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The Top 5 Best Ukulele Strings Of 2024

June 4, 2024 
BY DAN SPENCER
best ukulele strings.
Last Updated on June 4, 2024

Maybe you’ve been practicing a lot, and now your uke needs restringing. Perhaps you just bought a new instrument, and you’re not so happy with how the stock strings sound. Either way, a new set can make a noticeable difference in the intonation, but which one should you choose? Today, we’ll share five of the best ukulele strings to help you decide.

Aquila USA 115U Lava Nylgut Tenor Ukulele Strings - Low G
1 Best Overall
Aquila USA 115U

D’Addario EJ88B Nyltech Natural Nylon Baritone Ukulele Strings
2 Runner-up
D’Addario EJ88B

Ernie Ball 2327 Low G Ukulele Strings for Concert/Tenor
3 Top Pick
Ernie Ball 2327

Martin 41Y18M600 Fluorocarbon Soprano/Concert Ukulele Strings
4 Top Pick
Martin 41Y18M600

Fender California Coast Clear Nylon Concert Ukulele Strings
5 Lowest Price
Fender California Coast

1. Aquila USA 115U Lava Nylgut Tenor Ukulele Strings - Low G

Aquila USA 115U Lava Nylgut Tenor Ukulele Strings - Low G

Highlights

⚫ Gray-black/pearl with wound low G
⚫ .026, .032, .038, and .028
⚫ GCEA tuning

Nylgut is Aquila’s patented string material, designed to mimic the intonation of gut-based strings. The result is a sound that’s brighter than regular nylon but not as punchy as fluorocarbons. Nylgyt stretches a bit, though. That’s why the diameters tend to be thicker than they would have been on a gut string set.

The 115U Lava set is black and satiny. However, you can also get the same mechanical and sonic characteristics in a pearl color if the all-black finish isn’t your cup of tea. That said, the set will be labeled as 107U Super Nylguts in this case. For all reasons and purposes, these Super Nylguts are practically Lavas but in a different color.

Pros

  • The new version is stronger, more stable, and less likely to dent.
  • Doesn’t sound as synthetic as typical nylon strings.
  • The pearlescent black finish looks unique and eye-catching.

Cons

  • The description doesn’t clarify that the low G is actually a wound string.
  • Doesn’t come in a baritone model.

Aquila USA 115U

This piano gives you the best balance between budget and quality on our list.

2. D’Addario EJ88B Nyltech Natural Nylon Baritone Ukulele Strings

D’Addario EJ88B Nyltech Natural Nylon Baritone Ukulele Strings.

Highlights

⚫ Clear with two wound silver strings
⚫ .026, .036, .024w, and .030w
⚫ DGBE tuning

The third and fourth strings in the EJ88B set are made with a nylon microfilament wound with silver-plated copper. As for the clear E and B strings, they feature D’Addario’s proprietary Nyltech polymer ensuring warm, punchy sounds. Overall, the set feels smooth and has a balanced tension.

Pros

  • Nyltech material mimics the traditional tone of gut-based strings.
  • Scale length is long enough to cover baritone ukuleles.
  • Eco-friendly packaging minimizes waste and protects against corrosion.

Cons

  • Needs a bit of stretching.
  • Winding on the last two strings can wear off with time.

D’Addario EJ88B

This is the most premium built piano on our list.

3. Ernie Ball 2327 Low G Ukulele Strings for Concert/Tenor

Ernie Ball 2327 Low G Ukulele Strings for Concert/Tenor

Highlights

⚫ Black/clear with a wound low G
⚫ .028, .032, .040, and .030w
⚫ GCEA tuning

The low G string in Ernie Ball’s 2327 pack features 80/20 bronze wrap winding, but the plains in the set don’t—they’re just a black resin nylon monofilament. This black resin material delivers a warm, rich tone with a strong percussive attack. You could get the set in a clear resin variation (model 2330) if you want a brighter, more balanced tone with improved projection.

Either way, your strings will come with beads at the ends. This can make restringing your uke a breeze. The ball end design can also reduce unwanted slack, speeding up the break-in time.

Pros

  • Black strings can look better on dark ukes than clear or pearl-colored sets.
  • Low G alloy can be a good fit for jazz and folk.
  • Ball-end construction for hassle-free installation.

Cons

  • You might need a guide wire to cut the balls off for some slotted bridges.
  • No baritone options available in the lineup.

Ernie Ball 2327

If you are looking for a great piano for gigging, then this one is worth a look.

4. Martin 41Y18M600 Fluorocarbon Soprano/Concert Ukulele Strings

Martin 41Y18M600 Fluorocarbon Soprano/Concert Ukulele Strings.

Highlights

⚫ Clear with no winding
⚫ .019, .025, .034, and .022
⚫ GCEA tuning

Martin’s 41Y18 string family is made with clear, high-tensile fluorocarbon material that holds tune well. Model M600 is designed for both soprano and concert ukes. The set’s overall tension is 35.5, and it sounds mostly warm and clear. However, there are the M620 and M630 variations for tenors and baritones, respectively.

Pros

  • Holds tune quickly.
  • Fluorocarbon material resists changes in the environment.
  • Produces rich and amplified sounds.

Cons

  • Some people reported slipping issues during restringing.

Martin 41Y18M600

If you are just starting out, this is a great option to get you in the game.

5. Fender California Coast Clear Nylon Concert Ukulele Strings

Fender California Coast Clear Nylon Concert Ukulele Strings.

Highlights

⚫ Clear with no winding
⚫ .028, .0322, .0403, and .028
⚫ Optimized for GCEA tuning

“California Coast” isn’t just a ukulele instrument family from Fender. The company also produces a nylon string series under the same name. You can get a set for concert-sized ukes, tenors, or sopranos. The concert set has a medium gauge and sounds warm and clear. It feels pretty smooth and comfortable as well.

Pros

  • Settles quickly and holds tune well.
  • The low price point makes it easy to replace the strings as soon as they start to lose tune.
  • Some versions come with three months’s worth of free access to RCK’s School of Rock.

Cons

  • Black-colored strings on the packaging can be misleading (they’re actually clear nylon).
  • Doesn’t come in a baritone variation

Fender California Coast

If you want a digital piano that is super light, then this is the one for you.

Now that you got your ukulele you need to learn how to play it! Check out Ukulele Buddy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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It’s possible but not ideal. Some string materials will fray or unravel once you cut them. That’s why it’s often better to know your ukulele’s size and get a set made to fit it from the get-go.

If your strings are technically in tune but sound off, they probably need changing. Regular players might need to replace their strings 3–4 times a year. But the less you play your uke, the less frequently you’ll need to restring it. Obviously, you’ll also need to restring at any sign of fraying, rusting, or indentation.

The process depends on the bridge type. However, you’ll typically start by removing the old/stock strings, one at a time, either by cutting them or unspooling the pegs. If you have a slotted bridge, just tie a figure-eight knot in one end, thread it through the opening, and loop it around the tuning peg.

Things are a bit more complicated for a tie-bar bridge, though. You’ll want to pass the string through the bridge, leaving enough tail. Next, you’ll bring the tail back up and under the string before looping it over itself a couple of times.

Yes, it’s possible to mix and match strings. Some detail-oriented players do it to get closer to the intonation they want. But, of course, buying multiple sets just to use one or two strings from each isn’t the most economical approach.

A brand new set could take 1–2 weeks to settle. If you’re in a rush, tune to an approximate pitch. Then, with your palm/forearm on the bridge, gently stretch one string at a time and “lock” the bridge knot into place. Repeat this a few times until the strings hold their tone before fine-tuning.

Product Recap

Aquila’s black 115U Lavas and pearl-colored 107Us provide a feel and sound that’s as close to actual gut strings as you’ll get without getting any animals involved. But if you play a baritone uke, the Nyltech EJ88B from D’Addario would be a decent alternative. If, however, you want a basic nylon set that gets the job done, Fender’s California Cost series would be the way to go.

No matter what set you choose, don’t rush to judgment. Let your strings settle for a week or two before deciding if they’re good enough.

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"Some of the links within this article are affiliate links. These links are from various companies such as Amazon. This means if you click on any of these links and purchase the item or service, I will receive an affiliate commission. This is at no cost to you and the money gets invested back into Audio Sorcerer LLC."

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