Lapyang
Well-known member
I am lucky enough to be included in the New Aquila Sugar Testing. https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?137809-Aquila-Sugar-strings-And-now-testing-better-version-what-to-do
Mimmo sent me a set of Soprano, Concert and Tenor. High G tuning.
I strung the Soprano set on a Fred Shields Oval Soprano, Concert set on a Oceana Concert and the Tenor set on a Kinnard Tenor.
Due to the thickness of the C string, I could not put it on my Zimnicki Soprano, which has a slotted bridge and the hole was too tiny for the knot to fit. Something to be aware of when considering changing string.
Each set got played about 30-45 min per day. Only 2 days were need for the strings to settle. After that, only micro adjustment were needed. No more fine tuning needed after 6 days.
Squeaking was obvious on Day 1. Resolved with a dab of lotion on the fingers. Squeaking improved markedly on Day 6. I used my finger pads instead of fingernails to play, due to my profession forbidding me to grow long nails. Dry fingers accentuate the squeaking. The following video demo the difference between Day 1 and Day 6.
One immediate impression was how loud and bright these sugar strings are. The original Sugar was loud, but these new ones are even louder. I made comparisons to the original strings on these Ukes vs the sugar. I kept the mic at the same distance for set demo. iRig mic plugged to iPhone. Hope the video captures the difference of volume these new Sugars gave out. To my ears, these new sugar is the loudest I've heard so far.
Loud and bright are not the only things I like about these new strings. Comparing to the original sugar, I feel these have more depth and tonal color. More volume control over the old version. It sounds closer to Fluorocarbon than nylon.
All in all, the sound quality is superb for these new Sugar strings. The squeaking is a nuisance, but I like the sound enough that I am willing to put up with having to moisturize my fingers. It brings new life to a ukulele that is quiet. I hope Mimmo can solve the squeaking issue, as he stated warm/salty water soak may be an answer.
I would like to thank Mimmo for including me in the testing of these excellent strings.
Mimmo sent me a set of Soprano, Concert and Tenor. High G tuning.
I strung the Soprano set on a Fred Shields Oval Soprano, Concert set on a Oceana Concert and the Tenor set on a Kinnard Tenor.
Due to the thickness of the C string, I could not put it on my Zimnicki Soprano, which has a slotted bridge and the hole was too tiny for the knot to fit. Something to be aware of when considering changing string.
Each set got played about 30-45 min per day. Only 2 days were need for the strings to settle. After that, only micro adjustment were needed. No more fine tuning needed after 6 days.
Squeaking was obvious on Day 1. Resolved with a dab of lotion on the fingers. Squeaking improved markedly on Day 6. I used my finger pads instead of fingernails to play, due to my profession forbidding me to grow long nails. Dry fingers accentuate the squeaking. The following video demo the difference between Day 1 and Day 6.
One immediate impression was how loud and bright these sugar strings are. The original Sugar was loud, but these new ones are even louder. I made comparisons to the original strings on these Ukes vs the sugar. I kept the mic at the same distance for set demo. iRig mic plugged to iPhone. Hope the video captures the difference of volume these new Sugars gave out. To my ears, these new sugar is the loudest I've heard so far.
Loud and bright are not the only things I like about these new strings. Comparing to the original sugar, I feel these have more depth and tonal color. More volume control over the old version. It sounds closer to Fluorocarbon than nylon.
All in all, the sound quality is superb for these new Sugar strings. The squeaking is a nuisance, but I like the sound enough that I am willing to put up with having to moisturize my fingers. It brings new life to a ukulele that is quiet. I hope Mimmo can solve the squeaking issue, as he stated warm/salty water soak may be an answer.
I would like to thank Mimmo for including me in the testing of these excellent strings.
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