I just watched a guy from the UK tell me I need to slap on some black nylon strings to get me my Hawaiian ukulele sound here in Hawaii. Good thing, too, because that's exactly what I was looking for lol. Much mahalos guy
I remember those Nylon-from-the-factory days! I also remember when I first put aquilas on a ukulele, it was like night and day. In the time since I've experienced: -Aquila nylgut (usually good, great to improve cheaper instruments but like you say not so good on higher-end instruments) -Supernylgut (nice sound but they are so slippy!) -Bionylon (? weird texture, weird sound, a student got them, did not like), Aquila reds (fine sound but weird texture, brittle) Worth browns (high tension but very good sound) GHS black nylon (awful, usually) unbranded clear nylon (just awful, like playing with elastic) ground nylon (Clifford Essex, cheap, rough texture, didn't hold tuning so good, broke quickly) out of all of them, the worths were my favorite, but aquila is kind of a go-to if i need replacements. Interested to try to martin strings after what you said, for some reason I've always dismissed them before (probably an adverse reaction to thier packaging, i am a shallow consumer after all)
This was amazing! Incredibly informative! The string issue gets easily overwhelming when looking at all the options. This really helped with understanding the major differences in type. Thanks so much! Another excellent job, Alex! 👏
I'd like to put in a good word for nylon strings. My first ukulele was a solid mahogany Ortega concert (about Ł150 retail), and the strings on it were white, opaque and fairly pliable, easy on the fingers. I assumed they were Aquila nylguts, since that's what was to be expected at that price. I liked them a lot, all chime and sweetness! It was only when I bought another uke, for my son, that I began to wonder. The new uke was definitely strung with Aqula nylguts, and they were also white and opaque, but seemed to be a tiny bit thinner and even softer when fretted. They make it childishly easy to fret bar chords - but I didn't like them much, they felt too soft, almost plasticky. Clearly, they were not the same strings. Turns out, my Ortega was factory fitted with white nylons made by Aquila, which Ortega also markets under their own brand. By now I've been able to compare my favorite nylons against clear fluorocarbons and Worth browns. Of all these, the nylons produce the gentlest, mellowest, dreamiest sound - both when fingerpicked and when strummed. This is of course personal, but it is exactly the kind of vibe I want from my ukes. The nylon strings have more of a sweetness and a heavenly chime than the other kinds do. My hands are not very strong anymore (so much so I've had to drop my steel-string acoustic guitar), and I find flurocarbons to be slightly tougher to play due to the higher tension, but they're also a bit raspy and dry. They're just too bright and too brash to my ears when strummed. If this is they feeling you're getting, do try a set of white nylons. Yes, they do take a bit more time to stretch and settle, but they sound heavenly.
I don't live in the UK but I wish I did because I would love to visit your store. I'm here in the United States. I will say one thing you did an awesome job explaining the different types of strings and your display of ukulele strings look very organized. Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful video
Thank you very much. On my opinion, the best explaination about the differnces between strings. I will keep the black nylon on my new Kamaka and will resist to change the by Flurorocxarbon.
@@willow5321 I'm still a beginner, so I don't feel very confident giving advice, sorry... but you can listen to string reviews on youtube to get a feel for how they sound.
Thanks, very nice. I think you have more an educated judgment with a subjective element, less opinion and more from and experience. I needed this first lesson as I've been changing and restringing with whatever works. This gives me an idea of why some of my experiments have totally failed. I finally got my Tenor tuned low D sounding pretty good with a combo, while I'm waiting for some Aquilas that are on order to come in. I have no patience. Thanks for the video. I'm the fisherman that would have tried to use fishing line :-)
Hi Alex. Thanks for your quick reply to my question about strings for my brand new Magic Fluke soprano Flea. You really sold me on the brand in your reviews. I will get my shop to put on D'Addario Black Nylan strings. This is probably the closest I can get to the Hawaiian sound I'm seeking on a plastic uke. Do you know Long and McQuaid, the largest music store in Canada with 80 outlets from coast to coast? They have excellent service. Do you know the website "AllForUke" out of Chicago? It's first class, professional and encompassing. Trust you are keeping your business above water in these tuff times. Staying at home means more time for playing the ukulele. All the best from Toronto Canada. Merri-jane.
Many thanks, I have been researching "playing the ukulele for beginners youtube" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Fenaylern Nonpareil Formula - (do a google search ) ? It is a great one of a kind guide for discovering how to play the ukulele like a pro without the normal expense. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my mate got cool success with it.
Looking back at this and really interesting. Just bought the Kala 8 string baritone from you and some Worth fluorocarbons to replace the horrible strings on it. Thanks for your help 😊. Edit. I now realise I sent for the wrong strings 🙄. And a hell of a job finding some to fit that aren’t Aquilas 😢 Edit: Alex sorted a great selection of strings for me and my 8 string Baritone sounds amazing. Thanks Alex x
Just watching this again and had a thought for another SUS upload ... changing uke strings is a thorny topic for many, so a workshop video could be useful. When we buy a new uke, you nearly always get that neat system at the back of the bridge where strings are trapped by each other rather than having their ends floating free. There aren't many demos of doing that. Also, some ukes use the peg system found on acoustic guitars ... a quick video of using that method with nylon strings would be interesting. Although not all the same strings are demo'd, this is an interesting upload to watch and hear after Alex's explanations. Lots of different string-types and makes aretested one after the other on a soprano. ruclips.net/video/pbfSnoNHLUg/видео.html
Excellent overview! Best I've seen. I know strings are largely a matter of personal taste, but your video really helps to understand the wide range of strings available and where to start experimenting. Your experience on what kinds of strings tend to be suitable for what kinds of ukes is very helpful. I'll be coming back to this one I'm sure.
Fluorocarbon: can fool a fish ; nylon: can't fool a fish, but many professional classical guitar players prefer the sound of the cheaper nylon strings to the fluorocarbon. Now to summarize we have: fluorocarbon: can fool a fish, and can fool a guitar player; nylon can't fool a fish, and can't fool a guitar player. The interesting question raised here is which is smarter, a fish or a guitar player? Sadly, we will never know until far more significant testing of dolphins is completed. I'm just kidding. I tried to write this joke so the fish and the guitarist disagreed, but it didn't match the facts. Just the facts, Mam. I don't know if I have tried carbon yet, but I think I have some carbons to put on my classical soon.
I tried the strings made of sugar cane. I don't recommend them. They squeak, they are not user friendly in such as after playing for years, I got a blister, imagine that? Also, they have an unbelievably bright sound which personally I don't care for. Just my opinion, you give them a try and feel free to disagree.
Thank-you so much for this video. Have to replace the strings on my spruce top mahogany body and din didn't see this until I replaced my A string with Aquila and HATED the sound and could not figure out why............should have done more research. Thank-you for this really useful video. I now have some clear fluorocarbon strings and will see how I like them.
Had the same Aquila nylgut strings on my uke for like a year and a half, maybe even more, took them off today and man I'm surprised they hadn't broken yet. They've been buzzing something fierce. Immediately picked up some Fluorocarbon ones because I was in a pinch and they were the only ones at Guitar Center and here I am watching this video. Good to know that they're probably the best for performing because I perform like 12 hours a week xD
I'm not too sure that I entirely share that opinion of nylon being such a stretchy stuff, taking soooo much time to settle in. I actually don't feel they take much more time than any other material, BUT they "remain moody", I'd say. I absolutely love nylon strings and half of my ukes are installed with them, whereas the second half is installed with brown or black fluorocarbon (or some special strings such as Reds or Titanium). To sum it up : the most stable strings I've ever had are Aquila Reds (I hardly ever need to tune that uke !), then Fremont Black line (also very stable, from what I personally experienced). But all my ukes equipped with Worth Brown need a little turn of mechanics (micro-stretching), when I want to play. It seems they will never stop extending more and more, and becoming thinner and thinner. I never experienced this with Reds, Nylgut or black Fremont. Concerning the nylon strings, I don't have the feeling that they extend more and more, but that they are way more sensitive to the atmospheric conditions (= extending OR retracting). I noticed I should not try to tune my uke before I play a little while, just to "warm them up", and then only I can tune the uke, if necessary. And it is not always necessary ! The Kamaka I bought probably had pre-stretched black nylon strings as they took no time at all to settle down. I installed myself some Aquila clear nylon or a Ohana cedar top, and black nylon on a mango pineapple, and none of them took much time to settle down. But depending on the temperature, I may need to tune-stretch or tune-unstretch a bit. I'm more concerned about my Worth Brown fluoro, though : because 80% of the time I have to tune-stretch them, and with time they tend to thin down to nothingness. I absolutely love their sound, except for the low-G that tends to loose intonation pretty quickly. Just my 2 cents and own experience/feelings with strings ! 😉
I’m listening to your video while putting all the music I’ve printed in my 10 month career as a ukulele player into plastic sheets to store in a binder.
Since someone liked this comment today, I will give an update: I have discovered MuseScore and have entered in a ukulele solo for the baritone! Now I am working on writing my first solo, which I have a few small phrases I should enter to keep track of.
I ended up making the same video again for my channel to try and answer more of the questions in the comments 😅 I'm glad you like it. Thanks for watching
Strings are a very personal choice and I change my opinion and mind all the time. Aquilas to me make any uke sound ok. Martin fluoros on Martins have a real snappy tight feel and a grear dynamic response. Im currently loving D'adarrio Fluoro's with a Freemont Low G on most of my Chinese Snails and similar Brightsun/moon, Umi etc (havn't tried D'adarrio low g set yet). They also are quite snappy but a little looser feel than the Martins. The Living Waters to me give me the loosest feel. On a good uke, like my KSR Kanilea slotted tenor they really feel good with the hawaiian Koa and I like to get just a microsecond behind the groove with them. They and the uke are what I would term very forgiveable. Im searching for Martins with Low G fluoro but cant seem to find them. I use Freemont dark low G but it would be best as a set.
Thank you so much! I’m new to ukulele and bought a Córdoba 25S used. I believe the stings need changed. It’s becoming tinny. This is very helpful. Just need to decide!
Thank you for the excellent video! It was great to finally learn the difference between some of these strings. Very informative and much appreciated :)
Cheers Alex. I'm going to save that D'Addario packet I've got! I'm a aNueNue black tide fan, by the way - and I'm far from a 'mellow' player. It's the handling and comparative ease of playing especially with barre chords I like.
I wish I found this very long time ago before I wasted all this time on my own researches about strings, money on buying every possible string set for my instrument, to end up exactly with the same answers here :) A Very nice video that i hope it stops curios people from exploring.
Thanks for your kind words. I did the same thing as you - many years of experience and wasted money of my own. I hope some of the other videos are useful to you too.
Very very helpful! I too am newbie (Feb 2020) - intermediate beginner - this is a good reference vid... I heard this 2-3 months ago but had no idea then what i was doing... Now to really hear about wood: mahogany vs acacia... Oh, Alex, I heard that comment in reference to what the purple titanium is good for -- that if you have a ukulele that is not behaving itself ... staying out late drinking - it will tame it..." Hilarious!! and in great straightfaced Brit fashion. Check out 20:18-32... Now, where is your wood tutorial?
Thankyou for that education...I still mot sure what strings to get ...I am learning Phantom of opere . Like Taimani Gardner...with Spanishy flamenco Carmen etc....I only have my mahogany soprano...looking to buy a 5 string tenor...what ever Taimani plays....we also have a Tanglewood Java koa...that needs better strings the ones on it are rather thick and dull sounding...and hard on our fingers...🌺
“If you’ve a ukulele that’s not behavin’ itself… I’m not talking about standing out late drinking…” That seems quintessential British to me. Sledgehammer wit. Out of nowhere. Completely dry. Love it.
well, I had to stop the video to write this comment - and I promise I will finish watching the video after but... I bought today my v first uke, a Bari-uke, and I am already in love with her and tremendously in love with you! Thank you for this video and your knowledge!
Thanks so much Matilde, this means a lot and makes a nice change from the other comments I'm reading this morning about my most recent video. You take care, all the best on your first ukulele... Not many people start with a Baritone but there is loads to love about them. Terry at uke like the pros has some good Baritone resources on his channel.
That was a wonderful presentation. I have to admit, that we very rarely get such a well spoken person doing a presentation , as well this, here in the states. Where English is a second language. And I’m referring to the native born Americans.🙊 Gear job, thank you.👌
Anybody know anything about "clear super carbon"?? I just saw a set and they were like double the price of everything else. Sometimes more expensive means better but certainly not always 😂
This video is pretty great. Just got a Pono and getting buzz with a string while wanting to switch to Low-G Tuning and trying to decide which strings to try next. My kids have 2 decent starter laminate ukes and I've never done any string changes before. I combed through Ukulele Underground forum search results to get opinions on the differences between various string types and colors, and what he says in this video seems to vibe with general consensus I gathered (and my beginner to intermediate understanding of things), while offering useful additional insight. Cheers!
I recently found a set of Fremont black line fluorocarbon strings in medium concert soprano. Long story short they are my new favorite string. Before them I was using the Martin fluorocarbon strings which are still one of my top three string sets! Great video.
OMG! I needed this video!!! This is why I can't get Nylgut to sound good on my Kiwaya!! She is a wild one! Will try the Titaniums. But could you explain why the Savanahs (?) are better on smaller scale instruments. Is it the sound? What characteristic of the sound do you prefer?
It's the tensions and diameter of the string. Smaller scale Ukes can sound thin and weedy with the wrong strings. If you can comfortably play with something heavier on a Soprano then you can feel and hear a lot more definition between the strings.
Really enjoying the videos, but a bit more refined sound quality and more volume would do wonders to the overall quality. And yes, I do understand I'm commenting on the one video that has no music content at all :)
kniveous I hear you - constructive feedback too. I must confess that this morning I forgot to plug the condenser mic in before starting and was 40 minutes in before realising.. With the instrument sample videos I am struggling to get more volume out of the mics without getting a peak and a clip from hard strums. Will keep on trying to refine the process though. Thanks for watching.
First of all, I love listening to someone who truly knows what they are talking about and it it obvious you know your business. Thank you! I play a Kale KA-SMHT-SC. I have landed on Living Water with a low g. I tell you this to let you know the sound and feel that I prefer. Are there other strings with similar characteristics? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks again for your opinions and sense of humor. Both are appreciated.
I have found the Worth's and Living waters' to the most similar. Specifically the CF-LG Worth set. The D'Addario Carbons are also quite stiff and worth a try EJ99TLG. Hope that helps. If you like the Living Waters - I'd stick with them.
Thank you very much for this informative video. It has been extremely helpful to me. Thanks too for all your other videos, and best wishes from Valdosta, Georgia USA.
I am ( trying) restoring my great grandfathers old banjo uke and have put new tuning pegs and a set of nylon strings. Didn't work at all. Then realized it needs a bridge. Hope when it arrives that it finally works or I will be asking some really stupid questions . . .
I can’t say I’ve ever tried them on a Soprano actually. If you do ever try them please let me know how you get on - whether you like them or not. A quick look at the specs on D’addarios website - I wouldn’t say the C is massively thicker than on a Fluorocarbon set so you should be good. Good luck
I have loved watching the videos you make so thank you for making them. I have a Farallon low g and a Clara high g with stock strings which if I’m not mistaken are Oasis fluorocarbons, warm for Farallon and bright for Clara. I’ve not tried any other brand of strings on them. In your opinion, which should I try first if I were to change the strings. I do like unwound strings. Thanks Alex.
I would suggest Worth Browns or Fremont Blacklines. They offer something a bit different to the Oasis strings - slightly mellower with a sweeter ring to them.
Even Kanile'a themselves have made that very switch now in the years since I made this video. I personally use clear nylon on Kanile'a ukes... basically anything except aquila is worth a go next time you change the strings
All my donners comes with aquilla strings and made of mohogangy with rosewood fingerboard they sound wonderful when I eventually change my strings I might go with Ernie balls for my two smaller ones and Fender for my Tennor
Amazing video about strings. The 20min is worth it! Congratulations! I'm in Spain but definitively I'm going to visit the store once I'm visiting UK. I really enjoyed this video and the online service is also very good. All my questions were answered by email and I'm still deciding which uke and extra strings I'm going to buy... I would love to have a Pono steel string baritone (UL4-30 is my preference..), but I think all ponos steel strings are out of stock in the SUS. Do you think you are going to have it again? Thanks Alex and team! You are awesome!
Pono have had a bit of a change around... What steel strings they are going to make will become clear in the new year. Thanks for watching and please do say hi when you visit!
Much better than the maker expected! Very clear ( considering the subject). My first uke ( in 1999, "student" instruments were crap) had horrible strings, and setup so high it was unplayable. Luckily, I knew someone who told me, the store took a return, and $3 more got me an instrument I still love. Little things are important: strings are fairly small, cheap, and easy, but a good guide makes it easier. 😁
For beginners watching: ukelele is a fun simple instrument. But if you’re getting it make sure it’s because you like it or tried it, not because you imagine it’s “easier” to learn. It feels like it is easier because even the wrongly struck chords kind of sound good. Make sure at some point you also buy a guitar. If you want something small. Just buy a small size guitar. They come in sizes 1/4 and 3/4, and full size. Maybe something in between exists but I don’t know. It won’t be much harder but will sound better than Ukelele.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore I know nothing of stringed instruments, but I do find it interesting that you clarify having picked up ukulele after guitar. What caused the shift to look into the ukulele? Things I can think of are the portability of a small instrument or the support that a less expensive instrument lends.
I had to stretch-out my nylon strings by pulling-up on them (with reasonable care as the "A" string is easy to break) also while trying to not put to much stress on the bridge. I suspect it would take a year for them to stretch out properly without doing this; however, pulling on them, each day for a few days, seems to do the trick. After that they sound significantly better and brighter. The real advantage of nylon strings is that they're relatively inexpensive.
Hi all. I’m looking for the “perfect” string set for my Klōs carbon fiber Uke. I read a lot about the various woods, a couple of which I also have but the Klōs is a bit different. Very mellow and basey (low g) without the clarity I’d like. I’ve got browns on it now. Any recommendations?
Sadly I found the KLOS to always have an almost distant mellow and low mid frequency heavy sound. I'm not sure you can really take that away from it. If you want clarity I'd try a really hard tension clear Fluorocarbon string next
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thx for your response. It came with D’Addarios, (hi g). Then tried D’Addario EJ99TLG.I’ve tried Worth clear, Worth brown, Oasis bright hi g GPX, Uke Logic soft tensionS-SW4-C,(I like low G better but not a fan of wound strings) which seem to be some of the better choices I’ve tried. Recommendations for low G unwound?
Great video Alex. One of the best I’ve seen on strings. Helped me to understand a bit more about the characteristics of the different materials. Is there a string that you would recommend that would take well to be tuned down to Bb reentrant on a decent tenor scale Uke? I look forward to hearing your views on the bewildering array of Aquila strings. Seems they are bringing out a new string every week!
Clive G hi Clive - thanks for your kind words. I use my Tenor tuned down a tone and my favourite strings for this are a mixture of Martins on the treble side and fremont soloist and a Ko’olau wound C on the bass. The Kala Elite Tenor strings also work.. I’ve just tested them before replying to make sure. Aquila are full on! I don’t know if a video for them will be worth doing or be redundant when they bring something new out next week
I would like to change my factory uke strings on my Enja beginner set up (about 60$ range) to a Low G set and would like your recommendation on which brand strings would work best for my "plastic" bodied ukulele
Yes. I found them to be a bit too loose. I ended up making my own ukes with alex high D set with slightly higher tension strings off the back of it. The GHS CU-BTR strings do work but require the world's lightest touch for best results
Yea, That's what I put on my Kala Solid Spruce top, you inspired me to change the stock strings I wanted to mellow it out it's quite loud don't know if I went the correct way or not but i like the Elites. Sharing your Videos with my For the Love of Uke F.B. Group Join us
I have been watching so many of your videos in the past 3 years since I have started to play the ukulele. They are all so very informative, so thank you. Recently, I upgraded my ukulele and bought a OHANA CK-350G Solid HAWAIIAN KOA, I love it. It sounds beautiful. I think it is a really good instrument especially for the price tag. Would you advise me to use black nylon strings with it? Thank you. :)
Why do people get so flustered by dislikes, as far as I can see it simply means a particular video does not interest them, and therefore reduces the likelihood of being presented with similar videos, and not that it was a bad video.
I have been studying the ukulele for a little while as I had just ordered my very first one, which will be instrument number 12. I only have one instrument store near me and has only one type of strings, the Duck's Deluxe clear premium nylon. Whenever I get stringed instruments, I like to stock up. However, they didn't have much of a selection for me to chose from. I believe my uke will be coming with the white nylons. I'm definitely at the beginners stage, and am at a loss of which strings I would prefer with limited options. If you don't mind me asking, which strings would be better in your opinion for mixed music, such as rock, soft rock, classic, gospel, country, etc. I watched your video, but am not sure which would be better. Even if I have to order online. Thank you.
I really would just get used to the uke first before playing around with the strings. It sounds like vlesr fluorocarbon would be a good choice for you.
I just watched a guy from the UK tell me I need to slap on some black nylon strings to get me my Hawaiian ukulele sound here in Hawaii. Good thing, too, because that's exactly what I was looking for lol. Much mahalos guy
😆
If you ever want clear nylon the Kanile'a Gallery in Windward Mall sell my UK made Ukes with Alex strings!
I remember those Nylon-from-the-factory days! I also remember when I first put aquilas on a ukulele, it was like night and day. In the time since I've experienced:
-Aquila nylgut (usually good, great to improve cheaper instruments but like you say not so good on higher-end instruments)
-Supernylgut (nice sound but they are so slippy!)
-Bionylon (? weird texture, weird sound, a student got them, did not like),
Aquila reds (fine sound but weird texture, brittle)
Worth browns (high tension but very good sound)
GHS black nylon (awful, usually)
unbranded clear nylon (just awful, like playing with elastic)
ground nylon (Clifford Essex, cheap, rough texture, didn't hold tuning so good, broke quickly)
out of all of them, the worths were my favorite, but aquila is kind of a go-to if i need replacements. Interested to try to martin strings after what you said, for some reason I've always dismissed them before (probably an adverse reaction to thier packaging, i am a shallow consumer after all)
I am only kidding, BUT "try all the strings" says the music store guy 😊ha ha ha good vid👍
😄
This was amazing! Incredibly informative! The string issue gets easily overwhelming when looking at all the options. This really helped with understanding the major differences in type. Thanks so much! Another excellent job, Alex! 👏
doodica thank you for watching and commenting - you were not alone feeling overwhelmed! That’s for sure.
I'd like to put in a good word for nylon strings. My first ukulele was a solid mahogany Ortega concert (about Ł150 retail), and the strings on it were white, opaque and fairly pliable, easy on the fingers. I assumed they were Aquila nylguts, since that's what was to be expected at that price. I liked them a lot, all chime and sweetness! It was only when I bought another uke, for my son, that I began to wonder. The new uke was definitely strung with Aqula nylguts, and they were also white and opaque, but seemed to be a tiny bit thinner and even softer when fretted. They make it childishly easy to fret bar chords - but I didn't like them much, they felt too soft, almost plasticky. Clearly, they were not the same strings. Turns out, my Ortega was factory fitted with white nylons made by Aquila, which Ortega also markets under their own brand.
By now I've been able to compare my favorite nylons against clear fluorocarbons and Worth browns. Of all these, the nylons produce the gentlest, mellowest, dreamiest sound - both when fingerpicked and when strummed. This is of course personal, but it is exactly the kind of vibe I want from my ukes. The nylon strings have more of a sweetness and a heavenly chime than the other kinds do. My hands are not very strong anymore (so much so I've had to drop my steel-string acoustic guitar), and I find flurocarbons to be slightly tougher to play due to the higher tension, but they're also a bit raspy and dry. They're just too bright and too brash to my ears when strummed. If this is they feeling you're getting, do try a set of white nylons. Yes, they do take a bit more time to stretch and settle, but they sound heavenly.
Really interesting feedback Marek!
What is the Aquila name for these White Nylon strings ?
I don't live in the UK but I wish I did because I would love to visit your store. I'm here in the United States. I will say one thing you did an awesome job explaining the different types of strings and your display of ukulele strings look very organized. Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful video
Thank you very much. On my opinion, the best explaination about the differnces between strings. I will keep the black nylon on my new Kamaka and will resist to change the by Flurorocxarbon.
I absolutely love black nylon strings! They sound so warm, so meek, so intimate... perfect for lullabies and slow (love) songs.
you think the fender ones are good?
@@mariannn2399 no idea, I only used d'addario. I only started using black strings a few months ago, so I didn't have time to try different sets yet.
I love playing all kinds of slow songs so would they work well?
And do you have a link of the ones you use? If you don’t mind 😅
@@willow5321 I'm still a beginner, so I don't feel very confident giving advice, sorry... but you can listen to string reviews on youtube to get a feel for how they sound.
Thanks, very nice. I think you have more an educated judgment with a subjective element, less opinion and more from and experience. I needed this first lesson as I've been changing and restringing with whatever works. This gives me an idea of why some of my experiments have totally failed. I finally got my Tenor tuned low D sounding pretty good with a combo, while I'm waiting for some Aquilas that are on order to come in. I have no patience. Thanks for the video. I'm the fisherman that would have tried to use fishing line :-)
Hi Alex. Thanks for your quick reply to my question about strings for my brand new Magic Fluke soprano Flea. You really sold me on the brand in your reviews. I will get my shop to put on D'Addario Black Nylan strings. This is probably the closest I can get to the Hawaiian sound I'm seeking on a plastic uke. Do you know Long and McQuaid, the largest music store in Canada with 80 outlets from coast to coast? They have excellent service. Do you know the website "AllForUke" out of Chicago? It's first class, professional and encompassing. Trust you are keeping your business above water in these tuff times. Staying at home means more time for playing the ukulele. All the best from Toronto Canada. Merri-jane.
😎🙌💜
There's no better uke store in the UK than SUS. Another great upload from Alex.
I sure believe that. Some of the best videos about ukuleles on RUclips! THANKS Southern Ukulele Store!
You can say for sure in all Europe at least
Many thanks, I have been researching "playing the ukulele for beginners youtube" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Fenaylern Nonpareil Formula - (do a google search ) ? It is a great one of a kind guide for discovering how to play the ukulele like a pro without the normal expense. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my mate got cool success with it.
That's suspicious..... Sus
@@JasonYun ?
I just put a set of D’Addario Titanium on my baritone Giannini. They are quite loud and bright.
Looking back at this and really interesting. Just bought the Kala 8 string baritone from you and some Worth fluorocarbons to replace the horrible strings on it. Thanks for your help 😊. Edit. I now realise I sent for the wrong strings 🙄. And a hell of a job finding some to fit that aren’t Aquilas 😢
Edit: Alex sorted a great selection of strings for me and my 8 string Baritone sounds amazing. Thanks Alex x
This is absolutely excellent my friend very very informative and well educated! I love Martin M600’s
Just watching this again and had a thought for another SUS upload ... changing uke strings is a thorny topic for many, so a workshop video could be useful. When we buy a new uke, you nearly always get that neat system at the back of the bridge where strings are trapped by each other rather than having their ends floating free. There aren't many demos of doing that. Also, some ukes use the peg system found on acoustic guitars ... a quick video of using that method with nylon strings would be interesting.
Although not all the same strings are demo'd, this is an interesting upload to watch and hear after Alex's explanations. Lots of different string-types and makes aretested one after the other on a soprano. ruclips.net/video/pbfSnoNHLUg/видео.html
Excellent overview! Best I've seen. I know strings are largely a matter of personal taste, but your video really helps to understand the wide range of strings available and where to start experimenting. Your experience on what kinds of strings tend to be suitable for what kinds of ukes is very helpful. I'll be coming back to this one I'm sure.
Lovely video, thank you so much!
Fluorocarbon: can fool a fish ; nylon: can't fool a fish, but many professional classical guitar players prefer the sound of the cheaper nylon strings to the fluorocarbon. Now to summarize we have:
fluorocarbon: can fool a fish, and can fool a guitar player;
nylon can't fool a fish, and can't fool a guitar player.
The interesting question raised here is which is smarter, a fish or a guitar player? Sadly, we will never know until far more significant testing of dolphins is completed. I'm just kidding. I tried to write this joke so the fish and the guitarist disagreed, but it didn't match the facts. Just the facts, Mam. I don't know if I have tried carbon yet, but I think I have some carbons to put on my classical soon.
...well I appreciated this. 😆
I tried the strings made of sugar cane. I don't recommend them. They squeak, they are not user friendly in such as after playing for years, I got a blister, imagine that? Also, they have an unbelievably bright sound which personally I don't care for. Just my opinion, you give them a try and feel free to disagree.
I'm not into the Sugar strings either and in the years since we have made this video I've noticed the sales of these strings slow right down.
Thank-you so much for this video. Have to replace the strings on my spruce top mahogany body and din
didn't see this until I replaced my A string with Aquila and HATED the sound and could not figure out why............should have done more research. Thank-you for this really useful video. I now have some clear fluorocarbon strings and will see how I like them.
Had the same Aquila nylgut strings on my uke for like a year and a half, maybe even more, took them off today and man I'm surprised they hadn't broken yet. They've been buzzing something fierce. Immediately picked up some Fluorocarbon ones because I was in a pinch and they were the only ones at Guitar Center and here I am watching this video. Good to know that they're probably the best for performing because I perform like 12 hours a week xD
I'm not too sure that I entirely share that opinion of nylon being such a stretchy stuff, taking soooo much time to settle in. I actually don't feel they take much more time than any other material, BUT they "remain moody", I'd say. I absolutely love nylon strings and half of my ukes are installed with them, whereas the second half is installed with brown or black fluorocarbon (or some special strings such as Reds or Titanium). To sum it up : the most stable strings I've ever had are Aquila Reds (I hardly ever need to tune that uke !), then Fremont Black line (also very stable, from what I personally experienced). But all my ukes equipped with Worth Brown need a little turn of mechanics (micro-stretching), when I want to play. It seems they will never stop extending more and more, and becoming thinner and thinner. I never experienced this with Reds, Nylgut or black Fremont. Concerning the nylon strings, I don't have the feeling that they extend more and more, but that they are way more sensitive to the atmospheric conditions (= extending OR retracting). I noticed I should not try to tune my uke before I play a little while, just to "warm them up", and then only I can tune the uke, if necessary. And it is not always necessary ! The Kamaka I bought probably had pre-stretched black nylon strings as they took no time at all to settle down. I installed myself some Aquila clear nylon or a Ohana cedar top, and black nylon on a mango pineapple, and none of them took much time to settle down. But depending on the temperature, I may need to tune-stretch or tune-unstretch a bit. I'm more concerned about my Worth Brown fluoro, though : because 80% of the time I have to tune-stretch them, and with time they tend to thin down to nothingness. I absolutely love their sound, except for the low-G that tends to loose intonation pretty quickly. Just my 2 cents and own experience/feelings with strings ! 😉
I’m listening to your video while putting all the music I’ve printed in my 10 month career as a ukulele player into plastic sheets to store in a binder.
Since someone liked this comment today, I will give an update: I have discovered MuseScore and have entered in a ukulele solo for the baritone! Now I am working on writing my first solo, which I have a few small phrases I should enter to keep track of.
bought my uke there and its still my fave. think this guy maybe sold it to me. great memories. love it
I subscribed after listening the first 30 seconds. Time to listen to the rest now.
Thank you for taking the time to make this fabulous, extremely informative and entertaining video! Surely you have been absolved of all your sins!
I ended up making the same video again for my channel to try and answer more of the questions in the comments 😅
I'm glad you like it. Thanks for watching
Brilliant, informative video. I learnt more in 20 minuets than hours of trawling through the internet. Great job Alex 👍
Strings are a very personal choice and I change my opinion and mind all the time.
Aquilas to me make any uke sound ok. Martin fluoros on Martins have a real snappy tight feel and a grear dynamic response. Im currently loving D'adarrio Fluoro's with a Freemont Low G on most of my Chinese Snails and similar Brightsun/moon, Umi etc (havn't tried D'adarrio low g set yet). They also are quite snappy but a little looser feel than the Martins. The Living Waters to me give me the loosest feel. On a good uke, like my KSR Kanilea slotted tenor they really feel good with the hawaiian Koa and I like to get just a microsecond behind the groove with them. They and the uke are what I would term very forgiveable. Im searching for Martins with Low G fluoro but cant seem to find them. I use Freemont dark low G but it would be best as a set.
Thank you so much! I’m new to ukulele and bought a Córdoba 25S used. I believe the stings need changed. It’s becoming tinny. This is very helpful. Just need to decide!
Thank you for the excellent video! It was great to finally learn the difference between some of these strings. Very informative and much appreciated :)
Cheers Alex. I'm going to save that D'Addario packet I've got!
I'm a aNueNue black tide fan, by the way - and I'm far from a 'mellow' player. It's the handling and comparative ease of playing especially with barre chords I like.
Good feedback. Thanks for sharing
Do I need a FISHING license to play a UKULELE with FISHING line 🤔😄
I wish I found this very long time ago before I wasted all this time on my own researches about strings, money on buying every possible string set for my instrument, to end up exactly with the same answers here :)
A Very nice video that i hope it stops curios people from exploring.
Thanks for your kind words. I did the same thing as you - many years of experience and wasted money of my own. I hope some of the other videos are useful to you too.
I love your videos; this is just what I wss looking for. I have a cheap crappy uke and thought flurocarbons? Now I know. Thank you, Alex.
Very very helpful! I too am newbie (Feb 2020) - intermediate beginner - this is a good reference vid... I heard this 2-3 months ago but had no idea then what i was doing... Now to really hear about wood: mahogany vs acacia... Oh, Alex, I heard that comment in reference to what the purple titanium is good for -- that if you have a ukulele that is not behaving itself ... staying out late drinking - it will tame it..." Hilarious!! and in great straightfaced Brit fashion. Check out 20:18-32... Now, where is your wood tutorial?
ruclips.net/video/xIqp0ufnBgM/видео.html
I think it might be the Mahogany vs Koa video.
Thankyou for that education...I still mot sure what strings to get ...I am learning Phantom of opere .
Like Taimani Gardner...with Spanishy flamenco Carmen etc....I only have my mahogany soprano...looking to buy a 5 string tenor...what ever Taimani plays....we also have a Tanglewood Java koa...that needs better strings the ones on it are rather thick and dull sounding...and hard on our fingers...🌺
“If you’ve a ukulele that’s not behavin’ itself… I’m not talking about standing out late drinking…”
That seems quintessential British to me. Sledgehammer wit. Out of nowhere. Completely dry.
Love it.
Hello Alex, loving your videos it is so helpful. My little grandson is fully healed now , thank you so much for your kindness it was so appreciated 😊
Sonia morley that’s great news Sonia!
Try them all !!! I’m 70 have I got time 😂
Absolutely! 😁
well, I had to stop the video to write this comment - and I promise I will finish watching the video after but... I bought today my v first uke, a Bari-uke, and I am already in love with her and tremendously in love with you! Thank you for this video and your knowledge!
Thanks so much Matilde, this means a lot and makes a nice change from the other comments I'm reading this morning about my most recent video. You take care, all the best on your first ukulele... Not many people start with a Baritone but there is loads to love about them.
Terry at uke like the pros has some good Baritone resources on his channel.
interesting topic, I agree with you about check intonation. Thanks for your sheet. Best wishes.
Great video, very informative. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and to share your knowledge.
That was a wonderful presentation.
I have to admit, that we very rarely get such a well spoken person doing a presentation , as well this, here in the states.
Where English is a second language.
And I’m referring to the native born Americans.🙊
Gear job, thank you.👌
Anybody know anything about "clear super carbon"?? I just saw a set and they were like double the price of everything else. Sometimes more expensive means better but certainly not always 😂
Thanks for the Vocabulary Lesson. Good to understand what I am shopping for and what options are available. Thank you.🦋
True beginner here... what is the typical gauge for a set of concert ukulele strings? i.e., G = ? C = ? E = ? A = ? Thanks!
Very informative. Love the special effects
This video is pretty great. Just got a Pono and getting buzz with a string while wanting to switch to Low-G Tuning and trying to decide which strings to try next. My kids have 2 decent starter laminate ukes and I've never done any string changes before.
I combed through Ukulele Underground forum search results to get opinions on the differences between various string types and colors, and what he says in this video seems to vibe with general consensus I gathered (and my beginner to intermediate understanding of things), while offering useful additional insight.
Cheers!
My pleasure
Thanks Alex - most informative and helpful!
I recently found a set of Fremont black line fluorocarbon strings in medium concert soprano. Long story short they are my new favorite string. Before them I was using the Martin fluorocarbon strings which are still one of my top three string sets! Great video.
Thanks for this info. This was very helpful for my wife and I as she is just beginning on the Baritone Uke and needed info about strings.
OMG! I needed this video!!! This is why I can't get Nylgut to sound good on my Kiwaya!! She is a wild one! Will try the Titaniums. But could you explain why the Savanahs (?) are better on smaller scale instruments. Is it the sound? What characteristic of the sound do you prefer?
It's the tensions and diameter of the string. Smaller scale Ukes can sound thin and weedy with the wrong strings. If you can comfortably play with something heavier on a Soprano then you can feel and hear a lot more definition between the strings.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thank you for this replay! You guys are great!!!
It’s nice to have an actual expert render an opinion.
Great vid guys. Sorry for the long rambling email I've just sent you 🙈
kayleigh buckingham I guess il look forward to that in the morning! 😂
Glad you like the video.
Alex
I truly appreciate the videos that you provide. I learn so much. I wish I lived in the UK to be able to visit your store.
Julia KiKuKo Dahn thanks Julia
Another great video! I'm in the USA, but I'd sure like to see your store!
Tom E Muncey you’re always welcome Tom. Thanks for watching.
Really enjoying the videos, but a bit more refined sound quality and more volume would do wonders to the overall quality. And yes, I do understand I'm commenting on the one video that has no music content at all :)
kniveous I hear you - constructive feedback too. I must confess that this morning I forgot to plug the condenser mic in before starting and was 40 minutes in before realising..
With the instrument sample videos I am struggling to get more volume out of the mics without getting a peak and a clip from hard strums. Will keep on trying to refine the process though.
Thanks for watching.
Here from r/ukulele
Thank you for this instructive video.
First of all, I love listening to someone who truly knows what they are talking about and it it obvious you know your business. Thank you!
I play a Kale KA-SMHT-SC. I have landed on Living Water with a low g. I tell you this to let you know the sound and feel that I prefer. Are there other strings with similar characteristics? Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks again for your opinions and sense of humor. Both are appreciated.
I have found the Worth's and Living waters' to the most similar. Specifically the CF-LG Worth set. The D'Addario Carbons are also quite stiff and worth a try EJ99TLG.
Hope that helps. If you like the Living Waters - I'd stick with them.
Thanks for taking the time to get back to me.
Thank you very much for this informative video. It has been extremely helpful to me. Thanks too for all your other videos, and best wishes from Valdosta, Georgia USA.
Thanks a lot! Great overview and details for me!
I am ( trying) restoring my great grandfathers old banjo uke and have put new tuning pegs and a set of nylon strings. Didn't work at all. Then realized it needs a bridge. Hope when it arrives that it finally works or I will be asking some really stupid questions . . .
Earned my sub......great video!
Great informations! Do you like the titanium on a soprano ? I love them on my tenor, but for the soprano my only concern is how fat the C string is.
I can’t say I’ve ever tried them on a Soprano actually. If you do ever try them please let me know how you get on - whether you like them or not.
A quick look at the specs on D’addarios website - I wouldn’t say the C is massively thicker than on a Fluorocarbon set so you should be good.
Good luck
@@SouthernUkuleleStore thank you for your response. I just ordered it, now i just have to wait until my friend finish building my soprano. Good day!
Thanks Alex! Very enjoyable video! 😀
I have loved watching the videos you make so thank you for making them. I have a Farallon low g and a Clara high g with stock strings which if I’m not mistaken are Oasis fluorocarbons, warm for Farallon and bright for Clara. I’ve not tried any other brand of strings on them. In your opinion, which should I try first if I were to change the strings. I do like unwound strings. Thanks Alex.
I would suggest Worth Browns or Fremont Blacklines. They offer something a bit different to the Oasis strings - slightly mellower with a sweeter ring to them.
So, if I understood you correctly, for my Kanileas. dump the Aquilas and string up with "clear fluorocarbon" strings? Is that correct?
Even Kanile'a themselves have made that very switch now in the years since I made this video.
I personally use clear nylon on Kanile'a ukes... basically anything except aquila is worth a go next time you change the strings
@@SouthernUkuleleStore
Are you saying "fluorocarbons" are the way to go, and if so, which is your prefereence, please?
Try Worth CT or Martin M620 first if you want specific recommendations. If you want nylon like me, buy 'Ukes With Alex strings'
I have an informed opinion that pronouncing the instrument you've worked with for a decade of your life shouldn't be a thing you need to work on ;)
All my donners comes with aquilla strings and made of mohogangy with rosewood fingerboard they sound wonderful when I eventually change my strings I might go with Ernie balls for my two smaller ones and Fender for my Tennor
Amazing video about strings. The 20min is worth it! Congratulations! I'm in Spain but definitively I'm going to visit the store once I'm visiting UK. I really enjoyed this video and the online service is also very good. All my questions were answered by email and I'm still deciding which uke and extra strings I'm going to buy... I would love to have a Pono steel string baritone (UL4-30 is my preference..), but I think all ponos steel strings are out of stock in the SUS. Do you think you are going to have it again? Thanks Alex and team! You are awesome!
Pono have had a bit of a change around... What steel strings they are going to make will become clear in the new year. Thanks for watching and please do say hi when you visit!
Much better than the maker expected! Very clear ( considering the subject).
My first uke ( in 1999, "student" instruments were crap) had horrible strings, and setup so high it was unplayable. Luckily, I knew someone who told me, the store took a return, and $3 more got me an instrument I still love.
Little things are important: strings are fairly small, cheap, and easy, but a good guide makes it easier. 😁
For beginners watching: ukelele is a fun simple instrument. But if you’re getting it make sure it’s because you like it or tried it, not because you imagine it’s “easier” to learn. It feels like it is easier because even the wrongly struck chords kind of sound good. Make sure at some point you also buy a guitar. If you want something small. Just buy a small size guitar. They come in sizes 1/4 and 3/4, and full size. Maybe something in between exists but I don’t know. It won’t be much harder but will sound better than Ukelele.
As a Guitarist of 20 years and uke player of 15 years - I can't say I agree with this. Quarter size and half size guitars sound crap 😂
@@SouthernUkuleleStore I know nothing of stringed instruments, but I do find it interesting that you clarify having picked up ukulele after guitar. What caused the shift to look into the ukulele? Things I can think of are the portability of a small instrument or the support that a less expensive instrument lends.
I had to stretch-out my nylon strings by pulling-up on them (with reasonable care as the "A" string is easy to break) also while trying to not put to much stress on the bridge. I suspect it would take a year for them to stretch out properly without doing this; however, pulling on them, each day for a few days, seems to do the trick. After that they sound significantly better and brighter. The real advantage of nylon strings is that they're relatively inexpensive.
Hi all. I’m looking for the “perfect” string set for my Klōs carbon fiber Uke. I read a lot about the various woods, a couple of which I also have but the Klōs is a bit different. Very mellow and basey (low g) without the clarity I’d like. I’ve got browns on it now. Any recommendations?
Sadly I found the KLOS to always have an almost distant mellow and low mid frequency heavy sound. I'm not sure you can really take that away from it. If you want clarity I'd try a really hard tension clear Fluorocarbon string next
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thx for your response. It came with D’Addarios, (hi g). Then tried D’Addario EJ99TLG.I’ve tried Worth clear, Worth brown, Oasis bright hi g GPX, Uke Logic soft tensionS-SW4-C,(I like low G better but not a fan of wound strings) which seem to be some of the better choices I’ve tried. Recommendations for low G unwound?
When you have the time, do do a video on the strings on the Aquila spectrum of strings.
( pretty please - thanks!)
Audrey Layhoon Giam I will get around to it I promise.
👍😀
“‘Stretch Armstrong’, circa Xmas 1994”, haha, love these little anecdotes.
so what about titanium strings :/
thanks for the advice! For me fluorocarbon is the string I wanta try on my Alverez wood top baritone uke.
Thanks... your videos are clear and easy to understand- a real gift for a greenhorn like myself. Subscribed and liked...
Great video Alex. One of the best I’ve seen on strings. Helped me to understand a bit more about the characteristics of the different materials.
Is there a string that you would recommend that would take well to be tuned down to Bb reentrant on a decent tenor scale Uke?
I look forward to hearing your views on the bewildering array of Aquila strings. Seems they are bringing out a new string every week!
Clive G hi Clive - thanks for your kind words.
I use my Tenor tuned down a tone and my favourite strings for this are a mixture of Martins on the treble side and fremont soloist and a Ko’olau wound C on the bass.
The Kala Elite Tenor strings also work.. I’ve just tested them before replying to make sure.
Aquila are full on! I don’t know if a video for them will be worth doing or be redundant when they bring something new out next week
Southern Ukulele Store
Thanks Alex. That’s great.
Get ya sen down to a good fishing shop , its better off amazon, 4 diff guage , a lifetimes supply,,,,, aqndy eastwood aint wrong
Superb review Alex. As to be expected from the best Ukulele dealership in the UK. Happy New Year and every success for another great year.
Thanks Derek! 🙏 you too
If you buy Flourocarbon fishing line ,what diameter or breaking strain would be best ?
What good for a banjo uke ?
Very informative and entertaining. Good on ya!
I would like to change my factory uke strings on my Enja beginner set up (about 60$ range) to a Low G set and would like your recommendation on which brand strings would work best for my "plastic" bodied ukulele
That was fascinating thanks
Is there a Baritone String set DGBE that has a Flatwound D&G or not wound? Very hard to find. The wound string makes a of noise when amplified.
I believe you could do this with uke logic BFW-4C strings and a single Daddario J4504LP.
Have you tried the “ghs Bari-Tenor” strings?
Yes. I found them to be a bit too loose. I ended up making my own ukes with alex high D set with slightly higher tension strings off the back of it.
The GHS CU-BTR strings do work but require the world's lightest touch for best results
Another excellent video, great store, great staff (and customer service).
Gareth Evans thank you!
I got a few sets of Strings From Kala Single Filament Reds and Steel Wound Strings Kala Pearls
JodyM2 we have so far only dipped our toes with the Kala Elite strings - they are excellent too
Yea, That's what I put on my Kala Solid Spruce top, you inspired me to change the stock strings I wanted to mellow it out it's quite loud don't know if I went the correct way or not but i like the Elites. Sharing your Videos with my For the Love of Uke F.B. Group Join us
I have been watching so many of your videos in the past 3 years since I have started to play the ukulele. They are all so very informative, so thank you. Recently, I upgraded my ukulele and bought a OHANA CK-350G Solid HAWAIIAN KOA, I love it. It sounds beautiful. I think it is a really good instrument especially for the price tag. Would you advise me to use black nylon strings with it? Thank you. :)
I think there is something special about Worth browns on Ohanas actually. Give Worth BM or BE strings a go 🙂
Subsribed!
"Not necessarily at volumes where other people need to hear you"...classic
The single person who down voted this does not even have a soul!
My favourite comment ever!
Don't worry too much - I think the same person dislikes all of our videos immediately after I upload them.
Why do people get so flustered by dislikes, as far as I can see it simply means a particular video does not interest them, and therefore reduces the likelihood of being presented with similar videos, and not that it was a bad video.
The only ones i would reccomend, Ernie Balls ,,,,,,,, strings that is
Sorry witch kit is more soft or elastic for ukelele tenor ? I am a beginer player. Thanks!!
Yo tengo un ukelele concierto la tapa es de cedro macizo cuales me recomienda cuerdas que tenga más volumen brillante
I have been studying the ukulele for a little while as I had just ordered my very first one, which will be instrument number 12. I only have one instrument store near me and has only one type of strings, the Duck's Deluxe clear premium nylon. Whenever I get stringed instruments, I like to stock up. However, they didn't have much of a selection for me to chose from. I believe my uke will be coming with the white nylons. I'm definitely at the beginners stage, and am at a loss of which strings I would prefer with limited options. If you don't mind me asking, which strings would be better in your opinion for mixed music, such as rock, soft rock, classic, gospel, country, etc. I watched your video, but am not sure which would be better. Even if I have to order online. Thank you.
I really would just get used to the uke first before playing around with the strings. It sounds like vlesr fluorocarbon would be a good choice for you.