ukulele strings

Aquila Red Series ukulele set

The set with an unwound low-G fourth string — brighter than a wound string, and it does not squeak.

Watch

Tom Crean's video plays a ukulele strung with Reds and works through what the unwound low-G string does to the instrument.

Why it matters

A thicker string is a duller string: raising the gauge to reach a lower pitch also raises internal damping. Red Series changes the material's specific weight instead and leaves the gauge close to the treble strings. That is what makes an unwound low G possible, and it is also why the colour varies slightly from string to string — the metal loading differs by design, not by accident. The slightly rough surface is deliberate too, and is what removes the squeak a wound string can make.

Note

Aquila's answer to the wound fourth string. Red Series adds metal powder to the material in a different proportion for each string, so the specific weight rises without the gauge having to — which is how the low-G string can be made unwound.

Specifications

• Nylgut-family monofilament loaded with metal powder
• red-brown colour, slightly rough surface
• soprano, concert, tenor and baritone
• high-G and low-G
• unwound low-G fourth string available
• sets and single strings
• made in Italy

Before you buy

• the surface is slightly rough by design, and that is what removes the squeak of a wound string
• the colour varies string to string because the metal loading differs, which is intended
• low-G is a different feel from high-G, not just a different note

Sources

• aquilacorde.com
• aquilastringschina.com
• guitarcenter.com