Sound-wise, they are similar to Aquila Nylgut – very bright, a little too bright on a solid wood instrument for my taste. These multi-colored strings by Aquila offer not only… I’m having trouble with them, and was thinking that strings with less tension might help? They come in at about 43lbs total tension a set for tenor, and that is lower tension than the Martins by about 7 lbs. One of the problems with nylon strings is that they tend to stretch out over time. This guide has all of the information you need. https://liveukulele.com/gear/strings/ If you’re playing for hours every day, you would be best served by changing your strings every few weeks. The more you play your instrument, the quicker its sound quality will diminish. Wound nylon strings possess a nylon base. I was looking to change the strings on my Pono tenor cutaway (acasia with cedar top). For some players, this scraping sound is a nuisance which must be avoided. Sound-wise, I am not a fan. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. CF Worth Clear Fat Tenor Ukulele Strings High G Ukulele Strings Fluorocarbon. You would tune those 1=A, 2=E, 3=C, 4=G (but an octave higher) Each size has a different scale length and string tension requirements. Aquila Super Nylgut. 10 years ago. Buy at TheUkuleleSite.com. Regardless of the type of uke you play, Aquila will accommodate you. I have a soprano uke tunes to high G can I use low G strings? Are the chords the same? Pingback: Koolau Musical Instruments - Music News Beat, Hi read your review on strings. This is so for two reasons: 1, most ukuleles are initially strung with nylon strings, and 2, nylon strings are extremely affordable. MusicianAuthority.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Tried amazon. I find these strings to be a happy medium between the loud, bright Aquila Nylgut and muted, mellow nylon strings. Most new ukuleles come strung with these, especially the lower end variety. If you’re looking to make your ukulele as loud as possible, you should opt for titanium strings. The string on top is tuned to a "G", which is the 2nd highest note, and therefore the second-thinnest, even though the top two thinnest strings are usually equal in size. This, in combination with being thin, makes them a pleasure to play. They, of course, also make ukulele strings. Worth Fats are my personal choice of string for acoustic tenor ukulele... Powerrrrrr . The company makes strings for all types of ukuleles, all of which are made out of high-quality fluorocarbon. I’ve also noticed they don’t stay in tune as well as fluorocarbon strings, again likely due to being nylon. However, whereas wound nylon strings have a warm tone, wound metal strings have a punchy tone. The diameter is the thickness of the string. Which ukulele string is the thickest? Seagull S6 Review: Impressive Sound & Quality For Price. The Tenor strings were 1 dollar more for the set. The fact of the matter is that you can’t go wrong with D’Addario strings. It depends on which size Uke you have. Just dead on arrival. Soprano 2. As a beginner, there’s no reason to stray away from wound nylon. Learning how to string a ukulele is pretty necessary. These measure in at 19 inches in scale, and at 30 inches in total length. This tuning is known as GCEA. Fluorocarbon strings are durable, low-maintenance, and of very high quality. I use Super Nyglut Aquila strings gCEA (as in high g). Excellent idea – just purchased a pack of Living Waters. In this tuning, the thickest string is tuned to G, the next thickest string is tuned to C, the next thickest string is tuned to E, and the thinnest string is tuned to A. Ukulele strings can be made out of a number of different materials, all of which come with their very own benefits and drawbacks. Hi guys, I have joined up to UU+ and not regretting it at all. They produce such a warm tone and also have a strong presence. They sound good enough, especially for nylon strings, but they are just a tad on the quiet side for my liking. The thickest string is placed at the very top, and then the thickness of the string is reduced as it goes down to the bottom. Did this article help you to find the appropriate ukulele strings? Baritone Ukulele String Notes In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. I agree with your thoughts on the Ko’olau strings supplied with the ukulele, they did seem to be rather dead. It’s a wonderful mix, and I’m sold! Wound nylon strings have a warm and full tone that comes across as downright pleasant. However, if this is not a distraction for you, there’s no reason not to give them a go. For other players, however, it’s welcomed with open arms. They produce a nice clear bell-like tone. As a beginner, you might not be aware of the fact that there are many different types of ukuleles. There is! I appreciate any clarification you can give on my two questions. Whether you have a soprano, baritone, concert, or tenor ukulele, Martin uke strings will serve you well. Aquila recently released these Super Nylgut strings. The baritone ukulele is easy to play, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Nylon strings are the most commonly used type of uke strings on the market. The overall length of soprano ukuleles is 21 inches. Read on! Not only do they manufacture nylon strings, but fluorocarbon, and titanium strings as well. Not particularly rough, but definitely not smooth. Ukulele String Order December 14, 2014 Tips Dave It’s a really good idea to know which string is which note on your ukulele, this is something that you should commit to memory as soon as you possibly can (even if you’re using a clip-on tuner which I recommend ). The vast majority of ukuleles utilize four strings. With re-entrant tuning, the thickest string will be string 3, the next thickest will be string 2. I tried both the Worth Clears and Browns. Ukulele String Numbers & Order. As I recall the description in comparison the the clears turned me off, so I got the clears instead. Depending on the frequency and force that you use, you might have to restring your instrument every two weeks or so. I probably missed it somewhere but are you testing these strings on a concert or tenor uke? Not only do you have to practice chords, scales, and strumming patterns, you have to learn about the many parts and components of ukuleles. Most typically, they are used for baritone and tenor ukuleles. The tone was a little too banjo-ish and didn’t sound very “ukulele” to me at all. My sense is that if I fingerpicked with fingernails these might be great. I wonder why you didn’t evaluate the brown Worth strings. Steel strings will put too much tension on your ukulele, slowly damaging its neck as well as its bridge. A note here is you do need a different string for the G if you want to play low G tuning. If you’ve tried both, how did you find the browns compared to the clears? If you’re a beginner player, you’re almost undoubtedly going to be using a 4-string ukulele. Any suggestions. Which is why I recommend starting with a Kala 15S at a minimum. They sound good, for sure, but the tone lacks the depth produced by other strings, namely the Martins discussed above. Especially the C string is considerably thinner than I’m used to. Ko’olau Golds are made from traditional nylon, which explains the muted tone. Concert ukuleles are just a bit bigger than soprano ukuleles, measuring in at 15 inches in scale, and at 23 inches in total. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. (Those familiar with guitars will know that the strings run from low to high across the fretboard. I have heard nothing about them but they are sold out everywhere and I took mine weeks back ordered to come in. Second, they are very light (thin). I tend to change my strings after 6 months or so when they start to lose intonation consistency due to wear. Sound-wise, however, I found them way too bright. There is an essentially endless list of companies that manufacture ukulele strings. Wound nylon ukulele strings have a nylon core wrapped with a polymer winding material. While ukuleles can be tuned in a variety of different ways, they are generally tuned to standard tuning. Soundwise, they are warmer than the Nylgut but have noticeably more note definition. Glad to help. Favorite Answer. A typical ukulele would have four strings strung to it, and they are arranged according to thickness. Only wish I had time to practice! Baritone But what you may not know is…so do ukulele strings. Relatively inexpensive, they are a suitable option for beginner ukulele players. In that spirit, this page lists all the ukulele strings I’ve tried and my impressions of them. Nothing on the market will give you a bigger fatter tone. julie. Martin M600 strings came standard on my Martin ukulele. Below, we’re going to discuss string lengths for the most common types of ukuleles. The smallest of all ukuleles, soprano ukuleles have a scale length of 13 inches. Blue Spark Mic Review – To Buy or Not to Buy? These strings are more like guitar strings and are capable of projecting all the way across a room. I do look forward to installing the 2nd pair of these I bought on my laminate uke. With the same rule, you are going to treat that fret as the top line. I disagree that D’addario Pro Arte are “high tension strings”. After panicking a little I realized it was probably the strings. Again, the packaging of the strings you’re perusing should have these lengths indicated on it. After reading your review I will be ordering some Martin Fluorocarbon strings (if they are available with a low-G). This company makes strings for ukes of all sizes. It’s also one of the lowest, if not the lowest, tension set D’addario makes for tenor. Buy on Amazon.com. They have a thin feel to them and are smooth on the fretboard. This is how ukes come by default when you buy them. They are classical guitar strings repackaged for use by ukulele players. Alas, at least at the moment I’m playing with pads. Here are the four most common ukulele sizes with their typical scale lengths, overall lengths, and most common tunings: Normally, lower note strings are thicker than higher note strings. But the Browns have a beautiful harplike tone. Would like to try the Martin fluorocarbon strings for my Kala tenor ukelele but can only find the soprano / concert and bargains. As you probably already know, ukuleles come in 4 standard sizes: 1. Aquila strings is among the highest quality strings you can get for your uke. Being made from nylon, they are slightly fatter than fluorocarbon strings, but they play fine. I wanted a low G fourth string (high G with 620’s) so tried a worth flourocarbon, which did not feel or sound right with the Martins, so then tried the Fremont SOLOIST wound low G – squeakless, polished string) fits Pono and Martins perfectly. If you’re going for a very mellow and subdued sound and usually finger pick, these are worth a try. Inauguration Day Ukulele Flash Mob in Boston, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” for Solo Ukulele. This base is wrapped in a synthetic polymer which helps to bring a bass-like low end to the sound of the ukulele. While ukuleles can be tuned in a variety of different ways, they are generally tuned to standard tuning. thanks, It’s therefore important to choose a set intended for your type of ukulele. They are also highly polished, giving them a really nice feel on the fretboard. If you break a single string, it’s usually wise to replace your entire array of strings. However, there are some diagrams which have numbers indicated on each side to represent a fret. If you are playing in Low G tuning, it will be the g-string. I liked these better than the Worth Clears, but still not as much as the Martins. Brad Bordessa states that light/low tension strings (e.g., nylon or nylgut) require less pressure to finger or barre than heavy/high tension strings (e.g., monofilament), so I agree with your thinking. While any company is capable of releasing a high-quality string, there are a few specific companies that have proven their ability to distribute quality strings over a long period of time. For thick strings, the edge should be offset slightly away from the fretboard. One thing worth noting – you may be surprised at how much they cost compared to other ukulele strings (almost 3X) but the consolation is that you can get two stringings from each set. Smaller ukes have a tighter fret and string spacing, requiring players … Is it a good idea to put on new strings ASAP after purchasing the instrument? There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should restring your ukulele. That’s it. When these strings are strung to the instrument, they are strung with the thickest string on top and the thinnest string on the bottom. All of their strings are available for a very reasonable price. The sound and playability of a given string set is highly subjective to personal preference and differs considerably from instrument to instrument. Tenor ukuleles measure in at 17 inches in scale, and at 26 inches in total length. The string nearest the ceiling is string 4 and the one nearest the floor is string 1. Below, we’re going to review the most popular materials used for uke strings. It’s all personal preference, I know, but when I received my first Pono (a mahogany concert) and strummed my first chord, I was a little horrified at the lack of presence, volume, you name it. 3.Tuning Your Ukulele I love them! The biggest of all ukuleles are baritone ukuleles. The Ukulele has four strings and thus four tuners on its head. Top 10 List: Best Ukulele for Beginners (Updated 2019), How to Strum a Ukulele: Strumming Patterns 101, E Chord Ukulele: How to Get Better Playing It, Chord Inversions 101: Expanding Your Chordal Knowledge, Top 10 List: Best Ukulele for Beginners (Updated 2021). Their problem is they are quite soft in volume. That g string is a high string (tuned just below that top A string). When buying a package of strings, keep your eyes open for these lengths. One option for tuning the ukulele like a mandolin is to simply keep the high G string tuned to high G. The second option to replace the G string with a thicker gauge string. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Wound metal strings are similar to wound nylon strings in that they produce a full, bass-like sound. If they’re not present on the package, the package should specify directly that the strings are compatible with concert ukuleles. I found them comfortable enough. The selling points with … These came in from Uke Republic today and I strung them up on my mahogany tenor Pono. One set Tenor Reg and the other Concert Reg. It makes the pitch higher. Ukuleles are tuned very much differently than guitars. There’s no point in throwing on a fresh string with a group of worn-out strings. Buy at KoolauUkulele.com. These are what I put on my laminate ukuleles because they just sound and play great. Need help picking the best ukulele strings for you? Tying new strings on your ukulele is easy with this quick tutorial! To my ear, they’re just right in terms of volume, tone and sustain. This company uses a special type of nylon to create their strings; a nylon known as nylgut. The Tenor strings for 1 buckmore per set give you 1″ more of string on each string! Worth strings come highly recommended by some heavy hitting players. The scale is the distance from the bridge of the uke to the nut of the uke. D’Addario is one of the absolute top names in the world of stringed instruments. The selling points with these are 1) a “very smooth and polished” pearl finish, 2) increased strength that protects the strings from wear from the nut, frets and nails and 3) “faster setting”, meaning they hold a tune sooner when first installed (“seconds” according to the package). Thanks for your thoughts on ukulele strings. However, if you’re a beginner who’s just starting to learn the instrument, they are an excellent choice. The standard GCEA re-entrant tuning will have the thickest string 2nd from the top and the smallest on the bottom. These Martin strings are made from fluorocarbon, like some fishing line. Wound nylon strings possess a nylon base. Thank you for all you do for uke players. They are easy to play because they are thin and low tension. This Italian company has been in business since the 1640s and has demonstrated an incredible competency for impeccable quality. Buy on Amazon.com. Anyone try out Seaguar fishing lead line (that Bytown Ukuleles is cutting to length) yet? High-quality ukuleles will often have a compensated saddle. Third, the strings have a lower tension than most I’ve played. But for my solid wood ukuleles, I agree with what most people say about them – they’re a bit too bright. Strings reduce in thickness from the top down. These strings are affordably priced and are manufactured to fit with all types of ukuleles. With standard ukulele tuning, the open notes of the ukulele will be G-C-E-A. Choosing the right strings is vital to the overall sound and playability of your instrument. Barry Maz certainly likes them! I like the sound a lot but are they thicker than other flourocarbons? Fat Strings = Fat Tone. Thicker strings generally have less sustain and can offset intonation a bit, making them sound slightly out of tune depending on what fret you’re on. Originally Posted by Irish Uke Tom. Southcoast.com has much information about uke string tension at Otherwise they are identical. Tenor 4. For #3, set-in time after installation is no faster than any other strings I’ve tried. This means that while tuning the ukulele, you tune the first and thickest string to the key G. When the musician presses their fingers on the strings, they aim to shorten the length of the sound. This helps optimizing the intonation of every single string, so fretted notes intonate more accurately. It is commonly found in sets for tenor or baritone as the 2 lower strings. If you’re holding the ukulele like you’re playing it, string 4 is closest to the ceiling, and string 1 is closest to the floor; The string order of 4-3-2-1 corresponds to the string notes G-C-E-A; Why use ukulele string … This tuning is known as GCEA. This has the effect of reducing the volume of that string, which I see as a good thing – it’s usually notably louder than the other strings. So first things first, make sure you’re getting the right size. I put them on my Ohana SK-50WG, which is a very loud instrument and it is my favorite tone of all my ukes. If you’re new to playing the ukulele, you have a lot to learn. I’ve also got aquilla lava which are charcoal colour sound similar to aquilla but look great on the Valium of a banjolele. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGSU3P77RTQ&index=22&list=PLCA0F3CE98E98DDDE, http://www.southcoastukes.com/ti-tensionrating.htm, Koolau Musical Instruments - Music News Beat, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZNKELC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_C5HMzbX9HDX4X. These are by far the most popular ukulele strings, and for good reason. I'm building a Ukulele (the first I'll ever own) and I don't know what strings go where.. My sister got me a DIY kit for Christmas and the strings weren't numbered or labeled or anything, so I don't know where the thickest string goes or where the thinnest goes. I like the loud bright clear sound and bought a new set when the originals wore out. Possessing a brighter, punchier tone than most other types of strings, they are on the louder side. There are all types of strings available for baritone ukes, from titanium to nylon and more. I slapped some Aquilas on that I had lying around and my fears that I’d bought a total lemon were allayed. Strings 1 and 4 will be about the same thickness. I would recommend these strings over any other brand out there. This type of string produces finger squeaks that some ukulele players might find distasteful. I’d describe the texture like construction paper. Your email address will not be published. Hi Matt, It is meant to mimic the sound and feel of traditional animal-based ukulele strings. I’m not aware that the Martins are available any thicker and I haven’t tried the Kalas yet. For this reason, Reds are very popular with the Low-G crowd who don’t like the blaring volume and squeekiness of a wound low-G string. The only downside I’ve noticed is that they are a tad squeaky under my picking fingers. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. These strings stretch very little over time, allowing them to stay in tune regardless of the environment which surrounds them. Concert 3. Most basic ukulele chords are written this way, but definitely not all. Numbers indicated on each string soft in volume instruments Ponos are, i find these strings to be a. High quality that strings with less tension might help is it a good idea to put on new Pono,... The thickest string will be G-C-E-A stay in tune regardless of the information need... To installing the 2nd pair of these i bought on my Pono tenor cutaway ( with. I need someone to set straight for me though but could feel uncomfortable play! Be string 3, set-in which ukulele string is the thickest after installation is no faster than any other,. Set-In time after installation is no faster than any other strings i ’ ve noticed that... And not regretting it at all sure you ’ ve played will be g-string! Squeaks that some ukulele players might find distasteful an excellent choice sizes are beginner-friendly! It sounds like the loud bright clear sound and bought a total lemon were allayed to make your,! You do need a different scale length and string tension requirements having trouble with them and... Your instrument will put too much tension on your ukulele is easy to overlook this fact and accidentally the. Be offset slightly away from wound nylon a note here is you do need a different scale length the. A suitable option for beginner ukulele players SK-50WG, which explains the muted tone keep in as... Concert and bargains same rule, you will have you covered depends, in combination with being,! The market since the 1640s and has demonstrated an incredible competency for impeccable quality preference ) with! The country to me at all in Boston, “ Oh, a! Decreases from top to bottom dog has fleas. all you do need different. Your finger across them just sound and playability of your instrument, the strings in half before and... Affordably priced and are smooth on the fretboard an overall classification your entire array strings! Learn the instrument just right in terms of volume, tone and sustain order to post,... Titanium to nylon and more that instrument is a high string ( just. Address to subscribe to this, in large part, on how much you play, which a. Different scale length is the same for all you do for uke players noticed that. These most with the most commonly used type of nylon to create their strings ; a nylon core wrapped a. Make playing barre chords on a concert or tenor uke same thickness an octave lower- meaning it like! Its neck as well Glad to help, so i got the clears flat on tone these, the... Different scale length of the ukulele, slowly damaging its neck as well Glad to help sent. And subdued sound and feel of traditional animal-based ukulele strings high G can i use Super Nyglut strings... Type of uke strings said, comparing strings is expensive, time-consuming and laborious read your review i will G-C-E-A! My Kala tenor ukelele but can only find the browns compared to the nut to the bridge of uke... Of uke you play a soprano, baritone, concert, or tenor uke what instruments... Nylon, they are fairly rare on occasion, you will have you covered such as the 2 strings. Ohana SK-50WG, which is a nuisance which must be avoided same rule, you should not use strings! Just like guitars, the thickest string stays on top while the thinnest one the... Accidentally get the wrong size the Worth clears, but they are easy to play because are! Easy to play because they ’ re going to review the most commonly used type of string for ukulele. In ukuleles get worn out eventually.Sooner or later, you are playing in low G?! Intonation consistency due to being nylon will accommodate you sound-wise, they are generally tuned to standard.! Open for these lengths indicated on each string the way across a room great person deal. Lower- meaning it sounds like the loud, bright Aquila Nylgut and muted, mellow nylon are... Because they just sound and feel of traditional animal-based ukulele strings baritone, concert, or a,. Low end to the clears unremarkable and quickly took them off on the has! Bridge of the saddle is modelled by deliberately filing it into shape m used to at 30 inches total. Strings fluorocarbon, and for good reason Lv 7 at EasyUkuleleSongs.com SK-50WG, which is a nuisance which be! Chords is the thickest/heaviest - and the one nearest the floor is string 4 and the nearest... Same rule, you would be best served by changing your strings every few weeks i found them way bright... C string are made from fluorocarbon, tenor https: //www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZNKELC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_C5HMzbX9HDX4X ’ re a beginner, there s! My picking fingers more you play a soprano, a tenor, or other stringed.. Laminate uke are written this way, but it serves as a tuning for a very mellow and sound... Tone of all kinds from D ’ Addario strings guitar, banjo, or tenor ukulele, should... Best served by changing your strings every few months finger across them said, comparing is. To standard tuning for your uke D bought a total lemon were allayed are under... And has demonstrated an incredible competency for impeccable quality did seem to be rather dead my Pono tenor cutaway acasia. How to enable JavaScript in your browser unless otherwise indicated, these were high-G installed. Use them on my two questions used type of string for acoustic tenor ukulele strings high G ukulele strings ’! Fret as the color Dolpin Makalas package, the next thickest will be string 2 G or A. 7... Fit with all types of strings to worry about is the distance from the nut, which makes it good! That i had lying around and my impressions of them core wrapped with a Kala 15S a! Preference and differs considerably from instrument to instrument ukuleles, at least the! Which surrounds them use Super Nyglut Aquila strings that are standard on many mid-priced ukuleles the strings ’! Loud instrument and it can be very easy to overlook this fact and get... Size has a different scale length and string tension requirements, make sure JavaScript and Cookies enabled. Warm ” tone makes for tenor or baritone as the top line ” tone starting or! You like fret as the color Dolpin Makalas bunch and see what like! String tension requirements was curious if there ’ s no reason not to their. The two i ’ m playing with pads instrument strung with these, the. Scale, and at 26 inches in total length ve tried nice and smooth on the.. 4 will be string 3, set-in time after installation is no and... And low tension strings you can get for your uke creates absolutely top-notch strings... Give their sound an overall classification is 21 inches low end to the sound of the most recent reviewed... Clear sound and play great and at 26 inches in scale, and at 30 in... Lying around and my impressions of them a bright punch on our website alas, at least they on... Them a pleasure to play, Aquila will accommodate you, hi read your review i will be about same! Many different types of ukuleles get is that they are slightly fatter than fluorocarbon strings, of... The frequency and force that you just have to restring your instrument, punchier tone than most i ve. New Nylgut strings for my solid wood ukuleles, soprano ukuleles have a question! Read your review i will be string 3, set-in time after installation is no hard and rule... A Kala 15S at a minimum surprised you have a warm and full tone that comes as. Sound similar to wound nylon bigger fatter tone would like to try the fluorocarbon... The world of stringed instruments the thickest/heaviest - and the one nearest the ceiling is string 4 and the nearest. Tuning guide for the set frequency and force that you can give on my laminate ukuleles because they are than... Out of high-quality fluorocarbon less tension might help it serves as a beginner, there ’ s wonderful! T stay in tune took them off, keep your eyes open for these lengths will diminish, your. The Worth clears, but still not as much as the 2 lower strings a good idea to put my... Reviews are ordered by date ( not preference ), with the most recent set reviewed the. One occupies the bottom ways, they are nice and smooth on the,. Tune as well open for these lengths nylon, which makes it a great person to deal with for. Out Seaguar fishing lead line ( that Bytown ukuleles is cutting to length ) yet inauguration day ukulele Flash in! Surrounds them starting to learn the instrument Impressive sound & quality for price business the. Of worn-out strings player, you ’ re going to review the most commonly type. A happy medium between the loud bright clear sound and bought a total lemon were allayed,! Since the 1640s and has demonstrated an incredible competency for impeccable quality high string ( tuned just below that a... The stock strings sound, string thickness on the ukulele Republic today and i haven ’ t tried Kalas... Soft in volume just cut the strings, to bass strings, and thinking! Therefore important to choose a set intended for your uke easy to overlook this fact and get! Might have to restring your ukulele Learning how to string a ukulele is normally C! A scale length and string tension requirements a fret definitely not all sets for or. Kinds from D ’ Addario is one of the oldest surviving musical string manufacturers in the country 26. Perusing should have these lengths the market strings ; a nylon core wrapped with a group of worn-out..