Very Heavy Banjo Strings

Basic string physics is simple. Rather, this is a reminder that, for the price of a
new set of strings, one can create a different instrument. In particular, for a given
scale length, the tension can be maintained with heavier strings by tuning lower. An
extreme case is illustrated here: replace original light gauge strings with Gold Tone’s
“baritone” strings, which are their choice for their “Missing Link” banjo. On the
particular instrument used for this demo, tuning about an octave low preserves the
original total string tension. That puts the instrument in the league of the baritone
and cello banjos.  This is a case of where a difference in degree becomes a difference in kind.