New strings

[Pär Engstrand]

So I went with it and finally, a few weeks ago, ordered the "true La Bella 17" set as recomended by Joel. The string thicknes is, from first to fifth string; 0,017, 0,019, 0,023, w0,024, 0,017.

They arrived today and I immediately put them on my Clifford Essex Imperial. Have been playing them for a few hours (they stayed reasonably in tune after a surprisingly short time).

And? How is it? I must say: I love it! When before I felt like a hippopotamus hammering down with my right hand on the strings, trying with all my might to play any kind of dynamics, being gentle only brought frustration because I couldn't get the tone I wanted, now, I caress the strings with the gentleness of butterfly wings and the tone just comes! It's like a whole new instrument. I can now play the soft piano parts the way I want it, and also when I put some flesh in to it, get a really great sounding twang! And much louder and poppier than before. And that w 0,024 fourth string. My God! I love that sound, it just pops! Finally I have the bass notes I always wanted. One tends to think that a thicker bass string would give more sound. Apparently that is not true!

Any down parts?

Yes. The feeling. These strings are so much thinner than I'm used to. Also the tension is much less. That means I have to use a slightly different technique when playing. For me, that is not such a big problem, since I'm new to classic banjo and I still haven't acquired a technique that would be difficult to change. I'm still learning the basics. I'm not sure I would call it a down part though. It's just different. In the end, I have the feeling that it will be an up part, not a down part.

I always, when playing classic banjo, had a nagging feeling in the back of my head (neck, back, heart, wherever those feelings arise) that there must be more to it. That something is not quite right with the set up of my banjo, or my technique, or the strings, or, or... And now with these strings it almost feels like coming home. It feels like I can finally start practising for real!

It might be that the 0,017 set is a tad to thin for my liking. I ordered enough strings to also try a 0,019 set (0,019, 0,021, 0,025, w0,024, 0,019) and I have great hopes for that set-up. Specially looking at this table of comparison from string maker Kürschner (scroll down a bit):

String comparison

I find that very helpfull. I don't know where Joel has his historical measurments from, if the 0,017 is measured from gut strings or already converted to nylon. But if it is measured from gut strings, the converted measurement of the nylon strings would end up around 0,019 for the first string. (yes, the measurments is in millimeters. You just have to convert it. Just like I have to do all the time... :-) )

Since I anyway was ordering strings for my viol from Kürschner, I ordered a set of flourcarbon strings for my banjo. I did use the measurements derived from nylon strings which makes for VERY thin flourcarbon strings. I'm curious to try them out when they arrive. Unfortunately I didn't order a slightly thicker set of flourcarbon strings. I'll report when they arrive.

Also, I didn't find a shop in Europe where I could order single strings from La Bella, so I had to order from the US (thankfully it went thru the customs with no problem). If anyone knows where I can order those strings in Europe, I would be thankfull for a link.

So,  this short message turned out to become quite an essay... I hope it will be helpfull for some. And would be happy to know about your thoughts on the subject.

All the best,

Pär

[nick Kelly]

I shall be interested to hear your thoughts on your new strings Par, I too am new to this style and, although I have taken careful note of what both John and Joel have to say on the subject of string gauges I am not convinced that I could handle a really thin set of strings, I do enjoy some tension under my fingers and am currently using CE lights, of course this could change as I am still learning much, your comments regarding feel are what concern me so, please keep us informed here, thanks, Nick.

[R L Vaughn]

I adopted Joel's string recommendation last November.  I also installed a historic bridge.  I liked the string and bridge combination that both of my banjos sport similar setups.    I, too, am new to Classic Banjo.  The lower tension of the strings has certainly made me aware of my fretting flaws.  

[Pär Engstrand]

Yes, that is a good way to put it: "fretting flaws". I only played those strings a short time but I do notice immediately if I tense to much when playing. For learnig I find that very helpfull.

Nick, if you want more tension under your fingers, you might want to try gut strings. I'm guessing here, since I haven't tried that thin gut strings on my banjo yet, only the thicker gut strings that are sold as classic banjo strings. But my feeling is that gut have a bit more resistance than nylon. I would have to try a thin set of gut first though. I'm sure someone here on the forum could give you more insight on this matter though.

Any string maker that specializes in gut strings would be able to supply you with those. Usually you can put toghether your own set from single strings. I would then recomend looking up the comparable thicknesses in that listing (link) I posted. Be aware though that they are much more expensive than nylon and such strings. The last set I bought costed a bit more than 50€ (from Kürschner, most makers have roughly the same prices, give or take a few euros), and that was withouth the fourth string. Although with an extra first string (you will need that!)

If I could afford it, I would always play gut strings. I do find that the sound is much better, to my liking. They have a sort of warmth that artificial strings lack (at least on my banjo). The last time I had gut strings on I played through the d-string in a week... The thicker strings last longer, of course. I have a double bass collegue who has been playing his lowest string since 1996. Now, that was a good investment! :-)