Strings for 70-80 yr old KamakaH

Patrick Madsen

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We started a uke group at the local senior center. To day a wonderful old Hawaiian lady came. She had two sopranos her dad played. She thought he bought them in the '20's. She never thought anything about them and they had languished in a closet since the late '60's when her kids would play guitar with them.

I told her they were very unique and worth a good bit. One is in immaculate condition the other had a hairline crack down the back. Nothing serious.

The strings are probably 60 years old so I suggested she change them, well I would gladly do it.

So, you Kamaka lovers, what strings?
 
Hey Patrick,
I like Martin M600's on most of my vintage ukes, including Kamaka ukuleles. I am not a fan of Kamaka's strings which are made by Diaddario and sound quite dead to my ears. The Martin strings are bright and the tension isn't high.
 
I have used Worth brown medium on the 20s and 60 pineapples I've owned and played. I liked the warm tones it produced in these Koa beauties. Plus a set is enough for 2 ukuleles.
 
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