Uke strings

Can anyone make suggestions about the gauges of strings that I should use on a cigar box uke? I've read posts in other parts of CBG Nation to the effect that nylon strings aren't great on cigar boxes so I'm thinking about using strings from a guitar set (I'm also thinking this would give me the option of using a magnetic pickup - although I haven't decided yet and I may well use a piezo).

I haven't made a final decision on scale length, but it will either be a concert or tenor (in terms of scale length), so I'm looking for stringing suggestions for both of these (ie. gCEA for a concert or dGBE for a tenor).

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on August 9, 2009 at 4:06am

Generally a uke uses nylon strings, and they'll be fine with a piezo. I've not tried a uke with steel strings, but I'd been inclined to think that that they will change your playing, and might be a bit cheesewirey when doing your George Formby style split strumming. I think Risa make a steel strung electric uke.

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Permalink Reply by Old Lowe on August 9, 2009 at 5:36am

I'm not a uke guy but look in the members for tinyguitars hes a member on here he uses metal strings a lot on his ukes he would be a good one to ask.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on August 9, 2009 at 5:59am

I put nylon on mine, and I love the sound, BUT, I've only finished one and have nothing to compare it with. I just bought a set for the size Ukulele I built. Got soprano for my soprano, bought a set of tenor for the tenor I am working on. I wait for the man, tinyguitars to respond. He is my go to if I have a question.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on August 9, 2009 at 8:47am

I used a standard set of nylon uke strings on mine, and it sounds fine. I used a rather lightly-constructed plywood box.

Volume is not great; I agree that a pickup would be a good idea.

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Permalink Reply by Dave V on October 1, 2009 at 6:13am

I definitely recommend Aquila Nylguts. But for basic CBU use, I just paid $3 at Guitar Center for a set of black GHS strings. They're good enough for setting action height and basic plinking until I get around to buying the good stuff.