Alexei Volkov
The ukulele is a fretted string instrument that typically has four strings, unlike a guitar, which has six. The type of string used on a ukulele can vary, with options including nylon, gut, and metal. Plastic strings are standard for acoustic ukuleles, and nylon strings are also common, with some strings featuring a nylon core wrapped in a thin polymer thread. Metal strings are generally stiffer and may damage an instrument designed for plastic or nylon strings, as they require more tension.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of strings | 4 |
| String material | Plastic, nylon, gut, steel, fluorocarbon, or metal |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A |
| String length | Varies depending on the ukulele size, e.g. 21 inches for soprano ukulele |
| Scale length | 13 inches for soprano ukulele |
| Tuning method | Turning the tuning pegs, using electronic devices like pedal or clip-on tuners |
| String replacement | Can be replaced with metal strings, but may damage the ukulele or cause distortion |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic strings are standard for acoustic ukuleles
Ukuleles are a fretted string instrument that produces sounds similar to a guitar, mandolin, or banjo. There are multiple types of ukuleles, including soprano, concert, tenor, baritone, and even the rare bass ukulele. The key element of a ukulele is its strings. A standard ukulele typically has four strings, unlike a guitar, which has six.
Today, there is only one brand that offers gut strings, Aquila. Their strings are made from a proprietary plastic they call Nylgut, which supposedly feels and sounds similar to gut. Most ukulele strings nowadays are made of plastic, with nylon being the most common type. A different kind of plastic material named fluorocarbon is also becoming increasingly popular. Brands of fluorocarbon strings include Martin and Worth.
While most ukuleles use plastic strings, there are some specialty ukuleles that use metal strings, such as the electric ukuleles built by Jonathan Mann. It is important to note that the weight of the string per inch or cm will determine the amount of tension required. Ukuleles designed for nylon or plastic strings may be distorted or broken by the higher tension required for metal strings.
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Metal strings may damage a ukulele
Ukuleles are traditionally strung with gut, nylon, or fluorocarbon strings. However, some people opt to use metal strings on their ukuleles. While it is possible to find ukuleles that are designed to be strung with metal strings, they are specialty ukuleles, such as the electric ukuleles built by Jonathan Mann.
Using metal strings on a standard ukulele may damage the instrument. Metal strings are heavier than nylon or plastic strings, and as a result, they require more tension to bring them up to pitch. Modern x-braced guitars are designed to withstand this tension, but ukuleles (and many guitars from before the 1920s) are not. The excess tension may cause the ukulele to distort or break.
Additionally, metal strings are generally stiffer than nylon or plastic strings, which could cause issues with the ukulele's compensation. Compensation refers to the slight changes built into the instrument to accommodate the fact that strings are not perfectly flexible. With stiffer strings, the compensation will be different, and the ukulele may not play in tune as you play up the fretboard.
While some people have experimented with fitting metal strings to their standard ukuleles, this can lead to undesirable results. One person reported receiving "zaftig criticism" for fitting metal strings to one of their ukuleles, and another reported that their ukulele "sounded like a guitar".
If you are considering using metal strings on your ukulele, it is recommended to use an electric ukulele designed for this purpose, such as those made by Risa, Flight, or Terry Carter.
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Ukuleles were historically strung with gut strings
When the ukulele first appeared (around 1874), gut strings were the only option available. These gut strings were initially those used for violins, and then in the 1930s, specific gut strings for the ukulele were introduced. Gut strings were typically made from the intestines of sheep, cattle, or goats and were cleaned, scraped, soaked, dried, twisted, bleached, ground, and polished. They produced a warm and mellifluous sound, distinct from the snappier and louder sound of modern synthetic strings.
However, gut strings had several drawbacks. They were harder to tune, prone to becoming weak and brittle over time, did not hold up well to humidity and sunlight, wore out quickly, and were more expensive. With the development of modern synthetic materials, such as nylon in 1938, strings became more affordable, durable, stable to climate changes, and better able to hold their tune. As a result, by the early 1950s, nylon had become the new standard for ukulele strings.
Today, most ukuleles use strings made from nylon or other synthetic materials, such as fluorocarbon and Nylgut. However, some players still prefer the sound and feel of gut strings, and the Italian string maker Aquila continues to produce natural gut ukulele strings. These gut strings allow players to experience the "vintage sound" of the ukulele and enjoy the authentic sounds of the past.
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Nylon strings are lighter than steel strings
Ukuleles are typically strung with nylon strings, which are lighter than steel strings. The weight of the string per inch or cm determines the amount of tension required to tune it to pitch. As such, steel strings require a lot more tension than nylon strings. This higher tension can distort or break an instrument designed for nylon strings, such as a ukulele.
Nylon strings are also more flexible and hold much less tension, making them more responsive and easier to play. This is why they are often preferred by beginners. They are also softer, making them gentler on the fingers. This softness means that nylon strings are more susceptible to damage over time, especially when using a guitar pick.
The type of string used on an instrument will also determine the sound. Nylon strings are typically used for classical, jazz, bossa nova, folk, and gypsy jazz because of their delicate, gentle, and mellow sound. Steel strings, on the other hand, have a brighter, sharper, and crisper sound. They are also louder and have more power, making them ideal for genres like rock, country, and bluegrass.
While nylon strings are standard for acoustic ukuleles, some specialty ukuleles, such as electric ukuleles, are designed to be strung with steel strings. However, it is important to note that the two types of strings are not interchangeable between instruments.
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Wound nylon strings are wrapped in a thin polymer thread
Ukuleles are designed for nylon strings. Nylon strings are lighter than steel strings. Metal strings might damage the ukulele and most won't fit anyway. In recent years, carbon and other composites have entered the string market. Carbon compositions are denser, and therefore a thin carbon string will have the same mass as a thicker nylon string. Carbon trebles are usually thinner than nylon strings, offering a brighter tone with more overtone content.
Nylon strings are wrapped in a thin polymer thread and have a nylon core. They have a somewhat richer sound than standard strings and are most common on baritone or tenor ukuleles. Wound nylon strings are similar to traditional nylon strings but with a metal core. They are brighter than traditional nylon strings and are closer to steel strings in terms of sound.
Nylon thread is strong, easy to use, and a great choice for sewing fabric, leather, canvas, and vinyl. It is available in a variety of thicknesses, ranging from ultra-thin to cord-like, and can be purchased on spools of various sizes. The thickness of nylon thread is designated by a number based on its weight, with the most popular size being Size 69.
While nylon strings are the standard for acoustic ukuleles, some players experiment with different types of strings, such as metal or steel strings. However, it is important to note that steel strings require more tension than nylon strings, and using them on a ukulele designed for nylon strings can cause distortion or breakage.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic strings are standard for acoustic ukuleles.
Metal strings are available for ukuleles, but they may damage the instrument and most won't fit. Wound nylon strings are also an option, which have a nylon core wrapped in a thin polymer thread.
A popular type of plastic used for ukulele strings is called fluorocarbon, with brands such as Martin and Worth offering strings made from this material. Another type of plastic used for strings is a proprietary material called Nylgut, which supposedly feels and sounds similar to gut.
The type of strings you choose will depend on the type of ukulele you have and the sound you want to achieve. Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles typically use G, C, E, and A strings, while baritone or tenor ukuleles usually use wound nylon strings.
