Southcoast vs Aquila

Paul December · Mar 5, 2013

My mahogany concert Mainland is in need of new strings.
Presently it is strung with Aquilas, and I quite like its sound. I have Southcoasts on my Barry, and really like them, so thought I'd give them a try on the concert. Can anyone comment on the concert length's loudness relative to Aquila? I wouldn't be willing to change if they are any quieter.

southcoastukes · Mar 5, 2013

Paul December said:
... I have Southcoasts on my Barry, and really like them, so thought I'd give them a try on the concert. Can anyone comment on the concert length's loudness relative to Aquila? I wouldn't be willing to change if they are any quieter.

I can comment on that one!

It's likely our standard Mediums will give you the best volume with our sets if you're tuning your Concert to high reentrant C. That doesn't mean the standard Mediums would be our best set for everyone, but given your parameters they would seem to be the way to go. They give excellent volume - a good strong set - but still, I wouldn't say they have the volume of Aquilas.

I think they will have better balance - string to string - as far as tone. The diameters will be a bit less, most notably on the inside strings, and so those diameters are more even. Finally I think you'd likely find the sound a little clearer as well.

Aquila (nylguts) give a more traditional sound, with a lot of difference in tone between the low and high notes. That's what they were designed for, as gut has similar properties. Most of all, however, if volume is the main thing you're looking for, then you've got what you need already.

oahugrl · Mar 5, 2013

Try the Southcoasts. You won't be sorry.

Kayak Jim · Mar 5, 2013

oahugrl said:
Try the Southcoasts. You won't be sorry.

+1

I made the switch to Southcoast Mediums on my Mainland mahogany concert and couldn't be more pleased with them. I describe the sound as less brash.

Now I'm trying to decide what should replace the Aquilas on a cedar/rosewood pineapple long neck soprano.

JamieFromOntario · Mar 5, 2013

oahugrl said:
Try the Southcoasts. You won't be sorry.

+10

I think you'll like the consistency all the way up the neck. I find Aquila's really puny when you're playing up beyond fret 5. I have never been displeased in replacing Aquila's with SC's.

Dan Uke · Mar 5, 2013

I think most people would choose tone over volume unless you have an overly built uke that is so soft.

ukemunga · Mar 5, 2013

Kayak Jim said:
Now I'm trying to decide what should replace the Aquilas on a cedar/rosewood pineapple long neck soprano.

I want to know this too! Had the original Aquilas, a set of Savarez that were given to me that made it sound like a banjo, now Living Waters which I like but not quite. I think I'm going to try Worth Browns to give it a little more "depth"... anyone else tried these?

caukulele · Mar 5, 2013

I like Worth Browns a lot, they have a "warmer" sound, and I also like how they feel for picking....

Paul December · Mar 5, 2013

nongdam said:
I think most people would choose tone over volume unless you have an overly built uke that is so soft.

I know it is unpopular to say it here, but...
...I am a firm believer in: Louder = Better

Paul December · Mar 5, 2013

ukemunga said:
I want to know this too! Had the original Aquilas, a set of Savarez that were given to me that made it sound like a banjo, now Living Waters which I like but not quite. I think I'm going to try Worth Browns to give it a little more "depth"... anyone else tried these?

I had a cedar Mainland soprano and it sounded like a banjo-y with every set of strings I tried.
While I love cedar on larger-bodied ukes, I'm starting to believe it isn't a good wood for smaller bodies

buddhuu · Mar 5, 2013

Paul December said:
I know it is unpopular to say it here, but...
...I am a firm believer in: Louder = Better

There are times when that can be true. Imagine you're in a noisy bar, playing into a mic because your uke has no pickup. Trust me, volume is what you pray for. Been there.

Anyway, tone is subjective. What is "good" to one person may not impress another. Louder is louder no matter what one's opinion of tone!

mm stan · Mar 5, 2013

Depends on your uke and your preference....

oldetymey · Mar 5, 2013

buddhuu said:
Anyway, tone is subjective. What is "good" to one person may not impress another. Louder is louder no matter what one's opinion of tone!

So true. For example I love the banjoey sound of my cedar soprano.
I also like aquilas. Hmmmm maybe I just have no taste...

drbekken · Mar 5, 2013

I know Dirk & co won't recommend it, but I put SC heavy gauge on a cheap soprano, and that sounded incredible. The string tension, however, was scary. I have no experience with concert ukes, but there are probably good SC strings for them too. Not to mention the excellent customer service.

OldePhart · Mar 5, 2013

drbekken said:
I know Dirk & co won't recommend it, but I put SC heavy gauge on a cheap soprano, and that sounded incredible. The string tension, however, was scary. I have no experience with concert ukes, but there are probably good SC strings for them too. Not to mention the excellent customer service.

Heh, heh. I use the Seaguar equivalent of Worth clear heavies on my Mainland soprano and that thing stands up and kicks some serious backside. So far (going on 9 or 10 months, I guess) no issues with the bridge, neck, or top. Of course, I like some string tension - otherwise my fingers get all tangled up in those floppy soprano strings!

John

blue_knight_usa · Mar 6, 2013

Unless you are a lousy player in a bar, then quieter is better and you just look cool playing!

buddhuu said:
There are times when that can be true. Imagine you're in a noisy bar, playing into a mic because your uke has no pickup. Trust me, volume is what you pray for. Been there.

Anyway, tone is subjective. What is "good" to one person may not impress another. Louder is louder no matter what one's opinion of tone!

Southcoast vs Aquila

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