hammer40
Well-known member
For the last couple of weeks, I have been testing out a possible new string set for Aquila. I don't know what materials are being used for this string, but I do know that they are not strictly a fluorocarbon string but a blend of some sort. They are strung up on my Pono (mahogany) tenor uke.
I'll cut to the chase and say that I love these strings! if they come to market I will be buying a set to try on all my ukes.
The string diameters are approximately...
G=.025
C=.037
E=.029
A=.024
They are clear (no color) strings, very smooth. Similar diameters to fluorocarbon strings, if not a little thicker. I am told the same density as the nylguts.
Overall, I would say these are a bright but still round, so they have some warmth to them. Which may sound at odds, bright and warm, but I don't know how else to describe it. They have very good volume and are well balanced string to string. Really a vibrant and articulate string set. They pair really well with a wound C/3rd string, which is what I play. I think because they are vibrant, they don't get overpowered by that wound string like some sets can, which is wonderful for me.
They do well strummed or fingerpicked. Strummed I can hear all notes, nothing got muddy. I think they really shine when you fingerpick though. Maybe because they still have that warmth to them and are so clearly defined that they really shine there. They respond well to your input, a soft touch or hard.
While they have good sustain, they might have a touch less than the Savarez fluorocarbon set that I had on previous to these.
One small con I guess, and very minor to me, is that they can make a little noise. They have what I'll call a "squeaky clean" squeak to them. While fingerpicking you may get some squeak from the flesh of your finger as you play. It is not loud and I don't think it can be heard over your playing but it is there sometimes. It did diminish quite a bit as I played them in though and Mimmo did say he was aware of it and would correct it.
One last thing...I have had no breaks or snaps with these strings. I know Aquila has had some issues with the Reds, which I loved by the way but had more than a few breaks with those. These have been on for a couple of weeks and i play them everyday...no issues at all. Also, no special mounting procedure needed or used.
Please keep in mind, I am not an expert or professional musician. Strings are very subjective and this is just my impression and an attempt to describe the strings sound and performance. I am not affiliated with Aquila in any way and I don't currently use any Aquila strings. While I did try and like the Reds, I had break issues and stopped using them. I have tried pretty much every string out there though, and I like these...a lot.
Mimmo did give me permission to post here that I was testing these strings. Thanks Mimmo.
I'll cut to the chase and say that I love these strings! if they come to market I will be buying a set to try on all my ukes.
The string diameters are approximately...
G=.025
C=.037
E=.029
A=.024
They are clear (no color) strings, very smooth. Similar diameters to fluorocarbon strings, if not a little thicker. I am told the same density as the nylguts.
Overall, I would say these are a bright but still round, so they have some warmth to them. Which may sound at odds, bright and warm, but I don't know how else to describe it. They have very good volume and are well balanced string to string. Really a vibrant and articulate string set. They pair really well with a wound C/3rd string, which is what I play. I think because they are vibrant, they don't get overpowered by that wound string like some sets can, which is wonderful for me.
They do well strummed or fingerpicked. Strummed I can hear all notes, nothing got muddy. I think they really shine when you fingerpick though. Maybe because they still have that warmth to them and are so clearly defined that they really shine there. They respond well to your input, a soft touch or hard.
While they have good sustain, they might have a touch less than the Savarez fluorocarbon set that I had on previous to these.
One small con I guess, and very minor to me, is that they can make a little noise. They have what I'll call a "squeaky clean" squeak to them. While fingerpicking you may get some squeak from the flesh of your finger as you play. It is not loud and I don't think it can be heard over your playing but it is there sometimes. It did diminish quite a bit as I played them in though and Mimmo did say he was aware of it and would correct it.
One last thing...I have had no breaks or snaps with these strings. I know Aquila has had some issues with the Reds, which I loved by the way but had more than a few breaks with those. These have been on for a couple of weeks and i play them everyday...no issues at all. Also, no special mounting procedure needed or used.
Please keep in mind, I am not an expert or professional musician. Strings are very subjective and this is just my impression and an attempt to describe the strings sound and performance. I am not affiliated with Aquila in any way and I don't currently use any Aquila strings. While I did try and like the Reds, I had break issues and stopped using them. I have tried pretty much every string out there though, and I like these...a lot.
Mimmo did give me permission to post here that I was testing these strings. Thanks Mimmo.