Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Annoying string tone

#1

I just changed strings to my usual gauge ghs 185. However, the G string the wound string has a strange tone that I’ve never had before. The best I can describe it is, that slightly metallic sound you get on new acoustic guitar strings.
Maybe it will fade, but normally I don’t hear this on string changes. Do you think it’s a duff string or maybe a Tailpiece issue?

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#2

I noticed that when I’ve changed strings, it wears off quickly like a guitar. I would just make sure it’s run smoothly through the bridge and nut and not rattling on something there. Does it change when you fret it?

#3

I’ve never noticed it before on a string change. It’s always had a good tone from the off when I’ve put new strings on. It sounds the same fretted too. I will give it a week and see how it goes, then possible change the string first, in case it’s just a one off string problem. The difference this time, is I removed all strings to clean the fretboard, so the Tailpiece had to be reset. So wondering if that’s effected anything. What do you think @Jake?

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#4

@jono if you think you have a tail piece set-up issue, check out the Steve Huber banjo set-up series. I have used the videos to make minor set-up adjustments with good results. I normally play GHS pf135’s. They settle in pretty quick. Good Luck !

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#5

Thanks. :+1:

#6

Wow! You play a wound 3rd? I didn’t know they even made those. :astonished:

#7

No sorry I meant the 4th string. D string not G. :stuck_out_tongue:

#8

Now that THAT is cleared up! :face_with_monocle:

#9

To me, it sounds like just a little bit of new string “zing” that’s pretty typical with wound strings (the reason it sounds like new guitar strings). The 4th string in the PF185s is typically a really good one. It is actually the same exact string as in the PF135 and PF140 JD Crowe sets. I’d play it for a while to see if it settles down a bit.

You could also stretch it a bit. If you want to do that, just push it down toward the head a little bit. This is something that I do fairly often when I put a new set of strings on to get the stretch out so that I don’t have to fight with tuning so much, but it also seems to take a little bit of that brand new string “zing” out, in my experience.

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#10

Sounds like a good tip. Yes, i think it is new string zing. I’m used to it on guitar strings and like that tone. Just not noticed it so pronounced on my banjo string before. I think it’s a little better today, either that or I’m getting used to it.

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