Ok, so I haven't been playing Ukulele for very long and I have a cheapo ply (I think) Uke (Golden Ton). However, I did want to change the strings from the no-name strings that were on it when I bought it. I figured this might be a good way to get an idea of what the Uke can sound like.
Since I live in Slovenia, it is kinda hard to find uke strings (and they can be expensive... example, in the US, I buy guitar strings for $3.95... in Slovenia, the same string is the equivalent of $10!!!!), so I had a family member send me some over from the US. I didn't know which brand to get and didn't want to bother to have him look for a specific brand so I just told him to get me Uke strings for a Soprano C tuning with a high g.
What I got was a package of Martin Clear Fluorocarbon Soprano/Concert M600 Strings in C tuning, gauge .0191 - .0261 (inch). First thing I noticed when I took them out of the packaging was that they were thinner than the ones currently on my Uke.
So after reviewing UU I restrung the Uke. I stretched the strings and let them settle a bit. I picked up the Uke to play and noticed the sound was a bit punchier and the tone a bit more bright. The volume was similar. The biggest difference was in the feel of the strings. Because the strings were thinner, I was able to finger chords a bit easier and this allowed all the strings to really ring out. This I like! I was noticing with the old strings that I was having a little trouble with some chords.
I really can't compare these strings to any other brands, but from my personal opinion (based on my guitar playing appreciation of tone), I think the strings sound fine... the biggest point for me is the ease of playing thinner strings.
So... if you are a Soprano player who is frustrated with the small neck and narrow fret spacing, consider a thinner gauge of strings and this might be helpful.
I will try other strings eventually, but since I have another new pack of Martins, this will be my string on this Uke for now!
Andy
Since I live in Slovenia, it is kinda hard to find uke strings (and they can be expensive... example, in the US, I buy guitar strings for $3.95... in Slovenia, the same string is the equivalent of $10!!!!), so I had a family member send me some over from the US. I didn't know which brand to get and didn't want to bother to have him look for a specific brand so I just told him to get me Uke strings for a Soprano C tuning with a high g.
What I got was a package of Martin Clear Fluorocarbon Soprano/Concert M600 Strings in C tuning, gauge .0191 - .0261 (inch). First thing I noticed when I took them out of the packaging was that they were thinner than the ones currently on my Uke.
So after reviewing UU I restrung the Uke. I stretched the strings and let them settle a bit. I picked up the Uke to play and noticed the sound was a bit punchier and the tone a bit more bright. The volume was similar. The biggest difference was in the feel of the strings. Because the strings were thinner, I was able to finger chords a bit easier and this allowed all the strings to really ring out. This I like! I was noticing with the old strings that I was having a little trouble with some chords.
I really can't compare these strings to any other brands, but from my personal opinion (based on my guitar playing appreciation of tone), I think the strings sound fine... the biggest point for me is the ease of playing thinner strings.
So... if you are a Soprano player who is frustrated with the small neck and narrow fret spacing, consider a thinner gauge of strings and this might be helpful.
I will try other strings eventually, but since I have another new pack of Martins, this will be my string on this Uke for now!
Andy
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