Im a clawhammer player and I use either medium or light strings. For my guitar, banjo and mandolin, for several years now I use Elixir strings exclusively...
Currently on my banjo is a set of Elixir light gauge. Unless you have a unique banjo, I dont ever recomend heavy strings.
Hey, Armand, a new adventure! I play clawhammer and I've always done better with medium strings. I have more trouble controlling my attack and accuracy with light strings. Some of that is because of a neurological issue with arm movements, but some other players have told me basically the same thing.
The difference, for me, is most noticeable when I'm doing a lot of drop-thumb melody playing.
Still, I know some decent players who stick with the lights.
I like light strings for clawhammer in an old-time setting, since the strings are a little looser when tuned up tight -- it allows you to get more of the percussive sound that comes with the strings having a wider arc of vibration when you're knocking down. The thicker strings have a little more of a clear, direct tone without the extra percussive atonal bits. $.02!
ordinary lights (0.009, 0.011, 0.013, 0.020w, 0.009) seem to work for most clawhammer people in G'DGBD' tuning.
you can buy individual loop end strings in these gauges from decent music suppliers. Check on the net.
The nicest 5 string banjo I ever heard (it had a wooden {Grenadillo) tone ring) was strung something like 0.013, 0.016, 0.022w, 0.028w, 0.013, drop tuned to E', B, E, G#, B' to suit the player's singing voice.
If you listen to somebody like Mike Keys (regular here and on Banjohangout.org) you'll quickly learn that the subject of 5 srting banjo tone is a matter for great debate and endless reaearch, not to mention strong opinions. Fascinating.
Ive always used a gauge which has the 5th and high d at 0.11 in either d'addario or la bella. However, ive also always had an interest in the nylgut strings. The gut striings are said to give that real bass plunk that is the old time banjo sound.... to my ears anyway!!
I took just a few banjo lessons in the late '60s' at Cecil Sharpe House, and the banjo teacher at the time said he used the cheapest ( no specification of make or gauge ), and justified his choice by saying "It sounds like a banjo."
So, there you are.
If it sounds like a banjo, looks like a banjo, etc..
Smells like a banjo? Well, Pete, just how many string brands were available in the 60's? Let's see, ummm, Black Diamond and ...?
Today, it seems to be a cottage industry.
Ben - Yes, I agree that light strings tend to have a better plunky sound. You can also get a nice old-time sound out of the mediums by playing over the end of the neck.
I use Elixir lights but it really depends on your instrument setup and how you play...again, one of those many personal things. Use what's the easiest for you to play well and sound good.
I have a similar question ,I have acquired a Zither banjo which also has 5 strings,,,,,I tune it gDGBd The short g string passes through a tunnel under the finger board to the peg head which is like a normal 6 string guitar head! one peg is not used! I use nylon strings for the D&G string wire for the others. The instrument is less strident that other banjos.
I understand that Margaret Barry ( who played with Michael Gorman) from Cork used a Zither banjo as did Pecker Dunne also from a tinker background. I try to use it to play melody but wondered how others use a zither banjo to play ITM
Zither banjos were made in England during the banjo craze of the late 19th / early 20th century. Although a few may be nice instruments, very many are of poor or indifferent quality and the zither design is inherently weak. They tend to fold up like butterflies and the screw device found on some for tilting the neck back usually makes the metal hoop oval.
They were widely used in the 50s and 60s as they could be bought for next to nothing and were quiet enough to sing to. Most serious banjo players dumped their zithers and bought conventional banjos as soon as they could afford them.
As playable examples are now quite rare, they might soon be copied by far eastern makers. I don't think I'll be getting one.
However, one man's meat....
have fun with your zither. There are a few nice examples about and I hope yours is one of them.
I play a little Frailing & I use Aquila Nylgut strings. I prefer the sound I get with these rather than wire strings. I get them from Elderly, a few sets at a time.
As for Banjos, I have a couple, a Windsor Popular (30s) & an S S Stewart (early 1890s).
If you want to chat more about Banjos & OT music, check out these forums:
Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Hello,
And yes, I know this probably isn't the best place to ask, but this is the only place I know of that may have the answer for me!
And by 5 string banjo, I mean clawhammer style [old time], and not Bluegrass!
I'm currently using D'Addario medium gauge [or is it heavy?] and eh. They're eh!
Anyways, if any old time banjo player happens to frequent this site, please show me the light! Or better yet, direct me to a more appropriate forum!!!
Thanks in advance =]
Cheers/Frailingly Yours,
Armand
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by fiddlinviolinin
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Im a clawhammer player and I use either medium or light strings. For my guitar, banjo and mandolin, for several years now I use Elixir strings exclusively...
Currently on my banjo is a set of Elixir light gauge. Unless you have a unique banjo, I dont ever recomend heavy strings.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Hey, Armand, a new adventure! I play clawhammer and I've always done better with medium strings. I have more trouble controlling my attack and accuracy with light strings. Some of that is because of a neurological issue with arm movements, but some other players have told me basically the same thing.
The difference, for me, is most noticeable when I'm doing a lot of drop-thumb melody playing.
Still, I know some decent players who stick with the lights.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
I like light strings for clawhammer in an old-time setting, since the strings are a little looser when tuned up tight -- it allows you to get more of the percussive sound that comes with the strings having a wider arc of vibration when you're knocking down. The thicker strings have a little more of a clear, direct tone without the extra percussive atonal bits. $.02!
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by benhockenberry
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
ordinary lights (0.009, 0.011, 0.013, 0.020w, 0.009) seem to work for most clawhammer people in G'DGBD' tuning.
you can buy individual loop end strings in these gauges from decent music suppliers. Check on the net.
The nicest 5 string banjo I ever heard (it had a wooden {Grenadillo) tone ring) was strung something like 0.013, 0.016, 0.022w, 0.028w, 0.013, drop tuned to E', B, E, G#, B' to suit the player's singing voice.
If you listen to somebody like Mike Keys (regular here and on Banjohangout.org) you'll quickly learn that the subject of 5 srting banjo tone is a matter for great debate and endless reaearch, not to mention strong opinions. Fascinating.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Hmmm, wooden tone ring, tuned to E. That sounds like a John Hartford model.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
It was indeed and a very nice instrument.
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Ive always used a gauge which has the 5th and high d at 0.11 in either d'addario or la bella. However, ive also always had an interest in the nylgut strings. The gut striings are said to give that real bass plunk that is the old time banjo sound.... to my ears anyway!!
# Posted on January 22nd 2008 by copo24
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
I took just a few banjo lessons in the late '60s' at Cecil Sharpe House, and the banjo teacher at the time said he used the cheapest ( no specification of make or gauge ), and justified his choice by saying "It sounds like a banjo."
So, there you are.
If it sounds like a banjo, looks like a banjo, etc..
# Posted on January 23rd 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Smells like a banjo? Well, Pete, just how many string brands were available in the 60's? Let's see, ummm, Black Diamond and ...?
Today, it seems to be a cottage industry.
Ben - Yes, I agree that light strings tend to have a better plunky sound. You can also get a nice old-time sound out of the mediums by playing over the end of the neck.
# Posted on January 23rd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
I use Elixir lights but it really depends on your instrument setup and how you play...again, one of those many personal things. Use what's the easiest for you to play well and sound good.
# Posted on January 23rd 2008 by twangtown
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
I have a similar question ,I have acquired a Zither banjo which also has 5 strings,,,,,I tune it gDGBd The short g string passes through a tunnel under the finger board to the peg head which is like a normal 6 string guitar head! one peg is not used! I use nylon strings for the D&G string wire for the others. The instrument is less strident that other banjos.
I understand that Margaret Barry ( who played with Michael Gorman) from Cork used a Zither banjo as did Pecker Dunne also from a tinker background. I try to use it to play melody but wondered how others use a zither banjo to play ITM
# Posted on January 23rd 2008 by alexboydell
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Zither banjos were made in England during the banjo craze of the late 19th / early 20th century. Although a few may be nice instruments, very many are of poor or indifferent quality and the zither design is inherently weak. They tend to fold up like butterflies and the screw device found on some for tilting the neck back usually makes the metal hoop oval.
They were widely used in the 50s and 60s as they could be bought for next to nothing and were quiet enough to sing to. Most serious banjo players dumped their zithers and bought conventional banjos as soon as they could afford them.
As playable examples are now quite rare, they might soon be copied by far eastern makers. I don't think I'll be getting one.
However, one man's meat....
have fun with your zither. There are a few nice examples about and I hope yours is one of them.
MYBC
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Recommended strings for a FIVE string banjo?
Armand,
I play a little Frailing & I use Aquila Nylgut strings. I prefer the sound I get with these rather than wire strings. I get them from Elderly, a few sets at a time.
As for Banjos, I have a couple, a Windsor Popular (30s) & an S S Stewart (early 1890s).
If you want to chat more about Banjos & OT music, check out these forums:
"The Banjo Hangout":
http://www.banjohangout.org
"Sugar in the Gourd":
http://forum.sugarinthegourd.com/
& of course my own wee OT forum :~
"Old Time Music" (Europe):
http://oldtimehammer.proboards76.com/v45index.cgi?
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on April 6th 2008 by Ptarmigan