[KirbyBanjo]

Anyone else thinking about tuning to gDGBD tuning so they can play easier with other people, I put the Aquila 5B banjo nylon strings and they seem to be holding beautifully. It took me like 6 tunings before they started to hold pitch, and then another day or two before they really settled in.

I will need to record myself playing a tune (after I get used to playing a fretless) and posting it here. Side note, loving the fretless!

[KirbyBanjo]

Hey Brian, i am not the best reference, never done a building workshop before, but i have driven up to indiana for the Fiddlers Gathering and gone to Bonnaro (similar as a long weekend event):
1. I’d love to be able to walk away with a complete banjo that i’ve, one that is slightly different from what I could buy in the kits, maybe even just aesthetically, would be cool. Maybe start earlier in the process, actually cut the wood pieces, might be cool, if not too much of a liability (or too likely I’d ruin a good piece of wood with my very little woodworking experience).
Playing workshops could be a nice addition, too. Camping and playing with other musicians would be cool, although I’m a beginner.
2. I have no frame of reference for price, but my wife said around $600, I thought closer to $800, especially if food is provided. I don’t know the costs of running one of these or if insurance costs would be required or paying musicians to come play…
3. Three days? Maybe 4? Again, no frame of reference for a building workshop. The 9-5 jobs I’ve had allowed taking a couple days around a weekend without too much trouble.
4. I have family in Monticello, IN near the Fiddlers Gathering and I think close to where you’ve said you’re located. I make it up there once or twice a year (7.5 hour drive from Tennessee). Would definitely be interested, if I could make it work.

[KirbyBanjo]

Thanks, Brian. I ended up ordering the original Minstrel, 12″ kit with the scroll late last week. I love the mellow tone and the ability to play it in cello banjo tunjng.

I dug through the forum to try to learn about what strings I may want to get, but I quickly got lost talking about widths and wound strings and wasn’t sure if they applied to the tuning I was looking for.

So I dug back in the forum and think I found a string set that would work. I am sure you don’t want to rep any certain brand of strings, but would something like the Aquila AQ-5B strings fit the bill? It is nylgut and lists the tuning I am looking for.
I am very new to strings, so I really appreciate the help!
Kirby

Attachments:

1. 

   Screenshot_20240227_075226_DuckDuckGo.jpg
   

[Author]

Posts