Banjo strings

[JoeB]

The original strings that can with my banjo lasted a few months. Then I replaced them with another deering set thinking they last and play the same. However, it has only been about a month and they feel gritty. Anyone else have that happen? I play about an hour every day. I would have thought they would last longer or at least close to the same as originals.

[Dragonslayer]

Are they coated? If they feel gritty, try wiping them with a microfiber cloth and washing your hands before you play. That may help some

[JoeB]

Doesn’t look like they are coated. https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjo-strings/products/deering-5-string-banjo-strings-light-gauge
I probably will put on medium next time. I might buy some GHS also since a lot of people seem to like them.

[BanjoBen]

I recommend the GHS PF135: https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/banjo-strings/products/ghs-pf135-jd-crowe-signature-stage-stainless-steel-light-gauge-5-string-banjo-strings

A month of playing an hour per day is a long life for strings, in my opinion. You can wipe them down as D says.

[Jono]

I prefer the ghs 185’s myself but that’s just me. Though for some reason over her in the UK it’s getting more difficult to purchase them. (scratches head)
How often should we change strings? @BanjoBen
I used to change mine about once a month but then someone on another forum which will remain nameless, said I was crazy and unless I was a pro player gigging I should only need to change them about every 6 months.
Now I’m not so sure as they can lose tone as well as carbon up. I sometimes use fast fret but probably new strings are better.
How often do you guys change strings?

[Dragonslayer]

Whenever I break one. Strings ain’t easy to come by in Africa

[Mark_Rocka]

Load up while you’re here.

[Dragonslayer]

Yep!

[Lee_G]

@Jono

You still using GHS 185?

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/search/strings-c1/sets-c865/banjo-c38/ghs-ban

[Jono]

Thanks for that. Yes, this is where I’ve started ordering from.

[Lee_G]

i got some 135 but im wandering if they are a little light

[Jono]

I started off with light strings but as my hands and fingers toughened up I found they bent too easy out of tune. I then moved on to mediums and finally settled on ‘Almost medium’ 185’s.

[Jono]

Everyone’s different, it’s what is comfortable for you. I like the tone of the 185’s for me.

[Lee_G]

ok pal thanks for that i might give a set a try as i’m also finding tuning stability issues with the 135’s

[DLS]

Hi Folks,

I have used GHS fo rmany years. I am interested in the Black Diamond Brand or the Huber or the D adario.

Can anyone recommend a brand for their banjo or mando or guitar? Just putting it out there. Also, how often do you all change strings?

[Michael_Mark]

For banjo, my favorites are the GHS PF185 (medium light) set. The Huber strings are probably my second favorite. I recommend Elixir Nanowebs for guitar; they last a super long time and have a great “zingy” tone to them. For mandolin, I like D’addario EJ67.

As far as how often I change my strings, it depends on how much I play. Usually, my strings only last a few days before becoming really rough to play up the neck (fingernails on a chalkboard) but I can’t really afford to use up a new pack every few days, so I usually wait a couple weeks to change them and try to buy strings in bulk if there’s a discount. With mandolin strings, I could probably go through about 10 sets of the top two plain steels before needing to change the bottom two wound ones, even with Elixirs. For some bizarre reason, the Elixirs will last a really long time on guitar, but there’s pretty much no difference with banjo and mandolin between the Elixirs and the cheaper brands.

[Luke_L]

I usually switch between the Bill Keith nickel fourth and the standard medium D’addario nickel fourth set. I try to change them every two weeks or so, but sometimes I wait longer. They certainly lose their feel and tuning stability very quickly.

[DLS]

Thank you for your detailed response!

[BanjoBen]

I think the Huber strings are GHS strings packaged for him and to his gauge choice.

[Michael_Mark]

Ah, that makes sense. I thought they felt similar.