Strings for Low Tuning

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Fretless Banjo Players

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A group for fretless players to exchange information and ideas.

309 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: Marc Nerenberg (owner)

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From DublinLongNeck1993 on 10/30/2020 8:36:49 AM

Hi guys,

Im new to the fretless banjo and prefer the low D tuning. I understand Aquila have strings for this setup but i found them too light for myself as I've a heavy hand when it comes to frailing.

Has anyone tried heavier gauges and found no issues with neck warp etc. ?

Kindest regards,

Seán

4 Comments
	Red Squirrel says: 10/30/2020 11:00:08 AM Welcome to the fretless world Sean! :^) I personally haven't tried heavier gauge nylon strings outside of Aquila (I'm not even sure who makes them) But from a technical standpoint as a luthier, you shouldn't experience any changes or problems with neck bow using any tension of gut or synthetic strings. If it's a modern open back (as opposed to like a gourd banjo with friction pegs) it could probably even handle the much higher tension of steel strings without issue. Depending on your banjo, it may even have what's called a "truss rod" in the neck which could be adjusted to counteract the tension and bow. However, gut/synthetic strings should have no where near the tension to even worry about doing that. Good Luck!
	DublinLongNeck1993 says: 11/6/2020 4:05:23 AM Hi Red Squirrel Thanks for the comment and feedback. Its mountain banjo with no truss rod. So i should be ok with experimenting with heavier gauges from what you say Thanks and all the best, Seán
	Tom Berghan says: 2/5/2021 11:39:07 AM You have to buy singles, which many people do, including Adam Hurt. af#DAd For that tuning and a mensur of 26 & 3/8th inches (considered the ideal mensur by many), I use the following (in inches) 0.028 0.031 0.041 0.31 wound classic 0.028
	Tom Berghan says: 2/5/2021 7:59:15 PM You have to buy singles, which many people do, including Adam Hurt. af#DAd For that tuning and a mensur of 26 & 3/8th inches (considered the ideal mensur by many), I use the following (in inches) 0.028 0.031 0.041 0.31 wound classic 0.028
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