It's like UAS only worse...SCO

I can't imagine I'm the first to recognize this, but I have a problem. While my UAS is tempered by necessity due to financial constraints, my String Changing Obsession or SCO knows no bounds. I keep trying different strings, swapping them back and forth. I'm intrigued by the difference in sounds the same uke can make with different strings, as well as the different feel of string types.

Anyone else suffer this? Is this a common affliction among newbies and/or when one gets a new uke?

I've never gotten over it and change strings constantly. I have a big drawer full of string set. It's not just when I get a new uke and I'm not a newbie. Restraining myself from changing strings on a constant basis is difficult. At least when you change strings a lot it gets easy.

I had no problem with SCO...until I got a Mainland cedar soprano, and then went berserk looking for exactly the right strings to show off how beautiful her tone is. Southcoast, Worths, Martins, Ko'olau--I tried one set after another. I liked Oasis alot, but in the end have stuck with Fremont Blacklines, tuned up one semitone.

Now I have a box full of nice strings hoping for their own uke.

Ha Ha - I have this problem real bad.

Since Sept 2013 alone I have spent over $150 in order to buy and test over a dozen different brands and as many or more different sets of strings.

I am still not perfectly happy on my 5 different ukes, but so far I like Worth Browns on many and Martins on a few others...and really starting to cringe whenever I hear Aquila strings, on any instrument....

Playing guitar for 35 yrs, I just bought whatever was the cheapest strings they had at the local store, but with Ukulele strings I am ordering strings from all over the globe. It's just insane. I feel there is no help for me and I am on a slippery slope. I wish I could stop, but I dont know how!!!

Oh, I get it. I just last week cleaned out my "string drawer" by passing on every last set of unused/unloved/unwanted strings to other uke players! I've been experimenting for YEARS with different strings on my three ukes, but I seem to always keep coming back to the same conclusion: Martin, Martin, and Martin

Nothing wrong with String Changing Obsession - in the grand scheme of things, it's pretty easy on the wallet and if you're anything like me, each string change leads to a good chunk of quality time playing "that particular uke" with "those particular strings." And that can only be a good thing!

Hmmm, I recognize the value of "the right strings" but I may be too big a cheapskate to get SAS (string acquisition syndrome)

Booli said:

Ha Ha - I have this problem real bad.

Since Sept 2013 alone I have spent over $150 in order to buy and test over a dozen different brands and as many or more different sets of strings.

I am still not perfectly happy on my 5 different ukes, but so far I like Worth Browns on many and Martins on a few others...and really starting to cringe whenever I hear Aquila strings, on any instrument....

Playing guitar for 35 yrs, I just bought whatever was the cheapest strings they had at the local store, but with Ukulele strings I am ordering strings from all over the globe. It's just insane. I feel there is no help for me and I am on a slippery slope. I wish I could stop, but I dont know how!!!

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What's wrong with Aquila strings? I like em just fine.

For me it's not ONLY "that particular uke" with "those particular strings", but ALSO trying to find an unwound low-g for a concert scale that has high enough tension where it does not feel floppy like a rubber band to me, and so far, out of 8 different contenders, none has been 'just right'.

The closest were the Aquila RED low-g for tenor, and the Worth Clear 0.04358 from the CH 'HARD' set that is also sold as a single string (from elderly and others).

The other issue I have is string noise on the wound low-g, and the closest to solving this problem is the Fremont 'polished' wound low-g which I found on sale at HMS for $7 each. OldePhart (John) has recommended the Thomastik-Infeld flatwound classical guitar strings, but at $32 for a set, I have not made the jump yet.

I have found that the Worth Brown 'FAT' low-g, BF-LG set is just like butter on my 1950's Harmony Baritone.

The Worth Brown 'MEDIUM' low-g BM-LG is perfect on my Kala KA-T tenor, and ALSO on my Koa tenor Fluke.

The Worth Brown 'LIGHT' high-G BL set is also perfect on my Mahalo U-30 soprano, they are in fact VERY LOW tension and since I file the nut slots to fix intonation issues (Thanks John!), with these strings it requires almost no energy at all to fret notes, and barre chords are a breeze.

On my concert scale Epiphone Les Paul I have the Martin M620 TENOR strings, with the Fremont low-g mentioned above, and it's almost there.

On My concert Aileen solid-body (like the Eleuke but 1/3 the price) I have the D'Addario Titanium T2 concert high-g set, and they are ok, but almost a but more tension than I would like, but I will be leaving them on for now.

On my Yamaha guitalele GL-1 I have the D'Addario EJ27N which are fine.

On my Antonio Hermosa AH-50 solid-body classical guitar and on my Yamaha CG-120 classical guitars I have the D'Addario EJ27H which are great.

For the Gibson Les Paul, Epiphone Les Paul, and Epiphone Casino electric guitars I have the Ernie Ball SUPER SLINKY 0.09 strings which come in the hot-pink package.

I also have these same Ernie Ball strings on my acoustic dreadnought as an experiment and they actually sound and play very nice on an acoustic.

It's been over 10 yrs since I put new strings on my bass guitar (I think they are DR strings), but I really want to get hold of and try a set of the Rotosound 88 black tapewound strings to try and get an upright bass sound from it and remove the string noise....

I know I am not done yet, there are at the very least a dozen or so more strings I need to hear and feel.

I did not like the Worth Clears at all (tried 3 different types in sets), since it felt as if the surface profile of the string was not round, but more like it was extruded with a hexagonal profile like weed-eater line, and was quite abrasive to my picking hand and cut hard lines into the fingertips of my fretting hand, despite having a major layer of calluses.

I feel like I have not only developed OCD for strings, but now I also have an official 'process' for string changing, as I've done it over 100 times in the past 5 months.

Like katysax said previous it gets lots easier, and you also develop a better sense of patience for the strings to settle in, the trick is not to change all your ukes at once, otherwise they ALL will need constant retuning for about 10 days...

katysax said:

I've never gotten over it and change strings constantly. I have a big drawer full of string set. It's not just when I get a new uke and I'm not a newbie. Restraining myself from changing strings on a constant basis is difficult. At least when you change strings a lot it gets easy.

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I'll extend an open invitation to you to come over to my place anytime and change strings to your heart's content. I've got ten ukes and I *hate* changing strings.

Well, maybe hate is too strong a word. Let's just say I don't really enjoy it, even though I usually appreciate the sound of new strings after they've had a day or two to settle.

I lost the "string shelf" on my desk hutch recently when I got a new PC and decided to put it up top instead of under the desk. Then I found this cool little wooden box that was originally from a National Geographic CD-ROM set ($4 at the Pasadena City College flea market -- box only, no discs). It fits two rows of string packages just perfectly. Between all my uke, guitar and mandolin strings, it's mostly full. It's like a perfect little filing cabinet for strings.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Se...200864462078?pt=Magazines&hash=item2ec47474fe

Yep, I have had it bad for years. I finally narrowed down my favorite string choice for my two favorite ukuleles but every time I get a uke I spend weeks constantly trying out every set of strings I have ever used on it (Living Water, PhD, Worth, Fremont, etc.) I have some Oasis set aside to add those to the string trials for the next uke I ever get.

Booli said:

For me it's not ONLY "that particular uke" with "those particular strings", but ALSO trying to find an unwound low-g for a concert scale that has high enough tension where it does not feel floppy like a rubber band to me, and so far, out of 8 different contenders, none has been 'just right'.

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Have you ever tried Living Water or PhD unwound low g? I'm a fan of both as I can never make wound strings sound good -- they are too squeaky for me.

Booli said:

For me it's not ONLY "that particular uke" with "those particular strings", but ALSO trying to find an unwound low-g for a concert scale that has high enough tension where it does not feel floppy like a rubber band to me, and so far, out of 8 different contenders, none has been 'just right'.

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I've posted about my concert-scale low G string quest in a few other threads, so, stop me if you've heard this one before... I finally gave up on UNwound low G strings since they were always too rubber-bandy for me (and they had a tendency to sound boomy yet dull, if that makes any sense at all). The Fremont that you've mentioned is my low G string of choice now, although I've actually liked using wound guitar D strings as well (the Savarez Red high tension is my favorite, but hard to find as a single). Neither of these is perfect, but the Fremont is pretty darned close - no squeak, and more volume than other "squeakless" wound strings I've tried.The guitar strings have a slightly more comfortable tension for me, but sometimes the squeak is distracting - plus they're expensive, hard to find, and wear out really fast.

Icelander53 said:

What's wrong with Aquila strings? I like em just fine.

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Nothing is 'wrong' with Aquila's per se.

As with most things, string selection is relative to the specific instrument, and to the specific player, BOTH to the sound in your EAR and to the feel in your FINGERS when you play.

Also, depending upon about a dozen or so variables in the way that each individual instrument is constructed, strings with higher or lower tension will cause that instrument to resonate in a completely different way, significantly effecting the sound, including both sustain and volume.

Lots of folks like a short sustain on their uke, I on the other hand DO NOT, and find it unpleasant to my ear unless it is a banjo uke or resonator uke. As I said it is all relative.

For example, the Epiphone Les Paul concert ukulele has a mahogany top, back and sides that are at least 1/4" thick.

In my humble experience, Aquila Nylguts, GHS 'Hawaiian' black nylon, and D'Addario J85 nylon strings all simply do not have enough tension to 'drive' the top enough to make the instrument resonate properly and it sounds small and 'boxy' both acoustically, AND with the Mi-Si under-saddle pickup.

However, HIGHER tension strings, such as the Martin M600 soprano/concert set, and even higher tension than that (by about 14lbs) the M620 tenor set, can REALLY drive the top and bring this instrument up to it's full potential.

OldePhart (John) has imparted great wisdom elsewhere in the forum here about being careful about having TOO MUCH tension, and when you cross that point of lesser returns, the top in fact twill resonate LESS (think of pulling taught a rubber band, when it cases to vibrate well due to the tension, you have crossed the threshold, and after that it is likely to snap), and that amount of stress can cause the bridge to lift, as well as bellying/dishing of the top, and even possible warping of the neck, so getting it 'just right' without 'killing' your instrument is important and both an art and a science.

wickedwahine11 said:

Have you ever tried Living Water or PhD unwound low g? I'm a fan of both as I can never make wound strings sound good -- they are too squeaky for me.

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Yes, the PhD unwound low-g I've tried, and it's just a 'tad' to floppy. I would have kept it but after about 100 hrs of play, the string seems to sound dead, and then has about only 3/4 the volume it did previously...this same scenario happened on 3 different ukes, even after changing the strings with the same, and with other 'broken in' strings of the same PhD unwound low-g...

Living Water and Southcoast are up in the next batch I plan to purchase, but I have not had hands-on with them yet.

I have been recommended by others to try the Southcoast LL-NW set.

I went through Aquilas, Ko'olau Gold, D'Addario, and Worths (clear). Then I tried Living Water. The quest was over. They are now on all of my ukes. For low-G, I use the Fremont Soloist. Unless another brand comes out that enough players claim to out perform Living Water, I will look no further...

janeray1940 said:

I've posted about my concert-scale low G string quest in a few other threads, so, stop me if you've heard this one before... I finally gave up on UNwound low G strings since they were always too rubber-bandy for me (and they had a tendency to sound boomy yet dull, if that makes any sense at all). The Fremont that you've mentioned is my low G string of choice now, although I've actually liked using wound guitar D strings as well (the Savarez Red high tension is my favorite, but hard to find as a single). Neither of these is perfect, but the Fremont is pretty darned close - no squeak, and more volume than other "squeakless" wound strings I've tried.The guitar strings have a slightly more comfortable tension for me, but sometimes the squeak is distracting - plus they're expensive, hard to find, and wear out really fast.

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I dont remember the thread, but thanks for restating it here...

Your experience is almost EXACTLY as mine. I would have just gone with the Fremont polished wound low-g and consider it solved for now, but on my best-playing concert uke, which is a Flea, with the plastic fretboard, it is ill-advised to use wound strings since it will prematurely chew up the fretboard. I love this uke, so I was hoping to get that solved.

For now, I have the Martin M600s on it in re-entrant tuning, and the only reason I can live with this is that I have other instruments where I can have low-g tuning. I like high-g for strumming more.

I mostly prefer low-g (coming from guitar) since with some of the finger-picking, the note intervals of songs I've written on low-g, really fry my brain if I play them on a re-entrant tuned instrument, I've tried to reprogram my brain for thumb-middle-pointer to get an ascending interval, as opposed to thumb-pointer-middle for the same on low-g.

Where you say "too rubber-bandy for me (and they had a tendency to sound boomy yet dull" is exactly what I've found, and tried to resolve.

This problem was severe enough for me that in my last UAS effort, I ended up getting a tenor scale instrument (Koa tenor Fluke, with the hardwood fretboard) instead of concert.

I have been playing the daylights out of this instrument for 2 weeks now and when I return to play the concert scale instruments, the feeling is a bit cramped. Just means I need to put in more time on the concert scale as well.

The hardwood fretboard (as opposed to the plastic fretboard) means I can put ANY strings on it.

The big surprise to me in all of this, is that the SAME exact unwound low-g string that has the perfect amount of tension for me on a tenor scale instrument, is just too floppy, dull and boomy on a concert scale. Even with using the same type/set of strings that are for 'concert' and not 'tenor' on the label, the tension is too low. I think it is the same density and diameter material and they only change the packing label and cut the (actual tenor but re-labeled for) concert string 2" shorter before sealing them in the neat little envelopes. The same seems to hold true when I have tried 'soprano' strings on the concert scale.

I dont yet understand the physics of how the 2" scale length difference makes the string too floppy, but I hope to figure it out one day. I mean it's the same pitch, same audio frequency, but longer or shorter string length, but I am ill-equipped at the moment to understand how these affect the actual string tension....maybe another kind soul can enlighten me....

Also, maybe one day I will find and buy a 5-string uke that has both high-g and low-g (octave courses) and then the problem should be solved, permanently, no?

Anybody now of such an instrument? (I have not looked as of yet)

And speaking of strings obsession - with an 8-string uke, what do you do? I mean where do you begin? Are they all unisons, or are they octaves? Can you mix Aquila's with Martins if you want? My mind explodes when I think about all the possibilites....

I stuck with worths for a while as they were recommended and fitted to my Mya Moe tenor ,,,,then tried living water low g set, I had tried the red aquila low g string ,,,which snapped ,,as the tend to do ,,,so ordered the low g set from Ken very well packaged,,,,,,but did not seem to wear in and stay true as the Worths had done great sound though,,,next tried the aquila low g set I heard that they had used a new recipe and would not break,,,,they did ,so now have Orcas and so far so good ,in future I won't be in a hurry to experiment and will mostly stick to the recommended strings ,,,

Yep, I have the shelf full of strings, mostly tenor and have ended up with Southcoast HML-RW's as my favorite; I like a hi tensioned wound 3&4. Now looking for a good baritone string set and have many sets of those. I'm about to try out the HL-CM's ( all steel string) from Southcoast. Not sure I'll like them as they are so thin. I'm thinking I may buy a tenor guitar as I miss that steel string sound. Also have a set of Dirks hi tensioned string for baritone than can be tuned to an A or Bb. Would really like to find a good stringset for G tuning.

There was a thread on someone wanting used stringsets for setting up ukes for kids. Does anyone remember it?

Me too. I'll spend an extra $20 on string to get free shipping from Elderly and save $5! I drive my wife nuts when I get a new uke swapping back and forth.

Ya know, what the hell. For $6 I can get a totally different sounding instrument and new strings are a lot cheaper than a new uke.

Hi guys can you tell me what strings do you use for D tuning with Low A ? I'm currently using Curt Mangan normal tension classical guitar strings. Since the first time I strung it the nylons strings got notch or soft break ? I can feel it across the string. I still use it till now cause it holds up. But another option will be nice. Thanks

Ow, its for tenor

Do I have SCO? Well...hmmm...

...that was about two years ago, there are more, now...

John