It was just old strings afterall?

I have been neglecting my first ukulele (a Mahalo UK220E) for a long time because I felt it had some severe intonation problems.

But it seemed really strange. I had adjusted the saddle and nut so the instrument has a comfortable action. The open strings do show up as in tune according to the tuner.

However, the open strings and chords sounded weirdly flat to my ears. I was in conflict because the tuner and my ears told me different things.
When I tune the uke up without relying on the tuner and what my ears tell me is right, the chords sound just fine, but the tuner tells me I'm tuned sharp.
This had been confusing the heck outta me and frustrated me because it doesnt sound bad for a cheap first uke.

So in the name of experimentation, I tuned the strings up a full step higher to A D F# B, and what do I find?

The open strings and chords sound perfectly in tune!
(and dang! ukes sound LOVELY tuned higher in D)

So I'm wondering whether the uke sounded flatish in the C tuning because the strings were old and lost their tension (I had the same strings for... longer than I remember... 6 months+ ?). And at a higher tuning, the tension increased, putting it back into "tune" again.

I suppose it may be worth investing a few bucks on some new strings for my first uke and see whether it was the strings afterall..

sounds like a relatively inexpensive experiment to me.

I would do it and see what happens. I like little experiments like that... not only is it fun IMHO, but it also gives you a real world experience that is probably more effective than trying to glean it from someone else. And if you end up liking it more, you get another uke to friends use for impromtu jam sessions.

jinny said:

sounds like a relatively inexpensive experiment to me.

I would do it and see what happens. I like little experiments like that... not only is it fun IMHO, but it also gives you a real world experience that is probably more effective than trying to glean it from someone else. And if you end up liking it more, you get another uke to friends use for impromtu jam sessions.

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I totally agree......I'd be kinda careful how high up you tuned it though, if your ukes a bit on the discount side, wouldnt there be the risk of ripping the saddle out through over tension? Maybe I'm just a born worrier ......

I'm not sure your theory is sound, but you're on the right track. I don't think tuning them up was the solution, more likely the strings aren't exactly uniform anymore with flat spots under the nut and frets, among other irregularities. Tuning it up moved these spots around, temporarily making it sound better. Fresh strings can definitely make a difference.

Rainhill said:

I totally agree......I'd be kinda careful how high up you tuned it though, if your ukes a bit on the discount side, wouldnt there be the risk of ripping the saddle out through over tension? Maybe I'm just a born worrier ......

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the canadian tuning shouldn't be a problem for an inexpensive Uke, since it is very common as an alternative tuning for sopranos.

thanks for the info..

HaileISela said:

the canadian tuning shouldn't be a problem for an inexpensive Uke, since it is very common as an alternative tuning for sopranos.

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Sweet, educated yet again by the masters :worship:

HaileISela said:

the canadian tuning shouldn't be a problem for an inexpensive Uke, since it is very common as an alternative tuning for sopranos.

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And with most cheap ukes the bridge is screwed in...