Question about monofilaments

[John Cohen]

Hello, I'm a fingerstyle banjoist rediscovering early banjo setups.  After Dupont introduced nylon in 1938, banjoists started to use it.  I'm trying to find out which modern fishing lines use the same or similar nylon formula as the early (pre-Stren) line, and of these options which brand has the most consistent diameter.  I'm currently using Stren... didn't have much luck with Trilene.  I'm told that the early monofilament was harder and more wirey than Stren, and wasn't as thin pound for pound.  

 

Thanks for your help.

[smalljaw67]

I think you would be better off trying weed whacker line. I say that because even the cheapest monofilament isn't anywhere close to the old style mono, and most of the better ones are copolymers and too soft for your purpose. Maybe someone here has access to, or knows where to find older mono that has the properties you need but it is doubtful.

[John Cohen]

I've looked at weed whacker line before and it doesn't come in small gauges.  Light nylon for those is around 0.065", whereas the string diameters I need are in the .012"-.022" range.  Stren has been pretty good, but I'd love to find the harder stuff.  Fluorocarbon is a no-go... it doesn't as good and is much higher in tension.

[fishnkamp]

I am afraid the properties you are looking for were good for banjos and terrible for fishing. Fishing line manufacturers have pretty much abandoned any characteristic that would be bad for fishing.  

Today's lines are all going to be questionable for your use. If any would be workable try some P Line CXX in like 12 to 17 pound test.  CXX is a line with a heavier diameter and more memory than many lines like Stren.  It has a great amount of abrasion resistance and breaks way above its rated  strength so it might be what you are looking for.  CXX in 17 pound test is .0165.

Tackle Warehouse has it in the Moss Green ( a 300 yard spool) or the clear blue  fluorescent in a much bigger spool.  Check with P Line and maybe it is available in a smaller spool size. 

[John Cohen]

I don't think I'm at risk of breaking strings.. The nylon-strung banjo is a low tension instrument with rather floppy strings.  The historical gauges were 10lb, 15lb, and 20lb line, but the line was the harder wirey nylon.  It was all monofilament- not copolymer.

 

Stren feels and sounds pretty good, and the tension is the same as the Trilene I tried.  I was surprised by that, since I thought Stren would be lower tension.  Maybe a lot of the properties of the nylon that are relevant to fishing go out the window when its strung up to pitch on a musical instrument?  

 

By the way, I use Trilene Big Game when I fish, but it made for terrible instrument strings.  It doesn't intonate well.  I'm surprised Stren has good intonation since it certainly doesn't feel like it has a consistent diameter.

[fishwizzard]

Sunline Defier Amarillo Monofilament is stiffer and more wirey than most other monos.  I have it in 11lb (0.0108") and 25lb (0.0159").  If you would like I can send you a dozen feet or so of each.  If you want it PM me your address and I will throw in in the mail next week.  

[John Cohen]

One of the top professional players used Andover monofilament in the '50s, but that brand seems to have gone defunct long ago.

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, smalljaw67 said:

 Maybe someone here has access to, or knows where to find older mono that has the properties you need but it is doubtful.

 

Given the hoarding tendencies I have noticed in myself and my fellow anglers, I would guarantee that there are guys with basements full of old mono that they got a great deal on in 1960.  

[A-Jay]

36 minutes ago, Bunnielab said:

 

Given the hoarding tendencies I have noticed in myself and my fellow anglers, I would guarantee that there are guys with basements full of old mono that they got a great deal on in 1960.  

Interesting Idea ~ 

A-Jay

[John Cohen]

I just came across Mason hard nylon leader.  It comes in all the right diameters- anybody have experience with it?

[WRB]

Try Ashaway, they make specialized mono and most fishing lines come in leader spools.

DuPont sold their mono line facility.

 

[craww]

Definetely look at leaders and not mainlines. The qualities that make line formulated for leaders good for their purpose, and likely yours- make them a nightmare to cast on a reel. For the large diamter you seek the salt water arenas probably the place to start.