I received this email from a site member.. any suggestions please"

Hello

I have a Weaver banjo built in the period about 1895-1900 which is under restoration from a local luthier in Rome (Italy).

Could you tell me if I can mount any kind of nylon or nylgut strings on this banjo?

I mean, string tension could be hard or has to be more gentle (medium or light) to avoid banjo damaging?

Have you any suggestion on brand and model of strings?

Another thing, I use to play bluegrass 3-fingers banjo (Scruggs style).

Is it close to basic classic banjo techniquefor the right hand?

As far as I know the only difference should be that classic banjoist don't use picks or nails, but both use just 3 fingers. Am I right?

Thank you

Sergio

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Welcome, Sergio.  Your Weaver banjo will be fine with nylon or nylgut strings (as long as you have a suitable tailpiece) - it is personal preference and you may wish to experiment with both.  I use Chris Sands nylon strings on mine (I am currently using Light strings as an experiment but previously used Medium).  I personally don't like the feel of nylguts - I find they can be slippery when you sweat. 

I also have a bluegrass background - you already will know lots of chord shapes and so already have a good grounding - classic-style is a chord-based approach and probably uses a greater range of chords than bluegrass.  There are arpeggio sections but they are not continuous roll patterns like in Scruggs-style.  Some tunes are not too difficult if you come from a 3-finger playing background (Skeleton Dance, Banjo Oddity, Cannon Jig, Whistling Rufus).  I have found it more challenging than bluegrass but I think it's because I am drawn to the ragtime-era and all the tunes have A and B parts plus Trio so it is a lot to learn!

Good luck and hope you post again soon :) 

Hi Carrie
Thank you very much for your suggestions.
Whenever my restoration will be completed I'll try to learn one of the songs you suggested.
Bye

Hi Sergio

Carrie is right, the Weavers have a strong neck and will take all nylon (and steel strings) without a problem.

I use Clifford Essex heavy gauge nylons when I want to develop hard segs on my RH fingertips, but nowadays play using Clifford Essex Medium gauge strings. They sound good and last a long time before they need changing. 

A floating ebony tailpiece is very good and can be tied on with thick nylon or several loops of an old gut string.

Thank you, I was only scared about heavy tension strings due to the aging of the instrument.

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