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Are the first and fifth Minstrel Aquila strings the same, interchangeable?

Apr 29, 2026 - 6:31:50 AM
5303 posts since 10/13/2005

The first string wears out fastest being the thinnest. I just replaced a first string with a fifth string, so far so good, but I am wondering if they are the same, the same diameter etc. Anyone know? banjered

Apr 29, 2026 - 7:24:21 AM

Owen

Canada

19385 posts since 6/5/2011
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Apr 29, 2026 - 12:11:45 PM

6474 posts since 3/11/2006

banjered

Just curious. What do you mean by "wears out"?

Apr 29, 2026 - 1:07 PM

9682 posts since 9/21/2007

I will speak to my own experience. To me, these polyester strings "wear out" two ways. They develop flat spots (or dents) at the point of contact of frets and/or they become false (stretching unevenly where they no longer intonate correctly).

Obviously this fret caused wear does not happen with smooth arm banjos, nor is the falseness as evident.

Apr 29, 2026 - 1:35:16 PM

5303 posts since 10/13/2005

"Wear out." Yep as Joel says. Intonation was OK on the other strings but the first string got sharper up the fret board where the string meets the fret wire, particularly the first five frets.. When the string is removed, you can feel the indentation in the string between your finger and thumb nail. banjered

Apr 29, 2026 - 1:38:52 PM

5303 posts since 10/13/2005

Thanks Owen. It looks like ist and fifth are the same string, .0275. The fifth string was the same long length as the first so it looks like a go. banjered

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