Question about strings

[espermatozoilo]

Hi! I have a tenor and wanted to try a low G set. I'd like to try the Aquila Red Series but I don't know if that low G string would fit in the nut spot, anyone who has tried them?
Sorry if my English is incorrect, I'm from Spain

 

[JJFN]

Hi! I have a tenor and wanted to try a low G set. I'd like to try the Aquila Red Series but I don't know if that low G string would fit in the nut spot, anyone who has tried them?
Sorry if my English is incorrect, I'm from Spain

Hello I have installed low G sets on a variety of ukuleles and haven't had any trouble. You should be able to do that.

 

[merlin666]

I have red low G and fit nut just fine. But the slot on the slotted bridge had to be widened a bit.

 

[espermatozoilo]

I have red low G and fit nut just fine. But the slot on the slotted bridge had to be widened a bit.

Thanks!

 

[UkeOkay]

Is the red low G wound or not. That may be a factor to consider, depending on the type of uke you have.

 

[merlin666]

Is the red low G wound or not. That may be a factor to consider, depending on the type of uke you have.

The regular Red strings are usually plain as they contain metal powder to raise their density. They even designed the red guitar strings to be of equal thickness by changing the metal content. Though I think that they now also have wound strings with a red core. I like the regular plain red low G as it sounds very similar to the other strings and does not change over time like wound strings.

 

[Festussian]

I just got a new-to-me Pono ATDC-C and it came with Aquila Reds. I love the uke and it sounds great. I'm coming from a $100 Alvarez (which sounds decent) with Nylgut strings.

My question is about squeak. I find theses red strings pretty "squeaky" when I'm fibgerpicking. The Nylguts seem almost silent when picking.

My questions are:

I don't know how old the strings are but they don't seem worn. Do they get sqeakier when old and the simple solution is to change them?
Or is it part of my education to learn how to play "less squeaky"? Is it my technique?
Are there other strings that would do better on my Pono?

Thanks Ukies!

Judy

 

[UkeOkay]

My solution was to swap out the reds with flourocarbons. The reds sound nice, very nice IMO, but the squeak is unbearable.

 

[merlin666]

Yes it's mainly a matter of technique and can be corrected with practice.

 

[Festussian]

Yes it's mainly a matter of technique and can be corrected with practice.

So what is the secret? I have isolated it to the ring finger on strumming hand being the squeakiest. I am trying to pluck the string differently, thinking that I am sliding the string along my finger and that is making the squeak, but I'm not finding the answer. What do y'all think?

I bought strings while the Pono was in transit (thinking it was gonna arrive with a low g, but it didn't. )So the strings I have in the house to restring the Pono are:
D'Addario Black Nylon
D'Addario Fluorocarbon

So, do I give up on these strings and restring or work on my technique?

 

[merlin666]

So what is the secret? I have isolated it to the ring finger on strumming hand being the squeakiest. I am trying to pluck the string differently, thinking that I am sliding the string along my finger and that is making the squeak, but I'm not finding the answer. What do y'all think?

I bought strings while the Pono was in transit (thinking it was gonna arrive with a low g, but it didn't. )So the strings I have in the house to restring the Pono are:
D'Addario Black Nylon
D'Addario Fluorocarbon

So, do I give up on these strings and restring or work on my technique?

Usually squeak is associated with the fretting hand. But if it's just the ring finger should be fixable. I assume you pluck with the tip of finger and not the nail? It is also fairly uncommon to use the ring finger for picking, many people use just thumb and index on a uke and many use the middle finger in addition. I only use the ring finger when all four strings get plucked at the same time with a staccato.

 

[Festussian]

Usually squeak is associated with the fretting hand. But if it's just the ring finger should be fixable. I assume you pluck with the tip of finger and not the nail? It is also fairly uncommon to use the ring finger for picking, many people use just thumb and index on a uke and many use the middle finger in addition. I only use the ring finger when all four strings get plucked at the same time with a staccato.

Hi Merlin-

The squeak is definitely coming from my strumming hand, really all fingers. It's kind of a swishy, squeaky sound. I do pick witht he pad of my fingers, not the nails.

Would either of the string sets I have on hand make it go away and sound good on Pono?

 

[Festussian]

The internet says that the low G string on the Red set is a wound string.

The best thing about a wound string is that it is thin and will probably fit into the nut slot without modification.

If it was a fluorocarbon string it would be about 1mm fat, which is likely to be twice the thickness of the high G string. So for a fluorocarbon low G string you would probably have to look at the size of the slot in the nut. Since it is not in this case, you may not need to worry.

If you have never used a wound string before, the downside is how long it lasts. It is made with a core that is wrapped in a silver alloy wire. Silver alloys have a high density, but are also soft and if you play the uke a lot each day, they can wear out in less than a month. The other Red strings will last a lot longer. Luckily you can access single low G wound strings. The D string in a classical guitar set will often do the job, and there are specialist strings as well.

Do you think that it's just that the Aquila reds that came on Pono are worn out?? Do they get squeaky when they need to be replaced?

Which of these would sound best?
D'Addario Black Nylon
D'Addario Fluorocarbon

BTW, I thought the Pono was going to arrive with a low G and it didn't, so instead of re-stringing it, I re-strung my Alvarez to low g with some PhD Fluorocarbons and they sound great on the Alvarez.

I'm hoping that one of these sets of strings I bought will make Pono happy.

 

[VegasGeorge]

The Unwound Red is quite a bit thicker than the Wound Red. I've had to open up holes through bridges and widen nut slots for the Unwound string. But, I like the Unwound string better than the wound one, so the extra effort is worth it to me. Those are very minor alterations, and anyone willing to take their time and be careful should be able to do it successfully. Any narrow file should work on the nut slots, but go very slow and check your work every two or three strokes of the file. I use a drill bit to open up the bridge holes, twisting it with my fingers. Again, go slow and easy and you should be fine.

 

[bbkobabe]

Really like the Worth clear Fluorocarbons in the heavy weight... best Tenor unwound low G that I have found...

 

[Kenn2018]

I prefer fuorocarbon to Nylon strings. But, you'll have to determine which you prefer by trying them.

Your D'Addario Black Nylon strings will sound closer to the Aquila Reds. The Fluorocarbons will sound closer to your PhD fluoros. Both should sound pretty good on the Pono. The Nylons will be thicker than the fluoros. I don't know what wound strings D'Addario use for their Low-G.

My go-to strings are Living Waters plain fluorocarbons. Both Low-G and High-g. I have Low-G on one Pono tenor, and High-g on a different Pono tenor.

I know it seems like we are dodging your question. The answers are relative. Since I prefer fluorocarbon strings, I'll tell you to go with them. Other people prefer Nylon strings, and they'll advise you to use them.

Trying different strings is part of the journey and fun of having a ukulele.

 

[Tin Ear]

Do you think that it's just that the Aquila reds that came on Pono are worn out?? Do they get squeaky when they need to be replaced?

Which of these would sound best?
D'Addario Black Nylon
D'Addario Fluorocarbon

BTW, I thought the Pono was going to arrive with a low G and it didn't, so instead of re-stringing it, I re-strung my Alvarez to low g with some PhD Fluorocarbons and they sound great on the Alvarez.

I'm hoping that one of these sets of strings I bought will make Pono happy.

Judy - I think there could be several types of string you might like on your Pono. As others have said its a matter of preferences. I have two Pono Tenors now and I would not hesitate to buy another.

The first one I got was a Mango Gloss Deluxe. I got that one used and it had the stock factory strings which were ok, but I figured it was time to change them. I tried a couple different sets and I thought Aquilla Sugars were good, but I settled with Worth Clears with regular unwound Low G and really like that on the Mango.

I recently got a new Acacia Gloss Deluxe and I like the factory strings on that one, but it's fitted with a low G added. HMS put a wound gold Uke Logic Low G on it for me and I like that real well on my new uke. I actually ordered that Low G loose, but they installed it and included another like Low G string for me. Maybe I'll pop a high G on in the future, but that low G is pretty sweet. I am running with the way it came set up. It's really nice.

I think the Pono will play well with several string choices. Up to you to figure out what's right for you.

When I tried the Sugars on the first uke I thought the strings were hard to my fingers but maybe my fingers were soft at that point. Otherwise the Sugars sounded good to me. The Worth Clears are really nice on that Mango though - seems like Goldilocks zone to me for that particular uke.
Your mileage may vary.

Have fun - experiment. As was stated, leave the strings on for a bit when you change them for them to truly settle. I am a bit inpatient myself, but I am working on that... Waiting for fresh strings to settle before final judgement is good advice.

 

[Festussian]

I prefer fuorocarbon to Nylon strings. But, you'll have to determine which you prefer by trying them.

Your D'Addario Black Nylon strings will sound closer to the Aquila Reds. The Fluorocarbons will sound closer to your PhD fluoros. Both should sound pretty good on the Pono.

Thank you- this is what I was thinking and you have confirmed it. I want to use one of the sets I have here.

I'm pretty new to changing strings so different string qualities is a bit mystery to me, but I'm getting there.

I want the two ukes to sound different, so I'm gonna put the high G Black Nylons on the Pono to see what they sound like.

The low g fluorocarbons on the Alvarez sound good, but I'm finding the g string is a little "boomy". It's not enough to get me to change strings but it's something that I take note of.

Thank you all for your comments! I appreciate the time you spent giving what you know. Y'all are the best!

 

[Festussian]

Really like the Worth clear Fluorocarbons in the heavy weight... best Tenor unwound low G that I have found...

I will buy those the next time I need strings. I have a couple of sets already in house, but those are on my list to try.

 

[Festussian]

The Unwound Red is quite a bit thicker than the Wound Red. I've had to open up holes through bridges and widen nut slots for the Unwound string. But, I like the Unwound string better than the wound one, so the extra effort is worth it to me. Those are very minor alterations, and anyone willing to take their time and be careful should be able to do it successfully. Any narrow file should work on the nut slots, but go very slow and check your work every two or three strokes of the file. I use a drill bit to open up the bridge holes, twisting it with my fingers. Again, go slow and easy and you should be fine.

Thanks for the info.

The Pono was pre-owned and the previous owner told me that it had a low g Aquila Red set on it. But when I got it, it was a hi G set (so no wound strings). So if there was any filing work to be done, he must have had it done. (Sigh of relief)

No big deal but that meant that I had to change my plans and make my Alvarez the low g ukulele.

I know a luthier, so if I need to do any filing or bridge drilling, I'll ask him to supervise me!