Piccolo 5 String Banjo Strings

by Dana L. Richardson

Nov 16, 2009

I need some help in getting strings for my Piccolo 5 string banjo. Currently it has steel strings, but I don't want to damage the frets and was hoping someone out there knows the best nonmetal strings for this instrument. The piccolo was built to be tuned an octive above standard 5 string banjo pitch (sometimes to D rather than C). I like the string feel and tightness of the steel strings and would like strings that have a tight feel (not a soft and sloppy ukulele nylon feel) and maybe a bit warmer sound. I've heard good things about aquila strings but don't know the gauges I need. Any ideas? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated,
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  • Dana L. Richardson

    I appreciate your help and advice. If I could ask you one other question (since you are the only person I've found that plays a Piccolo banjo), do the standard Aquila nylgut classic banjo tune all the way up to piccolo tuning (one octave above standard banjo pitch) without breaking?
    Many thanks for your sage advice and help,
    Dana

    Nov 16, 2009

  • Trapdoor2

    I dunno about the sage bit... ;-)

    However, yes, I do keep it tuned it up to a full octave above std. Because of the short scale length, the tension is pretty much the same as a full length banjo...I think of it as simply a full length banjo capoed at the 12th fret.

    I don't play it much, the Stewart neck is so narrow that I have a lot of trouble getting my fat old fingers in there!

    Nov 16, 2009

  • David Wade

    I have a Matthews z-b piccolo which you can see on stall on the MBF 09 photos. I use normal CE z-b strings and it works fine - after a visit to Clive Hughes, probably the last job he will do for me as he is determined to retire....John Willis borrowed it in the summer and wrote a cracking little piece for piccolo - I'm sure he won't mind if I scan it and post it to the group.

    Nov 16, 2009