Steel Strings.

[Carl Anderton]

Written for The Cadenza.

by Lee Rogers.

Teacher, Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar, Southern Female College, Petersburg, Va.

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I have read many argument both for and against steel strings, but I think the article by Emma S. Scott in The Cadenza for Jan.-Feb. is the most sound and convincing.

The columns of another banjo and guitar journal were open to this discussion some time ago and it was carried at such length and with such equal strength for and against steel strings, that I imagine the publisher grew weary, for the argument was peremptorily closed.

The majority of writers by long odds favored steel strings.  However in justice to the other side, I must say those opposing steel were the most noted players, including Romero and others.

Steel strings are the favorite in this part of the country by fifty to one, although I admit that Virginia can claim no celebrities in this line.

A certain celebrated guitarist appeared here some months ago.  His execution was wonderful; just the grandest thing I ever heard in the way of guitar playing, and he used my guitar with steel strings.  He also decries the use of metal.  However, while all lovers of guitar in Richmond and Petersburg heard him I know of only one who was induced to use gut strings and he soon returned to his first love.

Like E. S. Scott I say there is no reason for "clanking" of steel strings--it is the fault of the performer and not not of the strings.  A guitar so strung can be played as softly and much more musically than with gut strings; Particularly in andante movements does their superiority appear.

The guitarist mentioned admitted it was not possible to get as clear harmonics from gut as from steel strings.  They must have some merit, so many players have adopted them.

I was taught on gut strings, but hearing a guitar strung with steel I secured another instrument and commenced using them myself.  My teacher bitterly opposed this move, but in the course of a few months I found him doing the same.  This did not satisfy me, I kept the two instruments strung differently, one with steel and one with gut for several years and would use them alternately for friends whenever and opportunity occurred.  The "Telegraph wire" instrument has always proved the favorite.  This has convinced me.  And I think if any player will give steel strings this fair and impartial test they too will become convinced.  Simply because you have never tasted a dish don't say it is impalatable.

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from The Cadenza, March-April 1896.

[Claude L. Medearis]

It doth be heresy; nigh on to witchcraft; to speak thusly of the devil's steel strings on the Classic Banjo site!
But, yeah, so far I've found the Nylgut to be mellower than the steel strung banjo, but the steel strings do have a crisper tone.