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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
 Posted - 04/11/2007 : 08:18:18 AM
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I recently picked up some amazing handmade `ukulele strings from Guadalupe Custom Strings in LA. Their "Brudda Blue" line of hand-wound fiber core strings are truly spectacular -- great sound, long life. I put a set on my K-wave Tele uke and the instrument came alive.
I'm putting 'em on my Dennis Lake tenor and Annie's little pineapple concert, too. They are that good.
Oh, the the hand-colored strings are really cool -- kinda psychelic-like.
Here's what they say:
quote:
We take pride in offering a unique product to our customers. Our strings are not produced by the process of automation, but “individually hand crafted” by artisans who are also musicians and understand the significance of the art they are creating for the musicians who will be using our strings.
Really nice people, too. Check 'em out at http://www.guadalupecustomstrings.com/
Oh, and if you are wondering where to get strings for your requinto jarocho or cavaquinho, they got those, too.
Cheers,
Mark
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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2007 : 08:34:46 AM
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Well, since I can relate to the whole "kinda psychedelic" era all too well ... I called the folks at Guadalupe and ordered up for the concert, the tenor and the classical guitar.
You're right, Mark -- extremely nice folks, very helpful and easy to order from.
Can't wait to string 'em up and take a test drive. 
Davey |
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dr. cookie
Lokahi
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2007 : 4:51:29 PM
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Aloha Mark!
You've got me interested . . . can you compare them to any other strings we might be familiar with (Aquillas, etc.)?
Got them on your pretty tenor yet? What strings have you been using on it . . . and how do the Guadalupe/Bruddas compare (sound & feel)?
Don |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 08:45:47 AM
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OK gang, I've had a few more days to mess around with the Brudda Blue Fibre Core `ukulele strings from Gudalupe Custom Strings. Here's what I think:
K-Wave Tele - I had been using monofiliment strings for # 1-3 and a wound string for the low G. Swapped 'em to the Brudda Blue Low G set. The uke, which was completely unbalanced beofre, now sounds great. More highs, more lows and particulary warm midrange. Downside? The Low G wasn't handcolored like the others. So I got out the felt markers...
Annie's koa pineapple concert. This is the uke she made under Dennis Lake's direction at the Aloha Camp. It was a good sounding uke, then I put Aquilas on it and it became a great sounding uke. (I'm not just saying this for pride's sake. Guests at our house who don't know it's history have commented on how good it is.) I popped on a set of Brudda Blues with the high G.
Verdict? I think it sounds even better, though different. It's now more balanced tonally, maybe not as crisp and dark as the Aquillas. But there's more finger noise, particularly when strumming using nails. (A function of the wound strings.) Annie is warming up to the sound, and she loves the colors. Maybe we'll see a Hemojang reunion at camp this June...
I popped a high G set on the Dennis Lake Island Jazz tenor this morning. I'd been using Aquillas exclusively on this puppy. My feelings about the Brudda Blues are mixed. It certainly does sound different -- I'd say a tad more guitar-like. Again, maybe a hair more balanced tonally.. though I really like the sound of the phony-gut strings. Time will tell.
But, since the new ones are wound strings, lots more finger noise (also more guitar like.) And there's more tension, too. Which might take some getting used to, though I'm starting to like it. They do seem to bring focus to some of my dodgey technique. Ouch.
I may go back to the Aquilla's on the big uke, but I'm 100% sold on the wound stings on the two concerts. Incidentally -- the banjo uke I recently picked up was already strung with 'em.
One more thing: The packaging for the 2nd string on the tenor set was mislabeled. Not a big deal, but might confuse some folks. The string guage was fine.
All and all, I'd suggest trying a set or two and seeing if they work for you.
Happy uke-a-bangin'! |
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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 6:07:50 PM
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Ten bucks for concert strings plus tax. Do they charge additional for shipping?
Just when I was becoming an Aquila fan...
Probably wouldn't change out my two "birdhouse" ukuleles, as the Aquilas make them sound awfully nice to my ear, but if a concert sized can be made to sound better yet than with new Aquila's, this store-bought little one of mine can use all the help it can get. Although, on second thought, wound strings might just stop some buzzing on some ukuleles if they fit the slots in the nut tighter because of the nylon wound around the fibre core -depends on the string diameters.
Wonder if they'd change the nut slots over time due to wear if they do have a larger diameter - or is the diameter of each string the same? Oh well, even if they are thicker, or even the same diameter, what effect they'd have would be a function of the nut slot material hardness versus the nylon winding hardness and coefficient of sliding friction in the nut as each string is ever so slightly stretched when it is plucked or strummed. I'd think that with a smooth (monofilament) string you'd experience less friction than with a wound string in the nut slots.
More wear and tear on your fingers when fretting as well? You mention finger noise being greater. That seems to suggest more friction.
You say they sound more guitar-like...
I wonder if this is when the transition to wound strings for ukuleles (from mono-filament, pseudo-gut strings) begins, in a historical sense, as it did when guitars transitioned from gut to wound metal strings.
Good information... |
Thank you. |
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