Easiest Nylon String Knot for Banjo 

I haven't looked at the other comments to see if anyone else noted this but it was clear to this sailor instantly that the knot you tied was NOT a square knot. The knot you tied is called a simple overhand knot and the form you left it in is called an "eye" knot. It will work fine though there are better, less familiar knots to use. I've used Nylagut strings for many years on a banjo with a 12" pot and tune down to open F to better match my vocal range.

I usually have the Aquila Minstrel Strings on my banjo. I tune it to double B flat. Great sound. I've used gut, but they're expensive, and seem much more fragile than the nylgut. If I could afford $100.00 for a set of strings (or two for possible breakage) I'd always use them. Gut strings have some "grab" that eludes the nylgut. But one gets used to the nylgut, and they really are great. Thanks always Tom!

it sounds like gut stiings

Thanks for the no-nonsense video. I swear when you start researching nylon strings you end up in the weirdest pocket of the banjo interweb.

Is there a reason not to use a simple slipknot? (I'm going to try a set of Nylguts on a banjo with a no-knot tailpiece, if that helps)

Over the years I have acquired a handful of ancient gut and silk strings and they sound fantastic. I don't think nylon can compete.

That is one beautiful banjo!

When playing with other instruments (guitar or fiddle ) do you capo up or what tunings do you use with the nylon strings?

Hi Tom, thanks for the video! I'm trying to transition my Goodtime Special to nylon strings but I can't find a new bridge that will work (I foolishly tried to sand down my ebony bridge myself and think I made a few nicks that may break the new nylon :( ) Any recommendations for a Nylon-friendly banjo bridge? I've tried Elderly and Joel Hooks website but they seem to be out of stock everywhere..

wow thanks..you know i think the original banjo strings were made out of sheep guts i think.

I watched a video about ancient Greek lyre playing . The player mentioned sugarcane strings ! Maybe a shared common name for another plant fiber. Can't imagine they'd last very long.

The absolute BEST knot for Nylon Strings that Ive ever found for attachment to the tailpiece is the BUNTLINE - simply a sliding, self-tightening loop - connected to the standing part by a "clove hitch" .... for self adjusting equal tension all though the loop on the 'post'. For attachment to the tuning peg, the best is a non-slipping jam knot - put the string into the hole of the tuning (and with about 1-2" of excess length ... from the pot) and then put the tail of sting 'under' the initial part of the 'wrap' and then (while under some string tension) pull the tail 'straight up' while tensioning the string, then complete the winding ... the lock knot will be 'under' the wrap for a non-slip attachment to the tuning peg. Such also works very well with steel strings.

I agree nylon strings record much better then steel strings. I like Aquila strings to but their Red Series squeak if using right hand bare fingers.

I've got Aquila 5B's, and looping doesn't work with my 4th string; it pulls loose. I had to use a bowline knot.

Dear sir. Every knot weakens the chord you put it in by a certain percentage. The knot you just used has the worst weakening of all knots!

Hi Tom, sorry this isn't a Nylon String question but could you please recommend a Steel set and gauge for Clawhammer it's for an Ozark open back, hoping to upgrade to a Vega soon. Great Video's mate! Charlie

I’ve tried Aquila strings before. I like them but they seem to break easily . Never tried the red series though. ✌️

Hi I'm a beginner Can I put those string on my spectrum banjo tuned in CGBD?

I have an 1890s Dobson with appropriate tailpiece, and it has holes to slide the strings through vice knobs for hooks like the “no knot” etc that are setup for loop ends. I use stopper knots, ashley for the 4th and estar for the others. Took me a bit to figure out a knot that wouldn’t slip through the holes. I enjoy playing my old banjo with nylguts, but definitely a different sound then the nylgut reds for the other strings (my 4th is a red) using Aquila B2s.

One of the knot videos calls this a Poachers Knot.It`s a very reliable knot and not at all ugly .

I’ve tried these strings on my banjo that’s set up for steel, but the Aquila reds sit on the nut instead of in the groove and the intonation is really bad. Did you have these problems?

Oh right on man i swear by nylgut strings they are the best, i like the new all nylgut (aquila-5b) and minstrel for anything with a longer neck, awesomely informative video

I've got a set of those reds on my fretless tackhead and I really love them.

thanks Tom...I did it ...the reds on my Ian Pattison 12" from Guelph, Ontario. The perfect mate for this wooden tone ring 12" too.

Banjos were gut strung up until the 1920s and early 1930s when they all went to steel as a rule, at least for new banjos. Gut (nylon) strung banjos give us the traditional banjo sound - they way they all sounded in the "old days". I prefer the old sound and have half of my banjos strung with nylon strings. The old ones don't need any mods, as they were made for gut strings. However, I got a steel string open back banjo just for modding for nylon strings - I cut the nut for the wider nylon strings and a home made "vintage" style bridge, plus I have my old banjos done with calfskin heads, and one Irish Tenor with a synthetic "calfskin" head (Elite brand) - most old banjos vary greatly on actual head size and I generally can't get a modern head to fit. I love the old cylinder and 78 records featuring Vess L. Ossman and Fred Van Eps playing gut strung traditional banjos.

I like nylons in that they sound great and it is easier for the fretless work I am getting into like here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4xeSUTd7MeM.html But I find myself cutting them off in favor of steel because I prefer the volume

*actually an overhand knot, but thank you still!

I'll be installing a set of Aquila reds as soon as UPS shows up with my new no knot tailpiece today. I'll keep you posted. They're going on a 60's Harmony Deluxe 30. I picked it up at a local pawnshop for $85. It looks like it's never been played.

You forgot the most important reason why you should try, historical practice lol. The first major banjoing was done on Gut strings by players who were generally also classical guitarists and mandolin player. But another option for the modern instruments we have now rather than just nylon, gut or synthetic nylgut are carbon fiber strings. I'm not sure of any making banjo sets of carbon fiber strings, but it is becoming a common thing for classical guitarists to use now. They have more resonance generally and are much louder than nylon as a material. I know some string makers sell early music carbon fiber strings, so meant for stringing up a Lute of Vihuilla, but they are sold individually by diameter. So you could match them up to the size of the reds, approximately carbons are slightly thinner usually, and then set a banjo up with similarly sized carbon fiber strings. This could help with higher tunings and some of the downsides you said you've found with nylon, and it could also help with notes in higher registers do to the difference in resonance in carbon fiber versus nylon as a material. I know there are a few that sell individual strings by their diameter gauge, but the one I've used for other things like putting a slightly smaller G string on my guitar have been Savarez

I have a banjo with those same red strings you have with a bone slot bridge and a fiberskyn head. Tuned down to double A. Sounds like old recordings. I've recently put on a fluorocarbon 5th string.

Hey Tom - I can't help but leaving a comment when I watch one of your videos. Always - without exception - I learn a thing or two. And so far it seems these are the keeper type of learnings. If not anything (which I doubt any of your video I watched was) at least you reassure my existing concepts. This is itself of great value. I have been already using this exact same simple knot that I learnt from some other knot tying videos. But as soon as I saw this video I ordered Aquila red for banjo. You didn't mention the model number. I only found AQ-11B for classic banjo. Everything else was ukulele or uke banjos. I figured this has to be it. I tried Aquila 1B and 7B before. The strings arrived today. Excited to find out how it sounds. What a beautiful banjo with pretty sure Menzies Jamaican goat skin. I got some nice ones from him recently but this fuzzy black spotted ones are the best!! Oh - wanted to share one thing I learnt to deal with the string edges left at the tail after the clippings. Those sharp edges can poke and bother for sure. I use a lighter or match stick and hold it for a couple seconds barely touching it and it forms a nice tiny spherical blob. They look nice and they won't poke. It needs a bit of practice though. I destroyed some of my strings in the beginning.

Awesome, answered my exact questions. Thank you!

you weren't in the navy were you?

Do you toe a knot after the fifth string peg?

The short riff you play here sounds like Jody Stecher's Young Napolean.

Recently purchased a couple of sets of Aquila Legend Nylgut strings. I assume they’re actually Reds. The package code claims the 4th string is White, the 4th string sent is totally brown? All of the others are coded corrected red blue green yet claims the 4th is white, I received a separately packaged brown string I assume is the fourth, as the thin 5th is yellow. Also if I use the G tuning you said the Aquila red are fine which I plan tuning G. I like your sound a lot w/ the Aquila’s, yet another banjo video on these strings stated G was to high for Nylgut, D or C is ok. What gives? Any ideas? I’m swapping out my steels for the Nylgut to achieved a softer attack sound. I also plan on tuning the head down a bit to around 80# trq or so rather than 88 to 99+. I’m subscribing as the excellent clarity of video as well as you explanation style is measured and thorough. Btw your tying of the knot was the easiest I’ve come across. Thanks Tom! Eventually I may consider a fret less, again your demonstration of holding the neck in the groove of the hand was brilliant in that video.

Well now that's just great, problem is I've got a bunch of loose hangin strings since you didn't show how to tie the other ends?

Appreciate the tip but that isn't a square knot, it is an overhand knot on a bight.

That is a good knot but really hard on traditional nylgut 4th string, its really thick

Tom, what bridge are you using on that banjo?

Hi Tom, I have an original Deering Goodtime and have long wanted to put nylon string banjo. Do i need to make any other adjustments if i try the Reds? (strings of course LOL) Great video brother.

Thanks for the video Tom. Do you alter the bridge and nut in order to use nylons? I tried to fit a set of aquilas (not red) today and I snapped 3 of those puppies without even having tuned them too high.

Hi Tom, - I would like to see how you tie the strings at the other end, - to the tuner pegs. Be interesting to see if you do it any different from the usual.

Thank you!