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In order to be used to its full potential, a ukulele must be outfitted with the proper strings. It can be difficult to know what ukulele strings are the best to purchase for your specific purposes. Different types of strings can change the tone and visual characteristics of your ukulele.
Keep reading to find out more about the best ukulele strings and how to select strings that will truly give you both the best sound and look for your ukulele.
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Best Overall – D’Addario Pro-Arté Custom Soprano / Tenor / Concert / Baritone Strings
D’Addario is a great brand when it comes to ukulele strings. They offer a large variety from tenor to concert and soprano. These strings are for soprano ukuleles and some of the highest-rated for their class.
They will give you a modern and warm sound that will carry nicely as you play. And one of the coolest things about D’Addario is that you can pick the material your strings are made out of. They offer nylon, carbon, rectified black nylon, titanium, and nyltech.
Besides just producing an excellent quality sound, D’Addario strings are sure to take the look and feel of your ukulele to new heights. The strings are laser cut, making them highly accurate when playing notes, and they are made in the USA for the best quality guarantee. You also don’t have to worry about storing them because they are non-corrosive!
Ernie Ball Ukulele Strings
These Ernie Ball ukulele strings are made out of black monofilament and can be fitted to either a soprano or concert ukulele. They also have a balled end that makes installation very simple and quick as compared to the strings, which require a tie-in installation.
Ernie Ball strings will give your ukulele a more classic soprano tone when compared to others in this space, and they won’t take near as long to break in. This means you can buy new strings the day of a concert and be ready to go by showtime!
Aquila Corde Armoniche New Nylgut Soprano Strings
If you have your heart set on some amazing soprano ukulele strings, Aquila is a brand that won’t let you down. The synthetic strings are made of highly resistant materials that won’t give in to wear and tear with high use levels. Players also report that these strings will stay in tune longer than almost any other brand—only needing tuning once a week or less!
Aquila ukulele strings are made in Italy and packaged in adorable vintage packaging. They’re slightly more expensive than some other strings in the space, but they seem to last longer—which matters more in the end than saving a few extra dollars upfront.
Martin Ukulele Soprano Strings
Martin Ukulele Strings is another excellent ukulele string brand that offers all sorts of string selections to suit every player’s need. They advertise a warm and clear tone that is perfect for the player who plays on stage or at events. These strings also boast an easy feel both while tuning and playing—great for a beginning player.
Like the D’Addario brand, the soprano string offerings by Martin include the player’s choice between polygut or fluorocarbon strings. The fluorocarbon soprano strings are the top pick by players because they tend to have a more harmonic tone and stay tuned longer than ukulele strings made from other materials.
Yoklili Ukulele Strings Set
When you are first learning to play ukulele, you’re bound to break a few strings. And if you aren’t quite sure what type of ukulele strings you like yet, this can get expensive. In the meantime, you should buy these Yoklili ukulele strings, which conveniently come in sets of five for one low price. This way, you won’t have to continually purchase new strings as you learn.
These ukulele strings are made out of nylon and come in either white or black for colors; they’d look great on a black ukulele. They will give your ukulele a smooth and rich tone. Additionally, these strings are universal, so while they may not be the easiest to install, they can fit any ukulele until to decide on the perfect strings for you. And the best part is, this kit comes with picks!
Aquila Kids Educational Strings
If you are reading this list to find strings for your kids’ ukulele, then you need to check out these strings, which are specifically designed for teaching. They are made out of nylgut, which is designed to absorb less moisture to better the tuning capabilities of the strings.
The strings are colored, a feature that is especially useful if you are teaching your kid to read music at the same time you are teaching them to play the ukulele. Although these strings are just for training, they still provide a sweet tone while your little player gets used to the feel.
Kiniza Ukulele Strings
Kiniza offers quality ukulele strings at a budget that will fit everyone’s pocket. These strings are universal and thus can fit any size ukulele but will require tuning to get the pitch you desire. They are made from nylon and create a nice and warm but consistently clear tone.
Kinza ukulele strings are highly rated for their durability, so you can push aside your worries about one of these strings breaking in the middle of your next concert. They can easily be installed and won’t lose elasticity like some strings do after installation.
Oasis Bright Low G Ukulele Strings
These ukulele strings by Oasis are truly unique. They are created to be extra-long for easy installation, but you can also cut the string in half and have yourself two sets of ukulele strings for the price of one. The strings are made out of high-quality clear fluorocarbon, so you know when you select these strings, they won’t mess up the visual aesthetic of your ukulele.
The strings listed here are the Oasis Bright strings, which means they will give your ukulele a bright and vibrant tone. If you are looking for a softer tone, they also offer warm tone strings, and both come with either a high or low G string, depending on your preference.
Aquila Red Series Strings
For concert players who need more volume than regular strings, the best ukulele strings for you are the Aquila Red Series Strings. They are made of a composite material which makes the tone much brighter than traditional strings while also making them more responsive to player touch. This material is also moisture resistant to help with quick and accurate tuning.
These strings are unique as each string is a different weight while still maintaining the same diameter. This perfects the sound as you play each string while supporting uniformity for ease of play. These strings are also available in both a high and low G pitch.
Caramel Baritone Ukulele Strings
When playing a baritone ukulele, it can be difficult to find quality strings because most people prefer the soprano or tenor sound. This set by Caramel comes with two sets of strings, so you’ll have a backup in case one breaks at an inopportune moment, like a concert or event.
They are made of high-quality steel and nylon; therefore, you shouldn’t have any reason to worry about breakage.
These ukulele strings do not have ball ends, and therefore they will take a little time to install. But once you’ve got them tuned to the perfect pitch, the sound is unparalleled!
Fender Concert Ukulele Strings
These strings are designed by Fender specifically for concert-sized ukuleles. They are made of clear nylon, as to blend in smoothly with whatever décor you’ve got on your ukulele.
The strings deliver a warm and clear sound while also offering projection which is necessary for larger events. They are made in the USA and are designed to stay in tune for an extended period of time.
Fender does offer ukulele strings for various other ukuleles such as soprano and tenor, but their concert ukulele strings are the ones favored by users for their light and happy tone, which audiences love.
Ukustic Ukulele Strings
Ukustic is another brand of ukulele string that is known for the bright and crisp sound they can bring to any ukulele. Their strings are made of 100% clear fluorocarbon, which offers extended durability when compared to regular nylon strings. They also offer strings for all types of ukuleles, from concerts to soprano and even tenor.
A cool feature of this brand of ukulele strings is that they are weather resistant. This makes them a great choice if you use your ukulele for outdoor events when your ukulele may get wet. They stay tight and in tune even in the most unfavorable environments to keep you on the pitch as you play!
GHS Ukulele Strings
These string sets by GHS will be sure to give your ukulele that Hawaiian tone you are looking for. Crafted out of high-quality nylon but with an aluminum third string, you will have that awesome mellow tone desired in romantic environments. These strings are available in tenor and standard.
GHS ukulele strings are designed for both professionals and beginners and offer easy play with their classic feel. These strings are to be installed with a lower tension than other ukuleles, and this can be helpful for players who like to pick or strum.
La Bella Soprano Ukulele Strings
La Bella offers amazing ukulele strings in black nylon, which are a favorite among professional ukulele players in Hawaii. They include MAP technology which is used to strengthen the string so they won’t be damaged in transit like some other brands. They are offered in a wide range of sizes for all types of ukuleles.
Besides being damage resistant, these strings are also ridiculously easy to tune, making them a great buy for beginners and professionals alike. They are best for solo-playing but can be used either in the studio or on stage.
Mudder Ukulele Strings
Mudder has long been known for its ability to produce ukulele strings of unparalleled quality. They specialize in producing only soprano strings, which makes them one of the best choices if you play a soprano ukulele. They are made from high-quality nylon, which is strong and durable.
If you are new to the world of ukulele playing, not to worry, as these strings come pre-labeled to help with easy recognition and installation. They also come with the pre-made key of C, which gives the notes you play a nice warm but also projecting tone.
Best Ukulele Strings for Fingerpicking
Although a ukulele is frequently played with a pick, fingerpicking is also a common musical style used in a number of songs. But not all ukulele strings work well with fingerpicking.
For best results, while fingerpicking a ukulele, you need strings that have less tension to allow easy movement. This is usually found in strings that are made of nylon as opposed to fluorocarbon, titanium, or carbon.
GHS Nylon Ukulele Strings are perfect for the fingerpicking player. They aren’t strung as tight to allow for easier playability. They also come with an aluminum third string, giving them a unique sound that is sure to have listeners asking for more.
But for those not as keen on the GHS brand, D’Addario also offers a nylon version of their popular ukulele strings, which can be used for fingerpicking. And if neither of these brands is your jam, any brand which offers a nice nylon string will work just fine.
Best Ukulele Strings for Beginners
Learning to play a new instrument is no easy feat, especially one as complicated as the ukulele. And if you have the wrong strings, this can make your journey even more difficult. Strings which are made of more durable or tough materials can actually be rough on your fingers, especially when you are just learning.
Most experts recommend starting with ukulele strings which are made out of nylgut—which is synthetic nylon that is easy on the fingers and durable at the same time.
Beyond just the material, as you are starting, you will also want to choose strings that are in the smallest gauge. The Aquila brand of ukulele strings fits both of these requirements. Just pay attention to the size you are buying.
However, it is worth noting that you may want to consider strings with a balled end when you first start. This is because tuning a ukulele can be difficult for beginners. In that case, you should take a look at Ernie Ball’s Ukulele Strings, which are made of nylon but also offer a balled end for easy installation.
How Do You Choose Ukulele Strings?
For those who aren’t beginners or don’t care to fingerpick, it can be difficult to know which ukulele strings are right for you. In general, you will probably want to try out a few different types of strings to see which sound suits your play style and what strings feel the best on your fingers as you play them.
But you do want to make sure that you always order the proper size strings for your instruments. This means if you own a tenor ukulele, you will always install tenor ukulele strings on it. If you aren’t sure what size ukulele you own, you can always use a tape measure to find out.
But there are a few things that can be decided before you try out ukulele strings, and one of those is whether you want a high or low g for your fourth string.
Beginners are always advised to choose a set of strings with a high g because this will be nicer to your fingers. But if you are more advanced, then you should select a low g string as this will give you more range.
The only exception to this is if you have a soprano ukulele because it is always advised to keep a high g on these instruments because of their natural tone.
Can You Use Guitar Strings on A Ukulele?
After reading all this, you may realize that shopping for ukulele strings is quite intensive, and you may be tempted to put guitar strings on your ukulele. Don’t do this. Ukuleles and guitars are different sizes and therefore require different strings.
If you put guitar strings on a ukulele, this puts too much strain on the frame of your instrument and could actually cause serious damage. Although some professionals do choose to do this, they often have expensive and custom-made instruments. For your personal ukulele, you should always use ukulele strings made specifically for your instrument.
The journey to selecting the correct ukulele strings for your instrument can be long and tedious. But with this list of the 15 best ukulele strings, you are already well on your way. Just don’t be afraid to give a couple of different strings a try until you discover which strings are the perfect fit for your instrument and play style!