Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on February 13, 2010 at 11:45am

All of my ukuleles (sopranos, tenors, concerts and baritones - acoustic and electric) are all fitted with Martin strings. I prefer these to all of the ukulele strings that I've tried.

I know that string preference is a personal thing and also depends on the make of ukulele, but I find the Martins are ideal for my style of playing and I like the tone that they produce. I also find them easier to play and are so easy to bend (choke).

Permalink Reply by Joni Back-Bubenzer on February 15, 2010 at 7:43am

We have Aquila Nylagut strings on all of our ukes. They are scientifically developed to mimic the great sound of actual gut strings. They feel totally different than other uke strings, too. I love them, and I love the sound they produce.
I am also told that you can make your own ukulele strings with the proper weight of fishing line. I don't know how it sounds, but it could be fun to try.
Meanwhile, I think you really should give Aquila strings a try.

Permalink Reply by Brian Lemin on May 23, 2010 at 5:34pm

A bit off topic re strings. But can you use "ordinary" soprano G strings for a low G tuned tenor uke? I have mine tuned to low G but it seems very "slack" (not to be confused with slack tuning whatever that is!) Perhaps i have to use a guitar nylon string or something.

Your advice would be appreciated.

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on May 23, 2010 at 6:33pm

I'm sure that you've considered this, but why not get a set of Ukulele strings fir your tenor that is designed to accomodate your low G. I use Martin strings for this but Aquila also produce a tenor set of strings with a low G. I also believe that Aquila also produce a single string for a low G.

Brian Lemin said:

A bit off topic re strings. But can you use "ordinary" soprano G strings for a low G tuned tenor uke? I have mine tuned to low G but it seems very "slack" (not to be confused with slack tuning whatever that is!) Perhaps i have to use a guitar nylon string or something.

Your advice would be appreciated.

Permalink Reply by BeatNik on May 24, 2010 at 6:04am

Hey Wade,
Check out my review of Aquila strings - I was amazed at how they improved the sound on my uke!
Cheers,
BeatNik

Permalink Reply by Wade on June 1, 2010 at 2:58pm

Thanks BeatNik


BeatNik said:

Hey Wade,
Check out my review of Aquila strings - I was amazed at how they improved the sound on my uke!
Cheers,
BeatNik

Permalink Reply by J-Hob on June 21, 2010 at 5:09am

aquila aquila aquila!

I use them on pretty much all of my ukes (one or two didn't like them) and they always deliver a big improvement, particularly so on cheaper instruments. Particularly if you are building from plywood boxes aquila are the only choice.

Permalink Reply by Ice Bob on July 13, 2010 at 11:40am

aquila on all my ukes i like high G on my padron soprano i got them on my baritone they make them all sound better

Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on July 17, 2010 at 7:29pm

No, High G strings won't work for Low G. The Low G string is usually "fatter" than your "C" string. Also, the low G will often be a wound string, which I really don't like. For that reason I use Worth Strings for low G, as Aquila low G strings are wound. Using a thin High G string won't produce the results you want (the string will also be too loose to play -- "very slack" as you mentioned). Also, low G tuning is usually reserved for tenor sized ukuleles which have a scale length of 17". You might be able to do low G on a concert, but I doubt it would work very well on a soprano. I think that some Cigar Box Guitar folks would like ukulele strings on their instruments as they make the instrument sound more mellow and its a lot easier on your finger tips. The problem is finding ukulele strings for an instrument with a 24"+ scale length. But, some ukulele string vendors sell their strings twice as long as needed. For instance, the Worth strings I bought for my Tenor Uke, they are twice as long --maybe 34" long (to the best of my recollection). So, they could be used by 3- and 4-string cigar box guitars with longer than ukulele scale lengths. For standard (high G) GCEA tuned ukes, I also like to use Aquila Nylgut strings.

Hope this helps.

-Rand.


Brian Lemin said:

A bit off topic re strings. But can you use "ordinary" soprano G strings for a low G tuned tenor uke? I have mine tuned to low G but it seems very "slack" (not to be confused with slack tuning whatever that is!) Perhaps i have to use a guitar nylon string or something.
Your advice would be appreciated.