Buying Uke strings in the UK

The Big Kahuna · Sep 10, 2013

I want to buy some strings for my 4 Ukes (the ones in my sig), but I'm not keep on the choices from either SUS or Eagle Music. Any suggestions ?

The only ones that have caught my eye are the Worth strings at SUS, but I'd like to try some Ko'olau Golds or something else that's a "bit different" to all the usual suspects such as D'Addario and Aquilla.

The Big Kahuna · Sep 10, 2013

I'd also like to add that Ken Livingstone's website is spooky. Just to get an idea on price, I selected Tenor High G, and it automatically added 2 sets to my cart, exactly what I was going to do!

Tootler · Sep 10, 2013

The Big Kahuna said:
I want to buy some strings for my 4 Ukes (the ones in my sig), but I'm not keep on the choices from either SUS or Eagle Music. Any suggestions ?

The only ones that have caught my eye are the Worth strings at SUS, but I'd like to try some Ko'olau Golds or something else that's a "bit different" to all the usual suspects such as D'Addario and Aquilla.

What about Ken Middleton's Living Water Strings? Ken is based here in the UK. I really like his strings & I use them on most of my ukes.

Tootler · Sep 10, 2013

Forget what I just said, you're obviously trying Living Water Strings.

The Big Kahuna · Sep 10, 2013

I was just looking at them tbh, but thanks for the recommendation

we tigers · Sep 10, 2013

Try the French shops. Exquisite.fr sells the KoOlau strings I think.

flailingfingers · Sep 10, 2013

You're right there in Living Water heaven. Why use anything other than the best?

ChaosToo · Sep 10, 2013

Living Waters!!

I've got a Low G set on my Tenor (to replace stock Aquilas) and just fitted a re-entrant set to my Les Paul (to replace stock nasty black things) - and to my newbie ear, they're utterly fantastic!

Really nice to play, fixed a bunch of intonation issues with the tenor - and the Les Paul? Well, it's just night and day!

Will be ordering another set of Low G for my other concert ASAP!

The Big Kahuna · Sep 10, 2013

Maybe I'll wait until Ken has the Low G's back in stock, I want to put some on my Fender. I think I also need to replace the tuners on my Luna Soprano, the stock ones are stiff as hell, and don't tune too accurately.

Mattyukaholic · Sep 10, 2013

I normally just go on Ebay. There are a fair few UK sellers on there.

The Big Kahuna · Sep 10, 2013

Talking about tuners, what do y'all think to THESE for a Luna Honu Soprano ? I know they're cheap, but so was the Uke.

The Big Kahuna · Sep 10, 2013

THESE are also an option I guess, or maybe THESE

Tootler · Sep 11, 2013

Grover 2B are the standard tuners for Flea/Fluke ukuleles and I find them very good. Don't think you'll go too far wrong with them.

AndrewKuker · Sep 11, 2013

I didn't think we were that bad but I put in a UK address for a set of strings...$50!! These guys suck!! Is what I would be thinking. But I messed with all the shipping configurations and the lowest I got was $23. Still ridiculous. So... we don't make much on strings but it's also not the work that ukes are, so I figured 5 or more sets will get you free shipping anywhere. Will take me about a day to implement but here's an example. (if 5 sets is just as ridiculous, sorry, best we can do)

The Big Kahuna · Sep 11, 2013

Would you be making enough that you wouldn't lose money shipping 5 sets to the UK for free ? I forgot about Aaron's strings, I'd quite like to try some of those too.

AndrewKuker · Sep 11, 2013

Nice of you to care. It may be a bit of a lost leader. I just can't stand crazy shipping quotes. It's just automated stupidity from USPS, but to a customer it borders on disrespectful, in my eyes.

edit- Sorry to derail though. As far as I've seen Southern Ukulele has represented UK pretty well in the last few years. Good array and it's always cool to support locals.

As far as your keys, I would suggest not changing to either. Your vantage would show the open holes in the back of the headstock and tuning will be more challenging.

ChaosToo · Sep 11, 2013

@Andrew - wow - what a fantastic offer!

I've been wanting to get a set of Golds for my soprano and my Aria, so I might just take advantage of that next time I order strings, just to see what a few different sets sound like....

Buying Uke strings in the UK

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