AQUILA UKULELE STRINGS - IN DEPTH (6 high G sets compared with samples)

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I spend my life explaining the differences between different strings and materials in my day to day at Southern Ukulele Store. I even made a pretty detailed video about Aquila for the shops channel that many have found helpful here;
• Ukulele Strings - AQUI...
If you are loving the content; why not consider helping me out and subscribing to my Patreon page
/ ukeswithalex
The thing missing from that 2018 SUS video was audio samples of each string set. In this video we compare Nylgut, Super Nylgut, Lava, Sugar, Red and Green Nylon (AGxAQ) strings on my Kanile'a SUS-T Tenor Ukulele.
Thank you to the kind folks at Sutherland Trading for supplying 6 sets of Aquila for this video. Thank you to Rob at Southern Ukulele Store for a bit of equipment help too.
The strings can be purchased at SUS here;
NYLGUT TENOR
www.southernuk...
LAVA TENOR
www.southernuk...
RED TENOR
www.southernuk...
SUPER NYLGUT
www.southernuk...
SUGAR TENOR
www.southernuk...
ALDRINE TENOR
www.southernuk...
If you have any other questions please feel free to comment and I will respond - if you are going to ask me which strings will suit your Ukulele, please do try and watch the video first and come to your own conclusion... haha.
I would be so grateful if you checked out one or all of the links below... your support and interest in my content means the world to me.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Email - ukeswithalex@gmail.com
Ukes Website - ukeswith.com
Music Website - alexbeds.co.uk
Merch Store - ukeswith.bigca...
Patreon - / ukeswithalex
Paypal Tip Jar - www.paypal.com...
RU-vid Channel - / ukeswithalex
#aquilastrings #aquilacorde #ukulelestrings

Опубликовано:

12 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 106

@arnanyathavan9141 2 года назад

sound comparison new nylgut: 5:19 lava nylgut: 7:27 nylgut red series: 12:20 super nylgut: 15:08 suger series: 19:21

@13.tsuki_ 4 года назад

This was sooooo helpful, thank you. Also, I'm Italian and you're pronunciating "aquila" right, "aquíla" is far more right that "akíla" but if we want to be annoying the perfect way to say it is "áquila" with the accent on the first "a". Anyway this video saved my life

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

Love this comment ❤️ thanks for watching

@pixpusher 4 года назад

Exactly!!! "Akila" is incorrect. Drives me nuts and I am not Italian.

@MichaelStoneham 4 месяца назад

Great to see a good review of Aquila strings. Many people often say they tried Aquila strings often referring to the Nylgut/New Nylgut strings.

@TheIronDuke9 3 года назад

Bought the reds, love em. On my super tenor the A snapped after a couple of days. I replaced the single A with a nygut and kept the reds on the other three. Been playing for weeks, love it. All my regular tenors now have full reds

@PwoperLarissa 3 года назад

Yessssss!!! I just gotta give some love and support for the Reds. I *love* their sound, especially on my more guitar-y uke. My "finer" uke which has a *gorgeous* full found, needs strings with a warmer sound, but I tried the Red ones in it as well and oof, *pretty.* Just, indeed, it misses some of the higher harmonics that other strings have. STILL my favorite kind of Aquila though.

@bobo_momchillovich 4 года назад

Thank you Alex! You are my spirit animal. Going in Mariana trench depths on strings is just the thing I need and love to do myself. Please do continue with other strings! For future videos maybe in depth view of tonewoods, laminates vs. solids and all that other eternal debates in our community. Whatever it is - just keep it going! You have a follower in me.

@audreygiamlayhoon 4 года назад

Thank you, Alex! I looked out for this. As expected, comprehensive, informative, educational...and authoritative. Everyone will be referring to this video for a long time 😀

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

I really hope so. Please do share it around if you don't mind with anybody that might find it useful. Thanks as always for your kind words.

@audreygiamlayhoon 4 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex Will do so

@andrewriecke4412 4 года назад

Just bought a set of the sugar strings, and I've got to say they really are a good set of strings. I've only used Nylgut (New and Super) up to this point since I'm new to the uke scene, but this video was my go to when looking at getting a new set of strings for my Aklot. Thanks Alex, amazing content as always!

@kristalind7313 2 года назад

Thank you, Alex for these string videos, very helpful!!! I have tried fluorocarbon (clear and brown) and nylon (D´addario and GHS)- not for me really. But I love the Sugar strings- good for strumming and picking too (on my laminate concert). I actually like a lot the feel of the Sugars- little sticky and squeaky and gleamy. And now have been using Reds for some weeks on my solid mahogany concert, probably gonna stick with them for some time. Love Reds for fingerpicking, the sound is great! Yes, they are rough surface- I find it more comfortable than slippery surface of fluorocarbon.

@jeannemurphy6875 3 года назад

Thanks, Alex, very helpful video, as always! I have a Kanile'a tenor with super Nylgut strings. It was useful to me to hear these different strings on my instrument. Turns out I like the super Nylgut best!

@djentlover Год назад

Strumming comparison: Nylgut regular 7:28 (clean, simple sound, some jumping high resonances) Nylgur red 12:53 (long sustain, reduced attack, slightly metallic, loud) Nylgut super 15:42 (as regular but sharper and louder) Nylgur sugar 20:02 (complex and smooth attack, short sustain, very little resonances)

@imprsv7072 7 месяцев назад

thanks, what the best for sad songs?

@waynegordon4770 4 года назад

I really appreciate the review, Alex. Thanks for providing more background and context to this rabbit-hole activity of ukulele strings. I wondered about the Martin 625 heritage. I tried them on a Moonbird tenor that needed a string change, but felt that the clarity and pureness of tone wasn't quite there for fingerpicking. These strings have a sort of twang that might work well on a solid cherry uke I use more for strumming and will replace a set of Sugar strings that have not lost their squeak.

@LawrieFWhite 4 года назад

Thank you - just taken up ukulele . This helps. I like the depth & tone of “red” especially with low G. Interested in trying “sugar” to on my high g

@TubeJLF 4 года назад

I quite liked them on my concert high g!

@RickHenderson58 4 года назад

Thanks very much for the deep dive, Alex. I was unlucky enough to try the Reds when they broke all the time. (I recall that here in the States, Mim used to issue a stern talking-to to anyone who asked her for them, even though she offered and sold them.) Of all the Aquilas, the Sugars and Martin Premiums have worked best for me, and I'm glad to see you like them too! One thing about the Sugars I really appreciate is they seem to maintain volume and sustain when you play higher up the neck, even on sopranos. And they are pretty durable, too. Great video.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

It's hard to argue with that... Mim and I both have a reputation for letting people know what's good for them even if it's not what they want to hear. After all, we still get people buy them and then complain when they snap 6-7 years after release. Thanks so much for watching and commenting... I've never tried Sugars on a Soprano so you have suitably filled a gap in my knowledge. Appreciate it.

@andrewriecke4412 4 года назад

Great video and super informative! As a K-5 (US) music teacher planning to teach students ukulele, this is great info for when I'll eventually be restringing my class set. Thanks again!

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

My pleasure, appreciate such a positive comment.

@k.laffite4666 3 года назад

Thanks for this great info! I think the word you were looking for was opacity (Oh - pass-ity.) Keep up the great work!

@robertolozanopetitsoleiluk6797 2 года назад

Muchos thanks Alex 👍 really really interresting ! The comparison is the best way to choose what we need...

@ettoliram8116 3 года назад

The Reds are by far my favourite on virtually all of my ukuleles; the weird texture goes away with use. The new Martin strings (can't remember the name, something deluxe, green packet with gold letters) are made by Aquila too; they are virtually the same as the Reds, but with a different colour, less of the texture and more in price ;)

@subrosa4792 2 года назад

I love the Red Series too! Been very curious to try the new Martin/Aquila strings, if they are like the Red Series, I’m sure I will love them! I like to use an old beat up sanding sponge when I first install my Red Series strings, I rub the sanding sponge up and down the entire length of the strings after I have installed them, maybe 5-10 times to smooth them out, and they tend to squeak a lot less. I picked up that trick from an ukulele channel here on RU-vid but I can’t remember now which channel it was that I learned that trick from.

@davidmolloy126 3 года назад

Hiya Alex, thanks very much for another great post. I'm thinking of putting some sugar's on, as every review says how good they are particularly for picking on solid instruments. I know that is a bit of a generalisation, but you know what I mean! The squeak on the video sounds a bit like a new pair of leather shoes. I love Martin 600s on my concert though so it will be interesting to see the difference between those and sugar's on a tenor. Take care and stay safe. David ❤️🎶🎸🇬🇧

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

The squeaky but definitely doesn't last more than a couple of days for me... Best of luck with it.

@alinecharbonneau1381 Год назад

Love the Reds with low G for my tenor ukuleleé They have a full body sound that. I'm more of a folk guitar/ukulele player so I like a softer feel. Thank-you for these videos, really informative and helpful.

@ira_metal 3 года назад

Awesome video!! I really appreciate it! I just put my first Aquila super Nylgut on my uke and they are as squeaky as the sugar ones you show us on the video! Hope it goes away in a few days ☺️

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

You can sometimes just rub whatever that lubricant is on the string off with a dry tissue. We use guitar polish if that helps?

@ira_metal 3 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex Cool! Good to know! I played all day yesterday and it went away thankfully! But I'll know for next time, thanks for the reply!

@modalmixture Год назад

I use the red/lava NylGut strings on my low G tenor for a darker, more classical guitar sound. They have a very satisfying, crisp attack that works well for fingerpicking. On my high G tenor, which I use more for strumming, I prefer fluorocarbons for that bright, shimmery Hawaiian sound.

@slidefever 3 года назад

Thanks Alex, great stuff as always 👍

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

My pleasure!

@wtpwtp 3 месяца назад

Great comparison. Thank you!

@ettoliram8116 3 года назад

Also, because the Reds have such an unusual density, they can be a solution for ukuleles with wolf notes or dead notes

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

That's a helpful tip

@qtpieamongus8954 Год назад

What are wolf notes?

@ericsinchina 2 года назад

I put Reds on my Lava U 2 and it transformed the instrument. I absolutely hated it and regretted buying it...now it's my favorite.

@urkwez3687 3 года назад

20:20 Nice strings if you playing Pizzolla!

@jonathansadler4911 4 года назад

Great video Alex. Alway wondering about the best strings in terms of tone/volume etc linked to wood. I.e. cedar / spruce v acacia / koa. I have got what I assume are fluorocarbon on my flight phantom; not got home to try the new big island mango I got for you lovely lot at SUS (assume they are Aquila?). Anyhow - for relative newbies if you can find time for a strings v woods comparison it would be really useful.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

That's a good one! Il have a think about how I can action a video on that.

@erika.m.m.debeer6300 4 года назад

Excellent & useful video !

@catburn3 4 года назад

Really informative and helpful video Alex. Thanks

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

My pleasure, thanks for watching

@conlitras3379 4 года назад

Great Content!!

@Lanternamagika Год назад

'Aquila, Alex, 'Aquila ['A-kweelah] with the accent on the A ... means "eagle" in Italian 🙏🙏🙏 Grazie! (but thankyou nonetheless)

@littlesigh Год назад

2 years late but some great info! I am finding more and more of you videos... probably due to the AI looking at my views...lol. So the question I have is what is the tune you play? Tabs? Thanks!

@UkesWithAlex Год назад

There is a demo for this song on the Southern Ukulele Store youtube channel. 'Sus demo' is what most People know it as

@JayNewberyy 2 года назад

in 2015 when i had my first (and so far only) ukulele student, i suggested they get aquila strings for their ukulele to replace the factory set (ghs if i remember), they came to the next lesson with aquila bio-nylon! very odd strings and ive never come across them again. felt really weird when fitting and when playing.

@qtpieamongus8954 Год назад

Wondered where the bionylons were in the video.

@raceface_m2579 4 года назад

The super nylgut sounded best. It had both an even amount of lows and crisp highs. The regular yellow nylgut just sounded dull in comparison to all. I’ve been using Martin fluorocarbons on my Style 0. Much easier to find either locally or on amazon with free shipping. They run a tad cheaper than other flourocarbons. Have never been a fan of Aquila’s because of their diameter. Always seemed like they pulled more as well on old ukes. I’d have to try the Super Nylgut and Sugar ones though. But with the price of each set being sourced online plus shipping is what’s stopping me haha.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

I don't want to make a habit of this but we don't charge for UK shipping and US shipping is only £2... Just as a heads up if you decide to buy from a specialist rather than feed Amazon. You did mention you also buy locally so No hard feelings- I get it. My favourite strings are Martin Fluorocarbon too and also DR Moonbeams. I will be covering them in depth soon.

@slidefever 3 года назад

Thank Alex, If the strings stretch a lot and you end up with too many winds around the post, do you undo the string, pull it through bit more and tie it as before? I've recently restrung a uke and reducing the number of winds around the post improved the intonation. I'm definitely going to use your method next time though. I'm currently going through a lot of Aquila strings of different types as per your video on the different types. Regards Chris

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

If you have too many winds around the post then do just a single wrap around the post before feeding the string through. If you pull the string tight enough at the start of the process then it's barely possible to have too much going around the post. 🙂

@slidefever 3 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex that’s great advice, much appreciated. Regards Chris

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

Good luck

@iBudrow 4 года назад

I do like the sound of Aquila red strings. I HATE the feel tho. I think it has the same type of rubbery feel as the Martin super nygult. They keep making the fingers squeak when fret

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

Same. Not a fan of that cat tongue texture but when I made the video the sound was one of my preferred sounds...

@andee161 2 года назад

Which of those strings would you recommend for playing classical Ukulele? I currently use Worth Clears Low G but I am finding the tension is too high and I am experiencing pain when barring and playing melodies at the 7th fret and above. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

@liannejohnson5491 4 года назад

Great comparison, Alex. I have the super nylgut low g on an old concert of mine, and the low g string is actually a red. It's my first experience with low g, so I'm not sure if they are all like this, but that string seems to flop around like a fish in the bottom of a boat LOL...it totally turned me off of the reds, which I had initially wanted to try. It's very matte and noisy under the fingers too. But hearing you play a high g set made them sound really appealing lol...and maybe just the lighting but they looked like a shinier finish than the low g that I have. So I might just try a set of high g reds one of these days and see how they compare.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

Your observation of the colour difference is spot on actually. The strings vary from almost a glossy brown in some cases to a slutty red matte look. The low G super Nylgut sets with the reds are not very well liked and I rarely see orders for them. I personally wouldn't use them because the red string in these sets is different to the popular red low G string you can buy individually (why, I have no idea but would guess to do with how the set balances). Try any other Low G and you should have a much more inviting experience. Unwound Low G's are all a bit floppy so try a wound one next time. 🙂

@liannejohnson5491 4 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex Thanks Alex, that's good to know it's not just me...I kept wondering why they sounded so awful with that red low g. Glad it wasn't just bad playing :D. I'll replace the low g string with something else as you suggested, that's a good idea. And I may just try a full set of reds just for fun, since they will likely be much different. Thank you again! :)

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

Always a pleasure

@PieterSielie 3 года назад

Awesome video 🔥

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

Thanks

@jm653 4 года назад

Thanks for this. Tbh, everything sounds good! Looking forward to trying the sugars and green nylon, and maybe the reds. Hope to drop into the store at some point when I can travel to the uk again. Do you know if import duty is applied for mainland Europe now if I order a uke? Gutted about Brexit.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

No, right now everything in terms of VAT is the same so the included VAT price is the total price you pay for anything (hopefully for everybody's sake it stays that way past the end of 2020). Brexit is a heartbreaker - everyone has an opinion on it and ive come to accept after 4 years that it's happened and I can't let it bother me anymore. SUS will always be a friend to members of the European Union and I'm sorry 🤝 Appreciate you watching the video 👍🤙

@jm653 4 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex Thanks for your answer. I definitely need another uke!

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

Sweet! Well I'm back next week if you decide you want a chat 😊

@jm653 4 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex Thanks Alex. Have to see when I can get away with it as have already bought an acoustic guitar and guitarlele this year. It all started when I took my vintage e-guitar in for repair (not cheap either), and saw a flyer for ukulele lessons! Looking to get a baritone. I have a borrowed one I need to give back at some point. Have a nice weekend!

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

@@jm653 you too 🤗

@SouthernUkuleleStore 4 года назад

Bravo!

@D0hle 4 года назад

Excellent video! A bit more in-depth than the equivalent SUS video a few years ago. Loved it. I'd be chuffed if you did a video on D'Addario strings as those are generally less covered in my opinion (although judging by the comments at the end I'm guessing you're going to do a video on fluorocarbon strings, which would be excellent as well) :) Question: Since you play a Kanile'a, which strings do you prefer on it? I've tried almost every possible string on mine and settled with Worth Browns but they have slight intonation issues (possibly because of the lower gauge compared to the stock strings). I think Aquila nylguts sound surprisingly good on a Kanile'a but I don't like the feel of them and they still do have that quintessential Aquila sound to them. I also tried several different nylon strings but found that they lacked volume and projection, although I really liked the feel of them.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

I'm totally with you about the feel of Nylgut - when I made the video I thought yuck these feel horrible but the sound was very good. I guess for that reason the super Nylgut would be the preferred choice of the two. Kanile'a and strings is a tough one. That particular SUS uke I like tighter and thinner flurocarbon strings. The DR Moonbeams are the ones I most recently tried and I liked them a lot. I also get on really well with the Fremont Blackline strings which I think have slightly better intonation for how I play than Worth browns. The worth browns are excellent on my Sumi and when I had KoAlohas though... Maybe just a Kanile'a thing 🤷🏻‍♂️ I will indeed be doing D'addario strings soon, probably next actually depending on whether anyone watches this 🙈

@audreygiamlayhoon 4 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex you know I'll watch. Please also do Worths, which are mid boggling

@DanielFlores-ku8os 4 года назад

Great video Alex. I think this was the best Aquila comparison video I have seen yet. My two favorites are Aquila Sugar and the AG AQ in that order. The other Aguilas just didn't sound good to my ears on your Ukulele. What ukulele were you playing?

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

A Kanile'a SUS-T which is Cedar/Mahogany. It's a great uke for getting different sounds with different strings. I actually think the AGAQs were my favourite

@DanielFlores-ku8os 4 года назад

@@UkesWithAlex I thought that is what you were playing. I really like the sound of those ukuleles. If I was in the market for another ukulele that a Tenor of that series would be at the top of my list.

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

@@DanielFlores-ku8os I really rate them. It's not the sound everyone wants but I really do think it sounds as good as many £3000-£4000 Ukes I've played. It does look extremely boring though- some of the others we have had at the shop have looked more interesting.

@veemay9735 Год назад

Is there an Aquila Ball End Baritone Ukelele string?

@kathleensimonds1438 Год назад

Hi, Alex. Thanks for the great video! I purchased a set of Aquila red strings (high G), and I have two ukuleles I am thinking of trying them on. One is a laminate maple (that currently has D'Addario Titaniums), and the other is an ENYA solid mahogany MS that currently has the stock fluorocarbon strings. Both are concert size. Which ukulele do you think would benefit most from the red strings?

@UkesWithAlex Год назад

No idea. Probably the laminate if I had to guess

@slidefever 3 года назад

Hi Alex, will you be doing a video on restringing a ukulele and how to avoid ending up with too many winds on the posts when they have stopped stretching? Thanks Chris

@UkesWithAlex 3 года назад

I have made restringing videos for the Southern Ukulele Store channel already. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-df9Jmr3b3Ls.html Does this cover what you need?

@andrewlongo6 3 года назад

Aquila is eagle in italian. Qu is kw sound like in english.

@dialectcoachesadmin2494 Год назад

Back in 2011 I was able to buy Aquila Tenor strings that were natural gut (not nylgut). They seem to only make these for concert ukes now... Does anyone make natural gut strings for tenors anymore?

@UkesWithAlex Год назад

Just aquila who still manufacture them for concert uke and guitar. If you contact me at Southern Ukulele Store I can look into it

@c4arschfisch51 Год назад

What is the BK../.... Number on the back stand for? Produce date, or more like best before?

@UkesWithAlex Год назад

There are produce dates on the back.

@KommammoK 4 года назад

Hi Alex, are you sure about the Lava strings, on the Aquila website they say that Lava strings are black dyed Super nylgut strings?

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

I just went and picked up a packet of Lava strings and looked at the back and it says that they are developed from Aquilas trademarked Nylgut string... I'm going on what the packet says and not Aquilas website. I'm afraid I can't confirm which is correct, merely double check my sources on this one. I actually doubted myself when I first double checked this for the video so I could be slightly wrong. Texturally the difference between nylgut and super Nylgut is the slightly satin finish which is perhaps closer to the lavas... Who knows? 🤷🏻‍♂️

@donmcfall9566 4 года назад

Does Aquila make a floracarbon E string (the E 5 notes above the 440 A)? What is the diameter and poundage for that E string?

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

No, they don't. Sorry.

@tranquilo_oni_ 2 года назад

Crak👌🏽👌🏽

@chandlerpoling 4 года назад

I have a Ohana TK-70-8. Any recommendations for strings available in sets of 8, and suitable for an 8 string instrument?

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

The GHS factory strings on that Ukulele are excellent for it... I think personally I would try the kamaka 8 string set or Aquila lava 8 string set. I think the code for the lava strings you need would be 119u 😉

@chandlerpoling 4 года назад

Ukes With Alex hey thanks, Alex

@A-Wa 4 года назад

thanks for the video! But I still cant decide xD I have an all solid mahagony ohana and it came with aquilla strings, which is ok but I think it could sound better

@UkesWithAlex 4 года назад

Keep an eye out for a video on other string types very soon... I personally like clear flurocarbon on Ohanas