Uke strings

Posted by Wade on February 13, 2010 at 5:13pm

 

 

Hey everyone in Uke land,

 

I'm building my first uke-it's an odd scale length - 16". The Standard/concert Martin strings I bought sure do resemble weed wacker line. What strings would you recommend?

Would the right guage guitar string work? Any experience on strings is appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Wade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Replies

  • Rand Moore July 18, 2010 at 2:29am
    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.
  • Ice Bob July 13, 2010 at 6:40pm
    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
  • J-Hob June 21, 2010 at 12:09pm
    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.
  • Wade June 1, 2010 at 9:58pm
    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
  • BeatNik May 24, 2010 at 1:04pm
    Hey Wade,
    Check out my review of Aquila strings - I was amazed at how they improved the sound on my uke!
    Cheers,
    BeatNik
  • Yellowbelly Flatt May 24, 2010 at 1:33am
    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.
  • Brian Lemin May 24, 2010 at 12:34am
    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.
  • Joni Back-Bubenzer February 15, 2010 at 1:43pm
    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.
  • Yellowbelly Flatt February 13, 2010 at 5:45pm
    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).
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