Warbulele
Well-known member
Prompted by a "blindfold" string comparison video (by Aaron of HMS), I tried the Ko'Olau Golds on a Mainland Mango Concert, and compared them to the Aquila Nylguts which came with the Uke.
I think now that the reason the Golds sounded better in the video, is that it was on a Tenor Uke, made of dampening wood, probably Koa or Mahogany, where they were just the thing to perk it up. Not so much on the concert.
I made recordings*, so you can make up your own mind:
Ko'Olau Gold (note: the strings are actually yellow, the photo is from google images)
Aquila Nylgut
To my ears, the Golds sound harsher and dryer, but more articulate and percussive with plenty of attack. Good for outdoors in the wind, or cutting through a band, but not so good for playing in a small room, or mellow fireside vibe. Less sustain, reverb, harmony, emotion. They make it sound a bit more banjo/guitar-ish. A little dull and spacey for my taste, although they are intellectually stimulating, good for picking. Not as emotionally appealing to me. The strings are almost dissonant to each other, even when in tune. I'm sure they'd sound better in a month, but they don't seem like what I'm looking for, so I don't feel like giving it the time to find out.
The Nylguts work together in harmony, sound fuller, with more sustain and emotion. Someone mentioned overtones, which is probably right. They make the Uke reverberate, not exactly louder, but I feel it physically, more full bodied and rich.
I think these strings go really well with this Uke, probably due to resonant frequencies. I think it's more than just the old "slap aquilas on a bad uke fix". I think there are a lot of expensive/fancy Ukes out there which would not sound as good (to me) as this Uke does if they were fitted with these strings. IMO It's a good match. (btw the recording doesn't do them justice, the power of the strum really doesn't come through any where near what it sounds like live)
*: On the recordings:
Yes I started playing last week, so bare with me.
Yes the mic was in the same place/setting for both recordings.
Yes they both get a little out of tune by the end of the clips.
Yes the recordings are different, I didn't have a song to play, so I improv'd, but there's picking and strumming in both, just in different places.
Also, I think the recordings make the strings sound more alike than they do live, so don't assume I'm just imagining the difference, the differences are more exaggerated live.
I think now that the reason the Golds sounded better in the video, is that it was on a Tenor Uke, made of dampening wood, probably Koa or Mahogany, where they were just the thing to perk it up. Not so much on the concert.
I made recordings*, so you can make up your own mind:
Ko'Olau Gold (note: the strings are actually yellow, the photo is from google images)
Aquila Nylgut
To my ears, the Golds sound harsher and dryer, but more articulate and percussive with plenty of attack. Good for outdoors in the wind, or cutting through a band, but not so good for playing in a small room, or mellow fireside vibe. Less sustain, reverb, harmony, emotion. They make it sound a bit more banjo/guitar-ish. A little dull and spacey for my taste, although they are intellectually stimulating, good for picking. Not as emotionally appealing to me. The strings are almost dissonant to each other, even when in tune. I'm sure they'd sound better in a month, but they don't seem like what I'm looking for, so I don't feel like giving it the time to find out.
The Nylguts work together in harmony, sound fuller, with more sustain and emotion. Someone mentioned overtones, which is probably right. They make the Uke reverberate, not exactly louder, but I feel it physically, more full bodied and rich.
I think these strings go really well with this Uke, probably due to resonant frequencies. I think it's more than just the old "slap aquilas on a bad uke fix". I think there are a lot of expensive/fancy Ukes out there which would not sound as good (to me) as this Uke does if they were fitted with these strings. IMO It's a good match. (btw the recording doesn't do them justice, the power of the strum really doesn't come through any where near what it sounds like live)
*: On the recordings:
Yes I started playing last week, so bare with me.
Yes the mic was in the same place/setting for both recordings.
Yes they both get a little out of tune by the end of the clips.
Yes the recordings are different, I didn't have a song to play, so I improv'd, but there's picking and strumming in both, just in different places.
Also, I think the recordings make the strings sound more alike than they do live, so don't assume I'm just imagining the difference, the differences are more exaggerated live.
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