what strings do you have on your Kiwaya laminate?

janeray1940

janeray1940

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
5,667
Reaction score
27
Okay, so... over the weekend a Kiwaya thinline pineapple laminate made its way into my life. I got tired of stressing out about bringing my Kamakas to the beach, and was incredibly impressed with the sound of this thing. It will be arriving with Aquilas, but I'd love to hear string recommendations from other Kiwaya laminate owners. Mahalo!
 
janeray1940 said:
Okay, so... over the weekend a Kiwaya thinline pineapple laminate made its way into my life. I got tired of stressing out about bringing my Kamakas to the beach, and was incredibly impressed with the sound of this thing. It will be arriving with Aquilas, but I'd love to hear string recommendations from other Kiwaya laminate owners. Mahalo!
Click to expand...
I have worth browns on my KS 1 and have had worth clears in the past. Both work well, IMO. It is a louder laminated uke so I would think that aquilas may sound a little brash. On my KTS 5 I have savarez alliance strings and I would guess that they would sound good, but maybe a little muted on the KS 1.
 
didgeridoo2 said:
I have worth browns on my KS 1 and have had worth clears in the past. Both work well, IMO. It is a louder laminated uke so I would think that aquilas may sound a little brash. On my KTS 5 I have savarez alliance strings and I would guess that they would sound good, but maybe a little muted on the KS 1.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I just learned that Savarez sells uke strings in sets now. I was always too intimidated by having to pick out individual strings to try them before, so I'll keep those in mind. The little thinline uke is pretty darned loud for its size - I'm not sure if I want to bring out the volume, or dial it back and make it my playing-late-at-night uke.

So you have two Kiwayas? Nice. I've encountered a few recently and they're starting to run a close second to Kamaka for me - I really, really like them.
 
janeray1940 said:
Thanks! I just learned that Savarez sells uke strings in sets now. I was always too intimidated by having to pick out individual strings to try them before, so I'll keep those in mind. The little thinline uke is pretty darned loud for its size - I'm not sure if I want to bring out the volume, or dial it back and make it my playing-late-at-night uke.

So you have two Kiwayas? Nice. I've encountered a few recently and they're starting to run a close second to Kamaka for me - I really, really like them.
Click to expand...
The quality of the KS 1 sold me on getting one of their solid wood ukes. I couldn't be happier with the sweet sound of the KTS 5. The KS 1 is sort of a beater/travel/ beach and park uke, now.

As far as the savarez strings are concerned, I bought them as individual strings, but I'll check out their sets.
 
Last edited:
I had Aquila's on my Kiwaya KSL02 until they wore out (about three or four weeks for me because I was playing that uke a lot). They sounded pretty good - that's about the only "good uke" that I've really liked the Aquila's on but it may have simply been that they were such a huge improvement over the black strings that came on it. Anyway, when those wore out I put my "homebrew" fluorocarbons on that I use on most of my concert and tenor scale ukes and I've been very happy with them (it's basically a Worth CM set with a slightly lighter-gage E string).

John
 
My KS-1 came with Hilo strings which were soon switched to Aquilas, then, Worth Browns, and, now, Fremont Blacklines - Medium. I like the sound, though, I won't say I've finished experimenting quite yet!
 
Those thinline ukes are great!

I use Worth BM on my FS5 (I think it's called KS5 abroad?).
I tried Aquilas on it, but I wasn't very thrilled.
 
Sounds to me like the general preference is for fluorocarbons over Nylguts. Thanks for the suggestions so far, and please keep them coming!
 
So... the Kiwaya thinline arrived, with Aquilas, and sounded pretty... meh. I had Worth CLs, Fremont Black Hards, and Martin M600s on hand to choose from and went for the Martins and - wow. What a difference! Much louder, and much fuller sounding. And it sounds pretty great tuned ADF#B... been messing around with 1920s songs on it and thinking I *do* have justfication for a couple more ukes, as long as they are mahogany :)
 
Thanks redBee! I can hardly wait to take it to the beach :)
 
Congratulations, Jane! Your next ukulele... Martin O?
 
hmgberg said:
Congratulations, Jane! Your next ukulele... Martin O?
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm... that was actually the first uke I ever wanted, but never could find one for a good price. Maybe the new Martin S1. Need to track one down and play it... I'm also intrigued by the Kiwaya KSL-1, which doesn't seem to be made anymore.
 
I have a KSL-1 and I LOVE it!! A soprano voice, but with more sustain, thanks to the concert neck. Just an excellent ukulele.
These were originally made (including mine) with solid tops. Later they switched to laminate tops, I guess... I didn't realize they were discontinued?? That's a shame. Kiwayas are my favorite production ukes on the market today!
 
janeray1940 said:
Okay, so... over the weekend a Kiwaya thinline pineapple laminate made its way into my life. I got tired of stressing out about bringing my Kamakas to the beach, and was incredibly impressed with the sound of this thing. It will be arriving with Aquilas, but I'd love to hear string recommendations from other Kiwaya laminate owners. Mahalo!
Click to expand...

Is this the one that was on ebay? I'd bid on that too. Color me envious of your new uke.
 
janeray1940 said:
Hmmmmm... that was actually the first uke I ever wanted, but never could find one for a good price. Maybe the new Martin S1. Need to track one down and play it... I'm also intrigued by the Kiwaya KSL-1, which doesn't seem to be made anymore.
Click to expand...

I've played an S-1, side-by-side with some vintage Martins. It's pretty good for around $350.00, but not nearly as resonant as vintage O. Has an extended fingerboard, though. I understand that it is unlikely that you'll find an O for $350.00, but for a few hundred more, I think you'll be happier.
 
Sambient said:
Is this the one that was on ebay? I'd bid on that too. Color me envious of your new uke.
Click to expand...

That's the one. I'm very happy with it - the pictures in the listing didn't really show that the uke looks brand new. It's a great little uke - I had only seen one of these before, and I knew I was taking a bit of a chance, but I'm very pleased.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, I think Uke Republic has them for around $289 right now.
 
hmgberg said:
I've played an S-1, side-by-side with some vintage Martins. It's pretty good for around $350.00, but not nearly as resonant as vintage O. Has an extended fingerboard, though. I understand that it is unlikely that you'll find an O for $350.00, but for a few hundred more, I think you'll be happier.
Click to expand...

It's that extended fingerboard that I want! So many of the arrangements that I play go beyond the 12th fret. One of each, a vintage 0 and a new S1, would be ideal :)
 
Ernie said:
I have a KSL-1 and I LOVE it!! A soprano voice, but with more sustain, thanks to the concert neck. Just an excellent ukulele.
These were originally made (including mine) with solid tops. Later they switched to laminate tops, I guess... I didn't realize they were discontinued?? That's a shame. Kiwayas are my favorite production ukes on the market today!
Click to expand...

Kiwaya doesn't have them on their website, and nobody seems to be selling them. I played one in a shop a couple years back and am *still* kicking myself for not buying it.

I've encountered several Kiwayas recently, all laminates, and each time I've been surprised at how great they sound. I never thought I'd want anything other than solid wood insturments, and these have definitely changed my mind about that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Strings Strings for Kiwaya U-Trip 02
Replies
5
Views
223
moonlessbag
M
Ukecaster
Kiwaya strings
Replies
4
Views
214
DJ Mango
D
H
Kiwaya kts-4 w/ hardcase, humidifier lots of strings, lint cloth, free ship SOLD
Replies
5
Views
1K
william1
william1
D
Which strings have worked for you on the Kiwaya KS-5 ?
Replies
2
Views
306
Dohle
Dohle
etudes
Kiwaya KTC-2 - strings/ tunings and more surprises
Replies
4
Views
339
johnnysmash
J
Top Bottom