Restringing your 5 String Banjo for Beginners (and Pros)

[@bigblockbumpside2296]

Today’s my birthday. Just turned 16 and have been playing the banjo for about 4 months or so. Thank you so much jim for all of your tutorials. Youve been so helpful and inspiring.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me be a part of that!

[@writerrad]

You got it right. I didnt start playing banjo until I had just turned 52 just think how good you wil be at it by 52, keep it up it is a long wonderful journey. Best is the people. I played guitar for about 40 years before I played the banjo and met wonderful people, but from the start I was shocked at how positive and friendly banjo folks are even when I was a lousy played who had it all wrong. The people are just as wonderful as the music

[@nielsbuma]

Wow same here I also just turned 16 and just started playing

[@danmatthews6176]

Changing stents for the first time I went “what in the actual fick”. Thanks dude!.

[@charlesshepherd2004]

Dude. In 36 and started last year. Keep it up! By the time time your my age you'll be a boss.

[@nielsscharrenberg9093]

I have not been playing my Banjo for months since a string broke. I bought new ones, but I always procrastinated it because I was scared I'd fuck up and break more stuff on my Banjo. It now finally has a new string. Thank you, so much.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help!!

[@Emma-pw8rt]

I’ve been meaning to change my strings for a long time, but always felt overwhelmed by it! This video helped so much :) thank you!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I can help! You can do it.

[@1940restorod]

Hey Jim, I thought my way was simple but you my friend just showed me the true meaning of simple! Thanks!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😅

[@rachaelearley1857]

Extremely helpful video that made the job of changing strings a piece of cake! Love your trick to lock the string into place and avoid having to wind a ton of excess string around each peg. Thank you much!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help! 😀

[@bobsmith8124]

Can someone explain why my “half string” is so sensitive to tighten? I can string a guitar perfectly but can’t seem to figure out this string

[@adamlevinson7739]

This was so helpful for me! Been playing banjo a while, guitar much longer. But I have struggled with changing banjo strings without the darn loop continually falling off the pegs. This worked like a charm and done in 15 minutes!

[@JimPankey]

Glad it helped!

[@hectorgarza6725]

I hope new strings got the numbers ok packages I got me banjo I popped a string old strings I’m a try medium I don’t know how to play it but it is fun I want to know it keep rocking

[@daytoneman]

Jim! What an inspiration you are to me & thousands of other pickers. You are without doubt the best teacher around. Thank you!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me teach you 😊

[@cfor722]

Thank you for this video. I just changed my strings for the first time. I put D’Addario XT strings on my Goodtime Blackgrass banjo. Took me awhile as I had to keep pausing to watch your looping method. Huge help this video was.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I was able to help!

[@72jesc]

So ecited to have found this tutorial. Always had my son (guitarist0 change my strings and today I just jumped in and did it myself. Great program. Thanks so much.

[@JimPankey]

So Glad I could help!!

[@clareisomaki6543]

Thank you Jim!! That was a super easy to follow and helpful tutorial. Just restrung my banjo successfully on my first attempt thanks to you!

[@JimPankey]

Great! Glad I could help. 😊

[@donk4926]

Hi Jim, from South Africa. I really love Bluegrass music. I had a banjo which was 3 stringed for a particular fast strumming style played in South Africa. I desperately wanted to play the Earl Scruggs style. Got the old banjo converted to 5 string by a guy here but there was still something wrong. I practiced and practiced but still struggled. I then turned to KZbin practical advice on maintenance of banjos. I learned a great deal. I did some work on the neck to get the action right and finally had to replace a string that I snapped when dismantling. After watching this video, I saw how easy it was. I have learned a lot from your beginners lessons and I hope to really get going from now on. I appreciate your videos as they are easy to follow and make so much sense. God bless you

[@JimPankey]

I’m glad I could help ☺️

[@emsie5000]

You are godsend. I have been loaned an ol banjo (conrad) by my grandad who purchased with his step father way back in the 50s I am restringing today. This was super helpful. Thank you

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😀

[@athomewithlizzy9775]

Thank you Jim for making this video. I've always loved the banjo, had one for about 15 years. It has been drug cross the country and back again. It has needed new strings since I've owned it. I started watching your videos and it has inspired me to start learning again. Yesterday I bought new strings and finger pics. Now I can restring it and start playing. Please keep making the videos 😊

[@JimPankey]

Glad you found it helpful! 😊

[@Smokkedandslammed]

At 35 I picked Banjo as my first instrument, I picked up a 60's-70's Japanese import by the brand of "Orlando" off of Craigslist. No idea of the brand or history of the strings so I figure its like changing the fluids on a new(to me) vehicle, don't know its history so just change it all out lol You are 1 of many people that are gonna help me along my Banjo journey, thank you so much!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me help 😀

[@paolo7237]

Jim, this is the second time I’ve changed my strings using this method and holy moly, is it easy! First time I did it I was a little frustrated, second time I did it I don’t know what was so hard the first time around. Your a great help and I love your style of teach.

[@JimPankey]

Glad it helped!

[@knitsalot]

Thank you for this video! I do appreciate your knowledge & sharing it! At 63, I am about to start my journey of learning the banjo & your showing changing strings so clearly will really help!

[@JimPankey]

You've got this!

[@markmiller4820]

Just learning at 68 years old. Jim, you are a very good teacher! Many thanks!!

[@JimPankey]

Very welcome. Glad I can help!

[@notmyphirst1462]

My roommate brought her dad’s unused banjo home yesterday and I broke a string trying to tune it, I appreciate the help because I’ve never had to restring an instrument before so I appreciate the resource ten fold.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help!

[@sheilalucas9154]

What a brilliant video on how to change your Banjo strings.Well done Jim, it's the best one on youtube. Paul Lucas. Cardiff U.K.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks 😊

[@jerveman]

I just love this guys voice. I feel like I'm sipping a fine bourbon while looking at a sunset on the back porch of somebody's humble abode in heat of summer, with just one ice cube and a lot of simple conversation, while I listen to him! Subscribed, liked, and appreciated!

[@JimPankey]

Wow, thanks!

[@jerveman]

@@JimPankey You're welcome!

[@darknight3412]

Just picked up the Banjo recently. I was tuning it when a string popped on me. I got the new strings and looked for good tutorials on how to restring my new found love. Jim taught me how to not only restring but tune my Banjo in a short video. Thank you very much. I fill Sub for sure

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help!

[@donaldabailey1]

Hi Mr. Jim just wanted to say thanks if not for your teaching I don’t know if I would have got going on the banjo. Your manner of teaching is beyond all the other internet teachers. I started playing almost two years ago, never played an instrument in my life. I live in North Ga. One day I hope to meet you in person. This would be a big deal to me. You make a lot of people very happy.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me teach you. If you’re near Ringgold I’ll be playing at the Depot this Saturday (1/8). :)

[@donaldabailey1]

@@JimPankey Hotdog

[@donaldabailey1]

@@JimPankey 155 depot street ?

[@JimPankey]

Yes 😊

[@haroldrick]

Hadn't changed my own Strings before I tried it couple of days ago and screwed up 2 sets but now this is a lot easier and a great presentation tonight I'll try it again.. Thanks

[@JimPankey]

Let me know how it goes.

[@garykaufman8128]

Same here, Jim. Always had the shop change them. Tried myself, broke 2 strings, grrrrr! I'd rather take a whipping!

[@scottziegler4238]

Always love your practical advice! Feels like sometimes if I don't have 20 banjos and a room just for them, that I'm doing it wrong. I have one banjo and a living room floor and that has always worked for me.

[@JimPankey]

No amount of gear can make you happy, but playing some tunes on the banjo you have can do wonders!

[@writerrad]

after the first bite, you will want more banjos. Nobody who plays can get buy with just one banjo. When I meet banjoists and they ask I tell them I have only (5) not counting the broken old one above the fireplace and th eone on sale at the music store. You get to adore the feel of different banjos as much as you do their sound. Dont put down the folks with 20 banjos, I know a few folks who own more than 100

[@isaaczafuto9949]

Thanks so much! i was worried about doing this but its surprisingly easy. Also amazing camera quality. Better then my local news.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😊

[@adampetra7865]

Nice! This is great timing for me, I was given a hand-me-down banjo that I've been learning to play from you videos, and I need to change the strings.

[@JimPankey]

Great! Let me know how it goes.

[@writerrad]

Thanks for this came right on time. After 22 years of playing open back banjos which I love, I decided to go to the dark side and get me a starter RB, the RK dirty 30s model you are showing. Changing strings and other stuff you show is a bit different for an RB than I have been doing on open backs so this just perfect for me. Your personality and style really is fun. Wish I was more of a bluegrass player because I would love to watch all of your videos because you are just like one of my buds, but a bit younger (I am over the hill old).

[@JimPankey]

Hey Tony! Glad that video was helpful. Thanks for watching and for the kind words. Glad to be a friend.

[@lindahill6122]

Jim, I don't change my strings too often as I dread making a mare's nest of it--always seem to get things backwards and ruin a string in the process. Other tutorials sometimes leave me scratching my head. But your video was a game changer, very clear instructions and video shots of the actual process. I've just started your beginning banjo tutorials and am enjoying them. Thank you so much!

[@JimPankey]

I’m so glad this was helpful!

[@hacgarimman9660]

New to banjo but have been playing acoustic for 20 plus years. What I do is tune up a tone and leave it for 10 min. That beds the string in nice. New to.your channel and it's brilliant! Thank you so much!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks 😊

[@misterbob8834]

Great video Jim! I just changed strings and your winding method on the post is way better than I was doing. Thanks for a dedicated string changing video!

[@JimPankey]

Glad it helped!

[@mrwar32zz]

I literally just changed mine, 5 mins ago. I goto your channel to pick up on your cripple creek lessons and boom. You share the video i needed lol

[@mrwar32zz]

Does the bridge move? I feel like I may have moved mine unknowingly

[@JimPankey]

Yes, the bridge moves. I actually talk about that in the video. You can also check out my previous video where I talk about setup.

[@JimPankey]

Hope my tips help you next time.

[@jmills60]

Jim, this is a leap of faith.😂As a guitar player, I like 3 wraps around my pegs. I restrung my banjo for the first time using your method. The strings may have had 1 1/2 wraps. But you haven’t steered me wrong yet. Thanks for the video.

[@JimPankey]

With too many wraps there are more chance of getting out of tune. This method locks the string in place.

[@jmills60]

@@JimPankey after 2 hours she’s holding tight. Old Dog…… New Tricks….. I like it! Thanks again Jim.

[@petebony4664]

I'm just waiting for my first Banjo to arrive (Brand new so it will almost certainly need setting up properly) and I am finding your tutorial videos extremely helpful. Many thanks and keep 'em coming please!

[@JimPankey]

Keep me posted on your progress 😊

[@writerrad]

somewhere Jim has a very nice video about taking the banjo out of the box and setting it up. If you know a music store that deals with banjos or an experienced banjo player, it is worth the money even on an inexpensive model like Jim is showing here, to take it to them and let them take a look at it and make the minor adjustments. My luthier charged me 50 bucks for setting up mine--exactly the one Jim is working with here--including a new bridge and some adjustments of the neck. It sounds altogether different after that adjustment.

[@writerrad]

I underline a music store experienced with banjos. Most music stores are guitar stores with a few other things. When I started out years ago I took my first banjo where I took my guitars and a well meaning guy I still know did bad things to my banjo because it was what you would do to a guitar for the same problems. I was very lucky that a very good repairman at the local Guitar Center told me not to take my banjo to the Center but to another music store where the repairman knew what to do with a banjo. Dont be afraid to reach out. Banjo people are super friendly and willing especially for a new recruit. If you dont know banjo players, go out to where either bluegrass or old time music is played in your area even if u have to make a trip and meet people. After more than 20 years and doing playing and performing and writing about the banjo, it is still shocking to me how friendly banjo people are at every level and how helpful and encouraging they are, so do not be shy and welcome to the club of distinction

[@spincity4049]

Hi Jim, great tips and advice. Especially the first knot on the tuner. I reckon that helps heaps with tuning! I got a new set of strings for Father’s Day today so me and Jim are putting them on. Thanks mate.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😊

[@Eberdeberdee]

Just yesterday I bought some strings for my son's violin. Well now I going to buy a new set for my banjo too. Thanks for the video Jim😁

[@JimPankey]

Happy to help!

[@writerrad]

if u can string that violin and pay for those strings, the banjo will be easy, that fiddle makes brain surgery look easy

[@Frankgibsoninfo]

Okay Jim - I just changed my banjo strings - first time since class :) Had to come back for a refresher course! As always, you are the best! Thank you again! (wendy)

[@JimPankey]

I knew you could do it!

[@jessicaarmentrout1893]

I really should have found this video of yours *before* my first time changing strings. I learned a LOT from this one. Thanks again, Jim.

[@JimPankey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@niallmckenna648]

Gotta say: This is the best banjo string-change video I have found on KZbin. Quick and doesn't require many tools. Not needing a string winder is a very welcome exclusion. Jim: What might be the disadvantages of not having the string wound around the post 4-5 times like other winding methods that require a string-winder?

[@JimPankey]

Disadvantage? None that I’m aware of.

[@niallmckenna648]

@@JimPankey Well, then I'll just stick with your method! Here's to changing string more often. The instrument sounds so much better after.

[@calebbarricks9199]

Man you have taught me like 7 songs I have been playing for 3 months best thing I ever did wish I could pay you tbh

[@JimPankey]

you should start posting some videos of your progress

[@jlmagic5585]

Thanks!

[@JimPankey]

Glad to help 😊

[@TBBCoachTommy]

It’s only been a year and I’ve watched other stringing videos but I now understand the wrap thing and will try that next time!! Thanks for that!!!

[@JimPankey]

Glad it helped!

[@billgoodall4648]

That was the best. Thanks for your help for my kids new banjo! Almost returned it till I found your video.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help!

[@bamageek205]

Awesome video! Just went through and restrung my banjo. My strings were actually strung underneath the tail piece and back up through the holes. Not sure if it was supposed to be like that but I restung mine to match yours. Thanks for the help!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help!

[@cierramc3129]

hey!! not my first time re-stringing a banjo but it’s been a while, so this was super helpful! thanks jim :)

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😀

[@samneaver6518]

Thanks so much for the video- I’ve been restringing guitars for several years but was too intimidated to restring my banjo! This really helped

[@JimPankey]

I’m glad I could help ☺️

[@fragrantvagrant6121]

My old strings had literally rusted, so thanks for making this easy!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😊

[@tonipeparoni4331]

Did this today for the first time. Thank you for the Guidance and Advice man!

[@JimPankey]

Glad it helped!

[@RogerClotz88]

I just started playing banjo and this video was great! I subscribed as well! Keep up the great work!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Dykstra1979]

Dig the video friend! I just got my first Banjo, a 50s Kay. Had to replace the tuners and bridge. As a guitarist, this is so new! Scribed!

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help! Thanks. 😀

[@danhodkinson2615]

Thank you Jim from Oregon. You are an inspiration. Dan.

[@JimPankey]

My pleasure

[@THETRUTHOR]

Thank you sir! The graphite is so commonly overlooked, even by higher level players. Im a guitarist, first time stringing a banjo. Gratitude!

[@JimPankey]

Happy to help!

[@pietersanders7761]

Well, I took the plunge and put a new set of GHS Americana lights on my Ozark. It sounds much better and with your guidance was easier than expected. Thanks, Jim.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😀

[@Banjohead1]

Hey Jim, what a great tutorial. The best way to put strings on. Thank you!!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks 😊

[@Mrbenjaboy3555]

Found qn old banjo in my Father in laws garage, and ruined my first set of strings trying to change them like my wife does her guitar. Your way looks so much simpler. Ive got 2 more sets ordered so we'll see how it goes. Thank you for making this video, i was on the verge of tears when the strings didnt hold tension at 9pm last night.

[@JimPankey]

You’ll get it. Just like playing, stringing takes a little practice.

[@alisonb4044]

You made that look so easy Jim!! I always have to wrestle with the loop end for ages to get it to stay on 😖

[@JimPankey]

Like anything else, the more you do it the easier it gets.

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

Thanks for the video. My new maple/rosewood bridge arrived today! I lowered the action a fair amount and put on my new light D'Addario strings. Please don't laugh at me. The new strings were color coded with little stickers and for some reason I kept getting lost figuring out which string was supposed to go where. It was a painful half hour of senior moments when I ain't even a senior yet. The banjo came delivered equipped with super cheap quality ball end electric strings. Honestly, what in Sam hill?? The banjo sounds and feels incredible now with the new strings and bridge. Thanks again for your great videos and guides.

[@JimPankey]

So glad that I can help!

[@eugenelayton5231]

I've played guitar since the 1970s and I always change the strings sitting on the floor like you do. 👍

[@JimPankey]

Plenty of room on the floor. 😊

[@georgemcmahill5023]

Dang it Jim i’m a truck driver not a banjo surgeon!! (Star Trek reference)I guess my banjo is really cheap because I went to flip open the tailpiece cover if that’s what it’s called and I noticed there was two screws on each side of it the thing doesn’t actually hinge back there like I thought it did anyway I took the screws off the side and the whole tailpiece popped off so here I am. I guess I’m not changing them one at a time now. Maybe you already explained the anatomy of the banjo in a previous video and I missed it. That’s OK I can probably make it work. Appreciate your videos man

[@JimPankey]

Oooops... hopefully you get it sorted out.

[@jimburns6232]

Thanks Jim that made changing my strings a piece of cake well done

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help ☺️

[@MrMusic32150]

I really like this video Jim. I'm convinced that, if we were in the same community, we would be hanging out together a lot. I like your string tension "trick" and am wondering if that will work as well with guitar stringing. I suspect it will and will try it when I re-string one of my guitars. Meanwhile, thanks for the tips.

[@JimPankey]

Totally works for guitat

[@pattiejenson910]

Thanks for the excellent video. I liked the repetition & close up. You took the fear out of the procedure. 😬

[@JimPankey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@subzero674]

Jim - I use this video every time I string a banjo. Thanks!

[@JimPankey]

Glad you find it helpful!

[@jbryant50yt]

Thanks for all the great instruction and encouragement. Scruggs occasionally throws a strum into the middle of a solo (I’m thinking of Cumberland Gap), and I’d like to see you demonstrate that so I could see how it fits into the picking rhythm.

[@JimPankey]

Maybe this’ll help... it’s a video I made for one of my local students. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b325e3yVbr9rftU

[@johns4962]

Great video very helpful can i ask you what is the correct way to string a waverley tailpiece im confused as some say the strings go over the tailpiece some say under it can you advise me on the correct set up thank you for your time John

[@JimPankey]

Strings go over the top. I cover that in one of my earlier unboxing videos.

[@johns4962]

Thank you very much 👍

[@this_kendra4596]

Thank you so much for this information! I'm a beginner learning my way around my 'new to me' instrument and this is so helpful!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me teach you 😊

[@cathywade9242]

I am new at this. your video is very good, clear and close up. Thanks. I did find tuner ninja i can pull up on phone that helps tune. Thanks again. your awesome.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😊

[@Daar234]

Hey Jim! Thank you for your method changing strings. Great video, makes it very easy to follow.

[@JimPankey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annacollins501]

This is what I have been waiting for!

[@JimPankey]

Hope it was helpful

[@davidskimin3471]

Hey Jim, great video, I'll try that reverse threading next time. On the 5th string I usually thread the string back through the hole so as it looks like you have a small loop and the cut it on the other side the small loop has a bit of spring in it and it pulls the sharp end into the tuner so you can't stab your hand by accident. I used to use Deering lights but they're hard to get here in N. Ireland since the covid started so I use Vega lights now. Thanks for the great video, stay safe, Davy

[@JimPankey]

I used to try to poke that string end back thru the hole, but since doing it this way I’ve not had that end near where I might poke myself with it. Thanks for watching!

[@writerrad]

None of those companies make their own strings, but buy strings from string making companies. In fact Deering bought Vega from Martin years ago. Vega lights are probably exactly the same thing as Dearing lights, but maybe there is some deal where the Vega brand name does not belong to Dearing in the United Kingdom as it does in the USA and they still sell strings under that name In the US Dearing no longer markets its own strings but advises people to buy GHS strings. The key thing about strings is the material they are made of and above all the diameter of the string. LOL the key thing is also what you can afford.

[@conradbennett3251]

Whoa!! That is way better than the crazy amount of winding that I have been doing. Thanks for the tips!!

[@JimPankey]

Glad to help. 😊

[@gregduff1458]

thanks jim. greetings from ireland.

[@JimPankey]

Hello there!

[@goofoffbert]

Thank you for the tips! Though I only have left handed strings, your instructions were perfect.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help ☺️

[@lucassolci6180]

I needed this two days ago 😃

[@JimPankey]

Well shucks... :)

[@dizzzertpocketants]

Do you only wrap it around once around the peg?

[@JimPankey]

Maybe? I do it exactly like I did in the video.

[@jeffdavies9099]

Hi Jim from UK.Helpful video as always.Can you post a video on cleaning and maintaining a banjo.My banjo metal parts are tarnished and dull.Dont want to keep taking head tension brackets off.Sure could use some advice how to keep it looking like your RK.Thanks

[@JimPankey]

Well.... I'd do that, but honestly, I've never cleaned any of my banjos. The one in this video is clean because it's brand new. The others I play are tarnished and dirty. I've never been that particular about keeping on shiny; shiny shows fingerprints - tarnished just shows use.

[@SkeeterMcBeater]

That same graphite trick works for guitars too. Guitar teacher taught me that on my first string change.

[@JimPankey]

Yup!

[@darrellkershaw1514]

If your string keeps coming off on the loop end use a capo to hold the string while you tighten with peg. Hope this makes sense and is useful. Thanks for your videos.

[@JimPankey]

Good tip

[@Wetshock]

thank you jim! got some d'addario light gauge for my deering goodtime. lets see how it sounds!

[@JimPankey]

Awesome!

[@jackmeoff8305]

Happy New Year Jim

[@JimPankey]

Happy New Year!

[@billbarrett6285]

Thanks for the video Jim. This is the best video I've seen on changing banjo strings. Could you please answer a question about head tension. The way I would like to do it is to make all the hooks finger tight. Then use a Neary Torque Tool and a banjo wrench to bring it up close to where I want the tension and even the tension, using a drum dial to see where I'm at. Then using the T wrench making 1/4 turns on each hook to bring it the rest of the way to the tension I want, using the drum dial to measure the tension and to make sure I'm where I want to be. Does this method sound like it would work to you? This is on an open back banjo and the tension I was looking for is about 91 all the way around. There was a company at one time ran by Janet Davis that sold an adapter for the Neary Torque tool for using it with a banjo. I wish I could find one of those adapters but I'm hoping the way I'm thinking about doing it would work well enough.

[@JimPankey]

That’s way more complicated than what I do. I’ve always just tightened mine up until it sounded like I wanted it. I kept an eye on the tension hoop to make sure it was even all the way around…

[@billbarrett6285]

@@JimPankey Yea, I just wondered what you would think about the idea I came up with. Since I'm new to the banjo I'm kind of unsure of myself and thought maybe the tools would keep me from making any really bad mistakes. I'm probably just being too much of a worry wart and should just watch your video on tightening the head again, jump in and work on it. I don't want to make it any more complicated than it has to be. I'm really looking forward to wrapping things up with getting it basically set up so I can get started going through your other videos and learning to play. I would've just taken it to someone to setup but I couldn't find anyone in my area that does that sort of thing for banjos.

[@matthewt6221]

Thanks for making this video, very informative, have a great day

[@JimPankey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@066motocross]

Thanks Jim! I'm 59 years old and never played any type of musical instrument in my life. I was a coast to coast truck driver and now in early retirement because of health issues I decided it was time to learn banjo. I learn so much from you please know that buddy. 😊 I bought this Jameson banjo used and it sounds pretty dull. I'm going to change my strings thanks to your video and I think my bridge needs adjusted or maybe upgraded. Your banjo setup video will be very helpful in checking the tightness of the head and setting the bridge up correctly. Any recommendations on what type of bridge I should look for? Thanks again my friend

[@JimPankey]

Pretty much any of the recent boutique bridges are great. Kateyz, Snuffy, Scorpion, Dotson... etc etc

[@hectorgarza6725]

I did what u did pulling string up to tighten it better like u said but I recon my strings are old so cool u rock

[@wickedella4544]

Thank you so much for this video! I just had to do this for the first time.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😊

[@jenheadjen]

Thanks Jim!!! So helpful!!

[@JimPankey]

Glad to help! ☺️

[@SherwoodSchwartz123]

Very helpful - thanks for posting.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help 😅

[@severinneukom]

i should have been doing that for a long time .. but i don't know if i can do it right .. i had done it with my old banjo, but badly .. i had the feeling that i had to tune my banjo much more often than before. but thank you very helpful video.

[@JimPankey]

I've done it this way since the 80s, so I've had some practice doing it. I still usually wind up with a single wrap and that "lock" which seems to make tuning fairly stable.

[@jeffjones3202]

I run GHS pf135 med,light. JD Crowe stage strings on both my jo's. Like there sound.. just my opinion!

[@JimPankey]

I’ve used that set!

[@writerrad]

@@JimPankey I was told about the Crowe's from a very top old time player whose name people would know because he is nationally known both as a banjoist and otherwise, JD knows

[@johnaslin2635]

thanks Jim this is such a helpful Video.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help ☺️

[@bellfoozwell]

Great explanation Jim. However, I found that if I don’t leave a lot more slack on the string before starting to wind up, the string breaks before I get it up to pitch. This is on an RK-36 but I found the sam thing on my Gold Tone BG250.

[@JimPankey]

Makes me wonder about your process. In 40 years I’ve never had that issue.

[@bellfoozwell]

Wish I could show you what I’m doing so we could figure it out. Maybe I’ll ask a local banjo expert sometime. Cheers.

[@chasec9197]

Never heard of the pencil lead thing but maybe I'll try it one of these days...

[@JimPankey]

Give it a try. :)

[@dclcav]

Marvellous Jim. Was wondering about nylon strings, but maybe tuning would have to be lower?

[@JimPankey]

I don’t really use nylon strings. I do know they can be tuned to standard pitch.

[@writerrad]

Nylon strings just are not appropriate for learning bluegrass or old time music. They do not respond the same way and do not sound the same way. They are used in the parlor banjo styles that people mistakenly call "classic" and for some early banjo playing on gourd banjos or banjos modeled after the mid 19th century minstrel banjo. Get steel or other metal strings if you want to play bluegrass. It may take a little time for your fingers to building up calluses, but nylon strings and bluegrass or old time banjo really do not go together.

[@Dadbod_Stripper]

Haha Jimbo , you do a restring video as well? Good work mate. Using it now.

[@JimPankey]

Enjoy it

[@Dadbod_Stripper]

My el cheapo banjo is not as good as yours though and the loop end is different. I’ll figure it out.

[@robertcox1588]

Hey Jim, thank you again for another very informative video. Do you have any recommendations for a brand of strings and how often should they be changed? I play almost every day and I have had my banjo for over a year. Your efforts are always greatly appreciated!!!

[@JimPankey]

I’ve used all sorts of brands. Just find a gauge you like. I use lights.

[@DarkWallay]

I recently bought my banjo, snapped a string and I felt horrible. Thanks for helping me fix it.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help!

[@ffspo]

oh goodie! this means I can try to fix the bad restringing I hacked together a month ago :o)

[@JimPankey]

A month... it's probably time. :)

[@writerrad]

Nothing other than buying a new banjo is going to make your banjo sound better and feel better than changing the strings if you did a bad job. You should change the strings on banjos about once a month at least if you are practicing and playing enough sometimes more. I know semi professionals who play in local pick up bands who change their strings every week and sometimes twice a week. Learn to do it and you will be surprised what it does for you

[@LizzetteGwin]

Awesome video 👍 thanks Jim 😎

[@JimPankey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@4004janice]

Best tutorial EVER!!!!! Thank You!!!!!!

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for watching. Glad I can help.

[@lorenvguitar614]

Great video and I thank you my friend.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for watching 😊