Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom T on October 5, 2020 at 9:42am

You might check on the string diameters used on ukuleles since they are nylon. That could provide a starting point. I know Uke strings stretch and stretch before settling in. Nylon fishing line may be the same.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on October 5, 2020 at 9:49am

I’ve tried Berkeley Trilene “Big Game” line on a 22.75” scale 3 stringer, tuned it to low C. Had a strong Uke sound & feel? I originally used 80lb/60lb/40lb, but changed 80lb to 100lb, to warm the low string up? Made it  for a player with hand issues, he said it did the trick?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on October 7, 2020 at 10:29am

Different pound test line's will have different diameters and I've even heard of people using weedwacker line in different guages.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith Rearick on October 8, 2020 at 7:28am

Don't try to use braided line. When people fishing with it get hung up, they try grabbing the line, and end up getting cut by it, because it can be abrasive. Yea, maybe I should have done a search, before I started this thread.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on October 8, 2020 at 8:36am

Yea, I don’t know how many posts I’ve seen about people buying octagonal weedwacker line, that stuff will cut ya too? 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rough Cut Guitars on October 11, 2020 at 11:14am

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on October 11, 2020 at 11:45am

All that typing and the view in html before posting bug still bites me

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on October 11, 2020 at 11:46am

Nylon is nylon. There are slightly different mixes used for strings Vs fishing line. The main disadvantage to fishing line is that if it has additives to make it invisible to fish and you have a mermaid in your family tree you might not be able to see them. 

Some people would have you believe that fluorocarbon fishing line sounds better. In theory because it has a higher density than nylon it is better for lower notes much like wound strings are used for low notes.

Expensive fishing line has additives made to improve factors such as knot strength and visibility. These are not necessarily things you want in a guitar/uke string. 

The theory of harp strings helps explain why we use monofilament on high strings and wound on low. End result cross sectional density and sound production efficiency mean all things being equal high notes need short strings and low notes need long strings or higher cross sectional density, hence wound strings on your guitar.

More on how it all works here:

http://www.sligoharps.com/string.html

• ▶ Reply