I've got a new concert scale ukulele with magnetic pickup and so find myself in need of string advice. Can you help? I'm looking for strings that will work on a 15inch scale length and that will also be picked up by the pickup. Good news, I've figured out that nylon strings aren't suitable lol. If you can give some advice I'd really appreciate it as an hour of searching has me still scratching my head. If you can recommend a brand and particular item number /type then even better. I rang a music shop to see if their titanium strings would work and after a bit of a giggle from them was told that the pickup wouldn't read them and I need nickel wound. Only, I can't find any nickel wound ukulele strings anywhere.

Please help. I'm losing my mind here lol.

Views: 230

Replies to This Discussion

I have the same situation so I hope someone answers your post that has the solution. I was contemplating using banjo strings but most banjos have a much longer scale. I might try it anyway.

I found these, Bob.

https://m.thomann.de/gb/pyramid_ukulele_steel_string_concert.htm?gc...

Hopefully they'll work for what you need but if not then David found some longer ones (posted/linked below).

Alright!!  I didn't know someone actually made metal uke strings.  Thanks!

Well Dani and Bear, here's the way I approach this sort of problem The notes on a concert uke are gCEa from 4th string to first. Now consider the short 15' scale and what electric guitar strings would be tuneable up to those pitches? I've never actually done this so here's a guess coming from other experiences. I'd start with a light electric set which has a .009 for the e string I believe that would tune up to A440 on 15" scale with no problem for the 1st string. The 2nd string in the set is likely a .011 and could tune to the E note of the uke's 2nd string. The 3rd string of the set could be brought up to the uke's C. Now it gets a bit tricky for the 4th string because most ukes have a higher note for the 4th than for the third but it doesn't have to be. Many players prefer low G tuning and you could use the 4th string from the electric set for that. If you want the more traditional high G you'll need another .009 or .010 to achieve that. Here's a set that should work

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GHS-BOOMERS-009-Roundwound-Electric-Guitar-...

Thanks Jim. My hero, as always! I like the for arguments of a low G on a ukulele but will have to decide whether to move away from traditional learning practices by going for low G. I like the idea anyway.

Found these now too so the day may be saved but it depends on the shipping costs with our useless Sterling right now lol. I may give your option a try first and see how it goes. Thanks again you wonderful fella ya!
Hi Bear and Dani,

Looking here https://www.thomann.de/gb/risa_tenor_ukulele_lpstyle_sb.htm?glp=1&a...
they suggest a set of strings at the bottom which are gauges 10, 13, 17, 26 tuned
low G,C,E,A(i.e. Exactly the same as a set of rotosound electric 10s which would be cheaper to buy.
(If you are unsure of low G tuning read this http://www.gotaukulele.com/2011/02/ukulele-beginners-what-is-low-g....).

The scale length for the advertised guitar is around 17" and with yours being 15" you might need to move up to electric 11s or alternatively tune up each string an extra half step if the strings are too floppy.

Regards,
David

PS more electric ukes here that use electric guitar strings http://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/c/Risa

I believe that will work too!

Thanks for the help, David. Finally found some but then didn't update here because I fell asleep due to awful sleeping patterns right now. Not to worry (about the sleeping patterns). Thanks so much for spending time looking for the solution, David. I thought something connected to the Risa instrument might work but couldn't find anything anywhere. Problem solved now anyway but thank you so very much again.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Ukes For Gand kids

Started by Rupe Power. Last reply by Sal Monella Nov 11, 2022. 3 Replies

Gitaulele

Started by Brown Water Jerry (Rice). Last reply by Kigar Mar 21, 2020. 1 Reply

Semi-Uke Kit Build

Started by Brian Revels. Last reply by Brian Revels Oct 6, 2017. 8 Replies

ideal narrow of the box?

Started by jose garcia paredes. Last reply by Kigar Sep 3, 2017. 3 Replies

Steel string advice sought for a chronic head scratcher (me)

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Bob Johnston May 1, 2017. 10 Replies

(CB) U bass help

Started by Kigar. Last reply by Ronald Whitford Apr 6, 2017. 1 Reply

Cigar Box Ukulele group on Facebook

Started by Kentucky Mojo Jan 31, 2017. 0 Replies

Classical Ball end strings

Started by John Hopper Dec 30, 2016. 0 Replies

String choices: nylon vs. steel

Started by Lane Martin. Last reply by gary sheldon Dec 3, 2016. 5 Replies

MDF Box Ukes

Started by Scott W. Last reply by Kentucky Mojo Nov 4, 2016. 7 Replies

My Brothers Christmas Present

Started by George Fitzgibbon. Last reply by George Fitzgibbon Oct 26, 2016. 6 Replies

CBU Avo Uvezian Tenor Uke

Started by Kigar. Last reply by Greg Thompson Jul 8, 2016. 5 Replies

Triangular Concert Uke

Started by Kigar. Last reply by Greg Thompson Jul 8, 2016. 4 Replies

First Build

Started by B. Kirkwood. Last reply by B. Kirkwood Apr 13, 2016. 2 Replies

Assembly Order

Started by B. Kirkwood. Last reply by B. Kirkwood Mar 29, 2016. 3 Replies

Neck length

Started by B. Kirkwood. Last reply by gary sheldon Mar 29, 2016. 3 Replies

reversed tuners on a uke - advise wanted

Started by Kigar. Last reply by gary sheldon Feb 23, 2016. 3 Replies

New to Uke!!

Started by jeffrey ross. Last reply by Habanera Hal Feb 17, 2016. 19 Replies

Great little video!

Started by Wade. Last reply by rusty case Feb 7, 2016. 2 Replies

Fretboard attachment

Started by gary sheldon. Last reply by rusty case Feb 7, 2016. 3 Replies

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->