Clifford Essex Strings

[rick ceballos]

I have been using Chris Sands medium gauge strings on my Tubaphone for about 12 YEARS. Since they are no longer available, I was wondering if the Clifford Essex are comparable? Are the medium gauge classic banjo strings the same gauges? I think I have tried all the nylon strings out there and haven't found any that compare to the Chris Sands. any info or recommendations would be appreciated.

[thereallyniceman]

I prefer the CE Strings to the defunct Sands strings. I can't tell if the wire wound bass string will last as long as Sands' did, but the CE 4th bass sound good and I would recommend ordering CE mediums.  I bought about ten sets from David Wade, on here, after I had tried them, so I am happy :-)

[nick Kelly]

I too find the CE strings to be very acceptable on my Whyte Laydie, I have also had them on my Tubaphones too. my choice  is the light gauge sets having found the mediums a bit clunky for my taste, I am wanting to try La Bella 17s but have been unable to find them anywhere in the UK.

[Joel Hooks]

I'd give the CE strings a try if they made them thin enough for me.

I get La Bella direct from La Bella.

[Trapdoor2]

LOL, I'm still using the same CE Gut strings I mounted 3 yrs ago. I've changed the 4th once...

If I have to put on new strings, I think I have two more sets of guts. After that, I'm doomed.

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Marc, I fitted a set of CE gut strings on my Windsor Pop 1 last year and after about three months, they began to 'feather' and became unplayable. I can only surmise I had a duff set...Steve.

[Trapdoor2]

I keep hearing about such problems with guts...but have never experienced such things. I suspect my playing style (such as it is) is very gentle on strings. Couple that with my duff hearing and strings last me a very long time. I usually change three of the 4th strings before changing the set...and tend to change sets when I can hook a thumbnail in the notches left by the frets.

LOL. I have never changed a set because I felt they sounded bad (even back when I could hear properly).

Steve Harrison said:

Hi Marc, I fitted a set of CE gut strings on my Windsor Pop 1 last year and after about three months, they began to 'feather' and became unplayable. I can only surmise I had a duff set...Steve.

[Eric Crum]

The "Classic Banjo" strings are great. The gut strings are different. I have the CE Classic mediums on all my banjos now. I think they sound great, and I have had no feathering or breaking issues.