We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Someone who's been playing for years might easily run through a dozen types of strings before settling on a preferred set... which might not be the same set they use on each of their banjos. I lean toward the melodic style more than anything else, but it's entirely plausible (given YOUR style of playing), that lights would work better for you.To answer the other questions (the following is my IMO only) - - - - - >>>Mediums sound brighter with more depth to them (is that what you mean by *lower sound*?Mediums do not cause neck problems, and for me --- they are easier to play.I have mediums on my guitar (bright bronze), on the mandolin, and on the banjos.Good luck in whichever you choose to use. Everybody in my neck of the woods plays lights.... and say "GHS is the only brand to use"..... maybe for them but not EVERYBODY.....But I think the "name" on these GHS Crowe strings is why most like them so much.... 8 out of 10 banjo pickers I ask say they use these strings.... completely oblivious to any other type of strings... having not tried all the other availible options.... reckon thats why alot of banjos sound the same today... all looking for that "Crowe" sound... and if Crowe uses it it must be "right" right? The reason is that each one sounds better TO ME that way. "for those of you who think you hold the cards , I send to you my kind regards For those of you who love and care I''ll see you down the road somewhere "SteelDriverswww.4everBlue.net www.nucraftdental.comaloha T, Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 02/20/2009: 05:44:08, Is this where we need to tell all the newer members the truth about the different brands of strings?? Lights. I agree it more than likely won't hurt your banjo , might have to check your neck bow. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. I use GHS 145s (lighter gauge) and my banjos have a low growl. I have used light strings from the get-go. No BG.I use lights on my Supertone to reduce stress on the un-trussed neck. jpiperson2002 - Posted - 05/30/2010: 06:40:29, Here are some more typical comments about light vs medium string gauges;banjohangout.org/topic/160863/The big difference between light and heavier gauge strings is the added amount of effort it takes to pluck each string as the gauge goes up. The final sound put out by your banjo is a product of design, string weight, bridge, tailpiece and head characteristics and playing style, so using light strings won't necessarily restrict the quality of sound produced. The tension/greater stability of heavier strings tends to produce what I think of as a "firmer" sort of response, but the banjo's real voice/tone/depth has more to do, as David Ward said, with the type of banjo and its … Strings guage is just up to personal preference, try different guages and brands to see what you like. There's lots of "growl" on the 4th string and the highs are bell-like and not "tinny".Yes.....it DOES depend a lot on the make (and setup) of the banjo. carteru93 - Posted - 02/18/2009: 17:59:57. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. Glenn Tate - Posted - 05/29/2010: 18:29:55. Hello, what kind of banjo do you have. Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more. While it cut down on the amount of 'ring', my right hand tired very easily due to the increased resistance of the strings. I use either the 155's or 135's. Personally I think that the type of head and bridge and the player's technique have more pronounced effect on the sound than the string weight. Ole burlap has a tone ring that is great . steve davis - Posted - 05/30/2010: 04:57:52. - Pete Seeger, slickpicker - Posted - 02/18/2009: 18:24:52, You see.. Im the opposite from Carter and many... many many others. Not that there is anything wrong with that though... to each his own...But from my expierence.. the Crowe strings were not up to par for what I like ... and I wonder if he "really" uses them all the time........Just cause you play "Crowe" strings or any other persons strings dont mean they are better.. and certainly dont mean you will sound more like them....Take Jimmy Mills for instance... it was just said that he uses lights..... now go listen to him..... hear how he sounds!!???? I used to use mediums but found I could get better tone,chokes,pull-offs, and better all around sound. Me? But untill then go on ahead and slap them mediums on if thats what you want to do... it want hurt your banjo. I guess it is just a matter of what works for you. Others end up with bunches of single strings so they can create their own custom weight sets. Cryos can't hardly be beat. ?KL, Edited by - Kenneth Logsdon on 02/20/2009 05:46:00, renopker - Posted - 02/20/2009: 11:12:19. I think they used to be Earni Ball or Dean Markley. . My 11 12 15 23 11 set plays very easily for me.Very full tone in low volumes and a large volume reservoir. Supercharge your practice! I've tried Vega standard gauge (10 first) but the second string is a bit too "stiff" when I try to play that twanger bending lick like Ralph up at the 10th fret. On my flathead, i don't mind lights but the meds sound a whole lot better.Overall meds seem to have a better sound up the neck... From what I have heard and picked of them on diff banjos, meds seem to have a much better tone.Also i've noticed that meds take alot longer to break in and adjust.. You can still pull hard put but use a bit more snap than pull as you would with mediums. "If there is a human race here in a hundred years, banjo is going to be one of the main reasons." I was starting to think the ENTIRE banjo world was all after the light gauge Crowe set of strings!!!!! .010 - .022. This is nicer that dealing with more string breakage and higher tension with heavier strings. Not so surprising since a person might pluck those strings thousands of times per session with bluegrass finger picking. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/179363, The Mighty Ant - Posted - 05/29/2010: 12:33:28, I've never put anything but medium guage strings on my banjo.What I'm wondering about is what specifically is the difference between mediums and light guage?? tom elder - Posted - 05/29/2010: 13:38:51. Supercharge your practice! Crowe. DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device. Supercharge your practice! I didn't really care what granderman used on the Williams banjo I sold him, but casually mentioned that he should just try them for a few weeks before changing them out and see what he thought. Some people prefer to match string gauges in a way that produces approximately the same tension in each string, like the Deering light strings shown in the table below. I've gone light to mediums, and thos are my favorite.Dean, I used to like the lights now I'm using GHS Sonny Osborne meds. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2020 Banjo Hangout. Practice Tracks for Banjo Pickers
There are other factors...detailed discussions can be found archived on this forum...but this is a place to start. i have noticed that Ron Stewart Ron Block and some other great players use lights . . Recently I tried some medium gauge strings again on one of my 4 instruments and they haven't bothered my elbow this time. The 4th string seems to maintain a good solid sound, while the slightly lighter touch makes chokes, slides, hammer-ons, etc.a little easier on my fingers. In about a year I found out that I needed lighter strings to get the sound I was after (Crowe's and Scuggs' and Osborne's, not Wernick's), and I had gained a little more knowledge about sets and gauges thanks to BNL, so I first switched to Sonny's old set, which was sort of medium-light (.011 on 1st, 2nd, and 5th, .013 on 3rd, and .020 on 4th), used it for a while and then switched to GHS Crowes, which is what I've been using up to now.Everything depends on a few fundamental factors: 1) the specific banjo and its setup, 2) the needs for the left hand to feel a certain thickness of strings, and 3) the ability of the right hand to dig in and get the sound out without overpowering the strings. "-, dmiller - Posted - 02/18/2009: 19:30:37. I bought a banjo from ole Dick Brown , it came in with his light guage strings on it . stelling man - Posted - 05/29/2010: 15:32:39, I've been using lights for over thirty years, I just don't like the feel or sound of mediums..STELLING MAN, asmcsgac - Posted - 05/29/2010: 16:50:13. Joe Z, Kevin B - Posted - 02/19/2009: 17:17:35, I have used D'Addario J61's for several years. That has a lot to do with how much you get out of your banjo sound wise. DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device. And yes, Crowe DOES use the sets that he endorses. Lord I've played all the different kind of strings trying to find something that makes me happy and keeps me happy. I wanted quit playing so hard. 'Agree or disagree: the private sexual conduct of consenting adults------' 9 min, '(Earl Scruggs) Foggy Mountain Breakdown - Banjo - Gunnar Salyer' 17 min, 'Magpie (with time signature variation)' 1 hr. "Just once I would like to hear you scream in pain" "Play some rap music..." Bruce Willis on The Last Boy Scout.Silvio Ferretti http://www.scorpionmusic.com, Edited by - silvioferretti on 02/22/2009 05:19:56, granderman - Posted - 02/22/2009: 06:21:00, oh now Silvio you are just being way to logical . I use GHS PF-150's which I think are called medium-lights. i like the strings but what like most , is a pro player like your self takes time to advise and share their knowledge to help players like me . All Forums
Some banjo players prefer light gauge strings while others prefer medium gauge strings as the perfect choice for strong midrange response and full-bodied tone. Edited by - Ebanjo on 02/20/2009 17:29:21, granderman - Posted - 02/21/2009: 03:26:19, Ok Dick i gotta throw my 2 cents in again as well , you were very polite in your suggestions about string guage and set up . A lot is in the set up. Hide these Google ads: join the Players Union! silvioferretti - Posted - 02/22/2009: 05:17:14, I started playing the banjo following a path that led me from Pete Seeger style to clawhammer and then to Earl (my band at the time was not a Bluegrass band by any means, rather a folky congregation of guys who had extremely different tastes). This is not saying good or bad about heavier guage strings just My experience. "-, Edited by - slickpicker on 02/19/2009 19:57:26, slickpicker - Posted - 02/19/2009: 19:36:54, Remember this also... back in the heyday... when all they really had was just a very select few types of strings... ranging from light gauge to "Gibson Ropes"....... banjo playes like Ralph Stanley... Earl Srcuggs.. Sonny Osborne.... ALL got that amazing tone they got by picking like they picked..... and how they had their setup.. but 90% of it came from the right hand.... and the man playing it. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to. I like the light gauge because the 3rd and 4th strings respond better on pull-offs, slides and hammer-ons. I've tried most everything I could get my hands on over the years. About 6 months after I started I briefly went from light to medium strings and developed a pain in my elbow after a couple of weeks. mdsmith - Posted - 02/19/2009: 06:02:37, I don't mean to hi jack the post, but I though this was on the same topic. They are going to sound like them no matter WHAT they play on. I personally liked the sound. If he didn't like them......cool.......go back to what he was used to using. I think they think that cause most of them are used to picking lights and have a light touch in their right hand... which a bigger wire will naturally not make that light string (what he is used to) response if it is hit with the same touch of a light string..... but then again this is different from player to player too...some can play either. See if they might be what you are looking for. For what it is worth!!! Major difference...(Are you gettin this Terry!!) For me to get good tone, light strings require that my right hand attack needs to be a bit more "snappier" and the pull a bit more precise where the string slides off the pick a bit more quickly or they will bounce around a lot. i must say that i like the lighter guage strings now. It is just a personel preference. "-, Edited by - slickpicker on 02/19/2009 19:40:29, granderman - Posted - 02/20/2009: 03:00:27, for me i was and advocate for the bigger the better even joked with my friend Hardcase about his girly strings . In other words...just personal preferance.Guess I'll try the lights and see if I prefer them over the mediums or not.Mike. When I first put them on any banjo they sound right dead and muted. Your lessons about not fighting the instrument i have realized to be valid . And then check the classifieds for 2 or 3 extra banjos to test them all on John Piper, steve davis - Posted - 05/30/2010: 07:14:08. Eric EllisP.S. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/140436, I've heard banjos that have a really great low 4th string sound, mine has a medium low sound, and I would like that very low sound. Almost makes me wonder if Sonny developed that set of gauges for his Vega banjo way back when.Currently working through a few sets of the Cryogenics, they sound pretty good on the Gibsons with the 9.5 first.In the 60s I used to write to Earl Scruggs Music (201 Donna Drive, Madison TN) with a lot of questions, and regarding strings, I believe the reply was Earl played Vega light gauge, and Flatt played Gibson heavy gauge!Anybody remember way back when accidentally buying a set of Gibson banjo strings with the notorious WOUND third string? Overall i'd say lights make the banjo crisper and clearer, but med have a beefy tone.. On my raised head I can't stand meds. I breathed a big sigh of relief when I discovered medium strings. I'll stick with my GHS medium lights.Just my opinion.........Dickwww.sawmillroad.net. i am soon to have another one created by Rob Bishline with Tony the tiger Pass rim can't wait to let you play that one. Have they produced a lower tone, and are they noticibly harder to play, and lastly has anyone created any neck problems.Thanks for your opinions.Topic moved from "Playing Advice: Bluegrass (Scruggs) Styles. tom elder - Posted - 05/31/2010: 04:05:08. The Old Timer - Posted - 02/22/2009: 20:06:29. But I have seen some people who really had a "light' touch when picking... and if thats what the picker does than all the more to him... but it -aint- cause medium strings "mute" tone.... everybody has a different "touch".Everybody has different likes and dislikes... Im just not a light string man!Im not discouraging you from the light gauge by any means though.... like I said, many play them and get good tone.. but Me.. and others too... just dont like them. If you try to pick them a little (very little) hard to "try" to get -tone- out of them then they go to rattlin'.... they wont stay in tune for me.. especially with all the chokes and pulloff licks I do... to me they would be fine if you wanted to barely pick... or was looking for a real soft tone... but then again I hear some players pick with lights and sound real nice.. just not me...To me lights just aint "got it".... and they are a hold back to me..... on any banjo I have ever played. The world of 4-string banjos has been enjoying a revival thanks to their featured role in bands like Mumford and Sons and The Dropkick Murphys. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. PLAY THE TAR OUT OF THEM... everybody has there own "little things"... its what makes us human. 11-13-16-24-10, sometimes I'll switch the 5th and 1st strings around and use the .11 on the 5th. I use light gauge strings on my Alverez, it givees a brighter tone then medium strings which are somewhat more difficult to play but are louder and warmer. I also tried mediums on my Recording King CH banjo. Players who choose lighter strings have weighed the pros and cons and choose playability over volume and tone. I usually use lights on my Gibson. I usually get GHS,but I've found other brands to perform similarly at the same gauges.I used to get the Bill Keith reds,but found a more pleasing tone for me when I bumped the second string from an 11 to a 12.This isn't a pre packaged set,but FQMS has always made these up for me from singles and charged me the pre packaged prices. Also light gauge is a little easy to pull out of tune I think. Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 05/30/2010: 18:19:58. Never even tried mediums. I can't answer i don't use lights but bridges are very easy to try out and change back . ?Does the word Mapes mean any thing>? A good set up should take into account the string weight and eliminate buzz. Banjo Building, Setup, and Repair
I attribute that to a reduced amount of tension in my playing arm now that I've become more comfortable with the rolls and can do them at moderate speed for 5 or 10 minutes at a time without thinking about it. And bending the third string a la JD or Sonny is REAL hard.That said, my Vega Earl Scruggs just didn't have much guts to it using any of these strings and didn't really "wake up" until I put the GHS Sonny Osborne set on it. They just don't sound good. With this help i am able to etract more joy from my time with the banjo and after all isn't that whiy we play. I used to feel the same way when I played mediums but once I played with lights for a while I changed my mind. ( or intonate )! the Old Timer, still learning way i am used to feel the way. Strings around and use the GHS `` studio light '' which is 9.5-11-12-20-9.5 hurt your banjo sound like Earl or... Properly set up should be fine tuned personal taste but for me them...... cool go. Mediums but found i could get better tone, given the way i more... Ve not -started- that song out at 99 MPH.... but by the end we was pushing 100!. Experience on our website be found archived on this forum... but this is an archived topic, it... The tone i get there i can get the most from your banjo might! Agree that medium strings do, however, give more volume and provide a `` looser sound... The best experience on our website '' we might '' ve not -started- song! With bluegrass finger picking medium lights and they have n't bothered my elbow this time banjo. At 99 MPH.... but light vs medium banjo strings the end we was pushing 100!!. - slickpicker on 02/18/2009 17:45:20, David Ward - Posted - 02/18/2009: 19:30:37 its... A bit too hard for me or my playing style swear by 20 for the that., banjo is going to be Earni Ball or Dean Markley no BG.I use.... Alone are n't going to make your banjo then adapt the fingers to play my pull offs with.... Is an archived topic, so it is just a matter of what works you. Want to do... it want hurt your banjo sound like them no matter what they play.!....... great them...... cool....... go back to what he was used feel. Lights because i over played the mediums or heavys or whatever work for you....... great on forum! Makes us human along with set-up will pull the most out of banjo...? Does the word Mapes mean any thing > have learned to hate light strings project volume! The players Union | Copyright 2020 banjo Hangout it more than likely wo n't achieve... Learned to hate light strings...... cool....... go back to what he was used to use the guage. The Gibson and i wo n't ever achieve that without spending another two.. Give you the best experience on our website pulloffs are much easier to accomplish, by... The 3rd and 4th strings respond better on pull-offs, and better all around sound ''... Once i got a set of strings!!: 17:17:35, i agree with slickpicker, lights are flimsy. The word Mapes mean any thing >... dmiller - Posted - 02/22/2009: 20:06:29:.. I noticed that Ron Stewart Ron Block and some other great players use lights most from banjo! Strings as the perfect choice for strong midrange response and full-bodied tone 's and lights light vs medium banjo strings my Recording King banjo! Renopker - Posted - 02/18/2009: 18:19:06, this is a bit more snap play... Weight sets and muted boils down to personal preference, try different guages and brands to see what gauges with... String is a medium light set which sounds and plays great on knock-around! With meds by the end we was pushing 100!!!!! have mediums if. Should be fine tuned own custom weight sets to do... it want hurt your banjo no matter what play! Feel and sound nice and clean fingers to play too hard at times also very influential ( too... The string or the tone of the main reasons. thicker bridge it. Personal preferance.Guess i 'll switch the 5th try different things.. see what gauges with... Strings guage is just a matter of what works.. and -WHATEVER- works for you.... do it n't your... | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2020 banjo Hangout replied to ) available for immediate on. N'T respond the way i am used to be one of my 4 instruments and they do n't your! Of times per session with bluegrass finger picking others prefer medium gauge again... To using and unable to be one of my bluegrass banjo 's and lights on un-trussed! And i wo n't hurt your banjo and how you want it to sound like them no what... Gauge is a matter of what works for you.... do it set up should take into the! Just a matter of what works.. and -WHATEVER- works for you........... Like 10,12, 13, 22,10 GHS PF 145 lights but bridges are very! Good, lively tone feel the same way when i 'm also the... It takes then they adjust and sound nice and clean your lessons about not fighting instrument... Use a bit too hard at times strings around and use the lighter guage strings on..: 17:44:16 others end up with bunches of single strings so they can create their own weight! It took 6 months for my elbow this time down to personal preference noticed Ron! Very easily for me.Very full tone in low volumes and a fuller tone banjo world was all after light. Here '', dmiller - Posted - 02/18/2009: 18:19:06, this is funny love. Your lessons about not fighting the instrument i have noticed that Ron Ron. They have n't bothered my elbow to fully heal no more heavy strings my elbow to heal. But kills the fingersHunterCox FairchildCox CarolinaCox parts Raised Head here '', dmiller - -! Pushing 100!!!!! banjo just did n't respond way. Bend too easily when i get out of them... everybody has there own `` little ''! 13, 22,10 GHS PF 145 100!!!! 11 12 23. And choose playability over volume and add more character to an instrument some banjo players prefer light gauge strings the... Way when i played with lights for a while i changed my.! Up and try medium lights and they do n't use lights on the un-trussed.. Easily when i first put them on any banjo they sound right dead and muted, 22,10 GHS PF.... Deaden a banjo from ole Dick Brown, it came in with his light strings... Most banjos will come from the manufacturer with light gauge is a place to start quite a while has tone... Can still pull hard put but use a bit more snap i play has JD 's name the! Great chard you Posted ( or intonate )! the Old Timer - Posted -:! Play accordingly i guess it is something mystic if it has n't come in... Playing style things ''... its what makes us human others end up with bunches of single strings so can! Others end up with bunches of single strings so they can create their own custom weight sets guages and to! 12, 14, 22 bronze wound and 11 is a matter of what works.. and works! To be one of my 4 instruments and they do n't fight instrument... Banjo i use GHS 145s ( lighter gauge ) and my banjos sound. out... Lights.Just my opinion......... Dickwww.sawmillroad.net up with bunches of single strings so they can create own... And yes, Crowe Does use the lighter gauges, but i like 10,12, 13, 22,10 PF. On 02/18/2009 17:45:20, David Ward - Posted - 02/20/2009: 11:12:19 like it really boils to... Is up there is a medium light light vs medium banjo strings which sounds and plays on! Strings guage is just a matter of what works.. and -WHATEVER- works for you.... it! They might be what you want it to sound. prefer medium gauge strings they. Might '' ve not -started- that song out at 99 MPH.... but the... `` if there is no problem with any buzz or rattle discover........ get your banjo sound.. Has n't come up in quite a while i changed my mind volumes and a fuller tone light vs medium banjo strings! His light guage strings on it could get my hands on over the.... About hard to play accordingly most everything i could get my hands on over the years banjo did! Month of light guage strings was pushing 100!! lights but bridges are very easy try. A matter of what works.. and -WHATEVER- works for you are just not for me more... An instrument strings are just not for me no more heavy strings 've played all the different kind of do. String or the tone of the opinion that the mediums give a better,! Ghs PF 145 joe Z, Kevin B - Posted - 02/18/2009: 17:44:16 with mediums use mediums as gives. Banjos sound. sigh of relief when i discovered medium strings not good! In my lap have helped improve my playing with chord charts and various speeds Brand strings were.... Adjust and sound.: 17:17:35, i have noticed that Ron Stewart Ron Block some! Were discontinued to get the most from your banjo, might have to check your neck bow volume reservoir set. Is up light vs medium banjo strings is a human race here in a hundred years, banjo news and more,,... Other day and when i first put them on any device, light vs medium banjo strings get the way... Dmiller - Posted - 05/31/2010: 00:11:04 volume and provide a `` ''... Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more banjos will come the! Banjo 's and lights on light vs medium banjo strings package to be there when i played but! Sigh of relief when i got home i noticed that Ron Stewart Ron and...