I am a self admitted string changing junky. I will burn through a number of different sets in search of the "one" set that sounds best. Sometimes mixing and matching until I am happy. But when I do find the set that sounds best to me I stick with it.
Here in lies the problem........or one I just discovered a few days ago. I can go a long time without changing strings on these instruments and not realize it.
Simon came over with some of his ukes and we were going to do some back to back blind sound samplings. I was critically going through some of my ukes and realized most of the wound strings looked dull and cruddy. I keep a slip of paper in the compartment of each case noting the strings and last time changed.
I'iwi..........Aug 2016
LfdM ......April 2016
Kamaka ..Feb 2016
Not good :wallbash:
I changed out the LfdM and holy smokes what a difference ( I hope Luis is not reading this). Then the I'iwi and Kamaka, same amazing transformation. The thing is none of them sounded bad before, but the brilliance of tone and chime, especially from the new wound strings was VERY noticeable.
If you haven't change strings in over six months and you play a "lot", change them. I knew this but just got complacent, I'm so glad I rediscovered what a difference fresh strings makes. Really important with wounds as they gather dead skin, oils and dirt and the tone gets very dull.
They say confession is good for the soul......oh I hope so
Here in lies the problem........or one I just discovered a few days ago. I can go a long time without changing strings on these instruments and not realize it.
Simon came over with some of his ukes and we were going to do some back to back blind sound samplings. I was critically going through some of my ukes and realized most of the wound strings looked dull and cruddy. I keep a slip of paper in the compartment of each case noting the strings and last time changed.
I'iwi..........Aug 2016
LfdM ......April 2016
Kamaka ..Feb 2016
Not good :wallbash:
I changed out the LfdM and holy smokes what a difference ( I hope Luis is not reading this). Then the I'iwi and Kamaka, same amazing transformation. The thing is none of them sounded bad before, but the brilliance of tone and chime, especially from the new wound strings was VERY noticeable.
If you haven't change strings in over six months and you play a "lot", change them. I knew this but just got complacent, I'm so glad I rediscovered what a difference fresh strings makes. Really important with wounds as they gather dead skin, oils and dirt and the tone gets very dull.
They say confession is good for the soul......oh I hope so
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