Hi guys, having a problem recently with wound A string on my 17 fret banjo, They are tom cussen strings but the winding is breaking apart at the first few frets, i've shown this to tom himself and he reckons that the frets need polishing,however this has been done, and again they are starting to break apart.
Tom reckons to try unwound 0.016 or 0.017 gauge unwound to get me by.
But this is a banjo that's only a few months old......
Anyone have any suggestions???
Yep, make sure they're not cracking at the nut. If they are, that's a simple fix with a file that Tom will no doubt take care for you.
If the nut's not the problem, then it's most likely the strings themselves. Try a different brand.
Also, for what it's worth, don't crush the strings under your fingers. You really don't need much pressure at all to get a good note out. A light touch is easier on the banjo, the strings, and yourself. Not to mention the music....
My A strings regularly break down over the first 4 or so frets after a few weeks - then it's time to change them. It's not a rough fret issue, in my case. I use a .017 nickel-wound string, so the windings are pretty fine. I can't really tell that the tone or intonation suffers for this degradation, but it doesn't progress too far before replacement. I suppose I could lighten my touch, but it's not a big deal.
If you have had the problem with strings that you bought at the same time in the same shop, I would suspect a bad batch as mentioned. If you really like the strings, try a set from somewhere else, and don't use any oils or solvents or polishes near the fret board, just wipe with a soft cloth after playing.
John Pearse medium tenor banjo strings (bronze wound) are my current favourites and I haven't had one break yet. I had a succession of E strings break from another brand. These are .012, .018 (wound), .024 and .036. As these are on a 19 fretter you might want to try the heavy ones. I get them from here: http://www.stringmail.co.uk/banjo.htm but they've got the gauges wrong for the medium set - and it's definitely a wound A.
Before you try anything else try buying a single a w.20 (w.19 are unique to certain brands even numbers are generally easier to find and there'll be little noticeable difference) guitar string and snip off the ball if incompatible with your tail piece. Then see if the same thing happens.
Anyway, it could be Tom's batch by the sound of it or your technique but unlikely to be the latter. If it's the fretting wire you should be able to feel roughness on the fret with your finger. I suspect the strings though.
Try a plain .17 (= to .19 or .20 wound) they've a different feel and sound, some folk love them and they sound great on some banjos
Try using D'addario XL nickel wound 0.17W they never fray for me.
Also Andy Perkins has banjo sets in nickel that are fabulous, he has a set with a nickel wound 0.16 that I really love. http://www.andybanjo.com
Yes the string is freying at the frets, however this is the fourth time this has happened with strings all from tom. Surely they cant be all bad?? Gonna try unwound, just ordered five singles of ebay 0.017....
wound A string problem
wound A string problem
Hi guys, having a problem recently with wound A string on my 17 fret banjo, They are tom cussen strings but the winding is breaking apart at the first few frets, i've shown this to tom himself and he reckons that the frets need polishing,however this has been done, and again they are starting to break apart.
Tom reckons to try unwound 0.016 or 0.017 gauge unwound to get me by.
But this is a banjo that's only a few months old......
Anyone have any suggestions???
# Posted on September 7th 2011 by bjd
Re: wound A string problem
Are you sure it's not breaking at the nut or the tuning post? If it's unravelling on the fretboard I would suspectf a bad batch of strings.
# Posted on September 7th 2011 by Steve L
Re: wound A string problem
Yep, make sure they're not cracking at the nut. If they are, that's a simple fix with a file that Tom will no doubt take care for you.
If the nut's not the problem, then it's most likely the strings themselves. Try a different brand.
Also, for what it's worth, don't crush the strings under your fingers. You really don't need much pressure at all to get a good note out. A light touch is easier on the banjo, the strings, and yourself. Not to mention the music....
# Posted on September 7th 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: wound A string problem
My A strings regularly break down over the first 4 or so frets after a few weeks - then it's time to change them. It's not a rough fret issue, in my case. I use a .017 nickel-wound string, so the windings are pretty fine. I can't really tell that the tone or intonation suffers for this degradation, but it doesn't progress too far before replacement. I suppose I could lighten my touch, but it's not a big deal.
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by will morgan
Re: wound A string problem
Yep, it's not like banjo strings cost as much as, say, fiddle strings.
And when you play this music, the A string takes the brunt of the load within those first 5 frets.
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: wound A string problem
You sure this isn't just a wind up?
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by Dont
Re: wound A string problem
If you have had the problem with strings that you bought at the same time in the same shop, I would suspect a bad batch as mentioned. If you really like the strings, try a set from somewhere else, and don't use any oils or solvents or polishes near the fret board, just wipe with a soft cloth after playing.
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by gam
Re: wound A string problem
John Pearse medium tenor banjo strings (bronze wound) are my current favourites and I haven't had one break yet. I had a succession of E strings break from another brand. These are .012, .018 (wound), .024 and .036. As these are on a 19 fretter you might want to try the heavy ones. I get them from here: http://www.stringmail.co.uk/banjo.htm but they've got the gauges wrong for the medium set - and it's definitely a wound A.
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by RichardB
Re: wound A string problem
Before you try anything else try buying a single a w.20 (w.19 are unique to certain brands even numbers are generally easier to find and there'll be little noticeable difference) guitar string and snip off the ball if incompatible with your tail piece. Then see if the same thing happens.
Anyway, it could be Tom's batch by the sound of it or your technique but unlikely to be the latter. If it's the fretting wire you should be able to feel roughness on the fret with your finger. I suspect the strings though.
Try a plain .17 (= to .19 or .20 wound) they've a different feel and sound, some folk love them and they sound great on some banjos
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: wound A string problem
Try using D'addario XL nickel wound 0.17W they never fray for me.
Also Andy Perkins has banjo sets in nickel that are fabulous, he has a set with a nickel wound 0.16 that I really love. http://www.andybanjo.com
Can't imagine it's a technique problem.
Enda
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by Enda Scahill
Re: wound A string problem
A wound .17 may be too light for the OP's short scale.
# Posted on September 8th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: wound A string problem
All the above suggestions are good.
FYI, I have a 17-fret tenor, and I always use a .018" (plain) A.
As to brand, I fit Ernie Ball custom (guitar!) strings.
# Posted on September 9th 2011 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: wound A string problem
Yes the string is freying at the frets, however this is the fourth time this has happened with strings all from tom. Surely they cant be all bad?? Gonna try unwound, just ordered five singles of ebay 0.017....
# Posted on September 9th 2011 by bjd