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Now Carring Ko'olau Gold, `Alohi & Manaha Tenor `Ukulele Strings

I'm using a low G set of the `Alohi strings on my main tenor and a high G set of Manaha strings on another tenor and really love these strings. I liked them so much I'm making them available right here on my site.

Ukulele Strings

Ukulele string manufactures for standard, concert, tenor and baritone ukuleles

QUICKPIC - Here are a few ukulele string sets to try out first:

ukeRecommendedStrings.png

I bounce between the Ko`olau Gold and Savarez Alliance (Red Card-R) on my tenor ukuleles.

Ukulele String Manufactures

Online String Resources

Misc Ukulele String Infomation

uke-DAdarrio-dj53.png uke-DAdarrio-dj54.png uke-DAdarrio-dj68.png uke-DAdarrio-dj71.png uke-DAdarrio-dj92.png uke-DAdarrio-djt2.png uke-DanielMari.png uke-Freemont.png uke-GHS.png uke-Hilo.png uke-Aquila.png uke-Labella -l15.png uke-GHS.png uke-Labella.png uke-Martin.png uke-RotoSound.png

Ukulele Strings are available at these great dealers: Elderly Instruments and UkuleleWorld.com and many more on the ukulele dealers page.

For information on using classical guitars strings on ukulele.

Expand ALL Sections Collapse ALL Sections

String Manufactures

 

Aquila
Aquila Corde Armoniche di Peruffo Mimmo & C. S.a.s
Via Aviano 16
36030 Caldogno, Vicenza
Italy
P. IVA 02295710244
Phone: +39 0444 986972
Fax: +39 0444 989399

Aquila USA
P.O. Box 82761
Portland, OR 97282-0761
Ph/Fax (503) 788-5029

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

Aquila USA is the U.S. representative for Aquila Corde Armoniche, manufacturers of the finest gut strings and synthetic strings, for historical and modern musical performance.

Nylgut is a synthetic gut string.

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D'Addario Strings
J. D'Addario & Company, Inc.
595 Smith Street
East Farmingdale, NY 11735
tel: 516-439-3300 - fax: 516-439-3333

Links

Uke String Sets
  • J53 Hawaiian Ukulele Black Nylon
  • J65 Ukulele Clear Nylon
  • J68 Baritone Ukulele Clear Nylon/Silver
  • J54 Tenor Ukulele Silver/Black Nylon
7 String String Sets

7 String guitar string set and singles available.

Has 7 string sets.
ECG24-7, 7-String Jazz Light .011-.065 Flatwounds
Single strings up to .070 (round wound)

(Ed.) For jazz this gauge is a little light. Most plays start with a minimum of a .012 for string one. I start with a .014. Most players also prefer a wound third string.

D'AddarioProArte_J71.gif
J71 Tenor Ukulele Set - Normal Tension

The J71 Tenor Ukulele Set consists of an all-nylon string is inspired and guided by the virtuosity of D'Addario ukulele artist, Jake Shimabukuro. This set made from an assortment of Pro Arte' classical guitar string gauges from the EJ44 and EJ46 sets. All Pro Arte' strings are sorted by a sophisticated, computer-controlled, laser machine, which performs diameter/tension measurements and quality checks, ensuring that each set is well-matched, true-sounding and precisely intonated.
  • Item# / Note / diameter inches / diameter mm / tension lbs / tension kg
  • J4601, A, .029", 0.72 mm, 12.5 lbs, 5.67 kg
  • J4602, E, .033", 0.83 mm, 9.5 lbs, 4.31 kg
  • J4603, C, .041", 1.04 mm, 9.8 lbs, 4.45 kg
  • J4401, G, .029", 0.74 mm, 10.3 lbs, 4.68 kg

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

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GHS Strings
2813 Wilber Ave
Battle Creek, MI 49015
1-800-388-4447
FAX 1-800-860-6913

Links

Ukulele string sets available.

Guitar string tension calculator [link]

GHS Strings
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Guadalupe Custom Strings
418-A N. Ford Blvd.
East Los Angeles, CA 90022
323-981-7055

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

(from their site) - Fourteen years ago Francisco Gonzalez, a very accomplished and knowledgeable musician himself, set out to design strings that would "respect the aesthetics, traditions and musical uniqueness of each instrument and the cultures they represent." His time and dedication produced the basic formulas the artisans of Guadalupe Custom Strings use to create strings that maintain a reputation for their exceptional quality, durability and craftsmanship.

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Hilo Strings
Bob Gleason/ Pegasus Guitars & Ukuleles
P.O.Box 160
Kurtistown, HI 96760
Phone/Fax (808)966-6323

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

Hilo strings for ukulele are precision ground to close tolerances. This helps them stay in tune and play in tune. They are made from Tynex, which is more resistant to moisture than nylon.

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Kala Brand Music Company
(pronounced Kah’ la )
P.O. Box 751149
Petaluma, CA 94975-1149
1 877 Uke Duke

  • Over 40 Ukulele Models
  • Tuners
  • Cases
  • Strings
  • Accessories

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

( from the Kala site ) - KALA BRAND UKULELES HAVE JUST BEGUN, BUT OUR ROOTS GO BACK A BIT.

Hi, I’m Mike Upton, founder of Kala Brand Music Co. and Kala Brand Ukulele. I became acquainted with the charm of the ukulele at an early age as my Dad would strum the "uke" and sing old standards, entertaining the family, neighbors, and worshiping in Church. The sweet, soothing sound was the best pacifier for a fidgety child like yours truly, so as I grew up, you guessed it, I started playing the bass. Four strings like the uke, only much larger and able to rattle your teeth with the proper amplification i.e. Ampeg SVT 300 Watt Tube Head through a 8x10 cabinet. Anyway, back to the ukulele, I re-engaged with the uke while living on heavenly Lanikai Beach in 1991 with my lovely wife, Wendy. You were just starting to hear and see more and more people playing ukulele back then. My interest continued as I became the Hawaii Sales Representative for the Hohner Company in 1997. I found out very quickly that there were very few quality, affordable ukuleles available in the Islands. So with that in mind, I set out and with some help developed the popular ukulele line. In July of 2005 I went out on my own to start Kala Ukulele to continue to expand what is possible in the realm of quality, affordable instruments for the Ukulele Enthusiast and Novice alike.

♣

Ko’olau Guitar
and Ukulele Company
Kitakis Stringed Instrument Repair

401 N.Cane St. A-10
Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
808-622-1064
fax: 808-622-1646 eMail: sales@koolauukulele.com

Links

Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Ko_olau

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

Custom and stock instruments, strings and more.

Ko’olau Guitars and 'Ukuleles are professional quality, hand crafted instruments. The shop is located in Kaneohe, on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, approximately fifteen minutes from Honolulu, at the foot of the the beautiful Ko’olau Mountains.

These are some of the best Ukuleles around.

♣

Thanks to John Kitakis for allowing me to use his great ukuleles on the cover of my books, Curt Sheller

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Highslide JS

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Ukulele for Guitar Players

A guide to transferring the accumulated experience and knowledge gained as a guitar played to the ukulele.

All Curt Sheller Publication's Members enjoy a 15% discount off on hard copy book orders of this book.

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Tunings: C, G, or D Tunings. Low or high string four variations.

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NOW - With quick download after payment.

La Bella
E & O. Mari, Inc.
256 Broadway
Newburgh, NY 12550
Phone: 914 562 4400
Fax: 914 562 4491M

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

Guitar

Perfectly Balanced Set - Guitar runs in gauges from ultra light (008-038) to heavy (014-057) in Round Wound Stainless and Flat Wound Stainless. They also have two (2) sets of Black Nylon Tape Wounds for 6 and 7 string guitars. The 7 string set is what Benedetto strings has used on his custom guitars.

7 String guitar string sets and singles available.

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Oasis, Inc
STREET
Columbia, Missouri ZIP
Phone: 410.772.5380

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

(from their site) - Hand-crafted in America, Oasis® is the best solution to the challenge of guitar humidification. Whether you play a flat top steel string or a nylon string classical guitar, you have made a significant investment in a quality instrument. It is far less expensive to have an effective, easy to use guitar humidifier than it is to repair a cracked guitar. Give Oasis® a try and you will see how well it works!

♣

Martin Guitar
C. F. Martin & Co., Inc.
510 Sycamore Street
P. O. Box 329
Nazareth, PA 18064-0329
Phone: 610-759-2837
Fax: 610-759-5757

Links

Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Martin

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

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Savarez
Savarez S.A.
Capital de 731 500 €
SIREN : 784 124 463 000 59
APE : 363Z
5, Avenue Barthélémy Thimonnier
BP 133
69643 Caluire et Cuire Cedex
France Tèl : (0033/0) 4 37 40 32 00
Fax : (0033/0) 4 37 40 32 10

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

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Worth Strings by Worth Creation
tel:078.322.4166
fax:078.322.4177

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

100% Fluoro-carbon Ukulele Strings
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Using Classical Guitar Strings on Ukulele

 

Guitar TIP-Stringing a Nylon String Guitar

Buster B. Jones shows you his fast technique for changing nylon strings. If you're a gut string player you'll love this video. (YouTube link)

This technique for changing strings applies to ukuleles as well.

(Ed.) I use this technique and it works really well and saves a lot of time when restring a guitar or ukulele.

Using Classical Guitar String Set on Ukulele

A ukulele is constructed basically like a small classical guitar. As such, s lot of the same concerns and information, technique and resources can be used for ukulele.

Here are a few links and resources for some great information on classical strings:

(source: FleaMarketMusic.com) Any classical guitar strings will work. You'd only use the D G B and E strings. As far as I know there aren't any unwound classical D strings.

  • Use the classical guitar D string for the uke G.
  • Use the classical G string for the uke C.
  • Use the classical B string for the uke E.
  • Use the classical E string for the uke A.

(Ed.) Any gauge string would work depending on how much tension you like on your strings. A favorite brand is Savarez. I've use Savarez Alliance strings (red package) on my tenor ukes.

"C" Tuning (G C E A) Low "G"

Savarez Alliance (red card-R)
  • E-1 KF Plain Treble Standard Tension .024, 541R for the A
  • H-2 (B-2) KF Plain Treble Standard Tension .027, 542R for the E
  • G-3 KF Plain Treble Standard Tension .033, 543R for the C
D'Addario Pro-Arte
  • D Light Silverplated Copper Wound .028, J4304 for both the low G and low A bass strings

"D" Tuning (A D F# B) Low "A"

Savarez Alliance
  • E-1 KF Plain Treble Standard Tension .024, 541R for the B
  • H-2 (B-2) KF Plain Treble Standard Tension .027, 542R for the F#
  • G-3 KF Plain Treble Standard Tension .033, 543R for the D

This is the same set as a Low "G", "C" Tuning.

D'Addario Pro-Arte
  • D Light Silverplated Copper Wound .028, J4304 for the low A bass string

This is the same set as a Low "G", "C" Tuning.

"G" Tuning (d G B E) High "D"

Savarez Alliance

(red card-R) and high tensions (blue card-J)

  • Plain KF Treble High Tension .033, 543J for the D
  • Plain KF Treble Standard Tension .027, 542R for the E
  • Plain KF Treble Standard Tension .033, 543R for the B
D'Addario Pro-Arte
  • D Light Silverplated Copper Wound .028, J4304 for both the low G (string 3)

Using a High "G" set for low

 

(source: Brudda Bu, FleaMarketMusic.com Forum) Brudda Iz used a tenor uke in low "G" tuning.

Brudda Iz used a regular high G Martin string set, but this is how he used the strings.

  • For the G string, he used his C string and tuned it low.
  • For the C string, he used his E string.
  • For the E string, he used his G string.
  • He left the A string in the normal place.

String Diameter, Density and Material

The affect of material, diamter and density on strings.

If the string material is the same, a smaller diameter string requires less tension at identical pitches.

If the diameter is the same, a denser material requires less tension at identical pitches.

Depending on how much smaller in diameter and the density of the material. A denser material and smaller diameter requires more or less tension.

Here are a few links for additional information:

Online String Resources

A few online resources for string and information.

Big City String Co.
Bridgeport CT 06606

link.png Links

Listing Info click here to show or hide more info

( from listing's site ) -

♣

JustStrings.com
20 Mont Vernon Street
Milford, NH  03055 USA
Phone-603.673.1104
Fax-603.673.1107

link.png Links

Listing Info click here to show or hide more info

-

There site has the tensions listed for the string sets. Nice touch and very reasonable prices. Here is a link to the gauge that I use for my American Archtop 7 String Legend: Jazz BeBop Series BB114. I just add a .081 round wound 7th string.

♣

String Express
3 Clydesdale Close
Biggar
United Kingdom
ML12 6GH
Tel: 01899 220099

link.png Links

More information available on listings's web site.

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Strings By Mail
PO Box 7192
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: 1-734-929-0862
Toll Free within the USA: 1-800-513-8271
Fax: 1-734-929-0874

FED EX, UPS, Local Pick-up:
Strings By Mail
117 East Liberty St
Ann Arbor MI 48104

link.png Links

Info click here to view more info

There is some great information on nylon strings, such as tension, scale length,

Strings for Acoustic Bass, Autoharp, Baglama, Bajo Sexto & Bajo Quinto, Banjo, Bouzouki,Cavaquinho, Cuatro, Guitar, Elextric Bass, Ukulele, Fiddle, Lute, Mandocello, Mandolin, Pedal Steel, Oud and more...

This is where I get my Savarez single strings for my ukes.

♣

Bridge Pins, Picking Strings, Tying Strings to Tuning Pegs and Bridge, etc...

 

Tying Strings

  • Tiki King "How to" section, How to change strings - link

    Slotted bridge, Tie bridge, Pin bridge

  • Tying Strings to Tuning Pegs and Bridge, Kawaiki Ukuleles - link

Picking String

  • Tiki King "How to" section, How to change strings - link

Bridge-Pin

Bridge pins are used on some musical instruments to locate the string precisely in the horizontal plane, and in the case of harpsichords to affect the sustain of the strings.

Slotted Bridge Pins have a groove or slot cut in them which providing room for a string to pass between the pin and bridge.

Solid Bridge Pins require a notch in the bridge to for the string.

Bridge Pin Material affect the tone of the instruments and can be any material and typically wood, bone, plastic, fossilized ivory or metal.

  • Bridge-Pin Science by John Mickelson - link

    What role do bridge pins play in sound? Aren't they just to keep the strings from flying off?

    Site discusses slotted vs. no slots. Bridge pin material and how it affects an instruments tone.

  • Guitar Bridge Pins and their effect on tone by Mury's Music

Knots

In my search for learning what knot to tie a string end for use on ukuleles with bridge pins.

  • Animated Figure Eight Knot
  • Stevedore knot

    The Stevedore knot is a stopper knot, often tied near the end of a rope. It is more bulky and less prone to jamming than the closely related figure-of-eight knot.

  • Ashley's stopper knot, also known as the Oysterman's stopper

    Ashley's stopper knot, also known as the Oysterman's stopper, is a knot developed by Clifford W. Ashley around 1910. It makes a well-balanced trefoil-faced stopper at the end of the rope, giving greater resistance to pulling through an opening than other common stoppers.

String Action

 

Action, the height of the strings above the frets, measured at the 1st and 12th frets. Action at the 1st fret is primarily affected by the depth of the slots in the nut, while action at the 12th is affected equally by the nut and the saddle.

  • Action and playability, Mya-Moe Ukuleles - link
  • Lowering Action at the Bridge on Ukulele, by Frank Ford - link
  • Checking Nut Action, by Frank Ford - link
  • Lowering Action at the Saddle, by Frank Ford - link
  • String Action Gauge, Stewart-MacDonald - link

    Measure string action (the height of the string above the fret) at any point by placing the gauge behind the string. The string height markings are at increments of .010" (ten thousandths of an inch). When the bottom of a mark aligns with the bottom of the string, that measurement is the string height at that point.

    The markings themselves are .005" thick, so referring to the top of a mark instead of the bottom adds .005" to the measurement. In this way the progressive string height scale measures in .005" increments.

Ukulele String Types

What are the diferent types of string material used for ukulele strings?

Real Gut Strings

"Cat Gut" is made from the intestines of the sheep or goats. For a long time, catgut was the most common material for the strings of harps, violins, and viols, as well as other stringed musical instruments, although most musical instruments produced today use strings with cores made of other materials, generally steel or synthetic.

Nylon strings

There are two types of Nylon strings. Extruded, and Ground. Extruded strings are made by pushing hot nylon through a small hole ground strings are furst extruded and then ground down to size.

Florocarbon strings

Basically fishing line. A brighter sound than nylon string.

A very technical description of Florocarbon can be found on WidipediA:

Synthetic gut strings

Aquila has a trade name Nylgut. A synthetic material created ti have to feel and sound of traditional gut strings with out the traditional problem os gut strings.

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Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Curt Sheller

STRINGS.PHP | Updated: Tuesday, 02nd February, 2010 @ 05:55am

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