The Eagle Has Unraveled: Frayed Aquila basses in Nylgut set

[Jody Stecher]

I use Aquila Nylgut sets on several banjos and am happy with the feel and sound but there comes a time when the winding on the bass starts unravelling and this is always before the plain strings have died. Has anyone else had this problem? I also use Aquila's D type copper wound on nylgut for zither-banjo bass and the problem exists there as well. I wonder if those here with an Aquila connection can put in a word about this?

I also wonder why the fifth string is a heavier gauge than the first in the packaged standard gauge Classic Banjo set. It sounds and feels good but is it better that way? Anyone with an opinion or Certain Knowledge? thanks.

[Trapdoor2]

The bass string problem is pretty widely known amongst Nylgut players (and former Nylgut players). I don't know what alloy Aquila uses for their windings, but it is softer than other nylon sets such as Chris Sands' or even LaBella. Mimmo sent out some solid 4ths (banjo 4ths) last year as a test and I had one mounted for nearly a year...no problems. I believe it was a "100" solid (he sent me a "106" as well) I believe that the 100 = 1.00mm and 106 = 1.06mm.

I haven't had one come unwound in a while, but they wear at the frets and at some point start sounding 'funky'...which is when I start looking at string wear. I also bought some singles (4ths) from the American distributor a while back...but last time I asked, he was no longer selling retail.

[David Wade]

Yes, I've seen a similar problem on both open back and z-b usually around the second fret. I tend to change two bass to one set of trebles. I've not gauge up the fifth but I always use a heavier 5th than 4th on z-b.
The UK distribution for Aquilla is through Sutherlands and they are not very forthcoming, we used to have direct contact with Italy - maybe Rob can help?

[Jody Stecher]

You've been playing the string for only a month, right? It takes a bit longer than that for the windings to come undone on the bass string in the banjo set. The copper D type wound nylgut string comes undone much quicker. Once either type string starts to come apart it'll still sound good (enough) for some time but the burrs and notches start to catch one's fingers. In the case of the D type copper wound nylgut, the fine copper strands will jump up and bite your fingers and eventually it starts buzzing and then it's all over. Also the audience doesn't like it when the "Artiste" keeps yelling *ouch! — it wakes them up and distracts them from their snoozing.

I had an email conversation today with Curtis Dailey, the American supplier. He's a double bass player in a number of Early Music ensembles in the Pacific Northwest, and very personable and helpful. He says" I don't know what can be done about it because I am pretty sure it has to do with the very fine wire they use, which is why I think they also sound so good.". He may be on to something there.

So if you could ask Mimmo Perufo if it's possible for Aquila to make a wound string that sounds as good as what they now make, a string whose windings are more stable, that might lead to a Step In The Right Direction. I think they'd sell *more* strings if people knew the wound basses would last a bit longer. I've used many sorts of wound nylon strings over the years and it's true that they all wear out eventually and wear out quicker than the trebles, but none have come undone this fast. Thanks for this!

[Trapdoor2]

LOL, the set I have on the Flesher at the moment is six months old. The nylguts on my Ashborn are...well they'll be two years come Sept. No frets to wear 'em out!

Perhaps a change is due... ;-)

[Jody Stecher]

If I played just one banjo, and if I played it 4 hours a day, no, I wouldn't expect a wound string to last to last so long. But I have a number of banjos and I rotate. I didn't realize your bass string was unwound. It sounds very good. I'll have to try one. Banjos, in my opinion anyway, are a different situation from wooden topped instruments. On the latter the longer sustain one gets from new strings are an advantage. I find that a lot of banjo music benefits from a string with a quicker decay and so strings that have "settled in"respond well in some musical situations. The big advantage (for me anyway) in new strings on any instrument is they tend to have more body and volume and more overtones. At home it doesn't matter but for playing for others more carrying power means less muscle and that means more finesse. I wouldn't want to play a concert on brand new nylgut strings though, as they seem to take a day or two to fully stretch out. When I'm on a concert tour playing mandolin or guitar with steel strings I change the strings before every concert. No doubt about the necessity for that. But I leave on steel banjo strings for 3 or 4 gigs. The banjo sounds better on the 2nd and 3rd occasion. Then they go kerflop.

[marc dalmasso]

who ' s playing standard nylon strings ? in France , we have Savarez_ it is a big Co _ they made also the strings for the tennismen . I use the Savarez for the cb because i think the sound don 't change when strings are old ; i have tried the nylgut but the sound is BIG ; and after a month , not so good ; but this is my own point of view

[Jody Stecher]

See? That goes to show that all roads in Classic Banjo lead to France. "Mistral" is a seasonal wind in Provence that drives people crazier than a banjo player's spouse listening to endless practice of Cupid's Arrow. Isn't that right, Eric and Marc?

[Jody Stecher]

I use standard nylon strings on several banjos. I buy single D'Addario strings of various tensions and gauges and make up a set that suits the particular banjo. I've found that when Nylguts sound good they sound very good but they are not for every banjo. For instance my 1909 Bacon ff Professional which sounds fabulous with standard nylon sounds weak and colorless with nylgut. Same thing with a Bart Reiter Bacon copy, which sings with standard nylon. Others improve with nylgut.

[marc dalmasso]

; Yes , it s true ; Yet the " mistral " is a wind in the South of France ; i am in the East_south , near Italy & Monte Carlo , there is no mistral here ; but i saw a teeshirt in the US with " banjo pickers are crazy " ; so Mistral or not ..............