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| Site last updated . This particular page was created 27/11/2004 and last updated 13/11/2005 Site updates |
 Picture from Music123 |
But there's one general rule: Bronze wound strings have a bigger and fuller tone than steel wound ones. This is even the case on a five-string banjo where actually only one of the strings is wound. Personally I'd recommend bronze wound for Celtic style playing (or possibly the intermediate variant of brass or silver-plated steel), reserving the steel wound ones for bluegrass. Others may disagree though, so don't be afraid to try a few different options.
My recommendations
Martin's 010 set might be a good place to start. If they're too heavy you could try their 009 set instead.If you disagree with me and want steel-wound strings, you could try a set of GHS strings, or you can go for the added brilliance of La Bella's silver-plated strings.
| A few words about this list | |
| Martin Vega banjo strings | |
 | Vega may not make banjos anymore, but Martin (who bought the company many years ago) still uses the brand name for some of their banjo accessories. The Vega banjo strings are good quality standard strings with a nickel-plated, steel-wound 4th string. Available in light (009-010-013-020w-009) and medium (010-012-016-023w-010) gauges.
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| Martin Bluegrass nickel banjo strings | |
 | Martin's banjo string sets come with a nickel-plated 80/20 bronze wound 4th string, offering a fuller tone than the more common steel-wound strings. Available in light (009-011-013-020w-009) and medium (010-012-014-022w-010) gauges.
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| D'Addario Phosphor bronze banjo strings | |
 | Banjo Strings. Gauges 009-010-013-020w-009. Made from top quality plain steel and nickel plated steel wound strings. Similar to D'Addairio J60 but with a phosphor broze wound 4th string for a fuller tone. Available with loop or ball end and in light (009-010-013-020w-009) and medium (010-012-016-023w-010) gauges.
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| Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Bronze 5-String Banjo Bluegrass Strings | |
 | Ernie Ball seems to be the only major string brand that focuses on high-quality bronze-wound rather than steel-wound banjo strings. The extra clarity this offers is expecially suitable for old-time and folk style strumming techniques (frailing, clawhammer etc.) while bluegrass fingerpickers might prefer the more even tone of steel-wound strings. Available in light (009-011-013-020w-009) and medium (010-013-015-024w-010) gauges.
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| D'Addario Nickel plated banjo strings | |
 | D'Addario is probably the most popular banjo string brand today, partly because they're easy to find (mort music store have them in stock), but also because they're decent, reliable strings at a relatively nice price. Available in light (009-010-013-020w-009), light plus (0095-011-013-02w-0095), medium (010-012-016-023w-010) and custom medium (011-012-013-022w-011) gauges.
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| Ernie Ball 5-string banjo strings - light | |
 | Ernie Ball's standard "bluegrass banjo" string set. Ernie Ball has a reputation for keeping a higher quality level than the other common US brands. I haven't actually tried them myself, so can't say if there's anything to it. Available in light (009-011-013-020w-009) and medium (010-013-015-024w-010) gauges.
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| Dean Markley 5 string banjo strings | |
 | Available in light, medium light and medium gauges.
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| Fender 2255L Banjo Nickelplated Steel Strings | |
 | "Originally designed for the FB Series Banjos, these strings will feel comfortable and sound great on any banjo. A combination of plain steel and Nickelplated wound strings combine to give a smooth, even sound for your banjo." Available in loop end in light gauge (0095-010-013-020w-0095). |
| John Pearse Banjo strings | |
 | John Pearse is a relatively small string manufacturer known for their high quality. The strings are especially popular among bluegrass banjoists, but since the fourth string is bronze-wound they whould also be very well suitable for other styles that require a fuller tone. Available in light (009-010-013-020w-009) and medium (010-012-016-023w-010) gauges.
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| Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature Banjo strings | |
 | Available in light and medium gauges |
| Boston Banjo strings - medium gauge | |
 | Good quality US made 80/20 brass, loop end strings for the five-string banjo. Medium gauge: 010-012-014-022w-010 |
| GHS Stainless steel banjo strings | |
 | Loop end sets are extra long (42" Winding) to fit any banjo. Loops are special shape to fit a variety of tailpieces. Plain steel strings feature GHS Lock Twist to stay in tune. Available in light (095-011-012-020w-095) and medium (010-012-014-022w-010) gauges.
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| La Bella Silver plated steel wound banjo strings | |
 | Good quality standard banjo strings. The silver-plating gives the fourth string a bit more brilliance than the more common nickel-plating used by other brands. Available in light (010-012-014-019w-010) and medium (011-013-015-021w-011) gauges. (Please note that La Bella tend to go for slightly heavier gauges than other brands.)
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| Elixir Polyweb banjo strings | |
 | Elixir is a subject that is bound to cause heated discussions whenever guitarists meet. Some love them, others hate them and the two camp can never seem to agree. But that's their guitar strings. Elixir on a banjo is simply insane! You see, the great (or not-so-great - depending on who you ask) thing about Elixir strings is that the wound ones are coated with plastic, greatly extending their lifespan. The unwound Elixir strings are just plain Swedish steel, not different from what other brands sell. On a banjo there is one and only one wound string! And it's even the one most banjoists use the least so it'll probably be the last in the set to wear out anyway. In other words, this is a total waste of money! You still want them? Oh well, suit yourself! Remember I warned you! Available in light (009-010-013-020w-009) and medium (010-012-016-023w-010) gauges.
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| All the links in the list are "commercial" links, that is sales generated through them leads to a small comission for this site. If you object to this, you can type the URL to the store you want to buy from directly into the address field of your browser. Also, please note that Musician's Friend only ships within the United States. The other stores included in this list generally ship internationally, but there may be some exceptions. |