Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

I seek advice for locating a suitable vendor of real gut strings.  Many thanks in advance.

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Boo. Not fair.

John, what type of varnish do you use?

I’m thinking about using gut strings. Gamut also makes Lutes. What banjo do you use them on? I’m thinking about using them for a Vintage turn of the last century banjo and to get an authentic sound from a reproduction Minstrel banjo. 

John Masciale said:

I get mine from gamut strings. I get them varnished.  A set of strings can last a long time.

 

I use them on my minstrel era banjos.  There are people who also like them on classic banjos.  The difference in sound is subtle. I far prefer the gut strings.  Although I have done sound studies comparing modern banjos with minstrel era banjos I have not tried comparing string types.  I suspect that the gut strings would have slightly higher harmonic content than nylgut, but that is purely a subjective guess. Temperature would definitely be a factor.

Michael Cypret said:

I’m thinking about using gut strings. Gamut also makes Lutes. What banjo do you use them on? I’m thinking about using them for a Vintage turn of the last century banjo and to get an authentic sound from a reproduction Minstrel banjo. 

John Masciale said:

I get mine from gamut strings. I get them varnished.  A set of strings can last a long time.

 

Thanks much!

John Masciale said:

I use them on my minstrel era banjos.  There are people who also like them on classic banjos.  The difference in sound is subtle. I far prefer the gut strings.  Although I have done sound studies comparing modern banjos with minstrel era banjos I have not tried comparing string types.  I suspect that the gut strings would have slightly higher harmonic content than nylgut, but that is purely a subjective guess. Temperature would definitely be a factor.

Michael Cypret said:

I’m thinking about using gut strings. Gamut also makes Lutes. What banjo do you use them on? I’m thinking about using them for a Vintage turn of the last century banjo and to get an authentic sound from a reproduction Minstrel banjo. 

John Masciale said:

I get mine from gamut strings. I get them varnished.  A set of strings can last a long time.

 

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