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)

I am only kidding, BUT "try all the strings" says the music store guy 😊ha ha ha good vid👍

I absolutely love black nylon strings! They sound so warm, so meek, so intimate... perfect for lullabies and slow (love) songs.

It’s nice to have an actual expert render an opinion.

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.

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

Very informative. Love the special effects

Great video, very informative. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and to share your knowledge.

Thank you for the excellent video! It was great to finally learn the difference between some of these strings. Very informative and much appreciated :)

Thanks Alex - most informative and helpful!

Lovely video, thank you so much!

bought my uke there and its still my fave. think this guy maybe sold it to me. great memories. love it

Very informative and entertaining. Good on ya!

Brilliant, informative video. I learnt more in 20 minuets than hours of trawling through the internet. Great job Alex 👍

I subscribed after listening the first 30 seconds. Time to listen to the rest now.

Thanks a lot! Great overview and details for 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.

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.

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.

“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.

This is absolutely excellent my friend very very informative and well educated! I love Martin M600’s

Thanks Alex! Very enjoyable video! 😀

There's no better uke store in the UK than SUS. Another great upload from Alex.

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! 👏

Thank you for this instructive video.

Another excellent video, great store, great staff (and customer service).

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.

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 😊

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.

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.

Thank you for this information .

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 :-)

Thanks for the Vocabulary Lesson. Good to understand what I am shopping for and what options are available. Thank you.🦋

Great review. Thank you.

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.

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.

Great video!

Thanks... your videos are clear and easy to understand- a real gift for a greenhorn like myself. Subscribed and liked...

Cheers Alex, A fab' explanation for a beginner like me. Thanks.

That was fascinating thanks

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!

interesting topic, I agree with you about check intonation. Thanks for your sheet. Best wishes.

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

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. 😁

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.

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!

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 bought some brown fluro from you. Top video!

You guys have great video's.

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.

Another great video! I'm in the USA, but I'd sure like to see your store!

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!

Supper Groovy Duded!!!!

thanks for the advice! For me fluorocarbon is the string I wanta try on my Alverez wood top baritone uke.

Earned my sub......great video!

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.👌

Thank you for taking the time to make this fabulous, extremely informative and entertaining video! Surely you have been absolved of all your sins!

Very helpful

This is a very helpful video!

I just put a set of D’Addario Titanium on my baritone Giannini. They are quite loud and bright.

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.

“‘Stretch Armstrong’, circa Xmas 1994”, haha, love these little anecdotes.

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 ! 😉

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

Great vid guys. Sorry for the long rambling email I've just sent you 🙈

When you have the time, do do a video on the strings on the Aquila spectrum of strings. ( pretty please - thanks!)

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 . . .

Subsribed!

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.

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

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!

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...🌺

I think you're right about the fluorocarbon.

thanks

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.

Try them all !!! I’m 70 have I got time 😂

Sorry witch kit is more soft or elastic for ukelele tenor ? I am a beginer player. Thanks!!

Thanks a lot for this informative video ! I’ve tried so many strings and that’s right : it depends on the size/wood/quality for the instrument. Lately I’ve purchased an Islander MAT-4 and I absolutely love the bright and direct sound of maple. Especially for fingerpicking. But I would like to make it juuuuuust a little bit mellower for strumming. I’ve tried the Kamaka strings that I bought from your website on my concert mahogany and I loved them … but I think this would not be a good combination. What would you suggest ?

Nice video. Which strings would you recommend for a Cordoba 20BM? The Aquila are wearing on the frets after only a month or so.

what are your favorite diddario strings? i’m looking to get different strings for my dgbe 4 string baritone ukulele. love the video!

Great video. Is there a good string that can mellow a laminate uke that sounds bright with aquilas?

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?

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.

Hello from your TX subscriber Betty, & thks for all the brilliant uke help. I learn something with every video. In late July, you responded to my question about restringing bari ukes with GCEA. I finally found a good used bari that fit my budget, etc., and am wondering if you would please share some info on the strings you use for this? A store # to order some would be welcome. Thk you!

Thanks for another great video. Perhaps I could still ask everyone for a bit of advice though. I just got a Flight Victoria concert and I'm a total beginner. I actually bought a 100$ Oscar Schmidt which was pretty nice and fell so in love with the ukulele instrument that I decided to go for an improver right away. I'm finding the fluorocarbon strings very grippy and tough on my fingers. I would like a set with mellow sound with a low G, I'm playing by myself in a duplex. Are black nylons also very stretchy? Thanks 😊

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.

Hi Alex, Thank you so much for good info about different kinds of Ukulele strings. I play a banjo kind of instrument called Rabab, which is one or more feet longer than Ukulele.I need Nylgut or Titanium purple strings for that which is more than 115 centimeter in length. Please let me know where can I get these strings ?

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 got a few sets of Strings From Kala Single Filament Reds and Steel Wound Strings Kala Pearls

nice video good information, thanks Alex. would you know, Alex, which strings Kimo Hussey uses? Which ones does he put on the De Vine models?

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?

Flouracarbon strings on the outdoor ukelele which is a polycarbonate material. Any thoughts? Excellent video.

I found this video really interesting. I have one question: I play a Kala baritone ukulele (which I purchased from yourselves a year ago. Excellent service, advice and nicely set up, highly recommended) and am looking to replace the strings. I currently have two wound and two 'plastic?' strings. Would you recommend same again or is it possible to put two wound and other two 'wire' of some sort?

I’m fairly new to the uke and want to change my strings on a flight soprano uke and noticed there are so many different gauge strings out there. Do I have to know the factory string size to get the right gauge or will I have to mess with the nut a bit to get stings to work properly ?

If you buy Flourocarbon fishing line ,what diameter or breaking strain would be best ?