Banjo players have issues…issues they like to talk about, that is. One issue is the type of strings they use. Strings are a very important part of a banjo, without them, the sound just wouldn’t be the same. Some people in my family, fiddle players in particular, might call this an improvement, but I beg to differ.
The strings of a banjo are an integral part of the instrument. So, of course, this invites the discussion of which brand of strings is best. With about six instruments in our band needing strings pretty regularly, I have found that the longer the strings last, the easier it is to get the band fund to subsidize my string needs.
When I first started playing banjo, I was a newcomer to the strings debate and just bought the only banjo strings I could readily find--the Martin banjo strings at the local Mills Music . I do not mean to bash Martin banjo strings, but let’s just say that Martin specializes in guitar strings for a reason. I had a revelation when my banjo teacher gave me a set of GHS J.D. Crowe signature strings. WHOA!! My banjo was much louder, and easier to play! I really liked that. So, I became an avid devotee of GHS strings for about a year.
Then I discovered that there was more than two or three different types of strings out there, so I began buying different brands, and comparing them. I eventually settled on Black Diamond light gauge strings for my aluminum rim banjo, because, #1 they sounded very good on that particular banjo, and #2 they were black coated, which made my banjo look very cool from approximately three feet away, which was how close you had to be to see that they were black. Anyway, I still use those strings on that banjo.
On my Goldstar, it was slightly different. I wanted to try something else. So, I tried the J.D. Crowe set again. It was still a nice set of strings, but they didn’t last very long. I then tried D’Addarios, which are fine strings, but it didn’t quite match what I was looking for. I had recently heard about American Made Banjo Company’s cryogenically treated strings from an ad in the Banjo Newsletter. I decided to give it a try, because I like stuff that has weird science behind it.
The strings are cryogenically treated, which is a process that involves exposing them to extremely cold temperatures below -300 degrees Fahrenheit. This hardens the strings, and makes them last longer. That was optimum for me, if it really worked, because I need my strings to last long so that I don’t have to pay for them. I went to the website and was expecting to have to pay an arm and a leg for them, but was pleasantly surprised. They only charge $3.50 for a standard set, and $4.50 for a custom set. The company also has reduced pricing for bulk orders. The customization option on the website enables the buyer to pick the string gauges they want, which I thought was a very, very nice option. I bought one set, so that I could try it out, and waited for them to arrive. When they did arrive, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise-a free thumbpick was included in the package! I put on the strings, and tested them out. They sounded very impressive, and I was a happy customer.
The main test though, was in how long they would last. Let me just say that my current set of strings are still on my banjo after over three months of heavy playing, and are not even close to wearing out! I was very impressed by the quality, and the affordability of this product.
They currently are for sale at AmericanMadeBanjo.com.
I hope that this review helps all of the people that are struggling with their string issues. Also, I would like to take this opportunity to impart some parting wisdom: NEVER, EVER, POINT A MICROPHONE AT A SPEAKER THAT IS TURNED UP VERY LOUD! It will feed back on a scale of unimaginable proportions………And it will leave you unable to hear people asking you why would do something that stupid.
My parents are sleeping and I'm trying not to laugh too loud - it's funny how you can write about something that wouldn't be very interesting to most people, but because you have a passion for it you make it interesting. Also, I would have to be approximately 1.5-2 feet away to see that the strings are black, but my blindness may only have to do with seeing far away letters and not colors.
Posted by: Kathryn | 06/15/2009 at 11:41 PM
Hee hee. :D I shall have to take a closer look at them some time.
Posted by: Katie Ross | 06/16/2009 at 04:18 PM
And here Clayton thought he was impressing all the ladies with his funky black strings.... Maybe he should just get some aviators like Clark!
Posted by: Sally Hess | 06/16/2009 at 04:35 PM
Kathryn and Katie, thank you for your nice comments! Yes Kathryn, if you are color blind as well, I don't know if I want to ride in the car with you anymore..... :)
I WILL NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, GET AVIATOR SUNGLASSES!!!!!
Posted by: Clayton Hess | 06/16/2009 at 04:50 PM
P.S. That picture at the top is not me.
Posted by: Clayton Hess | 06/16/2009 at 04:51 PM
It is Clark.
Posted by: Clayton Hess | 06/16/2009 at 04:52 PM
I hereby now apologize to Clark for that comment because he is holding my banjo newsletter renewal form hostage until I withdraw my comment.
Posted by: Clayton Hess | 06/16/2009 at 05:01 PM
I hereby now withdraw my apology, because after I posted, he killed his hostage. A moment of silence will now follow.
I need to stop posting before mom starts editing my comments for negativity.....
Posted by: Clayton Hess | 06/16/2009 at 05:05 PM
I knew it wasn't Clark immeadiatly...Cuz they had a shirt on
Posted by: gordon | 06/18/2009 at 10:07 PM