Hi
I am new banjo player and just bought my first banjo, a GoldTone IT250R shortscale tuned to GDAE, which I really like. However, I am totally confused about strings! I am currently using the set supplied with the banjo from Andy Perkins in sizes 13,22,32,44 (a MEDIUM set)... .but Eagles Music have a HEAVY gauge set at 13,20,30,40 therefore lighter than Andy's medium gauge!
I have read a lot of comments on here about not putting too heavy a gauge string set on, even new banjos and I am now confused as to what a HEAVY set is, let alone a TOO HEAVY set. In particular what is the heaviest G string I could/should use. Basically what is a good string set up for this banjo. HELP!!
Also, what are your views on nickel v phos bronze. I have heard exactly opposite comments from different people that one is warmer sounding than the other. But which? Help again!
Hi,
I use a ghs octave mandolin set (12, 22, 32, 44) on my short scale. A medium set on a short scale will be a heavy set on a long scale, hence the confusion, I reckon. My banjo is 83 years old and it stands perfectly well the tension of the above mentioned strings.
I too have a GT IT250, and after trying many types of strings, settled on John Pearse Phos. Bronze Octave Mandolin Strings - .012/.021/.032/.045. I also recommend upgrading the bridge - it can really help the sound.
apparently using octave mandolin strings on the tenor banjo is quite common.
I use the D'Addario set (12-22-32-46).
Whatever you do, do not buy the "Irish tenor banjo" set from D'Addario. I think it's designed for that C tuning some people use on "non-irish tuned" tenor banjos.
I use the D'Addario Irish Banjo set 12-16-24-36 and find them fine on my 19-fret. A hell of a lot easier to keep the g in tune in assorted than assorted other combinations i have tried. They are designed for the EADG tubing not the CGDA tuning.
Post just came with the copy of Enda Scahill's new banjo tutor I ordered-looks great. He mentions that he doesn't like banjo sets either and prefers acoustic guitar strings with a nickel wound A. He reckons the steel A is too twangy. Might try experimenting a little more.
I buy my strings in bulk from Juststrings.com, and I have both Nickel and Stainless Steel around. (I just use guitar strings). Nickel seems to work best on my Ome, but my Orpheum sounded better with SS. I use a wound A string always, because a solid steel A is much heavier than the core gauge of the wound strings, and the balance and intonation suffer. Besides, I like the sound of a wound A much better.
As far as gauges go, I find it's important to try to have a similar tension on each string. For the banjos, I usually like about 15-18 pounds per string. (On the Bouzouki, I like 20-22#). I use a handy string tension calculator applet written by my friend Dan. http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html
My Ome looks like this:
Ome
len 23.0"
E .011" PL == 15.96#
A, .018" NW == 16.49#
D, .026" NW == 14.97#
G,, .040" NW == 15.47#
My short scale Langstile looks more like this:
Langstile
len 21.5"
E .012" PL == 16.6#
A, .020" NW == 17.37#
D, .030" NW == 17.8#
G,, .044" NW == 16.18#
Each time you need a set of strings, try something different. I tend to use either light or medium, 12-38 on my 19 fret vintage, slightly thicker on shortscale vintage and modern short scale. That said, i think I'll try something different next time. I started with phosphor bronze, and now use nickel wound, i prefer the sound. Strings are just part of the endless tinkering and tweeking and experimenting that comes with banjos.
I play a 1917 short scale Vega Whyte Laydie with, 12, 18, 28, 38, medium phosphor bronze strings, it sounds and plays amazing, just because an instrument is ' short scale ' it doesn't automatically need heavy guage strings, try different sets till you find what YOU like.
Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
Hi
I am new banjo player and just bought my first banjo, a GoldTone IT250R shortscale tuned to GDAE, which I really like. However, I am totally confused about strings! I am currently using the set supplied with the banjo from Andy Perkins in sizes 13,22,32,44 (a MEDIUM set)... .but Eagles Music have a HEAVY gauge set at 13,20,30,40 therefore lighter than Andy's medium gauge!
I have read a lot of comments on here about not putting too heavy a gauge string set on, even new banjos and I am now confused as to what a HEAVY set is, let alone a TOO HEAVY set. In particular what is the heaviest G string I could/should use. Basically what is a good string set up for this banjo. HELP!!
Also, what are your views on nickel v phos bronze. I have heard exactly opposite comments from different people that one is warmer sounding than the other. But which? Help again!
All comments appreciated....
# Posted on December 12th 2008 by Ade
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
That should read Irish Tenor!..........
# Posted on December 12th 2008 by Ade
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
Hi,
I use a ghs octave mandolin set (12, 22, 32, 44) on my short scale. A medium set on a short scale will be a heavy set on a long scale, hence the confusion, I reckon. My banjo is 83 years old and it stands perfectly well the tension of the above mentioned strings.
# Posted on December 12th 2008 by Ramiro
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
I too have a GT IT250, and after trying many types of strings, settled on John Pearse Phos. Bronze Octave Mandolin Strings - .012/.021/.032/.045. I also recommend upgrading the bridge - it can really help the sound.
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
13 - 40 should be as heavy as you need even on a shortscale though a new banjo with a truss rod should take anything within reason.
14s might work ok but I think they'll feel a bit thicker and stiffer than I would like.
I use 11 16w 24 36 on my vintage (no truss rod) shortscales.
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
apparently using octave mandolin strings on the tenor banjo is quite common.
I use the D'Addario set (12-22-32-46).
Whatever you do, do not buy the "Irish tenor banjo" set from D'Addario. I think it's designed for that C tuning some people use on "non-irish tuned" tenor banjos.
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by CleverName
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
I use the D'Addario Irish Banjo set 12-16-24-36 and find them fine on my 19-fret. A hell of a lot easier to keep the g in tune in assorted than assorted other combinations i have tried. They are designed for the EADG tubing not the CGDA tuning.
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by Mac Donn
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
whoops -typos!
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by Mac Donn
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
Post just came with the copy of Enda Scahill's new banjo tutor I ordered-looks great. He mentions that he doesn't like banjo sets either and prefers acoustic guitar strings with a nickel wound A. He reckons the steel A is too twangy. Might try experimenting a little more.
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by Mac Donn
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
I buy my strings in bulk from Juststrings.com, and I have both Nickel and Stainless Steel around. (I just use guitar strings). Nickel seems to work best on my Ome, but my Orpheum sounded better with SS. I use a wound A string always, because a solid steel A is much heavier than the core gauge of the wound strings, and the balance and intonation suffer. Besides, I like the sound of a wound A much better.
As far as gauges go, I find it's important to try to have a similar tension on each string. For the banjos, I usually like about 15-18 pounds per string. (On the Bouzouki, I like 20-22#). I use a handy string tension calculator applet written by my friend Dan. http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html
My Ome looks like this:
Ome
len 23.0"
E .011" PL == 15.96#
A, .018" NW == 16.49#
D, .026" NW == 14.97#
G,, .040" NW == 15.47#
My short scale Langstile looks more like this:
Langstile
len 21.5"
E .012" PL == 16.6#
A, .020" NW == 17.37#
D, .030" NW == 17.8#
G,, .044" NW == 16.18#
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
Each time you need a set of strings, try something different. I tend to use either light or medium, 12-38 on my 19 fret vintage, slightly thicker on shortscale vintage and modern short scale. That said, i think I'll try something different next time. I started with phosphor bronze, and now use nickel wound, i prefer the sound. Strings are just part of the endless tinkering and tweeking and experimenting that comes with banjos.
# Posted on December 13th 2008 by gilezzznik
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
Thanks Guys.
Really useful stuff!
Ade
# Posted on December 16th 2008 by Ade
Re: Strings for ShortScale Irsish Tenor
I play a 1917 short scale Vega Whyte Laydie with, 12, 18, 28, 38, medium phosphor bronze strings, it sounds and plays amazing, just because an instrument is ' short scale ' it doesn't automatically need heavy guage strings, try different sets till you find what YOU like.
Dave H
# Posted on December 20th 2008 by Dave Hanson