Mahalo, HMS and Kalei, for this Aquila string comparison video! Last fall, I decided to try the Aquila Lavas on my Pono Cedar Top Mahogany tenor (MTD-CR). I agree with Kalei's assessment of how the Lavas are comfortable -- they feel very soft and smooth to my fingers. In my opinion, I think that they also have great clarity and that they also project a lot of warmth in tone. Thank you, again, for this video and love you guys at HMS so much! :-)
Everyone in my ukulele choir who has tried the Lavas loves them. I tried the carbon blacks, they sounded good, but I had a slight rattle until they broke in. I just changed string tonight to the Lavas. I am looking forward to trying the Sugars next.
The reds seem a bit bright. The lavas seem better balanced between highs, mids, and lows. Just strung some lavas up a couple days ago on my Tenor, and I like them a lot.
Love these string comparison videos. Excellent playing man. Just wish there was more strumming so we can get an idea of what that sounds like on different strings.
Adding a comment L-O-N-G after initial posting (so, maybe seen by no one), but, of the four, I like the sound of the “Reds” best. I’ll note at the outset that I am not really a fan of Aquila strings generally. I have made a number of Facebook ukulele group(s) responses of “first thing, lose the Aquila strings and get fluorocarbon strings.” I remain of that sentiment. I have owned, over time, probably 35-40 ukuleles, and have tried MANY different string sets: Aquila, Fremont, Kamaka (least favorite of all), KoAloha (they now sell their stock strings), Kanile’a (a “customized” Worth set), Ko’olau (both nylon Alohi and fluorocarbon Aho), Living Water, Pepe Romaro, PHD, Uke Logic, and Uke S.A. (“Pops KoAloha’s” reissue of the original KoAloha strings) - and recommend all of the fluorocarbons over any Aquila. But, of these, I thought the Reds sounded best.
Aquila Reds have been my string of choice for several years now, and I think the C string is reason enough to use them. So many other strings sets sound fine, except for a dull-sounding C string. The Reds don't have this problem. I always bring them up to tune very slowly, and so far I have broken only two strings-- the unwound, low-G strings, which broke at the tuning peg after a couple days of use. I will be trying the Lava strings on one uke that I want to use for traditional Hawaiian music.
Good day! Can you please tell me which strings are better to put under Low-G tuning on a tenor ukulele (electro acoustics) from the AQUILA RED or Sugar series? I want it to be close to the guitar sound.
You could play a Uke strung with fucking spaghetti noodles and make it sound outstanding. I watch your string comparisons when I feel like switching things up and then forget what I even came for in the first place.
I put the sugars on my KTM and for whatever reason they just feel too slippery and "wrong" in my opinion, and a tad too bright for my liking......I am NOT any kind of expert or anything but think I'm going to try the Worth clears again and then slap myself for ever taking the original one's that Joel and them put on it in the 1st place......Fantastic playing as always Kalei and thank all of ya at HMS/thatukulelesite for doing these videos for us.....God's blessings and prayers for Big Island from Texas....
How do you feel about the squeak that comes from the Sugar strings? I love the way the sound, but the squeak can get a little annoying. Also, what song is Kalei playing in the sound samples? I just sold off this ukulele and Kalei makes it sound like a freakin dream lol.
Mahalo, HMS and Kalei, for this Aquila string comparison video! Last fall, I decided to try the Aquila Lavas on my Pono Cedar Top Mahogany tenor (MTD-CR). I agree with Kalei's assessment of how the Lavas are comfortable -- they feel very soft and smooth to my fingers. In my opinion, I think that they also have great clarity and that they also project a lot of warmth in tone. Thank you, again, for this video and love you guys at HMS so much! :-)
Great comparison. Thank you!
Everyone in my ukulele choir who has tried the Lavas loves them. I tried the carbon blacks, they sounded good, but I had a slight rattle until they broke in. I just changed string tonight to the Lavas. I am looking forward to trying the Sugars next.
Super Nylgut 0:33
Sugar 1:42
Lava 2:47
Red 3:51
The reds seem a bit bright. The lavas seem better balanced between highs, mids, and lows. Just strung some lavas up a couple days ago on my Tenor, and I like them a lot.
Love these string comparison videos. Excellent playing man.
Just wish there was more strumming so we can get an idea of what that sounds like on different strings.
I use red and love them
The sugar sounds pretty good, is really sweet
The baritone sugars sound great too!
Would love to hear you guys add the carbon blacks to the comparison.
Adding a comment L-O-N-G after initial posting (so, maybe seen by no one), but, of the four, I like the sound of the “Reds” best. I’ll note at the outset that I am not really a fan of Aquila strings generally. I have made a number of Facebook ukulele group(s) responses of “first thing, lose the Aquila strings and get fluorocarbon strings.” I remain of that sentiment. I have owned, over time, probably 35-40 ukuleles, and have tried MANY different string sets: Aquila, Fremont, Kamaka (least favorite of all), KoAloha (they now sell their stock strings), Kanile’a (a “customized” Worth set), Ko’olau (both nylon Alohi and fluorocarbon Aho), Living Water, Pepe Romaro, PHD, Uke Logic, and Uke S.A. (“Pops KoAloha’s” reissue of the original KoAloha strings) - and recommend all of the fluorocarbons over any Aquila. But, of these, I thought the Reds sounded best.
Aquila Reds have been my string of choice for several years now, and I think the C string is reason enough to use them. So many other strings sets sound fine, except for a dull-sounding C string. The Reds don't have this problem. I always bring them up to tune very slowly, and so far I have broken only two strings-- the unwound, low-G strings, which broke at the tuning peg after a couple days of use. I will be trying the Lava strings on one uke that I want to use for traditional Hawaiian music.
I like the Aquila Red .
I like the red.
Good day! Can you please tell me which strings are better to put under Low-G tuning on a tenor ukulele (electro acoustics) from the AQUILA RED or Sugar series? I want it to be close to the guitar sound.
It would be cool to see him redo that but not know which strings he is playing. possibly blindfolded?
LOVE IT！COOL KALEI！！！！
I've been testing the low G lavas and Low G sugars and love them both except the wound low G on the Lavas is a bit too squeaky for my tastes.
NEED a Kamaka. Any on the way? Lovely playing. Aloha
You could play a Uke strung with fucking spaghetti noodles and make it sound outstanding. I watch your string comparisons when I feel like switching things up and then forget what I even came for in the first place.
My choice would be 1-sugar2-red3-lava4- super nygut
Does anyone know what song he is playing?
I put the sugars on my KTM and for whatever reason they just feel too slippery and "wrong" in my opinion, and a tad too bright for my liking......I am NOT any kind of expert or anything but think I'm going to try the Worth clears again and then slap myself for ever taking the original one's that Joel and them put on it in the 1st place......Fantastic playing as always Kalei and thank all of ya at HMS/thatukulelesite for doing these videos for us.....God's blessings and prayers for Big Island from Texas....
Nice video.
How do you feel about the squeak that comes from the Sugar strings? I love the way the sound, but the squeak can get a little annoying. Also, what song is Kalei playing in the sound samples? I just sold off this ukulele and Kalei makes it sound like a freakin dream lol.
The song “I Will Remember You” by Kui Lee; however, he’s playing the Makaha Sons version.
i cant tell much difference