I have used Minstrel Nylguts for years, I really like them. When you say double C tuning do mean ending up with dDADE or cCGCD? For your shorter scale and lowering that 4th string I'd try a classical "D" guitar string high tension or maybe even a low tension "A" string depending upon what works and sounds good. banjered

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Originally posted by banjered

I have used Minstrel Nylguts for years, I really like them. When you say double C tuning do mean ending up with dDADE or cCGCD? For your shorter scale and lowering that 4th string I'd try a classical "D" guitar string high tension or maybe even a low tension "A" string depending upon what works and sounds good. banjered

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Hi @Banjered!   What tuning do you like to use with the Minstral strings?  I wondered about those.

I usually tune to dCGCD since I sing alot in C.  Thank you for the suggestion on the string!  I have a set of Nylon La Belle "folk strings" for guitar that I can pillage from, or some silk and steel strings might be interesting?  I will experiment and record. :)

I have med red Aquilas as well on an A scale banjo, and they tune pretty nicely to standard open G.  It would be nice to have a wound 4th on it, though its not quite as floppy in double C as the short scale is.

What tuning do you like to use with the Minstral strings?

I have floated between D (dADF#A) and E (EBEG#B), and currently I am at between those two at D# to accommodate my limited vocal range which is from the open 4th string to the fifth fret first string. Essentially G lowered down. For the 4th string I am using D'Addario classical guitar J4504 normal tension (.74mm). I have a short scale Saga "Pony" banjo tuned to open C(cGCEG). banjered

The La Belle guitar string (the D string) seems pretty good on my banjo! Definitely better tension than the Aquila 4th string had, and it sounds good.

Hopefully it will hold up well.  Thanks again, @banjered!

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Originally posted by Sopris

Hi,

I would like to try a wound fourth string on my Nylagut banjos. What gauge of wound string would I use with medium Aquilas? Would it be something like a 22 gauge GHS?

I have a Nashville Banjo Co. with a 24 1/2 inch scale. When I tune to double C tuning the Nylagut fourth string feels pretty loose and sloppy.

Thanks!
Michelle

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For reference, the medium tension all-Nylgut 5B and light-tension 6B sets originally came with a wound fourth (I believe a .025" silver wound over nylon) until some complained to the maker about the fourth string tarnishing or wearing out quickly ("just change the string," I thought at the time, and still do), and later some sets were offered with the then-new Red series fourth string (designated as 1B and 2B). Later, the Nylgut fourth was then put in place of the wound fourth for the 5B and 6B sets. I wish they would return to the wound fourths as the Minstrel set still has. 

The LaBella no. 17 sets have a wound fourth, same size of .025" and make. The Nylgut fourth is ok for some of my builds, but on a couple vintage instruments I prefer the wound fourth, particularly if tuning down.

It sounds like the D string from a classical guitar set as banjered suggested did the trick, so happy picking!

Clifford Essex ‘Weaver’ wound 4th. Available as 26 or 28 gauge. Pricey but lovely tone and feel. Lifts the bass without it ever sounding out-of-place with light gauge strings.

I’ll typically slip one of these into my gut or rectified nylon set-up.

As you're in the U.S. the postage makes it an unlikely single purchase. But if you're adding it to a bigger order it's well worth it.

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Originally posted by EEB

Clifford Essex ‘Weaver’ wound 4th. Available as 26 or 28 gauge. Pricey but lovely tone and feel. Lifts the bass without it ever sounding out-of-place with light gauge strings.

I’ll typically slip one of these into my gut or rectified nylon set-up.

As you're in the U.S. the postage makes it an unlikely single purchase. But if you're adding it to a bigger order it's well worth it.

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Hey thanks!  They do have some interesting bridges for Nylon.  Might be worth putting an order together. :). Thanks for the suggestion.

I use D'Addario "Pro-Arte" nylon core, J4604 .030" (.762mm)  hard tension silverpated wound for my 4th.  I like to tune half a tone flat, but standard works.  Banjo is 24" scale.

For my Bowlin Fretless, 24" scale, D (dADF#A) and E (EBEG#B)  I use Savarez NFC 232 copper wound nylon.