Ask the Banjo Teacher

Question: Hi! Wil, I'm new again to the Banjo. I took lessons and played back in my twenties and early thirties, then family and job responsibilities took over, now in my mid 60s I purchased a new banjo and want to start playing again. One thing I was never very good at and never quite seemed to do right was to replace the strings and get them wound with out a lot of undue effort. Can you give me some help here or suggest a place to go that spells out how to do this with the least amount of fuss. I don't seem to have the problem with my bass as the strings are bigger. Thanks. Dave

Answer: Hey Dave, Sometimes changing strings can be tricky. However, I've found that people tend to make it more complicated than it really is. I've seen some guys that have this special technique to double wrap then loop under, over and around, etc....I tell them "dude, you're not roping a cow, its just a string!" I'll tell you the way I do it and hopefully it will help.

First, let me say that whenever you change your strings, it's a good habit to get into to oil your fretboard with lemon oil (not furniture polish!). You can buy lemon oil for the fretboard at any good music store or online www.angiesbanjo.com. Just a little goes a long way. BTW... you'll have to remove the bridge completely so make sure you mark with a pencil exactly where it goes.
OK...now you're ready to put your strings on. Start with the 5th. Attach the loop end to your tailpiece and keep taught so it won't come off. Feed the other end thru the hole in the tuner making sure that you feed it from the fretboard side of the tuner going out.

Now, keep the string tight on both ends and pull it away from the banjo about 8". Crimp the tuner end and begin to tighten keeping it tight. Make one wrap on top of the string and the next wrap underneath the string. This pinches the string so that it will not go anywhere. Now, just wind until it becomes tight enough to not go anywhere. Remember, you've got to slip the bridge underneath the strings and stand it up so don't get it too tight.

Once you've done that for all 5 strings, slip the bridge underneath and stand it up and back in place where you marked it.

Tighten up your strings a little at a time, watching your bridge so that it does not lean forward. If it does, just put a thumb on either side and stand it straight. Clear as mud, right? Seriously, its easy with a little practice. Thanks, Wil - www.BanjoMd.com

Keep on Pickin'

Angie's Banjo.com

Online Catalogue