If you love guitar and are a fan of Hawaiian guitar, then there are reasons to believe that you will find this article engaging and informative. Like all guitars, even Ukulele guitars need strings.
If you spend an afternoon browsing the internet, you will run into dozens of strings, and this could lead to confusion and hesitation. We are happy to share with our readers what we consider as one of the best Ukulele strings reviews. We will look at some of the brief features of the strings and also some notable pros and cons associated with each of them.
Our top Picks
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Brand
Model
Our Rating
Aquila New Nylgut AQ-4 Soprano Strings
Aquila is a well-known brand for manufacturing high-quality strings for ukuleles and other musical instruments. This brand has been chosen by tons of experienced ukulele players in the world.
The AQ-4 soprano strings offer a clearer sound than regular nylon or fluorocarbon strings, as they are made from nylgut, a material similar to the one used when the strings were made with goat guts. Moreover, another material similar to nylon is used during the production of the strings, which gives it a greater resistance and larger life span to the set. Because the strings are made from proprietary composite material, they barely absorb moisture from the air and you don’t have to worry about its stability while tuning.
The AQ-4 soprano strings have a number of interesting features. As they are very accurately manufactured and gauged, durability is on point. Also, they come in various densities, and they provide the best of accuracy as far as fret-intonation is concerned.
If you’re looking for a pair of solid-sounding and durable strings, the AQ-4 is a great option to consider. Also, the fact that it comes from the house of Aquila is something that makes it stand apart from the crowd and worth buying.
Pros
- Bright and clear sound
- Good tuning stability
- Catchy white colour
Pros
- It is not easy to identify the right strings
D'Addario EJ87S Titanium
If you are a frequent guitar or uke player, you simply cannot miss D’Addario. D’Addario is considered the world’s largest string manufacturer for musical instruments. Ukulele players pick D’Addario for their reputation of unsurpassed quality and consistency. Also, D’Addario’s innovative packaging reduces waste and provides protection from corrosion.
The EJ87S Titanium is a quality product made in the U.S.A. and it comes along with many noticeable features.
The strings are made of high-quality titanium monofilament materials with an attractive, translucent purple hue and a polished, glass-like feel. The material is unique and contemporary, offering a slightly brighter tone and increased projection. As a result, you will have more volume, clarity and dynamics with these uke strings. Furthermore, it is optimized for soprano ukuleles and is compatible with GCEA tuning. The strings are made from high-quality titanium gauges of 0.28, 0.29, 0.33 and 0.40.
Once more, D’Addario doesn’t cease to surprise its market with a wonderful and original pair of ukulele strings that are made to both look and sound good. These strings will have you shine for miles and grab all of the attention owing to the shiny and projecting ukulele strings. If you are looking for a good-looking and modern sounding set of strings, D’Addario has you covered here!
Pros
- Bright and clear sound
- Good tuning stability
- Catchy white colour
Pros
- It is not easy to identify the right strings
Aquila Colored Soprano
Who says you can’t have stylish yet good sounding ukulele strings? If you are looking to add a bit of a style flare to your ukulele and to exchange your old strings for something bold and engaging, Aquila has you covered on this one. Although the color variation of these ukulele strings knocks up the price to 11$ for a pack of 4, it’s easy to see why.
The strings are made from high-quality silk gut material. They produce bright and warm tunes for a long period of time with little maintenance. These strings are able to hold their notes even after two days of continuous playing, which makes them a reliable and durable piece of gear that you can surely be able to depend on in time of need.
In a pack of 4 there will be orange, purple, green and salmon color so you can add colours to your ukulele accordingly. One advantage of using multi-coloured strings is that you will find it easier to remember the string sound as each string colour is associated with a separate tone. These strings are of high-quality thanks to Aquila’s well-organized craftsmanship. They also have some of the most appealing sound qualities out there for your soprano ukulele. One thing is for sure, you will be able to enjoy these strings for a long time thanks to the durability and reliable aspect of this brand!
Pros
- Holding tone for days
- Great volume
- Add some color to your instrument
- Making a great gift option
Pros
- A bit more expensive than regular strings
GHS H-10
GHS has gone a step farther with their uke strings and decided to get away from the generic pattern that other brands have created. They are not coated in the metal material or common translucent that seems to be popular on the market. Alternatively, they decided to go with a unique and black coating that can fit the dream of many people who were wishing for a break in the mould!
As they are black, they will fit nicely if you also have black tuners, or simply like the added contrast on your instrument. They are most suitable for both a standard and concert ukulele while remaining as versatile as ever; with gauges that go from 0.025 to 0.036 inches. Many users praise them for not only looking good, but sounding just as good as they look.
These ukulele strings also come in a standard C tuning, which provides a crisp and mellow tone that is very sought after in the world of ukulele tunes. The ukulele strings have a smooth, pristine finish and won’t disappoint you. They quickly adjust when you set them up and the tuning won’t be wavering for too long after the set-up.
All things considered, the GHS H-10 should be among the top options when it comes to concert ukulele strings. They are durable, sound fairly good, and are reasonably priced. No matter if you are looking for a concert or studio set of ukulele strings, these are the best strings to help you achieve the sound you are longing for!
Pros
- Durable, black nylon material
- Mellow and crisp sound
- Offer more volume
- Fine polish
Pros
- Not a dramatic improvement when compared to stock strings
- Strings may need to be retuned if exposed to significant temperature shift.
Aquila Red Series AQ-86 Concert Ukulele Strings
Another wonderful pick from the Aquila family. The Aquila Red Series uses a unique variety of nylon developed in-house to achieve a clear sound and to offer a unique player experience. The four strings have a certain texture to them, which is well appreciated by most players and is an element of distinction from other brands.
The diameter of the strings is roughly equal, so that the player gets a similar feel from each one. Meanwhile, enhanced intonation is achieved by the differences in material density.
To be used with a high G soprano, they are intended to give a brighter tone than other strings, as well as a higher volume when compared with other brands, which many customer reviewers enthusiastically noted to be the case.
Another benefit of the new material is the fact that it doesn’t absorb moisture as easily as other nylon materials. This means you won’t have to retune your uke quite as often since the strings won’t change in volume to a significant extent.
The Aquila Red Concert Ukulele Strings are the best option for more advanced ukulele players and for those who want more professional strings for your concert ukulele with a significant improvement in sound. These strings feel way more responsive across the fretboard and offer a unique environment for your skills to really shine through.
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Bright, clear and snappy sound
- Uniform feel with each string having the same diameter.
Pros
- A bit more expensive
- Might not fit other ukulele rather than soprano ones.
What to Look for in Ukulele Strings
· The Type and Size of Strings:
There are many different types of strings available, with a variety of tunings and sizes. The first thing to look for is size and type. The size needs to match your ukulele; for example, soprano strings will often work on a soprano or concert ukulele, and concert strings will often work on both of these sizes as well. Tenor strings fit tenor ukuleles, and baritone ukulele strings fit baritone ukuleles.
· Tuning:
Watch out when choosing ukulele strings, as some packs include low-G tuning strings. Unless you are specifically looking for low-G tuning, you’ll want to look for standard strings. These are sometimes marked high-G, and sometimes are not.
· Color:
Color is a matter of personal preference in most cases; ukulele strings come in a variety of colors, and as long as the rest of their features suit your needs, just pick the color that appeals to you most.
· Steel Strings May Not be Right for Your Ukulele:
Not all ukuleles are made for use with steel strings. Using them on a standard ukulele could result in a broken, unusable instrument.
What are ukulele strings made of?
Your uke strings are possibly the nylon material; so, do you think all ukulele strings come with the nylon?
Even though nylon is used for uke strings the most, we still have various ones which are different from materials to the method chosen for making them.
Let’s take a look at our list below to compare these types of uke strings.
· Real gut strings:
Sometimes they are mentioned as catgut; but instead of cat intestines, they are made with goat or dried sheep ones. Gut strings produce a pleasant and old-fashioned ukulele sound; however, one of the biggest disadvantages is highly susceptible to change in temperature and humidity. Moreover, they are infamously not easy to keep in tune.
· Fluorocarbon strings:
Fluorocarbon was commonly used as fishing line material, and it tends to stay in tune. It offers a brighter, sharper sound than nylon, gut, or synthetic gut.
· Nylon strings:
If you decide to shop for nylon ukulele strings, you’ll find that there are two different types: Ground and Extruded. Extruded strings are manufactured by pushing hot nylon through a hole that is the same size as the string in question. Strings are checked for consistency and thickness before being packaged. Ground nylon ukulele strings are extruded through holes that are a little bit larger than the string in question. They are then ground down to the correct dimensions, producing a more consistent diameter. Ground nylon strings have a slightly rough feel due to their microscopic texture. Both types of nylon strings need to stretch a bit before settling into tune. They are stable during humidity changes, but they can require more tuning after temperature changes.
- Synthetic gut strings:
Originally invented for use on violins, synthetic gut strings offer a sound and feel that is similar to that of real gut strings, but without sensitivity to moisture. They need to stretch a bit before settling into tune, and they can be sensitive to temperature changes.
Conclusion
Following our review above, what kind of strings should you buy for your ukulele?
It is necessary to identify your playing requirements first. Think about the sound you prefer, and what’s most important for you. Is it sound? Durability? Or maybe you just want a pack of strings that feel comfortable under your fingers after hours of playing. Go for the unit that suits your needs, and if you’re a beginner, you might prefer a sturdy and durable kit of strings.
It is also significant to beware that identical strings can provide different tones if installed on different ukuleles. Thus, you need to bear in mind what kind of ukulele that you have.
Whatever the case may be, going for any of the options we’ve recommended is definitely going to make a difference when compared to the stock strings on your uke that desperately need changing.
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