Now that you've been sucked into this thread, it's obviously a tenor banjo question.
I have my short scale strung with .012, .016, .024W and .036W strings. I'm happy with the sound and play of the DAE strings, but that darn G string, as I've heard is common on short scale banjos, produces an in tune, but "dull" sounding note for any note other than the G.
I'm wondering if it would be safe, or even helpful, to try a different weight string for G. Should it be heavier or lighter to give the fret based notes more tone to them?
I am presently trying D'Addario Octave Mandolin strings
(012, 022, 032, 046) the G may be a little heavy, but resonates quite well. The A, D, and G are all wound phosphor bronze.
Janet Davis Music (http://www.janetdavismusic.com/contents.html) sells sets of GHS strings for Irish tenor banjo (you'll find them labeled as such on her site) that run 0.13, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40. These have worked really well on my short scale Gold Tone tenor.
Also, a muddy bass end can brighten up with a little more head tension.
Will - interesting point about the head tension, but I think I'd rather try the heavier string before tightening the head...it seems perfect in every other respect.
Definitely try the heavier string, but if that doesn't work out then I'd also have to recommend the GHS strings that Will mentioned -- they're probably the brightest strings with the most pop that I've ever put on my banjo. It also seems that you can fetch a little more "mileage" out of them as well. I was really suprised when I put them on the first time. The G on the first string, third fret hurt my ears they were so bright.
It sounds like you have the standard D'Addario J63i "Irish Tenor Banjo" strings which have a G string that is too light for any tenor banjo. The suggestions made above are good and if you look at Elderly Instruments (http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/CTB.htm) you will find a set that is almost identical except the it has a G string of .042W which is what you want. They are stainless steel wound instead of Nickel, but they do the job and they are a little cheaper than the similar Janet Davis custom strings.
I'm not sure why D'Addario came up with their string gauges, I don't know of any banjo that actually sounds good with a .036W G string, maybe they just had too many lying around and needed to get rid of them <G>
I agree with the comment about setup, too. Some banjos tolerate almost any string (the TI's for example can be tuned down on my Vega and still sound OK) but having the correct head tension, the best bridge, the right head, and the best tailpiece angle sure helps even if the strings are so-so.
Try the Janet Davis and the Elderly custom sets. Get several and mix and match. The small output of cash will benefit your playing in the end and if you can't get a set that works, make them yourself. (As an aside, the last time I wrote about string gauges on this forum, the customer service rep from Elderly wrote me in Stan W.'s name and said that they would be glad to order any custom sets you want, all you had to do was put in an order and the price would be very competitive - no financial gain from that one for me <G>)
Mike I enjoyed your triplet lessons on your site - thanks. It took me over two years to get anything resembling a workable triplet on the guitar. Even the fingerpicked triplet was easier to learn.
I'll be in Oz on Friday and assuming I survive the riots in Sydney will tour Melbourne and environs. We are looking forward to visiting and hope to find a few sessions while there.
Need more pluck in my G string...
Need more pluck in my G string...
Now that you've been sucked into this thread, it's obviously a tenor banjo question.
I have my short scale strung with .012, .016, .024W and .036W strings. I'm happy with the sound and play of the DAE strings, but that darn G string, as I've heard is common on short scale banjos, produces an in tune, but "dull" sounding note for any note other than the G.
I'm wondering if it would be safe, or even helpful, to try a different weight string for G. Should it be heavier or lighter to give the fret based notes more tone to them?
Thanks,
Eric
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by Jayhawk
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
I am presently trying D'Addario Octave Mandolin strings
(012, 022, 032, 046) the G may be a little heavy, but resonates quite well. The A, D, and G are all wound phosphor bronze.
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by oldstrings
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
Janet Davis Music (http://www.janetdavismusic.com/contents.html) sells sets of GHS strings for Irish tenor banjo (you'll find them labeled as such on her site) that run 0.13, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40. These have worked really well on my short scale Gold Tone tenor.
Also, a muddy bass end can brighten up with a little more head tension.
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
Thinking about the physics, it seems most logical that a heavier string (necessarily under higher tension) is the answer, rather than a lighter one.
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
I usually use a 0.44 on a short scale for the G, a 0.36 would IMHO be too light even for a standard scale.
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by nick b
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
A heavier string it is!
Will - interesting point about the head tension, but I think I'd rather try the heavier string before tightening the head...it seems perfect in every other respect.
Thanks all!
Eric
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by Jayhawk
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
Definitely try the heavier string, but if that doesn't work out then I'd also have to recommend the GHS strings that Will mentioned -- they're probably the brightest strings with the most pop that I've ever put on my banjo. It also seems that you can fetch a little more "mileage" out of them as well. I was really suprised when I put them on the first time. The G on the first string, third fret hurt my ears they were so bright.
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by gravelwalks
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
It sounds like you have the standard D'Addario J63i "Irish Tenor Banjo" strings which have a G string that is too light for any tenor banjo. The suggestions made above are good and if you look at Elderly Instruments (http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/CTB.htm) you will find a set that is almost identical except the it has a G string of .042W which is what you want. They are stainless steel wound instead of Nickel, but they do the job and they are a little cheaper than the similar Janet Davis custom strings.
I'm not sure why D'Addario came up with their string gauges, I don't know of any banjo that actually sounds good with a .036W G string, maybe they just had too many lying around and needed to get rid of them <G>
Another route is to go to http://www.fqms.com or http://www.juststrings.com and make up a set yourself from the single strings that they sell.
I agree with the comment about setup, too. Some banjos tolerate almost any string (the TI's for example can be tuned down on my Vega and still sound OK) but having the correct head tension, the best bridge, the right head, and the best tailpiece angle sure helps even if the strings are so-so.
Try the Janet Davis and the Elderly custom sets. Get several and mix and match. The small output of cash will benefit your playing in the end and if you can't get a set that works, make them yourself. (As an aside, the last time I wrote about string gauges on this forum, the customer service rep from Elderly wrote me in Stan W.'s name and said that they would be glad to order any custom sets you want, all you had to do was put in an order and the price would be very competitive - no financial gain from that one for me <G>)
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/dec05/triplets.html
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by mikeyes
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
Mike I enjoyed your triplet lessons on your site - thanks. It took me over two years to get anything resembling a workable triplet on the guitar. Even the fingerpicked triplet was easier to learn.
# Posted on December 13th 2005 by Donough
Re: Need more pluck in my G string...
I'm glad someone is reading it <G>
I'll be in Oz on Friday and assuming I survive the riots in Sydney will tour Melbourne and environs. We are looking forward to visiting and hope to find a few sessions while there.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/dec05/triplets.html
# Posted on December 13th 2005 by mikeyes