Help: How do you build strings?

Subject: How do you build strings?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 07:14 PM

WEll I'm just a little feed up with not being able to buy decent banjo strings for my Long Neck. I've tried them all that are available to me. Pearse's, go on easy, fit ok but are dead on arrival, GHS is junk to begin with and are pretty much pre broke. VEGA's just don't fit. They stopped making the long scale models.

SO! Why cant I make them myself? What tools re needed? Am I deluding myself into thinking this must be a simple operation?

Any in put???

Don

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: Gypsy
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 07:37 PM

Well...since you CAN'T buy hammer dulcimer strings, have been making my own strings for quite some time. Not absolutely certain what you need for a banjo, but i use harpsichord wire. What is really important is to have ROUND nosed pliers to make the loop....you don't want any kinks, they will break when you tune. And the fifth string breaks often enough, eh? Bet that 'Spaw will know what kind, and where to buy, wire for you.

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 07:46 PM

Well, I suppose you can use the harpsichord and piano wire like we do, and it's available. Making the loop end isn't a trick.....especially since you are a 'smith!!! I get the feeling that you're talking about wound ones though, and I haven't got a clue on that Don!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: X
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 08:15 PM

With Deering making the long necks now they might have the strings you're looking for. try at www.deeringbanjos.com. If your heart's set on building your own string take a look at the loop maker at www.frets.com

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: GUEST,jack
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 08:40 PM

I used to buy wound harp strings from Robbie Robinson in Mt. Laguna California. He sold plans for a machine to make wrapped harp strings--which had a solid core and a wrapping---same as any wound string is made--- different wrappings maybe and different lengths, but made the same way. I understand that Mr. Robinson is no longer making strings but it seems to me that Betty Truitt of Mt. Laguna took over his business( seems she did business as "Dragon Whispers") and she may have copies of that "string machine". As I remember, it was a fairly easy machine to make-- it had two live centers( as on a lathe) and the apparatus could easily be attached to the studs (in the walls) in your workshop---. The core material was attached to the live centers, and the winding was applied and tied off by hand-- one string at a time. I may( probably) still have the plans-- if you don't have any luck locating her, I'll see if I can locate them--

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: Helen
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 09:16 PM

Betty Truitt is a member of the e-mail harplist. If you want me to I can e-mail her and ask her about the string machine.

Helen

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 09:44 PM

Spaw has it actually. I can handle the loops and just buy wire in bulk. I imagine I can get the would .026 wire as well. Its the winding stripper I'm after. All the rest is pretty much venting and not being able to find a medium gauge of long neck banjo strings in all of central New York today.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:14 AM

Don,

I have a memory that Denis Havlena's site on home made instruments covered this topic - or one of the sites he links to; I haven't checked but as I recall his site is one of the Mudcat Links.

Regards, John

If anyone has any thoughts about minimising the cost of double bass strings I'd also love to hear more on that particular topic.

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 09:02 AM

Denis Havlena's instructions for winding bass strings are here:

http://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dhavlena/make-stg.htm

Another site provides a calculator for selecting the right material, length and tension for unwound strings at various pitches

http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/wikla/mus/Calcs/wwwscalc.html

http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/wikla/mus/Calcs/ADrawer10.html

Maybe not exactly what you werer chasing Don, but it may help.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 12:54 PM

John,

Thanks, no information is wasted on me. And the effort is appreciated.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 01:17 PM

Hi Don. Thanks for the CD. Good work. I'm enjoying it as I type.

I've been messing with guages etc. for years, and constantly make my own "loop end" strings. I think I'm just overly picky, but about a year ago I splurged and bought a whole box of differently guaged "singles" from a store that was going out of business.....got about 200 strings to mess with over the next few years!

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: How do you build strings?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 11:08 PM

Thanks Rick, Glad you like it. So what are your choices for longneck banjo. Notive I frail and flat pick the same axe. Never change from "G" tuning. and just capo where i want to go.

Don