How to Put Nylon Strings on Your Banjo
Added 2020-08-10 01:44:32 +0000 UTCHere's the easiest way to install nylon or gut strings on your banjo. I demonstrate using Aquila Nylgut "Classic Banjo" strings and an original 1888 Luscomb banjo; however, the process is basically the same on any banjo whether you're using gut, nylgut, nylon, fluorocarbon, or fishing line.
If you have a modern instrument like the Deering "Goodtime," a Pisgah banjo, Recording King, or Gold Tone, I recommend using La Bella No. 17 nylon strings instead. These are lighter and more likely to fit your banjo without having to alter the nut.
The best bridges available for gut and nylon strings are made by Joel Hooks: https://www.banjothimble.com/
Comments
Hi, The frets material is probably not it either, my guess was that on a cheap banjo the frets are not made of new silver and react with the silver of the string. Remains my hand sweat :( LaBella strings on Harley Benton BJ-55Pro banjo, converted to open back with Fiberskyn head, Sounds wonderful but rusts. On Pilgrim Shady Grove 3 also rust already after 2-3 hours and this banjo does not sound nice with nylon. Now remain on the Pilgrim steel strings. on Harley Benton I have made friends with Aquila Classic 5B Nylgut Strings I like them a little better than the 1B. Greetings from the banjo desert Markus Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Markus
2022-06-07 14:50:20 +0000 UTCcorrected: the Baltic Sea has little salt
Markus
2022-05-16 09:42:11 +0000 UTCThat could be, of course, but the Baltic Sea has not fallen salt, and steel sides last normally long, I change them rather because they begin to egging. But it could also be the special silvering in conjunction with salt. I also seem to be the only one with this problem, I'm still thinking about finger sweat. I have the opportunity next month to pull it on another banjo to rule out the fret material. Also, maybe the frets are too rough and rub off the silver plating too quickly? I will research further and report back when I do. Currently I have Aguila Nylgut strings on, they also educate my fingers to always hit the strings in the middle :) Greetings Markus Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Markus
2022-05-16 09:36:23 +0000 UTCVielleicht liegt es an Ihrer Nähe zum Salzwasser? Meine aufgewickelten Saiten von La Bella halten mindestens ein bis zwei Monate. ------------------------------------- Might be your proximity to the salt water? My wound strings from La Bella last at least a month or two.
Clifton Hicks
2022-05-15 02:29:17 +0000 UTChello, I use the La Bella No. 17 nylon strings unfortunately the fourth side rusts already after one day, after 2-3 weeks it is then rusted through. Does anyone know the problem? Could it be due to the fret material, it rusts right there? Is there anything I can do? Sorry I do not speak English, hope you understand me. Thanks for sharing this wonderful music!!! Greetings from the banjo desert Baltic Sea Germany Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Markus
2022-05-14 11:15:22 +0000 UTCSwitching to nylons on a banjo doesn't usually require any adjustment beyond a new bridge and, sometimes, a new nut. If you use La Bella No. 17 nylon strings on your Goodtime, I'm told they fit without altering the nut. You'll just need a new bridge from Joel Hooks: https://www.banjothimble.com/
Clifton Hicks
2021-01-31 03:51:20 +0000 UTCSorry if this is a daft question, but if you are going from metal to nylon strings (on a deering goodtime) do you have to make any adjustments to the banjo (Like when you change to a different gauge on the guitar, I believe it’s common to have to adjust the truss rod etc. due to the change in tension ). Thanks for all your help
Duncan Smith
2021-01-31 00:05:28 +0000 UTCI actually completed this task on my SAVANA albeit it took over 3 hours but i did it on my own :0) Thank you for making this look easy and thank the stars for the pause button...
Jayne Brookes
2021-01-25 16:50:19 +0000 UTCI hadn't thought about that. You can try La Bella No. 17 nylon strings, which are thinner. You might also pull the spike up a little bit. Failing that, it's not difficult to replace the spike with a traditional pip (thumb string nut) and slot it to fit whatever string you use. The pip will make the fifth string sound a little better, too.
Clifton Hicks
2020-08-16 16:33:04 +0000 UTCthanks clifton ! one more quick question about the 5th string... if i switch to nylgut how does the 5th string fit under the little rail road spike right near the 5th fret... the deering goodtimes use a rr spike to hold the 5th string down...i dont think the thicker nylon string will fit under there...
Neil W Burke
2020-08-16 15:37:13 +0000 UTCNeil, a wound 4th string sounds superior to a solid 4th, they just wear out a little quicker. As for your tailpiece, it's probably OK for nylon, but I'm not sure. To make sure, just take a small file (or a narrow drill bit wrapped with fine sandpaper) and smooth the insides of each string hole along with any other contact point. That will keep your string from sheering.
Clifton Hicks
2020-08-14 16:22:58 +0000 UTCgood video clifton!! hey just two questions ...i see in an earlier comment you said to get a wound fourth string but i noticed on the banjo you were doing you had all plain nylon strings.... whats your opinion on that ? and the second question is do you think i would have to change the tail piece on my deering goodtime? i was looking at it and it looks like it would probably cut the strings..its the stock tailpiece that came on it.........thanks for all that you do !!!
Neil W Burke
2020-08-13 19:14:45 +0000 UTCDaniel, a good set of nylon strings (much like a good set of gut strings) will last a very long time. Aquila "red series" nylguts have done a lot to damage the reputation of nylon strings, because they are so brittle. As long as they don't get cut by a sharp nut or tailpiece, or something like that, they will last a good long while.
Clifton Hicks
2020-08-11 23:43:02 +0000 UTCMany thanks will try that match trick! ... that's a revelation! Do you find you hardly need to change nylons? Metal strings can go pretty dull, but I find nylons seem to last forever sound wise.
Daniel Pearce
2020-08-11 22:51:12 +0000 UTCYes, La Bella sells singles. I think all of their nylon strings are "rectified," meaning (I think) that the strings have been tested for uniformity. Aquila strings are not "rectified," and so you have minor variations in diameter running the length of the string.
Clifton Hicks
2020-08-10 19:01:46 +0000 UTCFrom the La Bella website it looks as if you can buy singles at possibly thinner gauges. Now, what exactly is a "rectified nylon" string? I assume I could just look at the gauges on the regular package and just go a bit smaller for each string? "Rectified" for the everything but the fifth which would be wound? Or, would would strings of the proper gauge work best for all? I'd like to give this a try on my Goldtone 12" (new bridge of course).
Gerald Hall
2020-08-10 18:03:12 +0000 UTC
