Kanaka916
Well-known member
Strings FYI
One of the most recurring question on the UU Forums concerns strings. There are numerous threads regarding string selection, recommendations and what would be the “best” string set available. Strings are by far the best inexpensive upgrade you can do to get your instrument to sound better. There are several string manufacturers often mentioned and popular among the members are Aquila and Worth. Other popular string sets are from Southcoast, D’Addario, Fremont, Hilo and Ko’olau. A number of members use classical guitar string sets from Savarez and D’Addario.
Selecting a string set is purely subjective and a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind the set you totally rave about may not work for others. Consider factors such as build and tonewood combinations as well as tone, feel and playability. As your skill develops, you’ll probably change your string preference to a certain brand. Please keep in mind, this thread is informational and will not advise you which string is recommended or considered best.
String Types
String Types (Ukulele World)
String Manufacturers A - L
One of the most recurring question on the UU Forums concerns strings. There are numerous threads regarding string selection, recommendations and what would be the “best” string set available. Strings are by far the best inexpensive upgrade you can do to get your instrument to sound better. There are several string manufacturers often mentioned and popular among the members are Aquila and Worth. Other popular string sets are from Southcoast, D’Addario, Fremont, Hilo and Ko’olau. A number of members use classical guitar string sets from Savarez and D’Addario.
Selecting a string set is purely subjective and a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind the set you totally rave about may not work for others. Consider factors such as build and tonewood combinations as well as tone, feel and playability. As your skill develops, you’ll probably change your string preference to a certain brand. Please keep in mind, this thread is informational and will not advise you which string is recommended or considered best.
String Types
- Gut
- Nylon
- Fluorocarbon
- Synthetic Gut
String Types (Ukulele World)
String Manufacturers A - L
- Aquila Ukulele Strings
Introduction: The development of a new synthetic material that can imitate the acoustical characteristics of gut but without the typical defects such as high cost, short string life, and severe instability to changes of climate, has always been a fundamental goal of Aquila's research. Nylgut is the result. Nylgut's formula is protected by U.S. and International patents.
Technical Characteristics and Field of Application: Nylgut has a specific density and acoustical qualities nearly identical to that of gut, and is the first truly successful synthetic version of the natural product.
Other strong points of Nylgut are its elevated resistance to wear under tension-greater than that of gut-but even more important is its extraordinary immunity to changes of climate, considerably better than that of Nylon and thereby ensuring a superior stability of tuning under normal conditions.
Aquila has also developed a Bionylon string, a new polymer said to be mellower than Nylgut. Elderly has them in stock and I suspect other distributors have them or will have them by January 2011.
Excerpt from Just Strings . . .
Bionylon®
Aquila has introduced an alternative to the very popular Nylgut for which they are known. Bionylon®, is the world's first eco-friendly synthetic string.
Made of rounded, smooth Bionylon® monofilaments these Ukulele strings possess excellent acoustic and mechanical properties. Bionylon® is primarily derived from castor oil which allows a reduction of 50% of carbon dioxide emissions during the polymer synthesis as compared with other common Nylons used for Ukulele strings. - Aurora
. . . made specifically for ukuleles. Our Silkgut ukulele strings provide a warm long lasting tone and available in a multitude of colors. Order direct from manufacturer's website. - Black Diamond
- Bushman
Bushman strings are made in the USA using an easy-push, long-lasting, tune-holding formula that's stronger than nylon and sounds better - more melodic, less "staticky" - than gut.
Available in C tuning and Low G for Sopranos, Concerts and Tenors. - D’Addario
Nylon Strings: J65 (Soprano) J-53 (Concert - Black), J54 (Concert - Black, wound C), J68 (Bari)
Pro Arte: J71(Tenor), J92(Concert)
Pro Arte Classical Guitar Sets; See Classical Guitar Strings on 6 and 8 String Tenors in the "Links" section. EJ45 (Normal), EJ46 (Hard)
T2 Titanium Trebles; T45 (Normal), T46 (Hard) - Dunlop Ukulele Strings
. . . made with a proprietary blend of nylon monofilament for improved flexibility, tuning and longevity and inspected using laser precision technology to ensure overall consistency. - Fremont
A clear Flurocarbon string made in Japan. Also available are Blacklines (Black Flurocarbon strings) as well as a wound squeakless low G single (Soloist). - Galli Ukulele Strings An Italian string company offering Bionylon and Fluorocarbon strings. Available through dealers online (Strings By Mail, Just Strings, Musicians Friend, Amazon).
- GHS
- Guadalupe - order direct 2610 E CHAVEZ AVE SUITE C, Los Angeles, California 90033
323-266-2242 - Hilo
Hilo strings are made from a special type of black nylon called Tynex. Hilo strings are more resistant to moisture absorption than other types of nylon. Hilo Tynex strings are custom ground to close tolerances helping to insure Hilo strings will play in tune, stay in tune, and have a long playing life. - John Pearse Nylon Filament Wound on Nylon
- Kala
- Reds
Kala Ukulele teams up with renowned String Artisans LaBella to create a unique string set for Ukulele. Discover incredible tone, volume and clarity that come from this handcrafted wound string. Note: Kala Red string sets are cut to length. Do not cut the Red Wound strings(C and E strings) or they will unravel. - Pearl New
These unique microwound strings designed for ukulele are made with a special thin polyamide, flat wound over a nylon multifilament core that produce a unique combination of brilliance, projection and deep tone.
- Reds
- Kamaka
- Ko’olau
Gold series 'Ukulele Strings are professional quality strings, preferred by performers and recording artists. Note; Gold Series back by popular demand
Alohi (Hawaiian for brilliance, pronouced A-lo-hee) Crafted from a dense monofilament material that has an attractive, translucent purple hue. They have a polished, smooth feel analogous to nylon, but with a slightly brighter tone and increased projection.
Mahana (Hawaiian for warmth) strings are sorted by a sophisticated computer-controlled laser machine which performs diameter/tension measurements and quality check, insuring true sounding, precise tone in every set. Mahana strings are also a very high quality nylon material, clear instead of yellow, and gauging has been slightly modified. Excellent tone and intonation, similar to the Gold Series.
- Mahana string packaging is a mango yellow color, actually made from mango fruit waste.
- ‘Alohi string packaging is a pale gray color, actually made from banana fruit waste.
- LaBella New string selections.
- Living Water Strings These sets are assembled in the UK by Ken Middleton and they have gotten very positive reviews. The following is an excerpt from Ken's site:
. . . hi-tech fluorocarbon, these strings give a wonderfully vibrant, crystal-clear tone to your ukulele. They are made to exacting standards, with a complex polymer structure that is formulated to give both strength and flexibility, whilst maintaining an excellent resistance to abrasion. In other words, they don't break easily, they vibrate well and last a long time.
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