bighatbulls
Well-known member
The ukulele is a Kala SMHC like this one from Hawaiian Music Supply.
http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-smhc-solid-mahogany-concert.html
In fact it was purchased from HMS by my husband for my Christmas present. I live in a dry climate, so the uke resides in a canvas covered case with an oasis humidifier when not in use.
Last month I changed the strings on the uke, from the Aquila Super Nylgut strings that came with it, to Aquila Carbon Black strings. I like the Carbon Blacks but I have a rattle. I have learned that there is a difference in string gauges between the Carbon Blacks and the Super Nylguts, and believe that the thinner Carbon Black strings are rattling about, This was very noticeable when I first put them on, and has seemed to lessen over the last few weeks. I wouldn't say the rattle is completely gone, but it is not as noticeable.
When I changed the strings, I oiled the fret board. I noticed that the bridge looked a bit dry, so I wiped some oil on that as well. It sucked the oil up pretty quickly.
In a few days I should be getting a set of Aquila LAVAs. I purchased these thinking that I should go back to something more similar to the Super Nylgut strings to get rid of the rattle.
Here are my questions:
1. Should I play it safe and just stick with Aquila nylgut, or is there a brand of string that can improve on my ukulele's warm voice?
2. Does the uke need to be set up every time I change the strings? Does it need to be set up if I swap from Nylgut to Fluorocarbon?
3. Does the bridge need to be oiled if it looks dry?
http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-smhc-solid-mahogany-concert.html
In fact it was purchased from HMS by my husband for my Christmas present. I live in a dry climate, so the uke resides in a canvas covered case with an oasis humidifier when not in use.
Last month I changed the strings on the uke, from the Aquila Super Nylgut strings that came with it, to Aquila Carbon Black strings. I like the Carbon Blacks but I have a rattle. I have learned that there is a difference in string gauges between the Carbon Blacks and the Super Nylguts, and believe that the thinner Carbon Black strings are rattling about, This was very noticeable when I first put them on, and has seemed to lessen over the last few weeks. I wouldn't say the rattle is completely gone, but it is not as noticeable.
When I changed the strings, I oiled the fret board. I noticed that the bridge looked a bit dry, so I wiped some oil on that as well. It sucked the oil up pretty quickly.
In a few days I should be getting a set of Aquila LAVAs. I purchased these thinking that I should go back to something more similar to the Super Nylgut strings to get rid of the rattle.
Here are my questions:
1. Should I play it safe and just stick with Aquila nylgut, or is there a brand of string that can improve on my ukulele's warm voice?
2. Does the uke need to be set up every time I change the strings? Does it need to be set up if I swap from Nylgut to Fluorocarbon?
3. Does the bridge need to be oiled if it looks dry?
Last edited: