If you play mainly solo, you should probably go for a bronze or brass wound set. Steel wound strings simply don't have the low end cutting edge you need to be heard. Personally I'd recommend bronze wound strings for rhythm playing too. (I have a sneaking suspicion these steel wound sets are caused by a misunderstanding: string manufacturers assume that all banjos need steel wound strings since they're the most common ones for bluegrass five-string banjo. ;-)
As I write this Boston seems to have the best prices and they're as good as any other brand.

Then again, you may disagree, or perhaps your banjo feels better when equipped with the mellower sounding steel wounds like Martin Vega. For steel-wound strings I suggest you try a light (009) set first, but don't rule out medium (010) strings.
If you want a sound somewhere in between bronze wound and regular steel sound strings, you should try silver-plated steel like La Bella

In the end all advices from other are just advices and since you'll have to change strings now and then anyway, you should not be afraid to experiment with different kinds:

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Martin Vega tenor 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 nickel-plated, steel-wound strings, perhaps more suitable for rhythm than solo playing. Martin Vega tenor banjo strings Available from: Music123 Price: USD 2,99 ( Checked 11/27/2004 ) Also available from: Musician's Friend (USD 3,49 - Checked 11/27/2004 - USA only)
D'Addario Nickel plated tenor banjo strings - light gauge
	Tenor Banjo Nickel Strings. Gauges 009-016-023w-030w. Made from top quality plain steel and nickel plated steel wound strings. D'Addario is probably the most popular string brand today, partly because they're easy to find (most music store have them in stock), but also because they're decent, reliable strings at a relatively nice price. D'Addario Nickel plated tenor banjo strings - light gauge Available from: Music123 Price: USD 3,49 ( Checked 11/27/2004 ) Also available from: Jingoloba (EUR 6,37 - Checked 11/27/2004) Musician's Friend (USD 3,49 - Checked 11/27/2004 - USA only)
Ernie Ball Tenor banjo strings
	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. Apparently the strings are steel-wound which might make them a bit unsuitable for solo playing. Available in light (009-013-022w-028w) and medium (010-0015-024w-030w) gauges. Ernie Ball 2306 Tenor banjo strings - light Available from: Musician's Friend (USA only) Price: USD 3,79 ( Checked 11/27/2004 ) Also available from: Ernie Ball 2302 Tenor banjo strings - medium Available from: Musician's Friend (USA only) Price: USD 3,79 ( Checked 11/27/2004 ) Also available from: Music123 (USD 3,99 - Checked 11/27/2004)
Boston Tenor banjo strings - medium gauge
	Good quality US made 80/20 brass, loop end strings for the tenor banjo. Medium gauge: 010-013-024w-032w
GHS Stainless steel tenor banjo strings
	Loops are special shape to fit a variety of tailpieces. Plain steel strings feature GHS Lock Twist to stay in tune. Available in light (009-012-022w-028w) and medium/light (0105-012-020w-028w) gauges. GHS Tenor Loop End Phosphor BRonze Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 5,3 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS VNXL Vintage Bronze Extra Light 85/15 Copper Zinc Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 7,9 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS 5630 Medium Roundwound stainless steel double ball end bass strings Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 28,9 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS 5L-DBB Light Roundwound stainless steel double ball end 5 string bass strings Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 36,5 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS 5610 Extra Light Roundwound stainless steel double ball end bass strings Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 28,9 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS VNUL Vintage Bronze Ultra Light 85/15 Copper Zinc Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 7,9 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS Stainless steel tenor banjo strings - medium /light gauge Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 5,3 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS VNL Vintage Bronze Light 85/15 Copper Zinc Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 7,9 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS LJ30L Laurence Juber Signature Bronze Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 9,8 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from: GHS 5600 Light Roundwound stainless steel double ball end bass strings Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 28,9 ( Checked 02/14/2005 ) Also available from:
La Bella Silver platyed steel wound tenor banjo strings
	Good quality standard banjo strings. The silver-plating gives the strings a bit more brilliance than nickel-plated ones. If you play rhythm banjo in a jazz band these are definitely worth a try, but if you play Irish solo banjo (or other solo banjo styles for that matter), you definitely should go for bronze-wound strings instead to get more clarity and power in the low range. Available in light (010-012-021w-031w) and medium (011-013-023w-033w) gauges. (Please note that La Bella tend to go for slightly heavier gauges than other brands.) La Bella Silver plated steel wound tenor banjo strings - light gauge Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 5,5 ( Checked 11/27/2004 ) Also available from: La Bella Silver plated steel wound tenor banjo strings - light gauge Available from: Jingoloba Price: EUR 5,5 ( Checked 11/27/2004 ) Also available from:

A few words about this list

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