String suggestions for my new Brüko soprano?

B

Baron K

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
293
Reaction score
2
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
I just bought a Brüko no 5 soprano and I like it a lot. Very pretty and well build with a solid mahogany body and a one piece maple neck.

I changed the factory strings to GHS's, but I think they sound a little hard and bright... Any suggestions for a warmer sound? I have aquilas on my other ukes and love the sound of those, but I'm not sure they would work on this one - might be too bright. Or?

I've heard about Worths and Fremont, but havent tried them myself.

What do you all suggest for a warmer mellower sound?

Here's a sample of how it sounds with GHS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B15LzQepm4

Cheers!
 
inte behöver du byta strängar!

I can't really hear the need for a different sound :bowdown::bowdown:
As far as strings go, I've tried d'addarios, galli, romana and aquila. All of those were guite sharp to my ears. Alas: I'm damaged from playing fretless bass with Flatwound strings ;)

swe: Jag tycker att det låter skitbra som det är :cool:
 
i think it sounds nice with the ghs strigns
 
Sounds good to me!

Try some Ko'olau Golds. I changed the Aquila's on my soprano for some and I think it sounds more mellow.
 
Berty said:
Try some Ko'olau Golds. I changed the Aquila's on my soprano for some and I think it sounds more mellow.
Click to expand...


Thank you.

I'd like to try those, but I don't know where I can get them. Are they available anywere in Europe?
 
Berty said:
Try some Ko'olau Golds. I changed the Aquila's on my soprano for some and I think it sounds more mellow.
Click to expand...

Agreed! Plus visually, their gold color mixes nicely with that kind of gaudy finish that Bruekos have.

Hope you can get your hands on some in Europe.

EDIT: Whoop, just checked out the model you got. Definitely not gaudy. Mine on the other hand... ;)
Nonetheless, the Ko'olaus would sound sweet.
 
Last edited:
Baron K said:
Thank you.

I'd like to try those, but I don't know where I can get them. Are they available anywere in Europe?
Click to expand...

Check with Elderly or MGM, I don't see why they couldn't send you a set.
 
Berty said:
Hey Baron K

Check out www.dukeofuke.co.uk thats where I got mine. Its in the UK so should save you a little on postage.

Also if you go to www.ohanaukuleles.co.uk/dealers.htm I believe all the dealers listed stock Ko'olau strings.

Hope you find a good deal:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that tip! I'll check em out!

I just put some Aquilas on and I think it sounds a lot better than the D'addario's (it wasn't GHS like a said before but D'Addario's). I've made little video sound samples on it and might post a "string comparison test" soon. Tonight I'm gonna visit a guy who builds ukes on which he puts high quality fishing line! He claims it's exactly the same as Worth clear strings (material, quality, gauge etc). It'll be interesting for sure...

One strange things when I put on the Aquilas though: The 2nd (E) string jsut wouldnt intonate right! I didn't stretch it very hard or anything, but it just didn't sound right. Even when picking the loose string, it didnt sound "even" which also showed on the tuner. I had to steal a string from another uke. This was also aquila, but 6 months old. Worked perfect. I never had that problem with aquilas before.
 
I like Aquila strings on Bruko ukes the best. For a mellower string, try also Worth koa brown strings (or whatever it is rebranded as - RISAs strings are also Worth I believe).

As for your funny string, I have heard this before - as with many strings (also guitar strings), once in a while there seems to be a 'dud' string. Bad luck that can cause you hours of set up work before you look at your new string...
 
Have a brueko #6 - to all intents and purposes identical to your #5 save for the headstock veneer. I first tried aquilas on it and it had a very bright punchy sound which over time I found a little too trill. I recently swapped the aquilas out for worth brown high tensions and a prefer the sound - it keeps some of the bite of aquilas but is a little mellower and more rounded. It's still a bright instrument mind, and I like it that way, just needed to mellow it down a touch.
 
jhob said:
Have a brueko #6 - to all intents and purposes identical to your #5 save for the headstock veneer. I first tried aquilas on it and it had a very bright punchy sound which over time I found a little too trill. I recently swapped the aquilas out for worth brown high tensions and a prefer the sound - it keeps some of the bite of aquilas but is a little mellower and more rounded. It's still a bright instrument mind, and I like it that way, just needed to mellow it down a touch.
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's just what I need - I also think the aquilas make it a little too bright. I'm just off to a guy who has some clear worths I could try, if I don't like them I'll order some brown worths from somewere.
 
Buy in Germany:
http://ukulele.de/shop/index.php?language=en&cat=c4_Strings.html&XTCsid=5m9son2p76uc1sdff2vp532pd0

Buy in France:
http://www.musique83.com/-c-34.html

Buy in GB:
http://www.theukuleleshop.co.uk/
http://www.dukeofuke.co.uk/ukulele-strings-soprano-strings-c-100_119_174_223.html


I changed the string's on my No. 6 from Original-Brüko to Aquila Nylgut to RISA-Premium-Ukulele-Strings (they are the same as the Worth Brown Flurocarbon TENOR). http://www.worthc.to/W-Strings-e.html They sound a little mellower and are slicker and with less sound to pick. I played the Koolau Gold on a Pono Uke and found it to quiet but will try it on the Brüko when i change strings next time.

Cheers,
Andy
:shaka:
 
Last edited:
ukeandy said:
Buy in Germany:
http://ukulele.de/shop/index.php?language=en&cat=c4_Strings.html&XTCsid=5m9son2p76uc1sdff2vp532pd0

Buy in France:
http://www.musique83.com/-c-34.html

Buy in GB:
http://www.theukuleleshop.co.uk/
http://www.dukeofuke.co.uk/ukulele-strings-soprano-strings-c-100_119_174_223.html


I changed the string's on my No. 6 from Original-Brüko to Aquila Nylgut to RISA-Premium-Ukulele-Strings (they are the same as the Worth Brown Flurocarbon TENOR). http://www.worthc.to/W-Strings-e.html They sound a little mellower and are slicker and with less sound to pick. I played the Koolau Gold on a Pono Uke and found it to quiet but will try it on the Brüko when i change strings next time.

Cheers,
Andy
:shaka:
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy, I'll check those sites.
 
The clear Worths are quite bright again so, I would go for the brown one if you want a mellower string.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Suggestions for Luthier for 8 String Tenor
Replies
5
Views
193
keenonuke
K
D
Strings Low GCEA string sets for baritone-- advice and suggestions please!
2
Replies
21
Views
980
baconsalad
B
gustophersmob
String suggestions for KoAloha soprano
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
ailevin
ailevin
D
Low G string too loud & sustain? Boomy? Freemont Soloist / LaBella 900? Suggestions?
Replies
14
Views
772
Terry7
T
M
Strings String suggestions for Kumalea uke
Replies
10
Views
365
ProfChris
P
Top Bottom