What’s the Big Deal About Choosing Strings?
Strings are the focus of playing the ukulele - making notes on them sound clear and clean. The right strings can make all the difference in the sound of the instrument and your playing enjoyment.
Types of Strings
Most ukuleles are equipped with strings right from the factory and many play well and sound good with those strings. But, there are other types you might want to sample to see how they improve the sound of your ukulele. There are two general types of strings to choose from:
Nylon or Flurocarbon strings:
Nylon is the standard for most ukuleles. They hold up well to strumming and tend to have a lower tension which can make fingering easier. That lower tension is also good for older ukes, putting less strain on their parts. The sound tends to be quieter and more mellow. Nylon strings also tend to be budget-friendly. If there is any fault to Nylon strings it is humidity, which makes them stretch. If you play a lot outdoors or in high humidity conditions, these strings will need lots of re-tuning during play.
Flurocarbon is an extruded string similar to fishing line with a few extra ingredients. It is strong and holds up well to strumming but also can produce a bell-like quality when playing fingerstyle. Because of their bright tone, they show off precision fingerstyle beautifully - but they also show off any mistakes with the same clarity! Their smooth surface makes them a go-to for fast finger-work. Humidity doesn’t seem to bother them as it does nylon strings. The Flurocarbon plays on despite the weather. The cost of a set of Flurocarbon strings can be a bit more expensive than a Nylon set, depending on the brand.
Low G or High G strings:
There’s a lot of talk around playing with low G or high G strings. Basically, the low G on a standard ukulele just makes the tuning of the string pitches move from low to high. When you strum from G to A, the low G string will be the lowest note of the four strings. This is referred to as linerar tuning.
On a standard ukulele with a high G string, the G is an octave higher in pitch than a low G string. That means when you strum from the G to the A string, you will hit a higher pitch first and then a lower pitch on the C string. The pitches on the C, E, and A strings move from low to high in pitch - it’s just the high G string that starts the strum with a higher pitch. This is referred to as reentrant tuning.
When choosing strings for your ukulele you will need to buy strings for either a low G set (linear tuning) or a high G set (reentrant tuning). Both will fit a standard ukulele. You can find low and high G string sets for Soprano, Concert, and Tenor sized ukuleles. The Baritone sized ukulele has a different set of strings with a different tuning.
There is no advantage to playing high G or low G. Both are beautiful in different ways. If you prefer a stronger bass note, then you might like the low G strings. If you love the sparkle of a traditional ukulele sound, then the high G set of strings may be just what you’re looking for.
High Tension or Low Tension strings:
High-tension strings are meant for hard strumming use or precise fingerstyle playing. They are a bit harder to play, requiring a little more finger pressure to get a clean note. You will need to make sure your ukulele is built to accommodate the higher tension of these strings. Often used on tenors rather than soprano or concert sizes, but are available for almost any size uke.
Low-tension strings are meant for typical playing. Strumming, fingerstyle, or picking all sound great with low-tension strings. These are easier to play and almost any ukulele can accommodate low-tension strings. The only difference, in my experience, is that low-tension strings don’t always sound as bright as high-tension strings. If you are a devoted fingerstyle player you might prefer high-tension strings as long as your uke is built for that higher tension.
Wound and Unwound strings:
Wound strings are made with a nylon core and a fine metal thread wound around that core. Unwound strings are simply nylon or flurocarbon strings. Most ukulele string sets are unwound nylon or flurocarbon. But you can get wound strings for the G and C strings and purchase those individually or as a part of a wound set.
Wound strings are thicker and sound louder and more metallic. They are similar to a guitar string. Many fingerstyle players like at least a wound low G string for the bass notes and some also use a wound C string for the same reason. Your playing style is probably the determining factor on whether or not you want one or two wound strings.
Which strings should you choose?
String choice is a personal preference, although your skill on the ukulele does play a part.
Nylon vs Flurocarbon Considerations:
If you are a beginning uke player, you may prefer the lower tension of Nylon to help you with chording. The lower tension makes the strings easier to press into the fretboard and helps you to make clean chords.
You may also prefer the mellow sound Nylon strings offer. They are the standard for a good reason!
Nylon strings are budget-friendly too, which means you can sample lots of different brands without too much concern on the cost.
If you are a finger-style uke player, you may prefer the smooth texture and bright sound of Flurocabon strings. They will show off your precision fingerwork and allow you to “shred” with the best results.
The tension of Flurocaron strings is a bit higher so finger strength and dexterity will be a consideration. But if you are a finger-style player that is already a given. Make sure your ukulele is up to the higher tension.
Low G vs High G Considerations:
If you love the traditional, happy sound of the ukulele, then the high G string will probably be your favorite.
If you love a little extra bass when you play you may prefer a low G string. You may also prefer a low G string if you play a lot of fingerstyle music.
High tension vs Low tension Considerations:
If you want high-tension strings, the first order of business is to check your ukulele to make sure it is up to the extra tension. You can consult a luthier or your uke manufactureres customer support department. Other than that, you’ll enjoy clear, bell-like sound as well as smooth slides, bends, and vibrato.
Most ukes use low-tension strings and for most players they are great. They have a good sound and good action. They are easier on the fingers and offer an excellent strumming sound. The fingerstyle play is also very good, with easier fingering.
Wound vs Unwound Considerations:
Wound strings are most common on tenor ukes but can be used on almost any size. They are low G or C in tuning and a little thicker so may require just a bit more finger pressure for clear tones. Wound strings add a lot of bass to your music but can be overpowering for some ears.
Unwound strings are most common on any size ukulele. Nylon or flurocarbon, they sound great and play great. You may not have that extra bass or a wound string but by using a low G unwound string, you’ll certainly have enough for most music styles.
Soprano, Concert, Tenor, or Baritone
This choice is easy and depends on what size ukulele you have. Each size ukulele has strings designed for its scale (the length from the nut to the saddle). The packages are marked with the ukulele size and whether or not it is a low-G set or a high-G set. It will also tell you what they are made of, either nylon or flurocarbon or some similar material.
It’s really down to personal preference
String choice is all about what sounds good on your ukulele for the way that you play. It’s good to sample several different brands for the type of strings you prefer and plan on changing your strings when the sound becomes dull, they won’t stay in tune, or show any signs of wear (black marks, dents, nicks).
Since the cost of a new set of strings - regardless of type is less than $20, you could sample a different set of strings every time you change your strings.
