I’m going to try nylguts on a bluegrass banjo. Anything I need to know? I’m going for a full sound with sustain, not too bright. Not sure if a head change would be required, but open to it.
If you like it, please consider putting up a vid. I would love to hear what they sound like on a BG banjo.
tonygo Definitely!
But if I don’t like it, no video.
I tried both nylgut and nylon on my Stelling. Nylon was much better than Nylgut. I tried the Clifford Essex Medium and Heavy gauge nylons.
Here's their gauges, you can order singles from here in the States and make up your own sets.
MEDIUM GAUGE
24, 28, 32, 28w, 24
HEAVY GAUGE
26, 30, 34, 30w, 26
Several of the Classic Style players prefer the brighter sound of plastic heads (and nylon strings). I prefer calfskin, which is a good bit mellower. I did not like the overall sound of the Stelling with nylon. It is an archtop, so maybe too shrill for me. I have a Sullivan tube-and-plate with a Kulesh ring (and a Nechville neck) that I've been threatening to try with Nylons. Just haven't done it...yet!
Edited by - trapdoor2 on 06/21/2026 14:02:16
Depending on your current string gauge, your nylgut set, and the phase of the moon, you may need to widen your string slots. You probably have a collection of bridges, so be sure to try more than one before you decide. You probably already know you need to make your string slots super smooth to avoid breaking the nylgut. I learned this the hard way. The red strings break easier than anything else I've tried. That being said, I like the set with a red 4-string.
Unlike steel, you don't wanna leave ANY slack when you start winding. On the contrary, pull as tight as you can before you start winding or you'll end up with a big ball of string on your peg. (Learned that the hard way too).
It takes a day or 2 for nylguts to stretch and settle down. Stretching by pulling usually leads to early failure. Guess how I learned that!
Looking forward to hearing the results!
Edited by - Jon Borcherding on 06/21/2026 14:04:03
Nylon shmylon. Huber strings forever.
I’m already sure that I’m going to tune it down a step, maybe more.
If you don’t like Nylgut, try high-tension nylon.
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