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Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 21:01:11 +0100
Subject: 6 String banjo

Hi Mickey,i bought your video on the 6 string and 12 string banjos and in
the video you recommend extra light gauge strings,could you tell me what
size strings to buy.Very impressed with the video.Many thanks Mark Fazakarley, England.

Greetings Mark,

You've got a very interesting last name...I've never seen this surname before...

Nice to hear from the UK...I'm an anglophile myself...and, most all my favorite musicians hail from England...especially the Beatles and the Moody Blues...I happen to be listening to "Meddle" at this very moment! Beautiful acoustic arrangements...

Thanks for your kind words regarding my video...

The light gauges I'm referring to are...listing on the high E string gauges:
Starting on .009's if you're really looking for a more banjoistic sound...
Starting on .010's if you're looking for a slightly fatter sound...
and, no larger than .011's...

Now just look for a good bronze wound string, such as D'Addario or GHS...and the rest of the string gauges will gauge out accordingly based on the treble E strings listed above...

I wouldn't go any heavier than these considering that the sound begins to sound really thumpy on the bass end...

Hope this helps, Mickey

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Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2004 14:16:17 -0500
Subject: Re: Fwd: 6 string banjo strings

Mickey,
Do I use regular guitar strings or can I buy 6 string banjo strings? Also what do you mean about tightening the head. It has 4 screws that hold the back and front together. These were lose when I received it. I tightened them up. I do not know much about banjos. Just trying to learn about them.
THANK YOU
Jeff Sims

Greetings Jeff,

Yes, you would use regular guitar strings...my suggestion would be a phospher bronze for more brightness...

The head should be tightened periodically to ensure a taut head for better tone and volume...and less thumpiness...additionally, the bridge may start sagging if the head is too loose...

The 4 screws you're referring to hold the resonator on...underneath the banjo head you'll notice the tension hook screws with small nuts...these small nuts will tighten the head if turned clockwise...however, there's a technique to this that requires a star pattern to ensure that there's even distribution of tension...I highly recommend that you take it in to a knowledgeable repairperson to ensure that it's done correctly...and, this would give you a chance to learn the process too.

Hope this works for you...Mickey

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Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 18:00:49 -0500
Subject: 6 string banjo strings

I recently purchased a Dean backwoods 6 six string banjo. It seems to have pretty heavy strings on it. What kind of strings do you use for a 6 string banjo and can I put light strings on it? I greatly appreciate your help.
THANKS
Jeff SIms

Greetings Jeff,

On 6-String banjos, I highly recommend an extra light gauge set of strings...this brings out more resilience for ease of playability and more billiance for a brighter tone similar to a 5-string banjo...

I've noticed that a heavier gauge bass string, on 6-string banjos, can sound very thumpy (especially on the bass end)...and not have the tone of a lighter gauge string...and, be sure that you have your head properly tightened...this will also influence the tone drastically...

Mickey--