Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 15:07:21 -0600
Subject: Re: Banjo Strings

Hi Mickey

I'm really enjoying the Maple Blossom!

Question for you about strings... I want to lay in a stock of strings, and
I'm trying to decide on medium vs. light guage. I didn't know how old the
strings were on the banjo when you shipped it to me, so I decided to put new
ones on ... all I could find in stock here in SF were Gibson Earl Scruggs
Signature, in medium guage. I put those on and it seems fine. As I
understand it, mediums will probably stay in tune better and be somewhat
louder and fuller sounding, but be somewhat harder to fret.

I am not having any problems fretting the mediums, is there any reason to
consider lights? It seems like there are more varieties of strings
available in lights, leading me to believe that overall lights are more
popular.

I'd appreciate knowing your thoughts on this.

Thanks
Michael

Greetings Michael,

You're right about medium gauge banjo strings:
1. They will fatten the sound of your banjo.
2. They can stay in tune better.
3. They can be louder.

However, they also have some drawbacks:
1. They can also sound "thuddier" depending on the set-up of your banjo and how long the strings last before going dead.
2. They add more tension on the neck and can make the banjo slightly more difficult to play due to this tension.
3. They're not as responsive as light gauge strings...they require just a little more attack to bring out the tone than does a lighter gauge string.
4. They usually do not have the crystal clear highs of light gauge...

The style of music you hope to achieve can also be a factor in determining which gauge to purchase...for instance,

When playing Scruggs style and Bluegrass, a medium gauge will add more punch. When playing melodic (Bill Keith/Alan Munde styles) banjo, you'll find that the light gauge strings seem to add a more waterfall-like character to this approach.

I must admit, that I find myself switching back and forth between light and medium gauge strings. If I had to settle on one, I believe I'd use light gauge for their versatility and ease of playability. I also am looking for the light popping sound...

Hope this helps...Mickey

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Subject: Banjo Maintenance question
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 16:55:21 -0500 (EST)

Hello FOTW,

I just inherited an old banjo (1923 Vega No 2 Special) and have a
neophyte question. Each of the old strings has what appears to be a
piece of pipe cleaner wrapped around the end near the No Knot. The new
strings I have purchased don't have this. What is this? Is it necessary?

Thanks alot,
Ben Irvin

Greetings Ben,

The silk winding you're referring to is brand specific...for instance, Deluxe Martin Guitar Strings would have these same windings...

What purpose do they serve:
1. They can sometimes be used for color coding...to differentiate a G String from a D String for an instance...
2. They seem to be more common on more expensive strings...making them more than likely, more expensive to make than those without the silk windings.
3. I suspect they assist in ensuring that the end metal winding stays in place...

Now, it shouldn't make any difference in tonal quality...and I use GHS strings myself which do not have these silk windings...

Hope the above helps in some way...
--
Mickey Cochran

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Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2001 12:00:30 -0600
Subject: Stelling vs Gibson

Hello Mickey,

You've probably heard this many times already, but you run a great website. 
I'm a banjo player in Iowa where there aren't many banjo dealers around, so
I'm writing to ask for your opinion about the sound of Stelling banjos vs
Mastertone style banjos. There just aren't any places here that sell both
types where I can hear them side by side. I noticed on your website that you
have a Stelling Sunflower and also an Earl Scruggs Standard in stock. Could
you let me know the prices of those two also? Thanks very much.

Michael Chang

Greetings Michael,

Glad to assist...

Gibson vs. Stelling:

Stelling:
I, personally, believe that the Stelling is one of the most unique sounding banjos available today...it has a certain bite that no other banjo can emulate. I'm positive this is attributed to their patented tone ring wedge-fitted pot assembly. Crystal clear tone with lots of volume...not a banjo with lots of bass but still a banjo with substantial fullness. And, no matter which Stelling model I've played, they all have this unique cut-through tone...Stellings crack like a rifle...I believe that no matter what ensemble of instruments you may be jamming with, unless one of the instruments is amplified, the Stelling will ride on the top.

Gibson:
I'm truly impressed with the banjos Gibson is currently making...they all seem to have that classic "Gibson Sound"...because a banjo is made with so many metal parts, I do not believe that you necessarily have to buy a banjo 50 years or older to get that classic sound. Banjo technology has arrived! What Gibson is achieving today with banjo manufacturing is nothing short of phenomenal. They're designed for playability with a classic bluegrass tone.

The Gibsons I've played to date all have a beautiful bottom end with a rich fullness that I haven't found on too many current makes...I've played the Flint Hill Special, the Scruggs' Standard, and the Granada...all have "that" sound...I'm sure a lot is attributed to the Huber tone ring...even so, that much more would be attributed to how well the rim assembly fits together, quality woods and overall engineering. Gibson does have banjo manufacturing at a well-seasoned level with a keen sense of artistry. Let us all hope they continue this tradition without compromise. Mickey