I had tried D tuning (ADF#B) a longer while ago, on a soprano, and with regular fluorocarbon C tuning strings, which didn't work for me. It sounded strangled, too much tension. I blamed it on the instrument (which since has passed on), but in retrospect I think it was the strings (Martin M600) that weren't designed for the tuning. The advice often given is that C tuning strings work "just fine" for D tuning, but it's really not my experience.
In the past year, I gave it another whirl, this time using Aquila's dedicated D tuning strings (U33, which are thinner than their C tuning strings (labeled U4)), which gave me far superior results. These are also the only white Nylgut strings that do it for me. My vintage soprano remained permanently in D tuning, because it really sprang to life with that tuning and those strings. Very present. Nice tension, too. Not "soprano floppy", but still comfortable and "just right".
In autumn, I picked up a Kiwaya/Famous FC-5G that came in C tuning and with a compensated saddle. I thought it sounded great, acoustically, but there was a certain dullness compared to the D tuned vintage uke. It sounded more like a boxy concert, sort of. A good sound, but very serious. I figured I'd give it a while to see if it was just a matter of getting used to it, but that didn't really happy, so tonight I slapped on those Aquila U33 strings to find out how it would respond to D tuning (the fretboard needed oiling anyway).
And it's glorious! Still a sound cannon, better tension for fingerpicking (also for flatpicking: low tension and picks really don't go well together), and it sparkles! Intonation is still spot on too, which is a great relief as I didn't know if the compensation would work for these strings (it came with Titaniums).
So, if you have a soprano that you think could bark more and be a little more alive, I really recommend giving D tuning a try, preferably with strings designed for it. It may just be a game changer for your instrument.
In the past year, I gave it another whirl, this time using Aquila's dedicated D tuning strings (U33, which are thinner than their C tuning strings (labeled U4)), which gave me far superior results. These are also the only white Nylgut strings that do it for me. My vintage soprano remained permanently in D tuning, because it really sprang to life with that tuning and those strings. Very present. Nice tension, too. Not "soprano floppy", but still comfortable and "just right".
In autumn, I picked up a Kiwaya/Famous FC-5G that came in C tuning and with a compensated saddle. I thought it sounded great, acoustically, but there was a certain dullness compared to the D tuned vintage uke. It sounded more like a boxy concert, sort of. A good sound, but very serious. I figured I'd give it a while to see if it was just a matter of getting used to it, but that didn't really happy, so tonight I slapped on those Aquila U33 strings to find out how it would respond to D tuning (the fretboard needed oiling anyway).
And it's glorious! Still a sound cannon, better tension for fingerpicking (also for flatpicking: low tension and picks really don't go well together), and it sparkles! Intonation is still spot on too, which is a great relief as I didn't know if the compensation would work for these strings (it came with Titaniums).
So, if you have a soprano that you think could bark more and be a little more alive, I really recommend giving D tuning a try, preferably with strings designed for it. It may just be a game changer for your instrument.