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Plectrum banjo strings
7 Replies

Hi. Im Currently fixing a 1920s Clifford Essex plectrum banjo and was wondering what strings it should have... nylon or steel? It originally had metal friction style pegs but I've fitted pegheads…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Richard William Ineson Sep 13, 2023.

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Parisot's Hornpipe

Here's Parisot's Hornpipe Played on my circa 1870, 6 string, piccolo, Tunbridgeware banjo.Mademoiselle Parisot was a dancer and singer of the late 18th and e...
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Piccolo/pony scale banjo

"I can't remember how many hours. It started off as a carving exercise and as I was struggling I took a lot of long breaks. It's stained then french polished"
Nov 3, 2023
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Piccolo/pony scale banjo

"Cool ! How many hours are you into building that neck? What sort of finish did you end up using? Y|ep....I can envision the toils of carving it. You did a fine job!"
Nov 3, 2023
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Piccolo/pony scale banjo

"Thanks. I got it from a hardwood timberyard in Wiltshire. To be honest it's a total nightmare to work with and the carving nearly broke me... I'd never seen it before"
Nov 3, 2023
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Piccolo/pony scale banjo

"And pray tell ,where one can find curly Ash? Very nice work !"
Nov 3, 2023
Richard William Ineson replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"Hi Joel, Grimshaw recommended a metal 1st string because the gut 1st strings at the time were so thin that they often broke and were just a nuisance. Joe Morley also recommended and used a metal 1st string, this information came as a surprise to me…"
Sep 13, 2023
Joel Hooks replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"AFA strings, I am kinda a moron when it comes to plectrum but have been a casual outside observer reading period accounts.   While wire seems to be the standard for pick playing there were plenty who held onto gut.  Clifford Essex and…"
Sep 5, 2023
Joel Hooks replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"Post photos.  The address label means pretty much nothing.  The Roman Numeral is a batch number, not a serial number."
Sep 5, 2023
John Deller replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"It has a Grafton St label and a XI (or IX) stamped on the dowel rod, and a 261/2" scale"
Sep 4, 2023
Jody Stecher replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"If the neck is a CE the model name will be found on the dowel stick/"perch pole".  There should also be a plaque with the Clifford Essex name and address."
Sep 4, 2023
John Deller replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"Thanks Jody. I'm not sure what model. I think it's a bit of z frankenstein as it had a 5 string CE tailpiece. It's definitely had a bit of work done in the past. It has a 10 15/16 pot, 3" deep. I think I'll stick some CE…"
Sep 3, 2023
Jody Stecher replied to John Deller's discussion Plectrum banjo strings
"Steel is the norm but nylon can sound very good. It won't be typical but it will be musical. The best string choice depends on what kind of music will be played on this banjo and what tuning will be used. What model CE plectrum banjo is this?…"
Sep 3, 2023
John Deller posted a discussion

Plectrum banjo strings

Hi. Im Currently fixing a 1920s Clifford Essex plectrum banjo and was wondering what strings it should have... nylon or steel? It originally had metal friction style pegs but I've fitted pegheads vintage style metal pegs. I was thinking about using a set of Clifford Essex nylon classic banjo strings, leaving out the 5th string. Thanks. JohnSee More
Sep 3, 2023
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Jan 15, 2023
John Deller replied to Trapdoor2's discussion Marches...
"Hi. Just wondering if you ever posted the tabs for Liberty Bell March... or even the original score (I'm still trying to learn to read the music... very, very slowly)"
Jan 14, 2023

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Comment Wall (1 comment)

At 20:27 on May 17, 2022, nick Kelly said…

Howdy John, rather intrigued by all the string talk, not really understanding gauges, cheers, Nick.

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