| While they are changed regularly, the strings on any | | | | are inexpensive and no ukulele player should cheat |
| instrument are one of its most important pieces where | | | | themselves of good strings. The reasons for doing so |
| the overall quality of an instrument's sound is | | | | are myriad. Not only will the playability be affected by |
| concerned. The best ukulele strings for any player will | | | | the strings, but the sound of the instrument may be |
| depend upon several different factors. The reality is, | | | | even more compromised. |
| however, that there is no single best brand on the | | | | The best ukulele strings are designed to hold their |
| market. As one develops skill, one will also develop | | | | tuning and to give an even sound at any fret. Martin |
| characteristic elements of their playing style that will | | | | strings and Koolau strings are both available in nylon, |
| make certain brands of strings more preferable than | | | | and this provides a good bit of instruction in how much |
| others. This holds true for any stringed instrument, | | | | difference a string makes. In the past, strings were |
| electric or acoustic, ukulele, guitar or otherwise. | | | | made of gut, in the sense that they were literally made |
| Some of the best ukulele strings on the market use | | | | of the intestinal linings of animals. Some performers still |
| precious metals in their manufacture, Koolau Golds | | | | use these strings as they swear by their sound. |
| Ukulele strings, for instance, formerly used a gold alloy | | | | Others have moved to nylon for both humane and |
| in the winding on the lowest string. The company has | | | | musical reasons. The sound between the strings, |
| since switched to a silver alloy. These metals impart a | | | | however, is noticeably different, no matter what one's |
| certain sound to the string that some players find | | | | preference may be. |
| desirable. The metal of which a string is made affects | | | | Ultimately, the best ukulele strings will be those that |
| its softness, as well. For example, a gold-alloy wound | | | | give the sound preferred by the performer. They also |
| string will generally fret with less finger force than will a | | | | must be suitable for the instrument. Remember to |
| similar string that is wound with plain steel. For acoustic | | | | specify which ukulele voice one's instrument covers |
| instruments, this is an important factor. | | | | when buying strings. Baritone strings, for instance, could |
| The best ukulele strings can be identified, in terms of | | | | snap the neck on a smaller instrument, due to the |
| overall quality, by which are used by professional | | | | tension they require to be tuned. Too thin of a string |
| performers. The Koolau and Martin brands are both | | | | will become spaghetti-like at lower tunings. If one is |
| popular with professionals. For those who are just | | | | interested in experimenting with their instrument's range, |
| getting started, there is oftentimes a compromise | | | | purchasing a variety of different string thicknesses is |
| made on the quality of the instrument to get a better | | | | generally the best way to get started. |
| price; a sensible move for a beginner. Strings, however, | | | | |