Plectrum banjo strings

[John Deller]

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. John

[Jody Stecher]

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? The very best sounding plectrum banjo I ever heard was a Clifford Essex mid-level model. It was a long time ago before I knew the difference between the models and I didn't have the sense to ask. It was tuned CGBD will light gauge steel strings.  Even longer ago, in the 1960s I shared a flat with a banjo player who played a Weymann plectrum banjo which he tuned DGBE, just like the 4 highest strings on a guitar. He always used nylon classical guitar strings. He played Irish jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Mostly melody, with the occasional chord. That banjo roared.  But for typical CGBD chords, accompanying horns, (or played solo ) in a jazz context, metal produces the expected sound. 

[John Deller]

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 nylons on it. The person I'm fixing it for is a 5 string player who wants to try something else.

[Jody Stecher]

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.

John Deller said:

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 nylons on it. The person I'm fixing it for is a 5 string player who wants to try something else.

[John Deller]

It has a Grafton St label and a XI (or IX) stamped on the dowel rod, and a 261/2" scale

[Joel Hooks]

Post photos.  The address label means pretty much nothing.  The Roman Numeral is a batch number, not a serial number.

[Joel Hooks]

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 Emile Grimshaw were big on mixing sets, usually with a wire first.  I don't know if this was a marketing strategy due to the gut shortage or actual musical preference but it was not that popular with fingerstyle players. 

[Richard William Ineson]

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 but was confirmed by A.P. Sharpe who recalled selling them to JM when he was working in the CE shop.

Joel Hooks said:

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 Emile Grimshaw were big on mixing sets, usually with a wire first.  I don't know if this was a marketing strategy due to the gut shortage or actual musical preference but it was not that popular with fingerstyle players.