Weaver Banjo. Help please

[thereallyniceman]

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

[carrie horgan]

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 :) 

[Sergio Leonardi]

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

[thereallyniceman]

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.

[Sergio Leonardi]

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