The banjo has a widely recognizable round body and five long copper strings.
The banjo, an instrument first popularized in the late 1800s, has grown to become a staple of American country and bluegrass music. "Frailing," also known as "clawhammering," developed by legendary bluegrass artist Earl Scruggs, involves plucking individual strings with three to four fingers. There are many different brands of banjo strings, however certain types are more favorable to the frailing method.
John Pearse Strings
John Pearse, the first musician to teach guitar and banjo on television, developed his own brand of strings in the late '60s which have remained popular today. They are known for their toughness and dexterity, as well as for retaining their pop after prolonged periods of play. John Pearse sells not only a lite gauge, but an extra lite gauge, ideal for new players still building callouses on their fingers. As of this writing, John Pearse strings typically retail between $4 to $7 per pack.
D'Addario Nickel Wound
D' Addario is a major seller of guitar and banjo strings and can be found at most music and guitar stores.The most popular strings from the company, the J61, are medium gauge strings, wound in nickel and steel, and are used primarily in bluegrass music. D'Addario strings typically sell between $5 to $8 dollars.
Elixir Strings
Elixir Strings are a high end brand of banjo strings which are known for their longevity, which can last three to four times longer than most other strings. This is because Elixir strings are coated in a thing layer of polymer, which not only preserves the tone, but makes sliding your fingers along the neck banjo incredibly smooth and slick. Because of these features, Elixir strings can sell anywhere between $8 to $12 dollars.
Basic & Discounted Strings
If you are just beginning to learn the banjo, having the most professional or expensive strings may not be your first priority. There are a number of other brands of banjo strings that can be purchased as a slightly more affordable rates than the top selling brands. GHS strings typically sell for $2 to $4 dollars less than most brands and are sold in light medium and heavy gauges. Ernie Ball strings are also available at discounted rates and in multiple gauges. One drawback to cheaper strings is that they often lose their pop quicker than most brands, and are prone to break quicker as well.
