mikelz777
Well-known member
Is the string tension on a tenor ukulele noticeably different than on a concert or is the difference negligible? Is it more noticeable the longer session you play?
Is the string tension on a tenor ukulele noticeably different than on a concert or is the difference negligible? Is it more noticeable the longer session you play?
It is very noticeable to me. Enough that my slightly arthritic hands fatigue quickly on tenor and I consider the tenor size a mismatch for me. At a group meetup, I was able to play one song with a Blackbird Farallon tenor (and the owner played my Clara) and my hand was tired to the point of discomfort. Somewhere between concert and tenor I cross the line between pleasure and pain.
It is possible that they have the same strings so then there may be a discernible difference. But if the concert is strung with strings designed for concert scale and the tenor with strings for tenor scale they should feel more similar
I prefer using Concert strings on my tenors.
I can't stand tenor strings on tenors. Too much tension.
Tenor strings on Soprano ukes is awesome though. The shorter scale benefits from the tension.
I prefer using Concert strings on my tenors.
I can't stand tenor strings on tenors. Too much tension.
Tenor strings on Soprano ukes is awesome though. The shorter scale benefits from the tension.
Are concert strings long enough to put on a tenor?
That makes more sense than how most ukulele sets are packaged and sold. I usually used concert labeled strings on tenor too. It is more in line with how it is with other stringed instrument sets for guitars, mandolins, etc.
The uke is the only instrument I've ever seen where the strings sold for the longer scale length are generally bigger in diameter than for the smaller scales. That's backwards from the norm.
Example: If you're used to playing a guitar with a 25.5" scale and plan to switch over to a 24" scale, many people will choose thicker strings for the shorter scale instrument to add tension and to get the same feel as the longer. Of course some, like myself, enjoy the less tension.
Why uke strings are packaged and typically done just the opposite of most others is a mystery to me.
I would be careful with tenor strings on a soprano though. If it is built only to take what is typically sold as soprano strings, the tenor string tension might overwhelm it and cause issues or damage.
Just to clarify, some string companies do make/cut shorter or longer lengths for different scales. That said, the gauge thing stands.I always thought that the differentiation in string sets for the various scales was string length! I wouldn't have guessed the difference was string gauge!
That makes more sense than how most ukulele sets are packaged and sold. I usually used concert labeled strings on tenor too. It is more in line with how it is with other stringed instrument sets for guitars, mandolins, etc.
The uke is the only instrument I've ever seen where the strings sold for the longer scale length are generally bigger in diameter than for the smaller scales. That's backwards from the norm.
Example: If you're used to playing a guitar with a 25.5" scale and plan to switch over to a 24" scale, many people will choose thicker strings for the shorter scale instrument to add tension and to get the same feel as the longer. Of course some, like myself, enjoy the less tension.
Why uke strings are packaged and typically done just the opposite of most others is a mystery to me.
I would be careful with tenor strings on a soprano though. If it is built only to take what is typically sold as soprano strings, the tenor string tension might overwhelm it and cause issues or damage.
Are concert strings long enough to put on a tenor?
That makes more sense than how most ukulele sets are packaged and sold. I usually used concert labeled strings on tenor too. It is more in line with how it is with other stringed instrument sets for guitars, mandolins, etc.
The uke is the only instrument I've ever seen where the strings sold for the longer scale length are generally bigger in diameter than for the smaller scales. That's backwards from the norm.
Example: If you're used to playing a guitar with a 25.5" scale and plan to switch over to a 24" scale, many people will choose thicker strings for the shorter scale instrument to add tension and to get the same feel as the longer. Of course some, like myself, enjoy the less tension.
Why uke strings are packaged and typically done just the opposite of most others is a mystery to me.
I would be careful with tenor strings on a soprano though. If it is built only to take what is typically sold as soprano strings, the tenor string tension might overwhelm it and cause issues or damage.
By this logic we should be putting higher tension strings on Soprano ukuleles, and lower tension strings on Tenor ukuleles in the pursuit of achieving the "sweet spot" tension that we are after.
That's what I loved so much about Southcoast's approach (R.I.P. Dirk) - the tension and tuning charts for each string set so you could get really specific in your preference. And the charts never steered me wrong. You could theoretically do the same with any brand but it would take you a lot of time, effort, and money