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Ukulele strings
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Author:  Neil Gardiner [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Ukulele strings
Thinking about making a ukulele. I have the LMI Concert Ukulele plans.

Anyone know what strings I should get for that? Tenor? Soprano?

Also, the strings don't have ball ends right? Are they usually tied on?

Thanks
Neil
Author:  Eric Mathre [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
Neil,

Companies like Aquila make string sets specifically for Concert ukes.

I made a tenor last year with a pin bridge and I had to tie a half-knot near the
bridge end of the strings to get them to seat properly under the pins.

Eric
Author:  LuthierSupplier [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
Neil Gardiner wrote:
Thinking about making a ukulele. I have the LMI Concert Ukulele plans.

Anyone know what strings I should get for that? Tenor? Soprano?

Also, the strings don't have ball ends right? Are they usually tied on?

Thanks
Neil


Neil,
The Aquila's are the best strings out there and they make them for specific uke sizes. You can get them at Hanalima.com I think. They don't have balls on the end of them, so you will have to tie a knot, or cut the balls off of the end of a set of old steel strings and tie that to one end of the string. That is if you want to use a pin bridge. If you use a standard bridge, then just a knot will work. Good luck, and would like to see pics when you are done!
Author:  Kevin Mason [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
You should not have trouble finding strings specifically gauged for a "concert" string length.

As far as the ball ends, it depends on the type of bridge you choose. Some people use a classical-style brige where you tie the string to the bridge. Others use a pin bridge. In that case you can tie a big fat knot at the end of the string or tie the string to a ball end off an old steel string. Just make sure you knots are really tight and don't slip.

I would also recommend that you visit the uketalk.com instrument makers forum. There is a wealth of information there. Good luck.
Author:  csullivan [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
Another method I use frequently is to tie a small bead to the end of the string. You can then use the string on either type of bridge. Most any craft store sells beads of different colors and sizes. It makes for a very neat appearance on a tie bridge and works just like the metal ball when used on a pin bridge.
Craig
Author:  Philip Perdue [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
Neil,

You already have some good advice but I will add my two cents worth. The Aquila’s are pretty nice and are also called nylgut since they are an attempt at manmade gut strings. They are a bit on the softer side and can get marked up. I have used them and had no difficulties. Another brand that is very popular is Worth Strings that are actually fluorocarbon. They come is a few styles and are very good but the harder ones do feel more like steel strings. I use these on a tenor and it rings clear with great volume and sustain.

I would say these are the two hottest string brands on the market right now. I would always recommend Hana Lima for anything ukulele as the are really great people. Below is a link to Hana Lima and to Elderly who has a broader availability of string types.

http://www.hanalima.com/
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/cats/STUK.htm


If you have a preformed tie bridge then you are pretty much set. If you will be making the bridge then use a pass though pin less bridge. You push the strings through the holes add a bead and not and you are all set. By the way a piece of wire with a U on the end works well in grabbing the stings through the sound hole. This is the method I use and really like the clean lines. Below is a photo (not one of mine).

Image

Have fun

Philip
Author:  unkabob [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
My two cents worth
I would go along with Philip except for strings suppliers. The best that I have found is Dr Cluck in Florida (check ebay). The prices are about the same but shipping is cheaper than most.

For materials and building instructions, I would go with Hana Lima. The quality is suited for ukuleles, particularly for newbies.

Bob
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
I buy Aquila strings at Ukulele World http://www.ukuleleworld.com/

I like the sound of them much better than the Worth strings, particularly on my Martin tenor. It's a personal thing but the sustain of the Aquila low G strings is definitely better on my instruments.
Author:  Kevin Mason [ Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
Has anyone had intonation issues with Nylgut? On my second uke (a tenor), the two highest pitch strings were horribly out of tune even though the second and third strings were perfectly in tune. I was able to get them in tune only by adding extra bone to thicken the saddle for those two strings. I eventually put on a set of regular nylon (after removing the added material) and every string was in tune. In addition I found the overall tone better with regular nylon, but tone is a personal thing--intonation is not.
Author:  Aaron O [ Sat Dec 05, 2009 2:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ukulele strings
Normally, Concert and Standards share the same strings. Its no surprise that Aquila's are mentioned - they are extremely popular. Unfortunately, only a small portion of quality builders have been able to utilize the strings effectively with their instruments, such as Rick Turner, Joe Souza and Chuck Moore.

Most of the players that install Aquila are looking for "more" from their instruments, specifically volume. On the lower end instruments, Aquila works in spades in bringing out volume. Personally, it too often sounds like someone kicked up the gain to max on the mixer and then leveled the volume.

As for intonation problems, I've heard a number of others with the same problem, but this was a few years back. I'm sure their quality control has improved (haven't heard much of that recently).

Look for MGM (musicguymic) on eBay, he sells all things `ukulele. He has a fairly popular string combo set that he put together.

For Tenor scale, you can use the first 4 courses of Classical Guitar strings, of which Savarez Alliance and D'Addario Pro Arte T2's are my favorites (and have become favorites of more than a few others here).
D'Addario also has a Pro Arte set for Concert. Be careful, their "original" `ukulele sets (black nylon) are not as good as the Pro Artes (which are basically their Classical strings repackaged).
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