In another article, I mentioned that strings can be a bit of a sensitive and a hot potato topic in the ukulele world. If you try to use concert ukulele strings on a tenor (or vice versa), you can expect some resistance.
So, I will delve into this topic and try to provide some nuance for you.
Strings, whether for a ukulele or another stringed instrument, are not just shoelaces cut to appropriate lengths. No, they are actually quite complex. Different string lengths (scale length) require different hardness and different materials from which the strings are made, different thicknesses, and so on. This is to ensure that the intonation works, and that there is no string buzzing or similar issues. So, even if a string for a concert ukulele and a string for a tenor ukulele may look identical to the naked eye, they should not be confused.
Soprano ukulele strings are thinner, concert ukulele strings are a little thicker, and they gradually get thicker for larger ukulele sizes. The thickness then varies within a string set. The fourth string is the thinnest, the first string is a little thicker, the second string is thicker, and the third string is the thickest. When talking about the thickness of guitar strings, i.e., the entire string package, the first string is usually used as a reference. For ukulele strings, this type of reference is not used as often. When I speak of different thick (ukulele) strings now, I am referring to the string set as a whole.
At the same time, there are strings (string sets) for, for example, tenor ukuleles of different thicknesses. Fluorocarbon strings are usually thinner than nylon strings, but there are also nylon strings of different thicknesses. And there are fluorocarbon strings of different thicknesses. Different thick nylon strings for the same scale length are reasonably made of different types of nylon material. Now we are in deep water, but there are many types of nylon material.
There can be a greater difference in thickness between two different tenor ukulele strings than there can be between any given tenor ukulele string set and a concert ukulele string set.
A tenor string set that has identical, or at least nearly identical, thickness to a concert string set is presumably made of different materials or manufacturing methods of some kind. But sometimes they are completely identical. For example, in cases where the string manufacturer actually offers a set that fits several sizes.
There are also examples of string sets available for different ukulele sizes where the manufacturer only has different labels on the packages. This usually only applies to simple, cheap strings from relatively unknown string manufacturers. In such cases, they are not initially very concerned with intonation and other factors, and it becomes a kind of compromise.
But this gets me thinking. What prevents one from using a set of soprano strings on a concert?
Let us remember the different manufacturing processes, different combinations of materials, etc. Let us also respect that this is the result of sometimes years of research by the manufacturers.
But many times this works out perfectly fine. If you are on your way to a gig and simply must re-string your soprano ukulele, but only have a pack of concert strings, it's not a catastrophe. Not as long as the concert strings are something reasonably common and normal. This should also work well the other way around, i.e., putting soprano strings on a concert ukulele. Similarly, it often works quite well between concert and tenor as well. Between all adjacent sizes.
Putting soprano strings on a tenor is usually not a good idea. Many times, the strings are simply too short. If you manage to put them on anyway, you will probably soon encounter problems. The strings will intonate poorly, it will sound out of tune no matter how you tune. You will probably experience problems with buzzing and clicking. This brings us back to what I mentioned in the beginning, that each string (set) is manufactured and adapted for a special length, a specific instrument, or whatever it may be.
So, "borrowing" strings from an adjacent size often works, even if it's not optimal.
But can you make deliberate mistakes, like experimenting and purely composing your own string sets and combinations?
The short answer is: yes, but it's not entirely unproblematic. As a rule, this works best with nylon strings.
Using tenor strings on baritone ukuleles is quite common. Now, that falls within the adjacent sizes I wrote about earlier, so it's perhaps not so rebellious. There can be various reasons for doing this. One reason is that there are many more strings (string sets) on the market for tenor than for baritone. You might be missing something for your baritone, and then you use the tenor version instead.
You can "borrow" a string set from an adjacent size for other purposes as well.
If you put concert strings on a tenor, or soprano strings on a concert, meaning borrowing from a smaller size, then the strings will be slacker than normal. Slacker strings mean lower sound volume and often a slightly softer sound. It also means that the strings will be easier to press down against the fretboard. But this increases the occurrence of string buzz. It is also likely that the intonation will be poorer. If you are looking for exactly this, i.e., a softer sound and/or strings that are kinder to the fingers, and can agree to "pay" with more buzz and poorer intonation – then this type of string borrowing is the thing.
You can also go the other way and borrow from a larger size, i.e., put tenor strings on a concert, for example. Now the strings will be tighter than usual. Tighter strings usually mean higher sound volume and a sharper tone. This can also be a way to eliminate (or at least reduce) string buzzing and clicking sounds if the ukulele already has problems with that. It also means that they become harder to press down against the fretboard. Even the intonation becomes poorer. This also leads to greater wear and tear on both the ukulele and the strings. You can both risk the bridge coming loose and strings breaking. But it's the same situation here; that you can get a ukulele that sounds louder if you can live with these risks.
But what about fluorocarbon strings?
These are usually thinner than nylon strings. Borrowing from a smaller size, for example putting concert fluorocarbon strings on a tenor, would probably give you a thin sound and lots of string buzz.
But borrowing fluorocarbon strings from a larger size is an exciting thought. Then you would get tight strings, but which would also feel thicker. You would probably have problems with intonation.
So… borrowing strings from an adjacent size is not optimal. It's not something I recommend. But as long as it's a loan from an adjacent size, and it concerns normal nylon strings, then it's also nothing I absolutely advise against. The risk is string buzz and poorer intonation.
As I have mentioned, there are many ukulele players around the world who deliberately "borrow" strings. But you may need to experiment to find a combination that works. Something that in practice will cost both time and money.
If you have any questions, ideas, or opinions on this guide, chronicle, or whatever it may be, please feel free to contact me.
