I know that it is common to use sets of Nylgut strings for our banjos.
However, I would be curious to hear about your experiences with classical guitar string sets. I believe many people recommend the Savarez Yellow set, although as a guitarist, I find the wound strings to be absolutely dreadful. There are, however, many other classical guitar string sets with a much better reputation, such as the Savarez Alliance Cantiga set or Knobloch Erithacus (carbon or nylon).
Personally, I use the La Bella 413P Professional Studio Set on my guitar, which I find excellent, and it makes me want to try them on my banjo as well.
What experiments have you tried, and how successful were they?
I like the Classic Banjo sets from Clifford Essex Music in the UK. They're graduated from Extra light to Heavy (I tend to like the Mediums). They also sell individual 4ths (Silver Wound) that are of various gauges.
LaBella have also been good, I just buy singles in the diameters I prefer (but I still buy the 4ths from Clifford Essex Music). If you are into historical string gauges, I think LaBella makes the preferred sizes (which are very light).
I’ve always used high-tension nylon classical guitar strings on my couple of nylon-strung banjos. Made up my own sets of singles, with a wound 4th. I don’t remember the gauges, but they seem to work well, as to both tone and feel. Definitely a trial-and-error project, though I had little trouble. I have made up my own steel-string sets for years, so it was only natural to go that route for nylons.
A banjo works best with much lower string tension than you'd use on a guitar. I find classical guitar 1st-4th, plus another 1st for the thumb string, are best tuned down to D, a fourth below standard ("Briggs" tuning)-- that's on a standard (~25-27") scale banjo. For "classic" fingerstyle banjo (at modern pitch), you want a much lighter-gauged set.
How does a set of Savarez yellow or red compare to a set of medium steel in terms of total tension, all else being equal?
quote:
Originally posted by banjoboydHow does a set of Savarez yellow or red compare to a set of medium steel in terms of total tension, all else being equal?
Here's a good tool for determining the tensile force.
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