Thanks saltytri. What set would you recommend? I've read a lot on the South Coast site and would assume that the G23 is the right set to try, with itws longer scale. Right? (BTW, I plan to play CGEA on the Baritone). Thank you for your reply.
arktrav,
The key to picking strings from our site is to know the scale length of your instrument. The scale is the distance from nut to saddle. Since our strings are long enough to use on any size ukulele, once you know your scale length, you'll know what tuning any given set will give you. Since a lot of instruments today (including most of ours) have "long-necks", or in other words, longer scales, that's the best way to explain things.
A standard Baritone has a scale length of about 20". You'll see that the Linear Ukulele set gives key of C on the 20" scale. Key of C is GCEA. A simple shortcut to understanding key names is to just look at the 3rd string. In this tuning, that's a C string - so a GCEA set-up is tuning to the key of C. These are the strings saltytri was referring to. There are no wound strings in this set, and I'm pretty sure we are still the only people making a low 4th set for this tuning. Aquila does make a set with a reentrant 4th string. Personally, I think a Baritone needs a low G - a low note to access the resonance of the big body.
The tradtional tuning for a Baritone is key of G (D
G BE), and the normal arrangement has two wound strings. You'll find we don't offer strings that work for key of G @ 20". It's a long story but in short, we don't like the density of the material to put that low a tuning on that short a scale - not crazy about the sound it produces (or even that tuning on a Baritone - traditional though it may be).
We do get close. You'll see the G23 strings you mentioned are for key of A @ 20". That's just one step up from G, and there, you don't have to resort to the high density material. You'll see the G650 strings (there are 4 sets) set up another step higher at B flat. Now you are just one step below C tuning. This is a great Baritone tuning - a traditional jazz tuning.
Hope that helps clear things up.
In the end, as with any new instrument, it's best to try a few different set-ups when you first get it. As Kamakas are great ukuleles, it's only a matter of a short time before you come upon the perfect trifecta (you, the Kamaka, and your strings).
p.s: maybe I shouldn't mention this, since it's not quite final, but looks like we will soon also offer a string set for C tuning @ 20" with double wound strings.
