Buying The Best Ukulele Strings
by Jonas
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For most players the best ukulele strings are Aquila New Nylgut, with a warm, traditional tone at a low price. If you want a brighter, louder sound, go for a fluorocarbon set like D'Addario. Strings are cheap, so it is worth trying a couple to find what suits your ukulele and playing style.
- Types of ukulele strings
- String materials
- Which strings to choose
- Different ukulele string types
Good strings are the cheapest big upgrade for any ukulele. The right set depends on your ukulele size and the tone you want, so here is how the materials compare, plus a clear pick for each size.
Which are the best ukulele strings to buy?
Request from Francis: “I’ve just bought a new ukulele and am looking for the best ukulele strings. Are there different types? And what should I look for?”
Without strings you can’t play your ukulele, of course, but without good strings, you will never get the full acoustic potential out of your wonderful instrument.
Most low-budget ukuleles will have very cheap strings on them, no better than plastic. For only a tiny investment, you can get a new set of high-quality strings. This will greatly improve the sound of your ukulele.
Different sizes for different ukes
As explained in the ukulele buying guide, ukuleles come in different sizes, but usually in four types: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Every size has a different scale length (distance from bridge to nut) and different tension requirements. So not every set of ukulele strings will fit on every type of ukulele. What follows is an overview of the different ukulele types along with their typical characteristics.
| Type | Scale length | Overall length | Tuning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano | 13″ | 21″ | G-C-E-A |
| Concert | 15″ | 23″ | G-C-E-A |
| Tenor | 17″ | 26″ | G-C-E-A |
| Baritone | 19″ | 30″ | D-G-B-E |
More on how the four sizes differ and which one to pick in the ukulele sizes comparison.
In most cases, the scale length and/or overall length will be mentioned on the package of the set of strings. If not, it should at least mention the ukulele type. Where possible, for each type of ukulele string I have listed links which lead you to the correctly sized ukulele strings.
Different types of ukulele strings
| Material | Tone | Best for | Watch-outs | Top brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon | Warm, traditional | Most players, the classic uke sound | Stretches, needs retuning at first | Aquila, D’Addario |
| Fluorocarbon | Brighter, clearer | Projection, playing outdoors | A little pricier | D’Addario, Worth |
| Titanium | Bright, loud | More volume and projection | Rougher on the fingertips | D’Addario |
| Wound nylon | Warm, fuller low end | Tenor and baritone low strings | Can finger-squeak | sold in sets |
| Wound metal | Deeper, richer | Larger ukes and low notes | Can squeak | sold in sets |
| Steel | Loud, metallic | Banjoleles and hybrids only | Damages a normal ukulele, do not use | specialist only |
The vast majority of ukulele strings are made of nylon polymers. These are the type of strings that offer that typical ukulele sound. A lot of people say they are the best ukulele strings. However, there are some very interesting alternatives. What follows is an overview of these different types.
Nylon
As mentioned before, these are the most frequently used strings. However there are many different types of nylon polymers, resulting in different sounds. In other words, the sound can vary from brand to brand. Low-budget strings are produced by extrusion, i.e. forcing molten nylon polymer through holes with specific diameters. The same process is used for more expensive strings, but after extrusion they are ground down to produce a more consistent diameter.
Nylon will stretch over time, so you might need to retune your ukulele. These strings are not affected by humidity, but temperature changes can cause the strings to stretch to a greater or lesser extent. The best-known brands for quality nylon ukulele strings are Aquila (soprano, concert, tenor, baritone) and D’Addario (soprano, concert, tenor, baritone). They offer good stability, durability and a warm, traditional ukulele sound.
Fluorocarbon
This material, also a polymer, is traditionally used as a fishing line. It provides a brighter sound than nylon and is perfect if you play your ukulele a lot outside the house where the temperature changes a lot, because this type of string is less affected by it. D’Addario is best-known brand producing these strings (soprano, concert, tenor, baritone) and I wouldn’t recommend going for a cheaper alternative.
Titanium
This monofilament material offers strength, durability, and a somewhat brighter tone than nylon (similar to the tone of fluorocarbon), with more projection and volume. Might be a bit more rough on your fingertips. Martin produced some in the past, but nowadays again D’Addario is the market leader in titanium ukulele strings (soprano, concert, tenor, baritone).
Wound nylon strings
These have a nylon core that is wrapped with a polymer winding material and are usually found in sets intended for tenor and baritone ukuleles, as the two lower strings. Some players object to the finger squeaks that these strings may produce.
Wound metal strings
These are typically used on lower notes and larger ukuleles. The most common winding materials are copper or aluminium. They can also sound a little squeaky.
Steel strings
Steel strings are very rarely used on a ukulele and unless your instrument is specifically constructed for steel strings (that means instruments such as banjoleles, guitar/uke hybrids and dobro/uke hybrids), it is not a good idea to use them as the tension they exert on the top, bridge and neck of the instrument is likely to damage it.
Which are the best ukulele strings to choose?
There is no correct answer to this. The same set of strings can sound completely different on two different ukuleles. Try to find the right set to suit your instrument and playing style. Luckily, ukulele strings are not that expensive (even the highest quality ones), so you will be able to try out different types of strings and different brands. I personally prefer the traditional Aquila ukulele string series and they didn’t sponsor me to say that (!), but it’s completely up to you.
Best ukulele strings by size
| Size | Recommended set | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano | Aquila New Nylgut, soprano | Warm classic tone, the safe default | check price |
| Concert | Aquila New Nylgut, concert | Balanced all-rounder | check price |
| Tenor | Aquila New Nylgut, or Worth Clear for brighter | Fuller low end on the bigger body | check price |
| Baritone | Aquila Baritone (DGBE) | Correct gauges for DGBE tuning | check price |
Ukulele strings FAQ
What are the best strings for a tenor ukulele?
Aquila New Nylgut tenor strings are the warm, traditional default. For a brighter, louder tenor, try a fluorocarbon set like Worth Clear or D’Addario. Just make sure the set is sized for tenor.
What are the best soprano ukulele strings?
Aquila New Nylgut soprano strings give the classic bright, cheerful soprano sound. If you want a touch more clarity and sustain, a fluorocarbon set works well too.
Which ukulele strings give the warmest tone?
Nylon strings like Aquila New Nylgut are the warmest. If you want warmth with a bit more clarity, Worth Brown fluorocarbon strings are a popular middle ground.
What is the difference between nylon and fluorocarbon strings?
Nylon is warmer and more traditional. Fluorocarbon is brighter, projects more, and is more stable when the temperature changes, which makes it a good choice for playing outdoors.
How often should I change ukulele strings?
Change them when they sound dull, look discolored, or will not hold their tune. For most casual players that is every 6 to 12 months, sooner if you play daily or perform.
What are the four ukulele strings called?
From the top string (closest to your face) down to the bottom, a standard ukulele is tuned G, C, E, A. The G is usually a high G, which gives the ukulele its bright, jumpy sound. Strings come as a matched set for your size, so you buy the set rather than picking strings individually.
What are the best ukulele strings for beginners?
A set of Aquila New Nylgut in your ukulele’s size is the easy first choice: inexpensive, forgiving and the classic warm tone. Once you know your taste, try fluorocarbon strings (such as Worth or Martin) for a brighter, clearer sound.
Fit your new strings and tune up
New strings need fitting and a few days of stretching before they settle. Follow the step-by-step restringing guide, then use the free ukulele tuner to bring them up to pitch. Expect to retune often for the first few days.
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I want to move away from re-entrant tuning. I wish to use a nylon (not wired) low G string on my Tenor Ukulele. What size string can I use and still use a safe tension?
where can I get low strings for a tenor uke?
Aquila is like the default one. D’addario is more upscale and slightly more expensive.
I’ve had the same strings for almost the whole time I’ve been playing uke. If I ever get to buying some i’ll refer to this thanks. (:
Existen cuerdas para ukelele barítono afinación GCEA y con bola final
Gracias por responder
Hello Suport, i bought also the best baritone strings for my Uk, thanks for the tips”D’Addario EJ88B Bariton-ukulelesnaren, Nyltech, set van 4 snaren, 1 verpakking