Steel strings on a tenor as a cavaquinho substitute?

[malarz]

Can an Ohana TK-80 be strung with steel strings? Any reason not to? What problems would I have if putting on steel strings?

My idea is to re-tune to DGBD, cavaquinho tuning, for Brazilian tunes.

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[merlin666]

If it has a truss rod and x bracing it might be ok. Otherwise the high tension created by steel strings my cause serious damage to the uke.

 

[Jim Hanks]

Don't do it. You can get DGBD tuning with nylon strings e.g. strings 2-5 from a classical set for starters

 

[70sSanO]

I have tried steel strings on a non-truss rod tenor tuned to DGBE (baritone). I used a tension calculator before I tried it, and the lightest strings to keep the tension low enough.

The result was not very good tone wise. To achieve a good sound with steel strings the tension needs to be higher than what the instrument can support, as others have stated.

John

 

[Ondrej]

I will also point out that the low D is on the second fret of the C string.
A high D is on the fifth fret of the A string.
I don't know if you can get such a thin (high) D string for a tenor ukulele. It might be better to try it on a soprano ukulele.

I play a Cavaquinho Portugues and it's as big as a soprano ukulele.

 

[malarz]

Thanks for all of your responses and advice. I’ll check for a truss rod but maybe better just to put that idea to rest. I might try nylon strings in that tuning. No chance I can afford another instrumen.

 

[Jim Hanks]

I will also point out that the low D is on the second fret of the C string.
A high D is on the fifth fret of the A string.
I don't know if you can get such a thin (high) D string for a tenor ukulele. It might be better to try it on a soprano ukulele.

I play a Cavaquinho Portugues and it's as big as a soprano ukulele.

My suggestion is an octave lower D3 G3 B3 D4 - very close to standard baritone tuning but can be done on tenor scale.

If you wanted D4 G4 B4 D5, then I agree soprano scale would be more appropriate. Even then, you'll need a thinner-than-usual 1st string to get up to the D5.

 

[malarz]

My suggestion is an octave lower D3 G3 B3 D4 - very close to standard baritone tuning but can be done on tenor scale.

If you wanted D4 G4 B4 D5, then I agree soprano scale would be more appropriate. Even then, you'll need a thinner-than-usual 1st string to get up to the D5.

Thanks for that suggestion. Any recommendations on which strings or string sets to buy to follow your advice for D3 G3 B3 D4 tuning?

 

[Jim Hanks]

Thanks for that suggestion. Any recommendations on which strings or string sets to buy to follow your advice for D3 G3 B3 D4 tuning?

Any normal tension classical set should get you in the ballpark. Here are a few I've used on guitalele:

D'Addario Pro Arte EJ46 Guitar Strings | Classical Guitar Strings

Best Prices on D'Addario Pro Arte EJ46 Hard Classical Guitar Strings, available in Full Sets, Bass & Treble Sets and Single Strings. Fast Shipping | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

Pepe Romero Guilele Fluorocarbon Strings UG1

Best service and prices on Pepe Romero Guilele Fluorocarbon Strings UG1 | Fast Shipping | Educated Staff | Huge Selection | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

Thomastik-Infeld CF127 Classic N Superlona NT Guitar Strings, Full Set

Best service and prices on Thomastik-Infeld CF127 Classic N Superlona Normal Tension, Full Set | Fast Shipping | Educated Staff | Huge Selection | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

 

[malarz]

Any normal tension classical set should get you in the ballpark. Here are a few I've used on guitalele:

D'Addario Pro Arte EJ46 Guitar Strings | Classical Guitar Strings

Best Prices on D'Addario Pro Arte EJ46 Hard Classical Guitar Strings, available in Full Sets, Bass & Treble Sets and Single Strings. Fast Shipping | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

Pepe Romero Guilele Fluorocarbon Strings UG1

Best service and prices on Pepe Romero Guilele Fluorocarbon Strings UG1 | Fast Shipping | Educated Staff | Huge Selection | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

Thomastik-Infeld CF127 Classic N Superlona NT Guitar Strings, Full Set

Best service and prices on Thomastik-Infeld CF127 Classic N Superlona Normal Tension, Full Set | Fast Shipping | Educated Staff | Huge Selection | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

Thanks for your help.

 

[Jim Hanks]

Thanks for your help.

Wait , I sent the wrong link on the first set. This is the one I've used

D'Addario EJ45LP Composite Lightly Polished NT Guitar Strings Full Set

Best service and prices on D'Addario EJ45LP Composite Lightly Polished Normal Tension, Full Set | Fast Shipping | Educated Staff | Huge Selection | Shop Now!

www.stringsbymail.com

 

[Kenn2018]

The other consideration is the tension placed upon the bridge. A friend put steel strings on a tenor and it pulled the bridge off after a few days.
Tension on a sop will be less.

 

[Rllink]

The other consideration is the tension placed upon the bridge. A friend put steel strings on a tenor and it pulled the bridge off after a few days.
Tension on a sop will be less.

This is what I was thinking. I think that the bridge would pull off long before the neck. Anyway, bottom line, ukuleles are not made for steel strings.