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.
⚫ 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.
This piano gives you the best balance between budget and quality on our list.
⚫ 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.
This is the most premium built piano on our list.
⚫ 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.
If you are looking for a great piano for gigging, then this one is worth a look.
⚫ 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.
If you are just starting out, this is a great option to get you in the game.
⚫ 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.
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.
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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