiece position and make sure that every thing that is supposed to be secure, is secure.

There is the strong possibility that the banjo is fine and your ear has grown and wants a different tone... Beware the BAS.


This all sound advice. I went through that progression but then I ended up doing 10-12-15-22-10.  It's all about your fingers and your ear.   I can't just buy typical strings any more, I have to do custom sets, but it is what it is.  As you pick stronger, you need heavier strings.  It's a journey.

May 21, 2025 - 10:21:43 AM
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pinenut

USA

299 posts since 10/2/2007

quote:
Originally posted by itsnotyou

Besides banjo head tension, learn about bri dge placement. Bridges are easily moved out of place and will make your banjo sound bad. It will also be hard to keep it in tune. Check intonation of the bridge every time you play your banjo.


Definitely check the bridge.  

3rd string open and fretted at the 12th should note the same.  This is recursive; re-tune the open string as the bridge is moved until they match.

Edited by - pinenut on 05/21/2025 10:23:29

May 21, 2025 - 10:29:05 AM

Dean T

USA

691 posts since 4/18/2024

quote:
Originally posted by GS
quote:
Originally posted by Dean T

Definitely a cheaper starter banjo, but fine for learning. It’s definitely time for new strings. GHS PF 150 is a good string choice. I personally like the PF155 strings, as they are a touch lighter.

Also, if you’ve never tightened the head, especially on a new banjo, it probably needs it, and also a top reason a banjo starts sounding off. Take the resonator off (4 screws) and then tighten each hook nut 1/4 turn. You can go more or less depending on how you like your banjo to sound.


I'm pleased I read your post, Dean, regarding tightening the head. I've only been learning two years so a lot of stuff is new to me. My banjo is not cheap cheap (deering 5 string parlor) but the strings were sounding lifeless one day, not so bad the next day and I guess shortly they'll need to be changed. I've only done that once so I'm not looking forward to it, but needs must. Anyway, I tightened the head - it didn't need much - and, boy, the difference it made was great. I think lack of confidence on my part put me off doing it, but I'm glad I did. 


FANTASTIC!!! I think head tension is the most overlooked issue, with new banjos, and new banjo owners. I think every banjo, should come with a head tension tutorial. I've bought my share of used banjos, and the one noticeable thing in common, is how low the head tensions are on used banjos. I sometimes wonder if folks sell banjos because they start sounding awful... without ever knowing they could just tighten the head, and have a brand new banjo. 

May 21, 2025 - 10:31:57 AM

92 posts since 6/18/2023

quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
quote:
Originally posted by itsnotyou

Besides banjo head tension, learn about bri dge placement. Bridges are easily moved out of place and will make your banjo sound bad. It will also be hard to keep it in tune. Check intonation of the bridge every time you play your banjo.


Definitely check the bridge.  

3rd string open and fretted at the 12th should note the same.  This is recursive; re-tune the open string as the bridge is moved until they match.


Actually tune your banjo then set the intonation at the 1st and 4th strings chiming them at the 12th fret, then fretting them at the 12th fret. Each time you move the bridge, retune and start again. They should each have the same note chimed and fretted. The 2nd and 3rd may be slightly off. That is why they make compensated bridges.

Edited by - itsnotyou on 05/21/2025 10:35:09

May 21, 2025 - 11:33:26 AM
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92 posts since 6/18/2023

This is a very good video on banjo setup, by Greg Deering.

youtu.be/lTYqTRI1qzc?si=UKAkacITu7eH4Nbf

May 21, 2025 - 12:56:20 PM

pinenut

USA

299 posts since 10/2/2007

quote:
Originally posted by itsnotyou
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
quote:
Originally posted by itsnotyou

Besides banjo head tension, learn about bri dge placement. Bridges are easily moved out of place and will make your banjo sound bad. It will also be hard to keep it in tune. Check intonation of the bridge every time you play your banjo.


Definitely check the bridge.  

3rd string open and fretted at the 12th should note the same.  This is recursive; re-tune the open string as the bridge is moved until they match.


Actually tune your banjo then set the intonation at the 1st and 4th strings chiming them at the 12th fret, then fretting them at the 12th fret. Each time you move the bridge, retune and start again. They should each have the same note chimed and fretted. The 2nd and 3rd may be slightly off. That is why they make compensated bridges.


Yep.  I use compensated bridges. 

Checking multiple strings chimed and fretted is definitely the 'correct' method.  Chimes can be complex and my experience indicates that this genre of banjo tends to have some flex and 'tuning mobility'; just the 3rd string at the 12th fret and open will get it to 'pert near' and is an acceptable bridge location (k.i.s.s.).

Edited by - pinenut on 05/21/2025 13:28:35

May 21, 2025 - 1:48:59 PM

92 posts since 6/18/2023

quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
quote:
Originally posted by itsnotyou
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
quote:
Originally posted by itsnotyou

Besides banjo head tension, learn about bri dge placement. Bridges are easily moved out of place and will make your banjo sound bad. It will also be hard to keep it in tune. Check intonation of the bridge every time you play your banjo.


Definitely check the bridge.  

3rd string open and fretted at the 12th should note the same.  This is recursive; re-tune the open string as the bridge is moved until they match.


Actually tune your banjo then set the intonation at the 1st and 4th strings chiming them at the 12th fret, then fretting them at the 12th fret. Each time you move the bridge, retune and start again. They should each have the same note chimed and fretted. The 2nd and 3rd may be slightly off. That is why they make compensated bridges.


Yep.  I use compensated bridges. 

Checking multiple strings chimed and fretted is definitely the 'correct' method.  Chimes can be complex and my experience indicates that this genre of banjo tends to have some flex and 'tuning mobility'; just the 3rd string at the 12th fret and open will get it to 'pert near' and is an acceptable bridge location (k.i.s.s.).


The problem I see with using only the 3rd string to set intonation is, if the 1st string is flat or sharp the 4th string will be the opposite. So if the 1st string is sharp, 3rd string is correct the 4th string will be flat. Your banjo will not sound good and you will be training your ear to hear incorrect notes. Doing 1st and 4th strings is the only correct way. 

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