3 types of GDAE nylon strings for Cavaquinho and mandolin

[hove64]

hi all.
i would like to string my Suzuki M150 mandolin,
and my new Cavaquinho, with
GDAE nylon strings.
(i like finger picking and i like the tone. i do not mind low volume).

The only options i found are:

-Aquila 30U Ukulele SOPRANO in Violin/Mandolin Fifths Tuning - GDAE (w/ wound G-string)

-Aquila New Nylgut AQ-30 Soprano Ukulele Strings in Fifths - GDAE

-Aquila 1M RED SERIES Neapolitan Mandolin Set, Medium Tension.

my questions are:

1) what is the difference between these 3 options? (especially between the 30U and the AQ-30)

2)Which one is best for the mandolin, and which one for the Cavaquinho?

3)Is there any other option beside those 3, for nylon\non steel GDAE strings (for soprano size)?

(as i understood, in some sets, the E string snaps easily)

thanks

[hove64]

just found a 4th option with Worth fluorocarbon strings. here:

http://www.danielbrauchli.com/various.htm

if you can compare this one too.

[mandroid]

Only have had the set of 8 I got, from Aquila , in the a set of 8, the G could be heavier , but its to be double course.. so that makes sense.

Low E from high tension classical guitar set would be better as a single string..

you have a link describing string the gages in their various sets?

[hove64]

hi

here is what Aquila wrote me back about the difference between
30U and AQ-30 :

"the 30U is the Aquila’s code, the AQ30 is probably our distributor code for the same product. "

So...back to 3 options.

just bought

Aquila 30U Nylgut Soprano Fifths Tuning GDAE Ukulele Strings
and
Aquila 1M Red Series Mandolin Strings

lets see how it works...

[kkmm]

Another option is to get a concert ukulele and get a Aquila string set to be tuned in fifth (not a normal ukulele string set).
You will get an instrument with mandolin tuning that sounds loud and good. Perfect for finger picking.

[hove64]

hi

here is what Aquila wrote me back about the difference between
30U and AQ-30 :

"the 30U is the Aquila’s code, the AQ30 is probably our distributor code for the same product. "

So...back to 3 options.

just bought

Aquila 30U Nylgut Soprano Fifths Tuning GDAE Ukulele Strings
and
Aquila 1M Red Series Mandolin Strings

lets see how it works...

UPDATE:
o.k. put the 30U on the Cavaqinho, and the 1M on the mandolin.
They both work great, (accurate enough for me).
Now, i lower both instruments in 1 tone to FCGD, and i like the sound and feel of both, even more. Of course i will need to adjust my habits to the new scales.

[mandroid]

I got a Martin Baritone uke set , and use a soprano uke string as a substitute for the highest E..
1st and 4th are the same on Sop sets. (re-entrant tuning)

[they're cheap]




...

[shiloh]

HI all - I'm following this thread as I would like to use nylon strings on my Weber A. Maybe just 4 strings vs. 8. I got the gauges from Daniel B and bought the fishing line but the E strings broke almost instantly. I also don't think the nylon strings can get the top to pump very well as it is made for the tension of the steel strings.

[bratsche]

Just out of curiosity, how are people putting the nylon strings on the tailpieces? Just tying some kind of knot with a loop in it?

bratsche

[Baskervils]

This is an old thread, but I wanted to share my experience.

I have a Do Souto cavaquinho. I bought Aquila Red Series strings. Mostly, they sound good and dampen the sound of the instrument, in a pleasant way.

The D (low), G and D (high) strings all sound fine. However, the B string has a bizarre tone / overtone that makes it sound out of tune, even when it isn't. I was thinking about swapping it out for another string. Perhaps a classical guitar string?

Any experience or possible remedies?

[Baskervils]

This is an old thread, but I wanted to share my experience.

I have a Do Souto cavaquinho. I bought Aquila Red Series strings. Mostly, they sound good and dampen the sound of the instrument, in a pleasant way.

The D (low), G and D (high) strings all sound fine. However, the B string has a bizarre tone / overtone that makes it sound out of tune, even when it isn't. I was thinking about swapping it out for another string. Perhaps a classical guitar string?

Any experience or possible remedies?

Quick Update - I didn't see a way to update the original post. I swapped the B string out for a Savarez classical string and it sounds much better. I need something a bit darker, but for anyone having this issue, there are options!

[kjbllc]

i use guitar stings give a great low g by tuning down the low a i use them on a nui very happy with them

[Baskervils]

i use guitar stings give a great low g by tuning down the low a i use them on a nui very happy with them

Thanks! I was worried that I would need too much string tension to get this to work with the cavaco, but it was just fine.

[kjbllc]

the nui string length is 23 inches so that helps with the guitar strings. not sure what the length is for you instrument.

[mandroid]

Mine is 14" Mandolin fingerboard on a soprano Uke Banjo {with a spruce 'head'}
(Slingerland May Belle brought back from the near dead)

Like to learn Physical differences diameter ? materials .. Wound ? with what?



FWIW I'm fine with the 1M, but for the low one .. in FCGD, Thus, not taking the 1st string up to E..

[Baskervils]

Like a mandolin, my cavaquinho is 14" from bridge to nut, which is considerably shorter than a guitar scale. I was uncertain if I was putting increased tension on my guitar strings at this scale. So far, it seems to be faring well, although the intonation with nylon strings is not quite as tight as steel.

As a fun aside, I put cavaquinho (steel) strings on my Rickenbacker electric mandolin and it sounds GREAT! I was so pleased to learn that cavs and mandos have the same scale!

[kjbllc]

i think the nylon strings have a lot less tension as a rule

[mandroid]

Just out of curiosity, how are people putting the nylon strings on the tailpieces? Just tying some kind of knot with a loop in it?

bratsche

Pretty much .. I have a 5 pin 'No Knot' banjo tail piece ... I use 4 of its posts & tie a Knot.

if I had ball end strings it would be tidy.. 4 slots between the 5 posts..