NEW STRINGS. - Classic-Banjo2024-03-29T05:31:22Zhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/forum/topics/new-strings?commentId=2667446%3AComment%3A125334&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Pär,
So there seems to be…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2020-02-29:2667446:Comment:1421752020-02-29T18:23:44.290ZJoel Hookshttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
<p>Hi Pär,</p>
<p>So there seems to be speculation and documentation. </p>
<p>The sizes I give are based on what was used by Fred Van Eps when nylon came out. We have measured strings that he installed on banjos. These sizes were also given in the "5 Stringer".</p>
<p>We (meaning myself, and John Cohen) have measured many original unused strings, gut, silk, rayon, and nylon. These strings all measure right around the sizes we give (within .001). Some are smaller with the first being a scant…</p>
<p>Hi Pär,</p>
<p>So there seems to be speculation and documentation. </p>
<p>The sizes I give are based on what was used by Fred Van Eps when nylon came out. We have measured strings that he installed on banjos. These sizes were also given in the "5 Stringer".</p>
<p>We (meaning myself, and John Cohen) have measured many original unused strings, gut, silk, rayon, and nylon. These strings all measure right around the sizes we give (within .001). Some are smaller with the first being a scant .016". Often we will find third strings that are thicker hitting right around .026-.028".</p>
<p>The real problem comes when one says "19th century". That covers a lot of years and a music that was rapidly changing (with instruments in tandem).</p>
<p>Early banjos were using double length violin or guitar strings. As soon as the banjo became popular enough to support importing specific strings they got thinner. The pitch got higher too. By the mid 1880s (about 1884) the pitch arrived at C (what we use today).</p>
<p>And by that time the strings become the thickness that I give (more or less). The notches in original bridges, nuts, and tailpieces all add to the evidence of thinner strings. In fact, many people have tried to make the argument for common use of wire strings because of the small notches in nuts and holes in tailpieces. But this is based on the modern idea that thick strings were used.</p>
<p>Where this thick string fashion came from I don't know. As I like to speculate, I would suggest that it came from the attempt of people trying to simulate wire string tensions. At some point it became a "fact" that one has to disprove (like much of "old time" banjo's fads).</p>
<p>Now, if one had a preconceived notion about how thick the strings are one could search out and find strings that size. After all, there were a lot of people jumping on the banjo fad bandwagon. Certainly some jobbers were happily shoving violin strings in envelopes they had printed for banjo strings. And if one were to ignore the big picture of popular banjo playing and narrowly focus in on their presentist vision of history then they could make a case for thicker strings.</p> So, I'm a bit confused about…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2020-02-28:2667446:Comment:1419032020-02-28T23:16:00.637ZPär Engstrandhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/PaerEngstrand
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, I'm a bit confused about this with the historical string gauges.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just read on Gamut Strings homepage:</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">"Banjos were very popular in the United States in the late 1800s, and, consequently, there are lots of strings that survive for us to measure and copy. From the ones in the Gamut collection, it is…</span></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, I'm a bit confused about this with the historical string gauges.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just read on Gamut Strings homepage:</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">"Banjos were very popular in the United States in the late 1800s, and, consequently, there are lots of strings that survive for us to measure and copy. From the ones in the Gamut collection, it is evident that violin strings were repurposed and relabeled as banjo strings for the first, second, third and fifth positions with a guitar fourth string used for the banjo fourth.</span></em></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;"><em>The Banjo first string is gut with a gauge of .56mm </em><br/><em>The Banjo second string is gut with a gauge of .76mm </em><br/><em>The Banjo third string is gut with a gauge of 1.04mm </em><br/><em>The Banjo fourth string is gut wound with silverplate wire with a gauge of .82mm </em><br/><em>The Banjo fifth string is gut with a gauge of .56mm"</em> <br/></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">That's a bit thicker than the last set I ordered from Kürschner, and they do feel a bit thick. To much tension.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">Could it be that they have been measuring strings meant for A tuning?</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">Also, I recall reading in some old tutor book (can't remeber from which one from the top of my head) that a violin first string (e'') should be used as a <em>third</em> string for the banjo. A violin first string is around 0,55-0,60 mm thick. That would support the very thin gauges that Joel recomends and that others have also measured from original strings. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">Although, a year ago or so, I contacted Kürschner and mentioned what kind of strings I wanted, with the tuning and exact length of strings, no mentioning of string tension or anything. The result and the suggested strings I got from them was:</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">1st and 5th: 0,56 mm, 2nd 0,76 mm and 3rd 1,04 mm. That is the exact same thickness as Gamut! (maybe Kürschner didn't calculate and just took the measurments from Gamut...)</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">Could it be that the taste has changed over the years?</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">What are your thoughts?</span></p> Thanks Ian! I have been look…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2020-02-27:2667446:Comment:1418862020-02-27T02:00:17.978ZR L Vaughnhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/ProfessorEMeritus
<p>Thanks Ian! I have been looking for some gut strings.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>IAN SALTER said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="https://classic-banjo.ning.com/forum/topics/new-strings?xg_source=activity#2667446Comment142170"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hi Par, nick and RL,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm reposting this because I don't know how to add it to you current thread.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I will join in…</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks Ian! I have been looking for some gut strings.<br/> <br/> <cite>IAN SALTER said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="https://classic-banjo.ning.com/forum/topics/new-strings?xg_source=activity#2667446Comment142170"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hi Par, nick and RL,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm reposting this because I don't know how to add it to you current thread.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I will join in your conversation with more information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ian.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Thanks Ian.
I do try to unde…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2020-02-26:2667446:Comment:1420872020-02-26T11:07:42.875ZIAN SALTERhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/IANSALTER
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks Ian.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I do try to understand how these things work and follow straightforward instructions, but always seem to end up with a different result. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ian.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks Ian.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I do try to understand how these things work and follow straightforward instructions, but always seem to end up with a different result. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ian.</span></p> HINTS:
When replying to a pos…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2020-02-26:2667446:Comment:1419752020-02-26T08:54:24.767Zthereallynicemanhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/thereallyniceman
<p>HINTS:</p>
<p>When replying to a post,</p>
<p>Use the toolbar to attach files, links movies etc.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3933858803?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3933858803?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>HINTS:</p>
<p>When replying to a post,</p>
<p>Use the toolbar to attach files, links movies etc.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3933858803?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3933858803?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p> Hi Par, nick and RL,
I'm rep…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2020-02-26:2667446:Comment:1421702020-02-26T06:21:07.918ZIAN SALTERhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/IANSALTER
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hi Par, nick and RL,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm reposting this because I don't know how to add it to you current thread.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I will join in your conversation with more information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ian.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hi Par, nick and RL,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm reposting this because I don't know how to add it to you current thread.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I will join in your conversation with more information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ian.</span></p> Hi Anthony,
Yes, NRI made the…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2017-10-17:2667446:Comment:1253342017-10-17T13:17:52.657ZIAN SALTERhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/IANSALTER
<p>Hi Anthony,</p>
<p>Yes, NRI made these:</p>
<p>1st a string Low Twist Gut 27 thou</p>
<p>2nd f# string Low Twist Gut 36 thou</p>
<p>3rd d string High Twist Gut 45 thou</p>
<p>4th a string Silver wound on silk 5.5 kg</p>
<p>5th d string Low Twist Gut 27 thou</p>
<p>I have one set tuned to d G D F# A and another set tuned to e A E G# B</p>
<p>Kind regards, Ian.</p>
<p>Hi Anthony,</p>
<p>Yes, NRI made these:</p>
<p>1st a string Low Twist Gut 27 thou</p>
<p>2nd f# string Low Twist Gut 36 thou</p>
<p>3rd d string High Twist Gut 45 thou</p>
<p>4th a string Silver wound on silk 5.5 kg</p>
<p>5th d string Low Twist Gut 27 thou</p>
<p>I have one set tuned to d G D F# A and another set tuned to e A E G# B</p>
<p>Kind regards, Ian.</p> hello, is it possible to have…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2017-10-16:2667446:Comment:1249462017-10-16T22:37:41.111ZAnthony Deryckehttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/tony
hello, is it possible to have guts strings for minstrel banjo? for tuning in .. d G D F # A?
hello, is it possible to have guts strings for minstrel banjo? for tuning in .. d G D F # A? Thanks Ian.
The strings are f…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2017-10-11:2667446:Comment:1244332017-10-11T20:40:33.690ZIAN SALTERhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/IANSALTER
<p>Thanks Ian.</p>
<p>The strings are from Northern Renaissance Instruments in Manchester, England. The contact number is +44 (0)161 881 8134 and it was Bill that made the strings for me. The following details are from the invoice:</p>
<p>1st d string Low Twist Gut 18thou</p>
<p>2nd b string Low Twist Gut 20thou</p>
<p>3rd g string Low Twist Gut 22.5 thou</p>
<p>4th c string Close Wound Silver Plated Copper on Silk 43 thou</p>
<p>5th g string Low Twist Gut 18 thou</p>
<p>I had strings 1-4 made…</p>
<p>Thanks Ian.</p>
<p>The strings are from Northern Renaissance Instruments in Manchester, England. The contact number is +44 (0)161 881 8134 and it was Bill that made the strings for me. The following details are from the invoice:</p>
<p>1st d string Low Twist Gut 18thou</p>
<p>2nd b string Low Twist Gut 20thou</p>
<p>3rd g string Low Twist Gut 22.5 thou</p>
<p>4th c string Close Wound Silver Plated Copper on Silk 43 thou</p>
<p>5th g string Low Twist Gut 18 thou</p>
<p>I had strings 1-4 made 90cm long for my banjo. The 5th can be made up to around 150cm and cut as required.</p>
<p>As a beginner to classic playing, I can't comment on how these strings compare to what else is available and being used by other players. However, I only use gut on my violins, my fretless tackhead and early flush fret banjos and this new set feels and sounds as good as I had hoped.</p>
<p>Bill was, as always extremely helpful and efficient and I can't recommend NRI highly enough.</p>
<p>Kind regards, Ian.</p> Go ahead Ian. I have no objec…tag:classic-banjo.ning.com,2017-10-11:2667446:Comment:1249342017-10-11T18:41:39.570Zthereallynicemanhttps://classic-banjo.ning.com/profile/thereallyniceman
<p>Go ahead Ian. I have no objections and maybe it would help others looking for strings</p>
<p>Go ahead Ian. I have no objections and maybe it would help others looking for strings</p>