i use .11-.16-26w-38w . this is for a 19 fret model and works well. 17 fret models seem to need a little heavier ones, and some people put a wound string on the second.
The string gauges given above are all in the ball park but for some reason, each banjo varies.
I have the same banjo you do and .038-.011 works fine. The problem is in finding the strings either in a set or individually. If you live in the states, it is pretty easy to find a set, if you are in Ireland, the Clareen strings are very good and Tom sells them in two sizes for 17 and 19 fret instruments.
Tha bottom line is that you have to determine what sizes are going to be best for your instrument especially the G string which seems to be the toughest to get right.
Not to beat a dead horse, but how your banjo is setup is also important, maybe more so than getting the string guages just right. Make sure the head is tight, the bridge in the right place, nothing loose, and the tailpiece set properly.
Tenor Banjo String Gage
Tenor Banjo String Gage
Can anyone recommend the best gage of string to put on a Tenor Banjo G.D.A.E for ITM?
Thanks
# Posted on February 20th 2005 by Bog_Trotter
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
i use .11-.16-26w-38w . this is for a 19 fret model and works well. 17 fret models seem to need a little heavier ones, and some people put a wound string on the second.
# Posted on February 20th 2005 by Dont
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
It depends to some extent on your particular banjo, experiment. I certainly recomend using a wound A if it will take it.
# Posted on February 20th 2005 by len
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
I play a 19 Fret, 23"Scale Vega.
Thanks
# Posted on February 20th 2005 by Bog_Trotter
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
I use 36w, 26w, 16w, 11 on a 19 fret tenor banjo. Seems ok, plays well.
# Posted on February 20th 2005 by peakfiddler
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
I'm new to the banjo but I put octave mandolin strings on mine:
012, 022W, 032W, 044W
These seem to work fine for mine (Vega Style "N", 17 fret, 20" scale) but I haven't tried anything else yet.
-Brett
# Posted on February 21st 2005 by bretton
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
For my Clareen 19 fret I use
12 - 18w - 26w- 39w Gives the right sound
For my 17 fret Orpheum #1 I use
12 - 20w - 28w - 42w
And always nickel wound!
Lars
# Posted on February 21st 2005 by Larshansen
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
The string gauges given above are all in the ball park but for some reason, each banjo varies.
I have the same banjo you do and .038-.011 works fine. The problem is in finding the strings either in a set or individually. If you live in the states, it is pretty easy to find a set, if you are in Ireland, the Clareen strings are very good and Tom sells them in two sizes for 17 and 19 fret instruments.
Tha bottom line is that you have to determine what sizes are going to be best for your instrument especially the G string which seems to be the toughest to get right.
Not to beat a dead horse, but how your banjo is setup is also important, maybe more so than getting the string guages just right. Make sure the head is tight, the bridge in the right place, nothing loose, and the tailpiece set properly.
Mike Keyes
# Posted on February 21st 2005 by mikeyes
Re: Tenor Banjo String Gage
Thank you all for your help.
# Posted on February 23rd 2005 by Bog_Trotter