Mountain banjo steel strings The date 7/4/1976 is scratched inside to coincide with the US bicentennial . String #4 D3 . I learned that I needed to make the slots bigger in the nut and the bridge to keep the strings from popping out, and that it's very important to make sure that there are no Mar 2, 2025 · pedal_steel_guitar_strings resonator_resophonic_guitar_strings Black Mountain Dava GHS Banjo and Mandolin Strings. Brand New Find a Teacher. The complete lack of metal hardware around the body keeps this instrument clean looking and light weight. I replaced the Nygut strings with D'Addario medium steel Apr 8, 2015 · This banjo is based on the ever popular homemade banjo found in the “Foxfire 3” book series. Jan 24, 2019 · The traditional mountain banjo neck is not made to resist the force of even light steel strings and most people will also find that tuning to even a lower pitch is extremely difficult with wooden pegs. to meet with Barry. 012 plain steel; Middle String: 0. This drawing/pattern plan is necessary for anyone interested in building their very own fretless mountain-style, 5-string banjo. 010 wire We include a leather scrap to protect the body of the banjo from being scratched by the strings as they pass over the bottom edge. As long as you're using steel strings, those brads will certainly do the job as well as any tailpiece. What's Included: All pre-cut wood parts; All musical hardware and strings. Fretted or fretless. A subreddit for discussion of bluegrass, old-time, and tenor banjo. 00 sold out. In addition to my SB-100 open-back banjo, I’m also offering these simply wonderful Mountain Style banjos, inspired by the made-at-home examples found in the Foxfire book series and some other sources. She likes the medium-size strings because it feels like they hold the line Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more. Another hybrid instrument, the “banjolin” pairs a small banjo body with a mandolin neck and tuning. Put another way, the hoped-for punch will be missing. Again, the mountain banjo traditionally has a setup that precludes playing "up the neck". 010 to 0. Great little instrument with nice soft toneNo case but will be packaged very well Jul 1, 2011 · Buy 3 x Stainless Steel, Open Design, Metal Finger Picks for Guitar, Banjo, Dobro, etc. Mar 6, 2024 · Banjo Mandolin. The nylgut strings make this have that good o Sep 24, 2019 · Find a Teacher. For this reason, it is suggested that you avoid leaving your mountain banjo tuned in any key (like "A") that produces exaggerated amounts of stress (string tension) on the neck. This gives the fretless banjo a warmer, earthier tone than a banjo with metal strings. Setup Jan 28, 2011 · I am considering getting another fretless banjo. And it is fun to experiment! Thanks for reading! Sincerely, Richard Ash, luthier-who-thinks-about-dulcimer-strings-WAY-too-much! This has my v neck as far as I know I’m the only one making these with that style but is a very old style and love how it feels and sure you will too. The inside ring of the walnut rim used a piece of walnut from the barn with some worm holes. Hope they can be of some use. Appalachian String Band Music Festival. com 105 Main Street South, Wedowee, AL 36278 10:00am - 5:00pm CST, M-F Please make an appt. Here's what I recommend: Four-String MD with Double-Melody (Tuning: D-A-AA or D-A-dd) Melody String #1: 0. 014 plain steel Handmade fretless mountain banjo. Kala Solid Body 4-String Tobacco Burst Fretless U-BASS. 36 delivery. Aug 29, 2015 · this seems to ad volume to your nylon string banjo as well as keeping the bridge in place. My designs are inspired by plans from the Foxfire books. 99 price drop). steel strings are bright and louder. This banjo has all the loud, rich sound of the much more expensive banjos that I have played. Play along with original audio Sep 9, 2024 · Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. The maple neck is one of the hardest pieces of maple I ever had and sorry to say it’s the last one I have. The 8" Renaissance head can be tuned using a flat screwdriver from the rear. Sponsored. Base Price: $299. May 15, 2012 · Like you, I too have a Peterson mountain banjo. Fretless Mountain Banjo, new, cherry, steel strings, made in West Virginia! Brand New. Make the banjo YOU want. If you filed all the frets down and haven't adjusted the nut grooves, you're going to have pressure problems. com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Finished making this one today December 14, 2024. 21″ scale length. Banjo picks, fingerpicks, finger picks for acoustic guitar. With the nyglut strings and lack of frets this banjo has a sound unlike any other. But I might try Nylgut sometime. Add To Cart. The setup: Renaissance head, steel strings. One accurate version. $400. 95, now $179. Rim; Recording King RKO-3S 5 String Banjo Open Back; Recording King Songster Resonator Banjo; Washburn Americana Series B10 5 String Resonator Back Banjo Gloss Sunburst D'Addario XTJ1023 XT Nickel Plated Steel Banjo Strings - . As fretless mountain banjos are “homemade instruments,” it is the Sweeney tradition to invent and borrow styles from other banjo makers to make an instrument that is truly Jul 31, 2011 · You can buy mountain dulcimer string sets, but guitar strings of suitable gauge should work fine. I’ve tried both Nylgut and low D tuning metal strings, and both sounded too quiet, lackluster and dull to me. the solid ebony 4/4 violin pegs are set in holes reamed with 2 violin peg reamers Jun 2, 2015 · Hi everyone, I'm looking to start playing banjo, and was interested in getting a fretless instrument. Whatever type of banjo you play, we have the right strings for them. Building your own instrument can be very rewarding work. A Leap of Faith. This GHS Dulcimer Loop end stainless Steel String 12-20 D20 by GHS is specifically designed to produce a distinctive, mellow sound. Sounds great in any of those tunings I think. I finished the neck with aqua fortis just like they do on early American flintlock muskets. Jun 16, 2017 · Just finished Gary's mountain banjo this afternoon, I had great fun putting this one together and trying out new ideas. Just pick your options above. Real goatskin head Find a Teacher. 023 Medium 5-string 8 99 $ 8. This type of banjo was originally built and played by folks in the hills of North Carolina. 265 Fretless Cherry Neck w/ Canarywood (fingerboard) and Walnut (peghead) Cherry “Pot” Cherry Middle Disc 6 Inch drum with Goatskin Head Ebony Fiddle Pegs Nylgut Strings Fairbanks style peghead shape Walnut rectangle Tailpiece Cherry Heelcap Cherry Bridge Ebony Nut 25. Gourd Tenor Uke $500. Here is an excellent video that walks you through the entire process of building our Mt. Nov 6, 2019 · The 1/4" dowel bends under the string tension, so when I put new strings on my friend's mt. If you’re looking for banjo strings that deliver bright tones with plenty of clarity, the Ernie Ball 5-String Light Stainless Steel Banjo Strings might be your perfect match. Scale Length: 27" Wood: Cherry. BANJO STRINGS. nylon would be more more well suited for old time 2 finger picking or clawhammer. On lap steel guitar there is often only one six-string neck. July 30, 2025 12:00 pm. Assembly Instruction I finished this one today December 18, 2024 and is pretty much a twin to my other cherry one I just listed made at same time out of same board except this one has steel strings and noticeably louder. M1 Mountain Banjo Hickory Mountain Banjo Mountain Banjos . Banjo Strings at Strings and Beyond. A tropical hardwood fingerboard and figured walnut peghead veneer are also standard. it can be fun to play 3 finger on nylon, but if it's your only banjo, you'll definitely want to keep it strung w/ steel. Email Newsletter. The banjo was a Cedar Mountain, an L1 model to be precise. Site By STELL Aug 23, 2022 · Four-string banjo strings are from nickel-plated steel with a loop at the end for easy tuning. These strings are made from stainless steel, giving them a clean, crisp sound that’s great for bluegrass, folk, or even experimenting with modern styles. Here are the files I've collected in researching so far. You can make yourself a lifetime worth of string sets for about the cost of a couple of Sand's or Aquilla's. I think I would like to get a modern fretless banjo, but am unsure about whether to get one strung with steel strings or nylgut. Brand New. Unlike metal strings, nylon strings have almost no sustain. Players who prefer clawhammer-style techniques love the Gold Tone MM-150 Maple Mountain. We delivered some of our kids at home and I played that banjo for my now 31 year old daughter Sarah 1/2 hour after she was born. 55 votes, 20 comments. Dwight Diller, Yew Pine Mountain "Just Banjo"). Banjo Kit. Earl Scruggs and his "Foggy Mountain Breakdown. 022w) If you've got questions, shoot us a message or give us a call at 833-BANJOBEN (833-226-5623). We have a string for every player ranging from brighter alloys like stainless and nickel-plated steel to warmer alloys like phosphor bronze. The extra first string means that if anything happens, and they're very long-lived. banjo, I used the next size larger dowel. The 11” wide white oak quartersawn body has beautiful grain as well as the tiger stripe maple neck. I put on a Kat-eyz bridge and a set of light weight strings and the banjo sounds GREAT. I have some experience gourd fretless and historical reproduction banjos ("minstrel", "early banjo") banjos that were fretless with nylgut strings, but tuned low. It seemed to hold up ok for a few months, but I moved on to the next project and it landed leaning in the corner of a closet. 99, now $449. I make these based on the old Stanley hicks family pattern out of Watauga county North Carolina that you can see in the foxfire book. " This clip is the famous Banjo Finale from the movie "Bluegrass Country Soul," released in 1972 and re-releas The Musicmakers Mountain Banjo is an elegant and simple banjo. Use masking tape to hold the leather in place as you install the strings. Coming from a fretted banjo, one might initially feel a little more constrained on a fretless – all the landmarks that we’ve come to rely on when playing a fretted banjo are gone. Feb 18, 2025 · Recording King Rkoh-06 Dirty 30s 5 String Open Back Banjo; Deering Goodtime Americana Banjo 12 In. Tailor-made for traditional mountain music, this 5-string open-back banjo features a half-inch-thick, 3-ply maple rim and a Whyte Laydie-style, scalloped, 3-piece brass tone ring under an 11-inch Remo Renaissance head. All wood construction with a fixed goat skin head stretched and tacked onto an internal hardwood rim, 24” scale length, nyl-gut strings, fretless neck with side marker dots Feb 27, 2013 · I opted for geared tuners and steel strings, but his base model comes with handmade tuning pegs and you can get Nylgut strings. 5” Scale Length 3. We also sell this banjo finished and ready to play. Harp strings can be had in 25' loops in lots of diameters. Maple Hardwood Plywood Construction. Strings are cheap - we sell a set of 12 really good plain steel strings for $8, so if you break a string or two experimenting, you're not out much money. 5” Sound Hole Fretless mountain Banjo, Steel Strings, New, cherry, Made In West Virginia! Opens in a new window or tab. These attributes have made steel strings ideal for rock, country, bluegrass and other similar styles. D’Addario has a wide range of banjo string options to please every banjo player. Fingerstyle picks. Then hook the looped end of the fattest string Mountain Dulcimer Strings, great tone and long lasting! Nickel Plated Steel. Recording King Rkoh-06 Dirty 30s 5 String Open Back Banjo; Recording King RKO-3S 5 String Banjo Open Back; Deering Goodtime Acoustic-electric 5-string Openback Banjo; Deering G6s Goodtime 6 String Banjo; Deering Goodtime II Tenor Banjo They were tricky to tune with steel string tension and violin pegs. Dec 13, 2022 · I recently purchased a custom-made mountain banjo from another member of the website here, and although I love the instrument, I’m struggling to pair it with the right type of strings. I like tuning it low. Choose from stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, and phosphor bronze string alloys, across the most popular gauges. 4th string tuned an octave below 3rd string. 2018 Cedar Mountain Brainjo This is a Cedar Mountain "Brainjo" banjo based upon the collaboration of Tim Gardner at Cedar Mountain Banjo and Josh Turkett of the Brainjo learning method. Pisgah Banjos has partnered with Aquila Strings to provide simply the best simulated gut strings on the market today for banjo! Formulated specifically for open-back clawhammer banjo, minstrel banjo, and other old-time styles, these strings will add mellowness and plunk to your tone, making your banjo sound like it’s from the turn of the 19th century. With an open-backed design, it is lighter and more muted than a bluegrass banjo. Oak Banza $0. 00 Add To Cart. Download I finished this December 5, 2023. My friend plays banjo very well, and like many experienced musicians, she prefers D’Addario products. Email Newsletter Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more. 99 GHS 190 Banjo Strings, 4-String Plectrum, Light, Stainless Steel, 11-26 Dec 20, 2022 · The EJ64 comes with a nickel-plated steel wound string set and three plain, steel strings. The Mountain Banjo, or “Frank Proffitt Style” Banjo is traditionally a Fretless no-frills instrument. Or get the nylgut strings for a nice plunky old-time sound and feel. This beautiful and unusual instrument is a completely handmade "Mountain banjo" by the celebrated maker and player Frank Proffitt of Vilas, North Carolina. I actually have a washburn with a resonator that I traded for years ago, but I'm much more interested in clawhammer/old time than bluegrass right now, and really like the sound and look of fretless banjos, especially the Foxfire 3 type. 012 plain steel; Melody String #2: 0. The use of quality tuners, tailpiece and steel strings makes this much more playable and useable than most mountain banjos. From: Folsom, CA USA: Posted 1 Oct 2022 4:12 pm Steel Guitar Forum LLC PO Box 237 Mount Horeb, WI Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. A lighter bridge will let the sound of the string come out quicker and louder. com/CliftonHicksIn this video I compare my two latest mountain banjo builds: a rare hexagonal type that emerged in Kentucky Jun 15, 2018 · FRIDAY FEATURE SPECIAL PRICE = $103. Camp Washington Carver, Clifftop, West Virginia Exploring the Pisgah Banjo Design Tool: The Topic: FOR SALE: Mountain five-string banjo $200; Greg Vincent. They mention good dulcimer strings, high-quality and sound great, nice strings for a 5-string banjo, nice loop strings, solid construction, and smooth tone. #banjo #howto #clawhammerbanjo Based on the Banjos made by legendary maker Frank Proffitt, this fretless mountain banjo is hand-crafted in Portland, Oregon by Nate Calkin and features a wonderful Walnut body with a goatskin head. Made pretty much entirely from Ash, except for the Rosewood fingerboard, peghead overlay and Cherry bridge. 012-. I replaced the Nygut strings with D'Addario medium steel Nov 1, 2008 · Find a Teacher. Download We love this mountain banjo. Strings are unaffected by packaging and are as durable and fresh as fresh water. The medium-sized model is smooth to the touch and has a bright sound. C6 tuning is popular for these instruments, as are E6 and E7 tuning, there being an insufficient number of strings to represent the notes of an E9 nylon strings are mellow and quiet. Jan 27, 2013 · With steel strings, you just need a good setupthe string height at the nut can make or break a fretless banjo for comfort, esp. Fred Cockerham, Long Steel Rail ("Clawhammer Banjo", where it is claimed that Cockerham invented this tuning). Each kit includes:-maple hardwood ply neck and pot assembly-steel strings-16 pre-placed frets-steel tone Jan 1, 2008 · I had a locally made mountain banjo which I tuned to standard Old Time tunings. Short Scale Four-string $600. Neither banjo uses steel strings, but I am pretty sure you could pick a big enough dowel to hold them too. It has a very good sustain and sounds good all the way up and down the neck. Tuned GDGBD with a 27-inch scale length. Dec 27, 2008 · There seems to be a little more interest in mountain banjos lately, especially the Proffitt style, so I thought I would post this over here in case anyone hangs out here most of the time, but still isn't afraid to cobble together an instrument once in a while. This banjo is made from black walnut and has handmade bridge, tailpiece, and tuning pegs, The head is real groundhog skin and has a wonderful old-timey sound. I had to raise my prices because people telling me I sell way too cheap for the quality that it is. 024” wire String #3 G3 . Paul Brown, Roundtown Gals ("A Tribute to Tommy Jarrell"). Oct 12, 2024 · Nylon strings on a bridge made for steel will be relatively quiet (already an issue with a mountain banjo) and give more sustain than banjo music generally wants. 44K subscribers in the banjo community. Adjustable large medium or small: Picks - Amazon. Go with steel strings if you want some punch to the tone. People like Clifton Hicks push this idea now of playing old time music on gut strings, but I think pretty much all the rural banjo players in the south used steel for the most part. or Best Offer +$23. Jul 3, 2017 · I recently purchased Foxfire 3. Billy builds a banjo. Banjo Heritage 👉 https://Patreon. They have a bright sound unlike anything else on this list but are relatively rare. 00. 010-. It is solid, but you can see them. The strings are used to string a homemade dulcimer and worked perfectly. 99 ($200 price drop) Nov 17, 1998 · As thumbpicks or easier to hold flatpicks, I couldn't get the right blade angle on the strings (tried on steel, banjo, mandolin, fretted guitar) tho now I think i should have tried thinning out the fingerband (I chopped the sides off the blade but I could've reshaped the blades more too, maybe I'll give another try) Fretless Mountain Banjo, new, cherry, steel strings, made in West Virginia! Brand New. This has nylgut or nylon strings but can also hold ball end light gauge steel strings. The "E" tuning is eAEG#B. Options: Steel or nylon strings, fretted or fretless. Jul 10, 2008 · I play Scruggs style and try to emulate Bela Fleck. 50 Product Description. rudy - Posted - 04/07/2011: 05:22:02 2018 Cedar Mountain Brainjo This is a Cedar Mountain "Brainjo" banjo based upon the collaboration of Tim Gardner at Cedar Mountain Banjo and Josh Turkett of the Brainjo learning method. Style: 5-String Standard. Jul 12, 2018 · Choosing the correct set of banjo strings for your instrument have a big effect on the tone and playability of your banjo. It measures 36” long, 11” wide, 2 3/8” side height and have the bridge set 24 1/2” from the nut in Apr 10, 2011 · Some good options for nylon strings: Nylgut either the classic set for tuning to standard pitch or the minstrel set for low tuning. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. This full scale drawing gives exact dimensions and shapes for every banjo part, as well as suggestions, for which hardwoods to use for building your instrument. Gramps Teel (5 strings) This mountain banjo is suited to old time and mountain music. This kit tips a hat to the traditional mountain banjo style of Frank Proffitt and other iconic builders featured in the Foxfire series with a few features that are completely unique and new. Add to Cart. D’Addario banjo strings are made from the highest quality high-carbon steel and wrap materials, available in XT coated and traditional uncoated wire in a wide variety of gauges. You need no woodworking experience or specialized tools. The tree was cut around Philippi WV. 014 wire String #1 D4 . I have steel strings on it. Nov 1, 2023 · Conversely, steel strings blazed a new trail with a much brighter, sharper and crisper sound — sometimes described as a “twang. Mountain Banjo No. It had a piece of 6" PVC pipe in it for a stretcher instead of the usual stovepipe. String Gauges (. NEW FLOOR MODEL Gold Tone NEW Gold Tone Banjolele DLX Deluxe 4 string Banjo Ukulele with Gig Bag 2020s Brand New Originally $649. Frank Proffitt 5 String Fretless Banjo (1964), made in Vilas, North Carolina, natural finish, curly maple neck, maple body with skin head. Top-quality construction. Currently have them on a short scale (23 inches or so) mountain banjo and they sound fine, tuned even as low G on such a short scale. I used salvaged wood that I found in an old cellar hole on our property. 96 ($119. I got a little time to draw lately, so here's a PDF of a Proffitt-style mountain banjo. Best plan for finding out? Experiment. with steel strings. The different string gauges, material used, the way the strings are manufactured, coatings, and the way they attach all effect the way they sound and play. The 11” wide body is solid oak and the neck is quarter sawn maple for extra strength for the medium steel strings. Apr 4, 2020 · I became interested in building musical instruments in my mid-teens. Similar to pine maybe more brittle? I have a 5 string, full scale length, tin can banjo with steel strings and a one piece cedar neck. This is likely my last one of the year so don’t miss out. Free online tab player. 016 wire String #2 B3 . This particular Brainjo was the Roscoe model with a weatherking fiber banjo head and Nygut strings. Price Drop. The sound: Plenty of brightness to cut through the mix of a Vintage Sicilmusica 8-String Banjolin - Mandolin Banjo Made in Italy - Very Good Condition - Will need cleaned up and new strings - Will Play and Sound Great Used – Very Good Originally $299. Building, buying… Apr 6, 2011 · The banjo had a really tinny twang with the steel strings and it seems to have evened out now. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. I also like Chris Sands medium. I've been captivated by the stories, but from a banjo building aspect I was a little underwhelmed. It uses beautiful solid cherry for the neck and body. all of the knots shown will work with a Kershner t/p. Aug 1, 2019 · D'ADDARIO BANJO STRINGS . Get a copy of this fretless mountain banjo plan Aug 2, 2016 · I have a couple of fretless banjos with nylon strings, including a Proffitt-style mountain banjo that originally had steel strings that I converted (not very expertly). All musical hardware and strings. Jan 19, 2010 · In the minstrel string set's case, the "D" tuning they're referring to is dGDF#A (a full five steps lower than std gCGBD). It has such a pleasing size and just the right proportions. What's great about John is that he sends photos and updates on the progress of your banjo as he is crafting it. 012 to 0. It successfully combines the look and feel of a traditional home-built mountain banjo with some modern components. But most of the time i keep it in E or F or down in B or Bflat. The highest I tune it is standard G. You'd likely have to use something stronger than hardware white string to hold the dowel, also. Unlike many modern banjos, it does not contain any type of steel reinforcing rod. The strings are made of extremely high Aug 22, 2024 · Track: Acoustic Guitar (steel) Mountain Banjo Tab by Rhiannon Giddens. Nov 12, 2016 · On my first few attempts at instrument building I used eastern red cedar. 33″ total length. It sounds funky and folky with a sweet sound and nice volume for a mountain banjo. Sounds closer to an open-back too. The banjo currently has steel strings but I will include a set of Nylgut strings and a container of Hidershine Hiderpaste for the tuning pegs. On a 12 string pedal steel guitar, all 12 strings are tuned and played individually, not as 6 double courses as on the 12 string guitar. A unique and beautiful instrument with a rich history. for that bluegrass sound, it's steel strings all the way. Jan 4, 2019 · A Presto tailpiece like that would look wrong on a "mountain" style banjo, and add nothing functionally over 5 brads in the rim. May 5, 2016 · Customers like the string quality. Sound Rating: 9. Steel strings or nylgut. Common characteristics of the mountain banjo is that it is often fretless, with wooden necks and tuning pegs and either a head made from wood or hide, or wood and hide. IMO it could be best summarized as 'cats make the best banjo heads'. I made this fretless mountain banjo in 1976 following instructions in the Foxfire 3 book. Please contact me via BHO for more information. It is similar to the banjos made by Stanley Hicks and Frank Proffitt in the Appalachians. Banjo. We also have XT coated banjo strings for players who want to avoid changing strings a bit longer. ” Steel strings are also louder and have more power, making it easier for them to be heard within a mix. 014-. Rufus Crisp is also said to have used this tuning. zvyvm zdqq ptnxy qbg vgmzix vjuwtl tyndv ublxqy llwy ezhm gkaoocc epkni ncmf nyapr qpnfo